Microsoft Aims to Double Windows Language Versions
Posted by Tom Warren on 16 March 2004 - 22:26 · 29 comments & 1592 views
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Full name: Tom Warren
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Full name: Tom Warren
Forum name: creamhackered
Contact: via forum PM
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(2 replies)
#1 Posted by Varsity on 16 Mar 2004 - 22:30
- It's not like there is anyone computer-savvy that speaks only Welsh. Ultimately this will be a waste of resources for very little, if any, gain.
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#1.1 Posted by brianshapiro on 17 Mar 2004 - 08:00
- There are many people who want to prevent languages and cultures from dying out, so they are arguing for language-specific versions so that doesn't happen. In some cases, where there was no written form of the writing, such as native american communities, linguists have invented alphabets so they can be preserved. In certain situations, like in Hawaii activists are trying to get schools to be taught in the native or aboriginal language.
I don't necessarily support it, and it is a PR move to the extent that I dont think they earn much more money on it. But it meets a lot of peoples political interests -
#1.2 Posted by theh0g on 17 Mar 2004 - 08:52
- No language will be preserved through Windows OS, it's a matter of culture. Online you sooner or later get across English. Good, let those, who aren't comp-savvy enjoy and explore Windows, fine, but I don't like the Microsoft's way of forcing everybody with localized version of Windows, you have to extra demand an English version to get it. I know many people who, just like me, can't do anything in translated Windows as the translations are really idiotic in some cases, some countries simply don't have special words for some computer-related things so they just make new ones. I still think that it's better to work with Windows in English because you get used to any program easily. Why can't Microsoft include few languages in one version of Windows is still unknown to me. Just my opinion
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#2 Posted by Ghostdraconi on 16 Mar 2004 - 22:40
- True but this move is more PR than practical. If i'm buying a new OS i'm more likely to favour the one that's in my native tongue.
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(4 replies)
#3 Posted by Worm of Doom on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:00
- It's about time they made a British English version of Windows... enough people speak that to warrant it being on their list.
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#3.1 Posted by Shining Arcanine on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:02
- I would think dialects don't count.
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#3.3 Posted by WindowsNT on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:06
- I agree with you there, but all they need to do is release a UK English pack and bung it on Windows Update or something so save existing Windows 2000/XP users for having to buy Windows all over again.
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#3.4 Posted by LordHatrus on 17 Mar 2004 - 03:14
- Some linux distros have all the different versions of English....
It's kinda weird, having to pick US English out of like 8 other choices...
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(1 reply)
#4 Posted by Deth on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:08
- What an odd PR move on their part. I can't imagine that the sum total of these languages they're adding will affect a sizable customer base (or even a potential one) which cannot already converse fluently in another language they already support!
In fact, I was speaking to one of my many Indian coworkers about the nine (9) new Indian language versions they're considering, and his response was "Why bother, we already use the English version." Hell, is there a considerable demand in Ethiopa for a localized version of XP? How about the Catalon region covering a modest chunk of southern Europe... are there truly 11 million people that primarily speak this language?
What a waste of time... spend time fixing the well nigh endless buffer overflows! -
#4.1 Posted by midsummerstorm on 17 Mar 2004 - 18:01
- Here's a Catalan, since you asked. Can't say I really believe there are 11 million catalan speakers, but the number doesn't really matter; we are a lot more than other european languages that have much more official and business support. What we're talking here is about respect to other cultures. I can tell all this replies that say "this is a waste of time and money" are not members of a culture that strives to survive. I can talk English and Spanish but that doesn't mean I want to abandon my own culture. So please stop whinning already.
If your Indian coworkers don't care about their culture, that's really sad.
I per si algú pot entendre això, és realment increible la quantitat de capullos que hi ha per aquí que no poden veure més enllà del seu nas. Què passaria si Microsoft només tregués una versió en xinès mandarí pel simple fet que és el llenguatge més usat del planeta? Quants d'aquests capullos es queixarien amargament...
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(1 reply)
#5 Posted by Sushubh on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:11
- hindi anyone???
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(1 reply)
#6 Posted by AfmomasTER on 16 Mar 2004 - 23:24
- propaganda
deluxe
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(2 replies)
#7 Posted by yoaliens3000 on 17 Mar 2004 - 00:33
- i want an ebonics verison of windows.
