Linux Localization And E-governance

BhondaiPola writes "The Telegraph has an interesting article about the works of a Bengali Linux localization group. The article speaks of the potential areas in which localization can be implemented, especially, E-governance. Most of the stuff is known to us, but the article should serve as a nice introductory article for anyone new to the issue. And I liked the screenshots of the localized GNOME in the website of the group."

Comments

Localisation, FOSS and developing countries

[Telex4]

What a coincedence, I gave a lecture on FOSS to some CS students this morning, and talked a bit about FOSS in developing countries. One person asked if software is really an issue where there are still large numbers of people living below the poverty line and where access to clean water and a fairly paid job is generally a more important issue than whether or not someone can hack around on a PC.

But this shows why it is important, if not as important as trade and development issues. Countries like India in particular have nascent computer industries, and growing numbers of users. The more we can do to combat the digital divide and welcome all people in this world onto the Internet and into the logic age, the better. FOSS is key to doing this IMO, and will ensure that as this happens, information technology is controlled by those that use it not those that provide the means to use it.

People who did this

[pbug]

Did it because they can. That is the great thing about open source software. The bottom line is that are in more control of your computing experience (if you access to the skills necessary ) I hope the are able to get their government to take hold of this project and run with it.

How much localization is available in Windows?

[overbyj]

Yes, I know that you can get Windows in the major languagues but I wonder where does MS draw the line. For example, is there a Bengali version of Windows. I am guessing there is but the bigger picture is that Linux with its openness would allow anybody to localize the OS to their languauge. If somebody wanted to, you could make a Klingon or Elvish version of Linux. Why you would want to do that beyond the coolness factor is beyond me but the point is that you are pretty much a slave to MS in terms of localization.

You speak Xhosa or Bantu or some very minor language in a Third World country, do you think MS will cater to you. Most likely not. Linux can and will cater to you with a little bit of work. One more way to push Linux as a serious alternative to MS in developing countries.

Products Now are Bottom-Up not Top-Down ....

[leoaugust]

Localisation is the process by which software and computing systems are adapted to a particular language and the specific cultural habits of a region. However, before the process of localisation can begin, the software has to be internationalised to support multiple languages and local customs.

More so than the particular languages, and the multiple languages, what I believe is more important and rather difficult to implement are the elements of specific cultural habits and local customs For this, it truly has to be a bottom-up process. It cannot be imposed from top in a top-down process.

• As the article says, In the first successful project of localisation of Indian languages, Ankur, an initiative of a group of academicians, students, professionals, linguists and techies - all volunteers and without any financial backing
• and the fact that the government's much-flaunted government-to-citizen effort - Banglar Mukh (the face of Bengal) - has fallen flat on its face
• When the product emerged from the grassroots, it rose and stood up, and when it it was imposed from the tree-top it fell flat on its face.

My question is whether this means that we are doomed to wait for something successful to emerge on its own, rather than being able to drive its creation in well-articulated plans ? For example, I have been wanting to create a community site for a National Olympic Committee (NOC, with about 60 sub organizations who will be the ones contributing material), and also one for a national political party to organize a Poll Information Management System, (PIMS)

• but I am finding that it is not enough to push a few people with money to select and customize software like slash, scoop, Drupal, Geeklog, PHPNuke or PostNuke, to satisfy the local needs for the NOC or PIMS, and definitely not enough to attact an active community
• and that maybe the successful programs for the NOC and PIMS have to emerge from not a few people pushed to achieve them but a larger group of people who come together, driven not by money but a bigger sense of purpose ....

In other words, when it really matters, I find that the profit motive arguemnt of McBride and SCO is not only cynical, it is increasingly not borne out by reality.