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==Introduction==
To


The Software industry started in US, and traditionally software that allows only English input and output has been forced upon global users. This is based on this question from developers: "Why can't they all speak English?". However if a user is given two software products that offer same features, most people would choose one in their native language. Now a days software development centers are concentrated in countries like India, Australia, Mexico and Israel. As software is developed in different parts of world, successful companies believe that it is critical that their software products interact with their users in their native language and local conventions. Monolingual and mono cultural software products are not competitive.
Editor,


Around the world local conventions exist for number formatting, currency, dates, times, names, addresses, measurement, calendar. Besides local conventions software developer must consider cultural diversity issues related to numbers and colors. In Asian countries white denotes death in general but in western countries it is black. In Latin America death is denoted by purple. In US 13 is considered unlucky, 69 has sexual connotations, and 666 is the sign of the devil. In Hong Kong the number 7 is unlucky, while in India some people consider 7 as lucky number.
____________


==The Importance of Localisation==


Currently, people who want to use computers must first learn English. In a country with low literacy rates, this blocks access to information and communications technologies (ICTs), especially for the rural poor and women who do not have equal access to education. Even after having learnt English, users must pay hundreds of dollars to license foreign software, or resort to widespread illegal copying of software, in order to gain access to ICTs. In short, access to information technology is one of the keys to development, and localised Free Software applications remain a crucial missing link in communications infrastructure.
Subject: “Localization Camp” for promoting software availability in Local Languages on GNU/Linux


==Current status of Localisation==


<to be expanded>
Madam/Sir,


==Localisation Camp==


A Localisation camp is a place for introducing new people to localisation tools, processes and communities. It is also a place for inviting feedback from wide spectrum of people to improve existing translations. And a place to meet up and interact with other members of the community.
Use of IT services and software in our country has increased very rapidly during last decade. However availability of most of the software in Local languages (Marathi, Hindi, Malayalam, etc.) remains a major hurdle in taking IT to the last person. At the same time most of the people today use “proprietary” software which does not give it's users the freedom to study,modify,copy and redistribute the software. Examples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Pagemaker, CorelDraw, Oracle, etc.  


This camp is organised by Swathanthra Malayalam Computing, Uncode (Lokayat Free Software Initiative) and CoEP's Free Software Users Group. Venue provided by Red Hat. We are limiting attendance to 25 persons on a first come first serve basis. Lunch and tea will be provided at the venue.


For more details and registration, visit http://wiki.smc.org.in/Localisation_Camp/Pune or contact Praveen Arimbrathodiyil +91 9561745712
The world of IT has been witnessing a paradigm shift in last 2 decades, in the way software is developed and distributed to its users. The philosophy of “Free Software” has lead to the emergence of GNU/Linux operating system and a plethora of software applications, which are acknowledged to be the major threat to monopoly of software giant Microsoft. “Free” in “Free software” stands for Freedom and not for no-cost. Free software gives its users the freedom to copy,study,modify and redistribute the software. Many companies like Redhat, Canonical, etc. have created sustained business using free software. Such software is always developed by a community of software professionals using open standards and always by making the “source code” (the technology) available to people. Free software promotes sharing and co-operation among people and hence it is essential for a democratic society.


==How to reach Red Hat Office==


==About Swathanthra Malayalam Computing==
Many volunteers from India have been working on making available GNU/Linux in local languages. Today it is available to a good extent in many local languages like Marathi, Malayalam, Hindi, etc. However improvements can always be made.


Swathanthra Malayalam Computing is a developers collective working on enabling computer users to use computers in Malayalam with a motto of "My language for my computer". Many of the work done is common across various Indian Languages.


==About Uncode==
To promote the use of localized software and to promote development of software in local languages we are organizing a ''free of cost “Localization camp” ''that aims at introducing to software developers the state of the art and unresolved issues in this field. This camp is being organized by ''“Swathanthra Malayalam Computing”'', a group of developers working for Malayalyam software support; ''“Uncode” ''which is the free software initiative of ''“Lokayat”'', an activist group in Pune and ''CoFSUG (College of Engineering, Pune's Free Software Users Group)''. The venue for this event is being provided by ''“Red Hat”, ''which is a leading provider company of Free and Open Source software. The camp will focus on introducing various localization tools, processes and communities and as a forum for developers to connect. This event is open for all to participate, learn and have fun.


