1. Localization of a Open Source Software Localization of a Open Source Software Dawit Bekele UNCTAD Expert Meeting on Free and Open Source Software Geneva 22-24 September 2004

2. Introduction  Software localization is essential to popularize ICTs  Proprietary software producers are not interested in localizing their software products for developing nations  Open source software can help in providing localized software for developing countries

3. What is localization ? – Definition the process of modifying products or services to account for differences in distinct markets (Localization Industry Standards Association) – The differences can be The language The conventions (ex. date and time format) The standard measurement units (ex. Metric system) The calendar (ex. Today, it is 14/1/97 for Ethiopia) Etc.

4. Why localization is important?  If the software products are not localized for a given country/nation – The people have to master foreign languages in order to use foreign languages This makes computers inaccessible for those who do not master foreign languages ICTs cannot be popularized The impact of ICTs will be limited

5. Localisation and proprietary software  Proprietary software products are localized for a few languages and countries only  Microsoft localized its software for developed world countries only (with some exceptions such as Chinese)  Localizing for developing countries’ is not financially interesting  Third party developers couldn’t localize those software easily since the code is not available – For example, Ethiopian developers have been writing programs that enable to write in the national language using Microsoft Office – The localization is not complete and have many problems

6. Localization with Open Source Software  Localization is much easier since – The software products are generally developed by people from around the world who are interested in producing localizable products – Third party developers can easily localize the products – The availability of the source code makes all kinds of localization possible – Developing countries can easily and legally localize the products

7. Localization of OpenCMS to Amharic/Ethiopia  Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia, that uses its own script (Ethiopic)  Ethiopia also has its own conventions – Calendar, Time, etc.  OpenCMS is a powerful content management system  AAU VaristyNet has been able to localize OpenCMS to Amharic/Ethiopia in a few months

8. How to make OSS software products even more localizable?  Currently, every software developing team – decides what feature needs to be localized – provides simple tools to localize those features  There is no standard that defines what features need to be localizable  It is impossible to know whether the software can be localized for the specific country (ex. Ethiopia) without deep review of the software

9. How to make OSS software products even more localizable? …  There is a need to have a standard for localization  This standard specifies – what features need to be localized – what interface should be localized

10. Conclusion  Localization is crucial for the development of ICTs in the developing world  OSS products are more easily localizable than proprietary software  Developing countries governments and organizations should take this into consideration when considering to use OSS or proprietary software  There is a need to develop a standard for localization