Atul Chitnis

Atul Chitnis (born 1962 in Berlin, Germany) is a consulting technologist and lives in Bangalore, India.

His focus areas include mobile and handheld devices, wireless data networks, appropriate technologies (matching available technologies to actual requirements, instead of the other way round), Linux and FOSS, entertainment technologies (especially the music industry), and the identification and understanding of future technologies that could impact his clients and technology audiences.

= Development =

During the 1980s, Atul was actively involved in the development of application software for the growing PC markets, and eventually moved into the development of award-winning datacommunication and networking solutions, honing his skills both as a developer as well as an entrepreneur.

= Writing =

Atul enjoys wide-spread recognition in Indian technology circles because of his articles, seminars and events. His technology column [http://comversations.com/attic/1993-1996/ COMversations] (1993-1997) in the Indian technology magazine PCQuest was known for its humanized approach to technology, explaining fundamentals and encouraging readers to use the technologies he described.

In the early 1990 s, he helped clear up myths and misunderstandings about data communication in India, by not only writing and speaking extensively on the subject, but by encouraging the setting up of actual online services.

His own BBS [http://atulchitnis.net/writings/cix.php CiX] (1989-1999) become the first publicly accessible online service of any kind in the Indian subcontinent, and become the starting point for thousands of Indians as they began exploring the online world.

Throughout the 1990s, Atul worked with the IT industry to help prepare itself, and eventually adapt to, the onslaught of the Internet, guiding companies in their quest to become global in their approach to electronic communication.

= FOSS Activities =

He is best known for his extensive work in the field of Linux and Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) - a field that he has personally nurtured and supported in India since 1994.

As Consulting Editor for PCQuest from 1996 to 2002, he helped trigger Linux and FOSS adoption in India by conceiving and driving the PCQuest Linux Initiative, which has been credited with the introduction and proliferation of Linux and FOSS in the Indian corporate world.

In the late 1990s, he, as a member of the Bangalore Linux User Group, helped the nascent FOSS community of India to gain visibility through participation in a number of high-profile technology expos and events, such as Bangalore IT.COM.

In 2001, Atul conceived and drove the Linux Bangalore series of annual conventions, working with industry, FOSS community and governments to address their requirements. This convention, originally facilitated by the Bangalore Linux User Group, went from being a small regional event to becoming a recognised international event in a span of a few years, paving the way for similar conferences across India and Asia.

Over the years, he has helped lay the foundation of government and industry IT policies that address the Internet, data networks and FOSS technologies in their scope. In 2002, he was invited by the Indian Government to submit [http://atulchitnis.net/writings/oss_govt.pdf recommendations](PDF) towards the formulation of a FOSS policy.

= Education =

After his initial schooling in Germany, he migrated to India in 1972, where he completed his education in 1985, graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the Gogte Institute of Technology.

= References =

*http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/36049350.cms The Times of India *http://www.rediff.com/search/2002/aug/21net1.htm Rediff.com

= External links =

*http://atulchitnis.net Personal Website *http://atulchitnis.com Professional Website *http://linux-bangalore.org Linux Bangalore *http://www.pcquest.com PCQuest *http://www.dqindia.com Dataquest India