[A12n-forum] UNDP-APDIP's IOSN publishes FOSS Localization Primer

["Donald Z. Osborn" <dzo@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The following localization resource may be of interest. Even though it is
produced for the Asian-Pacific region it may be of use for Africa. IOSN
(International Open Source Network) has some resources of general use but there
is not apparently a parallel UNDP structure for localization in Africa. (The
localization primer can be accessed via the URL at the end of the article
below; info on other primers can be read at http://www.iosn.net/foss-primers/
)

Don Osborn
Bisharat.net


UNDP Publishes Free/Open Source Software Localization Primer
Posted Jun 10, 2005 
http://www.osdir.com/Article5930.phtml

UNDP-APDIP's International Open Source Network has produced a primer on
Free/Open Source Software Localization.

This primer provides a broad perspective on the localization of Free/Open Source
Software (FOSS) for the benefit of policy- and decision-makers in developing
countries. It highlights the benefits and strategies of FOSS localization,
along with case studies from various countries that are on the road to software
freedom.

The primer begins with an introduction to localization and the benefits of
choosing FOSS over proprietary software. The next section provides a survey of
initiatives and efforts in localization of FOSS within the Asia-Pacific region,
including best practices and lessons learned specifically in countries such as
Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Malaysia. The primer also provides
three case studies of localization efforts in Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia,
as well as recommendations on technical issues, resource allocation, skills and
tools, implementation, costs and language considerations.

To help localizers get started, two annexes regarding key concepts and the
technical aspects of localization are provided. These are intended for project
managers and implementers who are planning software localization projects.

This primer is produced by the International Open Source Network an initiative
of UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme and supported by the
International Development Research Center (IDRC).

The primer is released under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Download the primer: FOSS Localization Primer (pdf format - 1.3MB)
http://www.iosn.net/l10n/foss-localization-primer/foss-localization-primer.pdf


Contact:

Sunil Abraham

info@xxxxxxxxx