Open Source Software Localization NepaLinux

Transcription

1 Open Source Software Localization NepaLinux Bal Krishna Bal Project Manager PAN Localization Project Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Nepal URL : bal@mpp.org.np Localization Project. 12 th-16 th January, 2009, Novotel Hotel, Vientiane, Laos 1

2 Contents Evolution of NepaLinux NepaLinux release and package information Characteristics of NepaLinux Target users of NepaLinux Training and dissemination of NepaLinux Looking back, how easy was the journey so far? Long term plans for NepaLinux 2

3 Evolution of NepaLinux Launch of the PAN Localization (L10n) Project in 2004; Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP) nominated as the Nepal Country Component for software localization into Nepali under the PAN L10n Project; The objective of bridging the digital divide caused by the language barrier English by means of localizing Linux, the Free and Open Source Software was set; Hence the name derived from Nepali + Linux = NepaLinux. NepaLinux a Debian-based live and installation CD/DVD localized into Nepali. 3

4 NepaLinux release and package information Release and package information Feature Release date May 25, 2008 June 20, 2007 October 30, 2006 December 22, 2005 Default Desktop GNOME GNOME GNOME GNOME Package management Office suite DEB DEB DEB DEB GNOME Office, OpenOffice.org suite GNOME Office, OpenOffice.org suite GNOME Office, OpenOffice.org suite GNOME Office, OpenOffice.org suite Linux kernel OpenOffice.org suite Source:

5 NepaLinux release and package information Starting from NepaLinux 2.0, two different localized Desktop environments (GNOME and KDE) have been provided. NepaLinux with GNOME or KDE Desktop environments bundled in separate CDs or both of them in one DVD. Download mirrors available for people both inside and outside Nepal (Please have a look at download section for details). 5

6 Characteristics of NepaLinux Is installable and operable even in low end computers; Minimum hardware requirements Processor Pentium 1 or above 128 MB RAM 3 GB hard disk space CD ROM/DVD ROM drive Majority of the software (office suite, browser, client, multimedia etc) needed by Desktop users available in one CD/DVD; The right to add, modify, share, distribute and redistribute lies on the user ; The software interface completely localized into Nepali, the option of using the software with the English interface also open; Inbuilt Nepali Unicode input system; Nepali Spell Checker and Thesaurus also available in NepaLinux, the current Spell Checker has the coverage of about 6 million Nepali words. Has hardware support for the latest technologies like wifi, blue tooth, web camera Localization Project. 12 th-16 th January, 2009, Novotel Hotel, Vientiane, Laos etc. 6

7 Target users of NepaLinux Desktop users; Government offices and other organizations; Educational institutions, cyber cafes and rural telecenters. 7

8 Training and dissemination of NepaLinux Since the release of NepaLinux 1.0, more than 7,000 CDs have been distributed. More than 200 presentations and orientations have been given at different places of the country. The objective of the first phase of training and dissemination (January 2006 April 2007) focussed towards creating general awareness among the public about NepaLinux usage and benefits. 8

9 Training and dissemination of NepaLinux Training and dissemination of NepaLinux Second Phase (May 2007 September 2009) x Five rural sites nominated in collaboration with E-Network Research and Development (ENRD) for the deployment of NepaLinux. x Training contents developed. x Different strategies developed for ensuring the effectiveness and usefulness of trainings (formation of different user groups, developing local ICT experts by providing specialized trainings like creating blogs and websites using content management system software). 9 Localization Project. 12 th-16 th January, 2009, Novotel Hotel, Vientiane, Laos

10 Looking back, how easy was the journey so far? Translation of strings a Herculean task Managing the translation and the localization activities (quality assurance and respecting deadlines) really challenging. Dependency of packages another hurdle in software issues like rendering and hardware issues like compatibility and support. Providing technical support has been yet another challenge. 10

11 Long term plans for NepaLinux Collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations for conducting trainings for a wider use and promotion of NepaLinux. (Currently NepaLinux installed in 10 different sites, around 20 more coming up in the near future). Collaborate with local universities and research communities for further development and testing of NepaLinux. Gather feedbacks on the end-user satisfaction and usefulness of NepaLinux from the different sites. Bring forth enhancements on the basis of the gathered feedbacks. Develop a commercial business model for the development and deployment of NepaLinux and other localized applications. Localization Project. 12 th-16 th January, Hotel, Vientiane, Laos 11

12 Acknowledgment This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada, administered through the Centre for Research in Urdu Language Processing (CRULP), National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES), Pakistan. 12

13 References