The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Iceland is a very forward looking nation with a very ancient culture, but several years ago the government of the country was extremely upset with Microsoft. Wanting the students in its schools to be able to use computers as they wished, but wishing to preserve their language, Iceland applied to Microsoft to have Windows and Office software translated in into Icelandic. Microsoft refused to translate the software, stating that Iceland was too small of a market and that they would never be able to make a profit. As a few years have passed since this incident and Microsoft has faced increasing pressure from overseas markets passing up their software in favour of Linux products and open source office suites, Microsoft has now announced that they will make available to regional governments "Language Interface Packs" allowing them to translate their operating systems and office suites into local languages. Currently Microsoft Office is available in 39 languages while OpenOffice, the popular open source suite is available in 30, with more then twice as many translation projects currently underway, most in smaller or medium sized markets largely ignored by the larger software companies. The pressure has been growing for these translations to happen as the Internet has grown increasingly internationalised and web surfers are having difficulties finding information in their own languages. By an overwhelming percentage, information on the Internet is in English and with open source software becoming more prevalent, societies around the world are seeking to rectify this situation. The African nation of Rwanda is a perfect example. Up to now completely ignored by the major software companies, and in a nation where approximately 90% of people do not have access to electricity, ten college students and a professor are working on translating a Linux operating system and office suite into their local language. Developing nations are going to see the strongest growth in computer sales in years to come and projects like this are designed to ensure basic software will be available in these markets as they expand. Microsoft is finally beginning to understand that these issues go far beyond business, having become, in many places, an issue of patriotism or national pride. For example, in response to rampant software piracy in Asia, Microsoft has basically left the market alone for years, not wanting to throw their money into the development of products which might end by being pirated anyway. However, open source developers have begun working on local language software in Thailand, and Microsoft has responded by quickly offering a stripped down version of Windows and Office for approximately $50. Next year, these same major systems will be translated into all fourteen major Indian languages as the powerful, well-educated middle-class in this nation demands to be recognised. Microsoft has been dismayed by the large numbers of individuals and governments abandoning their work to other software. Across Europe and Asia, the security, expense, and adaptability of their products is coming under increasing pressure and the globalising economy is calling them to do more to ensure their products are useful worldwide. ([email protected])
