Microsoft Armenian: Innovation ensures broader access to information

After a few years of development, Microsoft Armenia has introduced to the public its brainchild, the Armenian language interface pack for the Windows XP operating system.

The free application delivers a localized interface that enables the Armenian language to be utilized in the PC desktop environment.

Grigor Barseghyan, Country Manager of Microsoft Armenia says that the innovation is part of Microsoft's long-term commitment to collaborate with local governments in order to make technology more accessible to everyone.

"We are excited about the opportunity to offer a native language user interface" says Barseghyan. "Through the collaboration afforded by the Microsoft Local Language Program, today the people of Armenia are empowered with the tools and technologies needed to foster the societal and economic benefits of the growing IT industry."

The Language Interface Pack (LIP) runs on top of the base English version of Windows XP, to switch the interface language to a language that local users can opt for. The Armenian Interface Pack is available at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=64FA945F-4204-4358-A172-F70B444A6F96&displaylang=en

The works on the Local Language Program (LLP) to develop the Windows XP LIP began in 2005, with Microsoft providing the word glossary of terms, which was then further utilized by Bi-Line, the local partner that was engaged in the development work. The Armenian government supported the project.

The creators of the Armenian user interface say that translation of terms was a challenge, as the group of inventors had to coin phrases, as the computer language didn't exist in Armenian.

Bi-Line's President Hayk Khanjyan said that the specialists were searching for semantic analogues, and revived forgotten words from Old Armenian. Still the users may come across some questionable terms in the localized version. The heads of both companies say they are open for any suggestions and discussion to make the quality of terms adopted and better.

Meanwhile the guide is available on-line at: http://members.microsoft.com/wincg/about.aspx?s=6&langid=1401

The innovators say that due to the localized version more than seven million Armenian-speaking potential users will benefit from this new application. The company plans to launch an education program for the localized Windows XP version in schools and universities.

A main concern for the developers is that 95 percent of Windows used in Armenia are unlicensed (i.e., "hacked") versions, which would be incompatible with the localized software.

The IT specialists hope Armenia will take aggressive measures to protect copyright. Otherwise, they say, serious investors will be discouraged and specialists will continue to leave for countries where their intellectual property is protected.

Now the Microsoft Armenia take efforts on the development of Armenian LIP for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Last January these two flagship products by Microsoft became available in more than 70 countries and in 19 languages. The new products deliver innovations ranging from new user experience to new tools for music and television, editing digital photos and making DVDs.

By Julia Hakobyan, ArmeniaNow reporter. -Source:
http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2089&lng=eng&IID=1126