kmgpost:Frequently Asked Questions About soc.culture.indian.kerala [ FAQ]
ica...@access.digex.net
[0] You can look at this FAQ via WWW at
"http://karuna.issoln.com/FAQ.htm"
[1] Recent changes to the FAQ.
The mail-to-news Gateway information has been updated
and a KMG pointer inserted.
Last Revision: 01/29/96.
[2] Information about this document.
This is an introduction to the newsgroup soc.culture.indian.kerala,
describing general topics of discussion and the manner in which
various resources associated with the newsgroup can be accessed.
This document is posted every week in Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala.
The Current Maintainer of this FAQ is Paul Chemmanoor. at
ica...@access.digex.net
[3] Basic information about Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala
[ 3.1] Tell me something about Kerala.
The state of Kerala is a long and narrow strip along the
southwestern tip of India. It ranges just over 15,500 sq.miles in
area, and more than a quarter of which is covered by forests. The
heavy rainfall (>100 inches) in several districts creates a land
green and lush throughout the year. Paddy fields and coconut palms
cover the plains while the hills grow cardamom, rubber, pepper, tea
and coffee.
Kerala and its 25 million people compose one of the most densely
populated states in India, but also the most advanced in terms of
health and literacy indicators. Kerala is often cited in
international fora for its spectacular advances in decreasing
population growth and for its achievement of near total literacy
for all Keralites, along with Standard Of Living Indicators that
place Kerala into the Middle Income Group among societies,
surpassing any other state in India, although Kerala remains one of
the poorest states in terms of actual income, in India.
Keralites, as natives of Kerala are known, are very mobile, and can
be found in nearly every inhabited continent of the world. Perhaps
forced by the little economic opportunity provided within the state
they have always comprised a large component of India's large
expatriate population, far in excess of their share by way of
population. In fact one of the major sources of income in Kerala is
the remittance from Keralites abroad, especially from the Middle
East or the Gulf as it is called in India.
The official language is Malayalam, spoken by over 95% of the
population, making Kerala one of the most linguistically
homogeneous states of India.
The population of Kerala is approximately 1/2 Hindu, 1/4th
Christian and 1/4th Muslim. The different religious groups of
Kerala have co-existed peacefully.
[3.2] Where can I get more Information about Kerala?
The chief resources on Kerala on the internet are available via WWW
access. There is a separate document titled IP: Kerala WWW
resources which list these documents.
[3.3] When were the *.Kerala groups formed?
Alt.Culture.Kerala was formed in July 1992 at the University of
Colorado, Boulder.
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala was declared passed on 10/10/94 by vote
as required for soc. hierarchy newsgroups.
[3.4] What is the Charter of Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala?
CHARTER
-------
To discuss issues that relate primarily to the culture of the
people of Keralite origin around the world.
Topics for discussion include (but are not limited to)
1.Cinema.
2.Books.
3.Traditions & Beliefs.
4.Humor.
5.News.
6.Food.
as they relate to Kerala and Keralite culture.
[3.5] Should I cross-post to other Indian newsgroups while posting to
Alt.Culture.Kerala,Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala?
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala was formed to serve people who had a
special interest in Kerala. Crossposting to other Indian
newsgroups is discouraged *unless* the topic is *really* of
importance to all Indians. If possible, try to avoid cross-posting
of controversial topics. Please post separate articles in such
cases, on both or all newsgroups.
This is intended to keep Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala free from the
flame-wars that consume the larger Indian newsgroups.
[3.6] How can I limit cross-postings?
If you see a cross-posting of a article you are sure will generate
flames, please try to set the follow-up header to point to the
appropriate newsgroup, while replying to it, [[ * Please mention
explicitly that you are doing so in the post for the sake of
net.courtesy. * ]]
[3.7] I saw this group only today, should I post a introductory
message?
Early in the life of Alt.Culture.Kerala, a mechanism was devised to
avoid introductions on the net. There is a resource called the
'AckerList' available to ackers. Look at section 9 for more
information.
[3.8] I don't know if my newsreaders are working, should I test posting
on Alt.Culture.Kerala or on soc.culture.indian.kerala?
No! There is a group called alt.test which was specifically created
for the purpose of testing posts on usenet groups. Automatic
software around the globe will respond to your post and confirm the
success of your first postings.
[3.9] The Alt.Culture.Kerala/soc.culture.indian.kerala community
seems the perfect audience for my matrimonial post, should I post
it or shouldn't I?
Although there is no unanimity on this score, a low cost solution
has been suggested:
Please prefix the post for matrimonials with 'MATRIMONIAL:' in the
subject line. This will allow the readers to decide whether to read
it or to insert an entry in their KILLFILES, depending on how they
feel.
[3.10] The post I just read is so stupid, it gets me mad, should I
flame the author in Alt.Culture.Kerala soc.culture.indian.kerala?
Flames are generally discouraged on Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala. Try
to be polite in your language. When being sarcastic, as Keralites
will very often be, sprinkle freely with Smileys.
[[ The author is aware, he has been guilty of said crime a few
times :-( ]]
[3.11] No one on Alt.Culture.Kerala or soc.culture.indian.kerala seems
to be discussing anything worthwhile, what should I do?
Start a new thread of your own. It may not be picked up at first,
but eventually someone with your interests will emerge.
[3.12] I think I have something to say about a particular religion or
religious practice, should I or shouldn't I post my thoughts on
Alt.Culture.Kerala soc.culture.indian.kerala?
There has been strong feelings about this in the past of
Alt.Culture.Kerala history. One line summary: Please be sensitive
to other people's feelings about Religion. Post by all means but
be sensitive and be careful. This is the topic over which most
Indian newsgroups have stumbled. We don't want to do that in
soc.Culture.indian.Kerala.