Lokayat is a social group in Pune working on various issues of the society, including women's issues, traffic problem, environment and many others. We also work on “free software” for Indian students and computer user through Lokayat Free Software Initiative called “UNCODE". They believe that knowledge has always been free and universal and because of that human race progressed so much. That is why the importance of “free” software is very high in today's society where we see all tendencies towards monopolisation of knowledge.


==About CoEP's Free Software Users Group==
This is one of its kind event happening in Pune. These kind of events are the distinguishing features of the “Free software community” which believes in co-operation and sharing. Event details:


==About Free Software==
Localization camp for promotion of software availability in local languages on GNU/Linux
Date and Time: 20th March 2010, 10 am to 5 pm; 21st March 10 am to 3 pm
Venue: Red Hat office, Tower 10, Cyber City, Magarpatta City, Hadapsar


Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the program's users have the four essential freedoms:
We request you to send your reporter and photographer to cover this event and help us promote local language computing. Sincerely,


    * The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
 
    * The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
Praveen Arimbrathodiyil +91 9561745712 Swathanthra Malayalam Computing
    * The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
 
    * The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
Rishikesh  Yeolekar +91 9423507864 Uncode,Lokayat's Free software Initiative
 
Abhijit A.M. +91 9422308125  CoFSUG(CoEP's free software Users group)

Latest revision as of 16:08, 15 March 2010

Press Release

To

Editor,

____________


Subject: “Localization Camp” for promoting software availability in Local Languages on GNU/Linux


Madam/Sir,


Use of IT services and software in our country has increased very rapidly during last decade. However availability of most of the software in Local languages (Marathi, Hindi, Malayalam, etc.) remains a major hurdle in taking IT to the last person. At the same time most of the people today use “proprietary” software which does not give it's users the freedom to study,modify,copy and redistribute the software. Examples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Pagemaker, CorelDraw, Oracle, etc.


The world of IT has been witnessing a paradigm shift in last 2 decades, in the way software is developed and distributed to its users. The philosophy of “Free Software” has lead to the emergence of GNU/Linux operating system and a plethora of software applications, which are acknowledged to be the major threat to monopoly of software giant Microsoft. “Free” in “Free software” stands for Freedom and not for no-cost. Free software gives its users the freedom to copy,study,modify and redistribute the software. Many companies like Redhat, Canonical, etc. have created sustained business using free software. Such software is always developed by a community of software professionals using open standards and always by making the “source code” (the technology) available to people. Free software promotes sharing and co-operation among people and hence it is essential for a democratic society.


Many volunteers from India have been working on making available GNU/Linux in local languages. Today it is available to a good extent in many local languages like Marathi, Malayalam, Hindi, etc. However improvements can always be made.


To promote the use of localized software and to promote development of software in local languages we are organizing a free of cost “Localization camp” that aims at introducing to software developers the state of the art and unresolved issues in this field. This camp is being organized by “Swathanthra Malayalam Computing”, a group of developers working for Malayalyam software support; “Uncode” which is the free software initiative of “Lokayat”, an activist group in Pune and CoFSUG (College of Engineering, Pune's Free Software Users Group). The venue for this event is being provided by “Red Hat”, which is a leading provider company of Free and Open Source software. The camp will focus on introducing various localization tools, processes and communities and as a forum for developers to connect. This event is open for all to participate, learn and have fun.


This is one of its kind event happening in Pune. These kind of events are the distinguishing features of the “Free software community” which believes in co-operation and sharing. Event details:

Localization camp for promotion of software availability in local languages on GNU/Linux Date and Time: 20th March 2010, 10 am to 5 pm; 21st March 10 am to 3 pm Venue: Red Hat office, Tower 10, Cyber City, Magarpatta City, Hadapsar

We request you to send your reporter and photographer to cover this event and help us promote local language computing. Sincerely,


Praveen Arimbrathodiyil +91 9561745712 Swathanthra Malayalam Computing

Rishikesh Yeolekar +91 9423507864 Uncode,Lokayat's Free software Initiative

Abhijit A.M. +91 9422308125 CoFSUG(CoEP's free software Users group)

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