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#8 Posted by CubanPete on 17 Mar 2004 - 00:59
- woot Welsh
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#9 Posted by CubanPete on 17 Mar 2004 - 01:06
- waste of money?? maybe, but lets face it microsoft have the time and the moeny to invest in such a venture, im guessing little work between os versions is needed so if they do the language's now they can probably simply add the file to longhorn when thats released.
As for the argument that they already use the english one, well maybe they do but you could argue why doesnt the whole world just speak english?? its down to choice, more choice = happy peeps even if they dont use the new languages the CHOICE is there for them to decide!!!!
And to completly contridict my statement, maybe they just want governments to use MS software
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#10 Posted by SBeaver on 17 Mar 2004 - 01:17
- All for it, as long as software updates for languages other than english dont lagg behind. MS has been getting better at that lately though.
The only thing that doesn't come in multilanguage versions now is warez
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(1 reply)
#11 Posted by Solarix on 17 Mar 2004 - 02:17
- this is gonna be a waste of space
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#11.1 Posted by rogerroger on 17 Mar 2004 - 21:07
- Heck I can't even pronounce the names of the languages Amharic, Catalan, Gujarati.
English is difficult enough. Although I cannot wait for the day I can actually hit the "any key!"
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#12 Posted by chacho on 17 Mar 2004 - 02:41
- stoopid.
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(1 reply)
#13 Posted by phyloxx on 17 Mar 2004 - 03:01
- MS better learn the words "anti-trust" and "lawsuit" in another 20 languages then
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#14 Posted by trefaes on 17 Mar 2004 - 07:45
- It isn't a waste of money, think of the schools where languages such as welsh is a first language, they're now going to get a chance to teach using a welsh OS which will also help increase their pupils' vocabulary in that language... trust me... i go to a welsh school
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#15 Posted by dhavalhirdhav on 18 Mar 2004 - 01:39
- I tried out Hindi one and its really cool, I cant wait for Gujarati one.. well, this language one.. feels like a home computer when you got it in ur native language.. well, and forget abt us.. just consider abt the rural areas, where they are not able to learn english well.. they will be able to lear computers, just because of this languages.. and specially in Government offices native languages are only used.. so this is the best step taken by Microsoft. and the best part is.. u buy english version only, and you get a this language packs for free from Microsoft's web site.. so just download this language packs install them, and see them, if you dont like it, uninstall it, just as easy.. Microsoft rulez!!!
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#16 Posted by deadmonkey on 18 Mar 2004 - 09:42
- I think it is a good idea (I work in translation not as a translator though I can only just about speak English ). It isn't a massive task as Microsoft have a nice language system for Windows 2000 and above so it will be pretty easy for them to do and get working on people existing systems via Windows Update or a download/CD.
The Local Language Program aims to double the 40 languages now available on Microsoft's personal computer software with help from local governments.
Maggie Wilderotter, Microsoft's senior vice president in charge of working with governments overseas, said localized versions of Microsoft's Windows and programs such as Office would encourage local software engineers and businesses to build Windows-based programs and local software industries.
What's NEW :
Version 3.60 ( 15 March 2004 )
New Features
Added ONLY to Professional version :
- Advanced Recording settings, during recording you can use deinterlace filter and image processing filter, also in order to save some CPU power you can now disable the preview mode while recording.
- Recording Profile Settings where you can create, load, save and delete your customized recording profile settings.
Added to Professional and Standard versions :
- ChrisTV Scheduler ( For detailed informations check http://www.chris-tv.com/features.html#scheduler )
- The type of the Video Compression Codecs is now determined automatically : [ds] - DirectShow Video Codecs and [vfw] - Video For Windows Codecs (VCM).
- Sleep Timer feature has been added and works like the one you have on your real TV. The Sleep timer can be set to : 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 240 minutes countdown till computer shutdown.
- You can set a custom background for the Radio Stations (jpeg or bmp files).
- The automatic scanning by channel number has been improved for some countries.
- You can set the preview size of the video window to 40x30 size by pressing CTRL-0.
Fixes and Improvements:
- The settings button of Video Compression Codecs should work corectly with all types of Video Compression Codecs ([ds] and [vfw]).
- The image capturing window has been rearanged for an easy usage.
- There should be no more error messages like "List index out of bounds (-2)" when you use plug&play sound devices.
- Improvements and fixes to the mosaic mode, especially when the deinterlace filter is used.
- The language files have been updated.
- The ChrisTV load time is more faster.
- And other minor bugs fixed.