Microsoft Plans to Create Local Language Software

zensufi writes "CNET News has a story stating that Microsoft has announced plans for a program to help governments produce local language versions of key Microsoft applications, giving the software giant a hedge against a growing international threat from open-source software." The piece explains: 'The Local Language Program will provide local and regional governments with "language interface packs" that government and academic developers can use to produce localized versions of the Windows XP operating system and Office 2003 productivity package.'

Comments

Wow translating their software to other languages?

[stratjakt]

What antimonopolistic evil behaviour!

Actually customizing their products to different markets. UN FRICKIN BELIEVABLE.

Now throw yer tantrum kids.

Northern Californian Localization

[Anonymous Coward]

The NorCal local language pack will add the words hella and and shit in as many places as it can.

"Ah man, now I get it. The help files are hella easy to understand 'n shit. So if you wanna shut down, click the start button, and select Shut Down And Shit"

Meanwhile, the Southern Californian Localization will feature such items as "Shut Down - It's Just Called Shut Down"

Re:Northern Californian Localization

[Eberlin]

SoCal could use a stereotypic smattering of "Dude" and Valleyspeak's "Like" and "Totally" if not the "Foshizzles" and "Shizznits"

On a "Help" tab that nobody uses, I wrote:

"You, um, push buttons and like stuff happens. Sometimes it's like totally cool stuff but sometimes it's like 'oh man, there's no undo button? Mega bummer!'"

Not sure if anyone has noticed it here yet.

Now there's a job I wouldn't want...

[Anonymous Coward]

...the schmoe who has to translate all the stupid shit Clippy says into other languages.

Can't resist.....

[the.jedi]

How Do you say General Protection Fault in swahili?
EEEEeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Dialectizer Office?

[PetoskeyGuy]

Dialectizer Wizard

Please choose a language...

( ) Elmer Fudd
( ) Redneck
( ) Jive
( ) Cockey
( ) Sweedish Chef (my favorite)
( ) Moron
( ) Pig Latin
( ) Hacker

(BTW, this is from The Dialectizer site - Microsoft currently blocks them - no sense of humor)

How do you say "security hole" in Swahili?

[Anubis333]

What about languages that don't have direct translations for key words like "security hole", "patch", "bug", "unstable" and "hotfix"?

Re:Wow translating their software to other languag

[Black Parrot]

> Can I still hate Microsoft, regardless?

Yes, in more languages than ever before.