Kenneth Gonsalves(KG alias lawgon) was one of my mentors. He was a unique personality and always helped me sharpen my Python programming skills. Along with him, I conducted more than a dozen Python workshops in the Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu, India. It was shocking news when I received the call on Aug 3rd, 2012, about his sudden demise. He taught me many skills, such as Open Source Mapping with Open Street Mapping and how to work in Open Source Community. He was instrumental in most of my Open Source endeavors, such as reviving the Coimbatore Linux Users Group and Chennai Python Meetings (2008-2009). He played a crucial role in registering the Indian Python Software Society and working with many brilliant minds in the Indian Python Software Developer community in India to start the Indian Python Conference. If Kenneth was here today, he might have comments on today's conference formats, etc., but would have been very happy to see the growth. In 2022, I was attending training on ‘Think Like a Lawyer,’ and I could recollect advice from Kenneth on many scenarios we were trying to tackle. Any open source enthusiast who joined and posted one e-mail to ILUG-Chennai (Indian Linux Users Group – Chennai) might not have missed at least a reminder about how to write and respond to e-mails in forums. I followed it for most of the enterprise journey and eventually surrendered to the flow. Dropping the ball on continuing the ILUG CBE is still my greatest regret; after Kenneth’s time, we moved to various parts of the country and became busy. Still have wild thoughts about reviving it.
His passion for Golf made him a referee, and he developed Python Django-based software for managing Golf Play/Events. The software was in use in Ooty and Coimbatore Golf club. The way he mainlined documentation for the software was fantastic. People with less idea bout how the software is created were able to install, configure and troubleshoot it. I was called once to Coimbatore Golf club to perform the re-install, and it was a quick task as he kept a note for the computer operator to do it. The software is still available in his GitHub repo; not sure anybody ever updated it. He was a well-known contributor to the Django Python community.
During his tenure at MIT-College Chennai, AU-KBC, and NRC-FOSS days, he mapped the campus with his GPS and Phone OSM software. The details on the campus were 100% accurate and up-to-date in the Open Street Maps. It was a precious work with precision.
He was a big fan of Fedora Linux and a critic of RedHat. When I acquired my first laptop in 2008, I installed Fedora following his path and advice (I donated the computer last year to GoodWill with Fedora 8 running!). We had the same issue the BSNL 3G Dongle never connects in a new Fedora Version. Compile re-compile IRC chats, RedHat criticism, and victory.
Considering all his contributions, the Python Software Foundation (PSF) recognized him with a Community Service Award (posthumous). There was the best speaker award in the name of Kenneth at the Indian Python Software Conference.
He introduced my friends and me to many well-known figures in India. He was happy to attach me as a teaching aid if there were any Python training programs in and around Coimbatore. He was very prompt in ensuring that I was remunerated along with him. The experience of training with him helped me get independent training programs and overcome some of my financial troubles during my Coimbatore days. The similarity was that we both came from a non-technical background and liked Open Source and Python programmers. I was focused on Analytics and Machine Learning, and KG was a master in many subject areas. Once there was a question on the ILUG-Chennai mailing list about suing Open Source for the benefits of Groundnut Farming. Somebody questioned the question, ‘what is the relevance here?’ KG’s response was both have kernel! One of the longest threads I remembered during COVID-19 was about Raspberri-PI and Public Urine Testing (Yes! The thread was much before IoT and analytics were hot topics).
It has been ten years without him for the people who know him, worked with him, close affiliates, and family. The knowledge and experience he shared are precious. He is my mentor and guide and believes he is with us. Still, I read your articles from Linux For You - https://www.opensourceforu.com/author/kenneth-gonsalves/.
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