[4] My site doesn't receive Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala, is there any way
I can access articles in Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala without using
newsreading software?
The newsgroup alt.culture.kerala is distributed via mail for those
who don't have news access. Details are given in the FAQ for that
group.
Such a service does not exist for soc.culture.indian.kerala. [
that the author is aware of ]
[5] My site doesn't let me post to Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala, is there a
way to post without such permissions at my local site?
Yes, please use your www browser to look at
"http://karuna.issoln.com/Services.htm" and follow
instructions.
[6] Is there a place I can locate previous discussions on topics that
have occurred on Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala?
An Alt.Culture.Kerala archive has become available very recently at
http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~munna/ack.html.
This archive will be tar-archived for redundancy at several other
sites. Contact
ica...@access.digex.net for archiving articles.
If anyone else is willing to offer archive space please contact
ica...@access.digex.net to include that fact in the FAQ.
[7] Is there a way I can find out who else is reading Alt.Culture.Kerala
and soc.culture.indian.kerala?
Yes, the AckerList described in section 9 is an excellent way to
find out.
[8] What is the estimated readership of Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala?
Usenet tracking software estimates readership of
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala at several thousand.
Authors Note: My closest estimate of regular
Alt.Culture.Kerala/Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala readership is around
500. This is based on the log of SEND requests of the AckerList
described in section 9.
[9] What are the resources that have become available on
Alt.Culture.Kerala?
[9.1] The WWW resources for kerala are now posted as a separate
document with the subject line : IP: Kerala WWW Resources.
[9.2] The AckerList at ica...@access.digex.net
This a list of names and information voluntarily supplied by
ackers. It is a good first place to look for long lost friends and
to make new ones. The list is updated every week.
To receive a copy of the latest AckerList send mail to above
address using the subject line:
"SEND ACKERLIST"
*please* type the subject line exactly. The body of the mail is
discarded.
For more information on the ackerlist read the regular weekly
postings in Alt.Culture.Kerala, about it.
[10] How do I access the mail server resources?
Mail server resources on Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala are generally
accessed by mailing the appropriate address using a special subject
line. Refer to individual resources for details.
[11] I have the time and the motivation to put together a resource for
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala, how do I go about it?
Just build your resource and make it public by announcing it on
Alt.Culture.Kerala and Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala and sending the
maintainer of the FAQ a note to include your resource in the list.
Also make it clear in your public notice on Alt.Culture.Kerala and
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala whether you welcome inclusion of your URL
(links) in other peoples resources.
It is hoped that all acker resources will be traversable from any
point. This is our goal.
[12] Is there a standard way of transcribing Malayalam into English on
Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala?
Yes, the document is available from Mathai C. At Univ. Of
Oklahoma.
[13] I know someone who wants to learn or improve his or her Malayalam,
are there any resources on Soc.Culture.Indian.Kerala that can help?
[13.1] Courses at University of Texas at Austin.
During Summer session there is regular Intensive Malayalam class
which totals 10 credit at the University of Texas at Austin. This
session will teach students one full year worth of regular study.
The session normally ends with a Kerala dinner at the Instructors
house.
Regular Malayalam classes at both graduate and undergraduate level
are also offered during long semesters. The first semester starts
in Fall and the full course lasts for 4 semesters.
The text book used is "Malayalam: A University Course and Reference
Grammar". by Rodney F. Moag.
The Malayalam book is $35.00 plus $5.00 for shipping.
Malayalam tapes are $20 for a set of 10 tapes plus $10.00 for
shipping and handling.
The check for $40.00 has to be made out to Rodney Moag for the
books and the one for the tapes, $30.00 made out to The University
of Texas at Austin. The address for the tapes is:
U.T. Language Lab,
BATTS 101,
The University of Texas at Austin,
Austin, TX 78712
The address for the book:
Rodney Moag,
Associate Professor,
Department of Asian Studies,
WCH 5.138
The University of Texas at Austin,
Austin, TX 78712
[13.2] Dr. Scaria's Malayalam Textbook.
There are thousands of Malayalees scattered all over the world.
The children of these emigrants study in English medium schools
with no opportunities to learn their mother tongue. However, it is
possible to teach them the language with the help of a suitable
book with instructions in English. No such book was available
until recently. Now a wonderful book entitled "Learning Malayalam
through the English medium", written by Dr. K.S. Scaria, is being
widely used in the U.S.A.
The book has a foreword written by Dr. K.M. George, one of the
foremost authorities on Malayalam language and grammar; an
introduction by Padmashree K.J. Jesudas, and it comes highly
recommended by Prof. M.V. Pylee, the former Vice Chancellor of
Cochin University."
"For your order contact
Dr. K.S. Scaria
N22 W22201 Meadowood Ct.
Waukesha, WI 53186
The book costs $15.00*
[14] I know something that ought to be in this FAQ, or something that
should be different in it, how can I have the FAQ modified?
Very easily, by contacting the maintainer of this FAQ.
=====================================================================
Original-Message-ID: <1996021210...@access2.digex.net>
KMG-Approved-Date:Mon Feb 12 05:31:52 EST 1996
Disclaimer:KMG is a moderated mail-to-news gateway for the Kerala newsgroups.
Information "http://karuna.issoln.com/Services.htm"
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.6.2
iQB1AwUBMR8XGi0yifL7/XUNAQHJ1QMAh5Ed6Coq8SxOgVR/R0N1vIFxl9B997s6
nykS2xixEVw2Sh0KV6SwiPO34HYYdf3lk8MZ8rIotIMYNDtBYWTaOGP9J2Nvg80k
MK8ZW2s9+ZltiXiXS83oWJGJdR+ZjXVF
=611P
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----