DBIT Undergrad Computer Society

DUCS Structure

DUCS functions under the aegis of the Computer Department but students from all streams are welcomed to work with it. It is also administered internally by its own Core Group. DUCS is different from other organizations simply because it is exclusively focused on DBIT, and that it is more of a support framework than anything else.

DUCS provides for interested volunteers to pursue activities in areas of their interest. These activities are carried out within the DUCS framework. Basically, volunteers form what are called as “Working Groups” or “Special Interest Groups”, whose method of internal functioning is not regulated by DUCS [Groups usually function on a self-learning and mutual help basis, but DUCS is always ready to provide help and technical support when needed.] However, the output of these groups is regulated by DUCS, in that all of their work follows certain guidelines established by the DUCS framework

The basic unit of the DUCS framework is the “group” which is setup, maintained and run by interested individuals, which is perhaps the key USP of DUCS.

These groups are long-term and have been established to provide specific services to ducs. These groups also conduct independent work. Other Special Interest Groups are formed by interested individuals from time to time. These SIGs focus only on certain activities/tasks. The internal organization of such groups is not regulated by DUCS.

Current Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that have close links with DUCS are as follows:

DIG DUCS Infrastructure Group (charged with infrastructural R&D)
The DUCS Infrastructure Group (DIG), one of the first groups to be created under DUCS framework. DIG is responsible for installation, maintenance and upgradation of infrastructure. It is a group consisting of volunteers who undertake to learn the intricacies of complex software and hardware in a very hands-on and practical environment. The work of the group is made available in the form of manuals, HOWTOs, quick references, etc.

Members of DIG also form a readily-available pool of volunteers from which the college can source talent for managing internal infrastructure instead of hiring professionals from outside. DIG also carries out research on various infrastructural options. DIG can assist in creating useful applications for available infrastructure. Members of the DIG will also participate in public (non-DBIT) platforms, such as support groups on the Internet, popularizing DBIT (and DUCS) using a we-do-this-in-our-college method.

It also lends technical support to various other groups in DUCS. Whenever there are technical challenges to be met in infrastructural applications, DIG can be called upon to provide a solution. Excellent examples for applications that would fall withing DIG’s purview would be the college
website, the Alumni database, an internal online discussion/feedback mechanism, the internal college network, labs, etc.

DIG currently works in collaboration with the System Administration and Web Development departments of CRAVE. Some of the successfull projects implemented by DIG are

• DBIT Moodle LMS
• Student Feedback System
• DBIT Cyber Lab
• Initial College Website
• DBIT Mail Sevice

Text Engineering Group (charged with documentation systems)
The keyword in DUCS is knowledge-sharing, and hence it is mandatory to produce at least electronic documentation for all activities carried out in the DUCS framework. This group is responsible for the maintenance and publishing of the various projects running under DUCS. It is also responsible for the text content and latest news/updates of this site.

Different groups are asked to submit a detailed documentation and report to the Text Engineering Group on a monthly basis. The group also archives the latest reports, proposals and other official documentation under Officials DOCS container in the repository section of this site.

To enable knowledge-sharing to take place at large scale a creation of vast base is required. The CRAVE Wiki caters to this need. Needless to say that the Text Engineering Group works in collaboration with Documentation department of CRAVE. All that is done in DUCS is documented and hosted on crave wiki by this group.

Free Software Support Group (charged with support for software used by ducs)
This group provides alternative, cost-effective solutions as well as support. It is group of volunteers willing to explore open source applications which can be used by DUCS or DBIT. It not only finds the open source applications but is also responsible for providing tutorials and guides on as to how to use these applications.

Currently this group has initiated a project called Open Source Revolution. The project aims to en corporate the use of open source softwares in academic activities of DBIT. It welcomes students and staff members from all the streams to join this project.

It also consults CRAVE team on the latest open source softwares in the area of Multimedia.

MultiDUCS - Multimedia Special Interest Group (charged with Multimedia R&D)
In 2006, DUCS initiated the MultiDUCS group. Its sole purpose was to bring about awareness among the students and staff of DBIT, the role of multimedia in today’s world. The group gave birth to a new project called CRAVE. CRAVE is a recursive acronym for CRAVE Research in Audio Visual Engineering. Because of its remarkable success it went on from being a simple project to a full fledged organization.

The institute has dedicated a Multimedia Laboratory that thrives on the architecture which is custom designed by CRAVE team. One of the major goals of CRAVE is to establish and provide support to a multimedia production house which runs completely on open source applications. The CRAVE team uses this lab facility to achieve its goals and objectives. DUCS and CRAVE have been functioning as a single unit year 2008, right from creating an architecture & setting up the machines to networking them. Today CRAVE can function on its own leaving DUCS to its original mission. To learn more about CRAVE Click Here.

As you can see DUCS and CRAVE work in collaboration in many different area to mutually benefit each other in order to evolve a mechanism for long time survival and enlarge the scope of research in DBIT. A pictorial presentation of the different areas in DUCS & CRAVE can be displayed as shown below: