VGLUG is dedicated to empowering rural college students through technology education.
As part of this initiative, we conduct weekly training sessions on Python With AgenticAI.
- Python & AgenticAI – Arts(Team 1) & Arts(Team 2) & Arts (Team 3)
- Python & AgenticAI – Engg(Team 1) & Engg(Team 2) & Engg(Team 3)
These sessions focus on practical knowledge of Python, AgenticAI, free and open-source tools, and also include social awareness and community engagement activities.
Python With AgenticAI Training – 1’st Week Recap
Session 1: – Orientation
Session Taken : Kowsalya, Sathish, Dilip, Deepak, Kanimozhi , Vijayalakshmi
Date: 02-08-2026 (Sunday)
Time: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Minutes of the Meeting
Python With AgenticAI – (Arts Team1,Team2, Team3) & (Engg Team1,Team2, Team3)
Instead of directly starting with a technical topic, students were encouraged to interact with each other through simple ice-breaking and extracurricular activities.
These activities helped students come out of their comfort zones, participate actively, and build a friendly environment.
There were smiles, conversations, small challenges, and enthusiastic participation from the students. The activities created a relaxed atmosphere and helped students understand that the session was not just about listening to a lecture.
It was about participating, interacting, and learning together.
Introducing Ourselves:
After the ice-breaking activities, students were given an opportunity to introduce themselves.
Each student shared their:
- Name
- College
- Course or department
- Interests
- Hobbies
- What they expect from the training
Getting to Know VGLUG
Once the students got to know each other, the session moved towards an introduction to VGLUG Foundation.Students were introduced to the journey of VGLUG, its activities, and its vision of bringing technology learning opportunities to students and communities.
VGLUG is a community that promotes Free and Open Source Software and technology learning.Over the years, VGLUG has conducted various learning sessions, training programs, workshops, community activities, and awareness programs
Session 2 : FOSS Introduction:
What is FOSS?
FOSS is about software that provides users with important freedoms to use, study, modify, and share the software according to its license.Free and Open Source Software provides several benefits for students, developers, organizations, and communities.
- 1. Freedom to Use
- FOSS allows users to use the software according to the freedoms provided by its license.
- 2. Learn and Explore
- Students can explore open-source projects and understand how software works.
- 3. Modify and Improve
- Users and developers can modify the source code when the license permits it.
- 4. Share Knowledge
- FOSS encourages people to share software, knowledge, and solutions with others.
FOSS vs Proprietary Software
FOSS → Users have freedoms and access to source code according to the license.
Proprietary Software → The software is controlled by its owner, and source code is generally not available to users.
| Feature | FOSS | Proprietary Software |
|---|---|---|
| Source code | Available according to the license | Generally not available |
| Modification | Usually permitted under license terms | Generally restricted |
| Redistribution | Permitted under license terms | Usually restricted |
| Cost | Often free of charge, but not always | Often paid, subscription, or licensed |
| Development | Community and/or organizations | Usually controlled by the software owner |
| Collaboration | Encouraged | Generally controlled by the company |
| Customization | Usually more flexible | Usually limited |
| Community contribution | Common | Usually limited |
| Examples | Linux, Firefox, VLC, LibreOffice | Windows, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop |
FOSS Applications :
Operating Systems
- GNU/Linux
- Ubuntu
- Debian
- Fedora
- Linux Mint
Web Browsers
- Mozilla Firefox
- Chromium
Office Applications
- LibreOffice
- ONLYOFFICE Community Edition
Media Applications
- VLC Media Player
- Audacity
Graphics & Design
- GIMP
- Inkscape
- Krita
- Blender
Programming & Development
- Python
- Git
- GCC
- Visual Studio Code (source available under Microsoft’s license; not itself generally considered FOSS)
- VSCodium (open-source distribution of the VS Code editor)
Databases
- PostgreSQL
- MariaDB
- SQLite
Web Technologies
- Apache HTTP Server
- Nginx
- WordPress
FOSS is not limited to applications. It also includes libraries, frameworks, tools, platforms, and communities that developers and learners use to build technology.
FOSS is not just about getting software for free.It is about freedom, learning, sharing, collaboration, and contribution.
Special thanks to Kowsalya, Sathish, Dilip, Deepak, Kanimozhi, and Vijayalakshmi for their support and contribution in making the FOSS Introduction & Orientation session successful.
VGLUG Foundation 