MADAGASCAR OPENOFFICE PROJET
Since July 2006, a team has been established with a view to participating in
the OpenOffice Project. It is composed of five persons including four computer
scientists and a linguist:
- Mr. Denis Alexandre LAHINIRIKO, Project Management Consulant and
Computer Specialist; Project Manager
- Mr. Raymond Elia RANAIVOSON, Linguist
- Mr. Olidera ANDRIANJAFY, Computer Specialist (Software developer, web
designer)
- Mr. Arthur RAMANATSEFERA, Communication and Marketing Consultant,
Computer Specialist
- Mr. Olivier RAVAHINY, Computer Specialist (Software developer)
Actually, the project has two major steps: First, activities are focused on
popularizing OpenOffice softwares in Madagascar. A set of additionnal
activities is to be developped in order to reach that goal:
1- Introducing OpenOffice to future Malagasy users (companies,
individuals). At this prospect, a series of activities are scheduled:
participation in specialized trade shows (eg. E-Bit trade show), dedicated
website designing, OpenOffice training organization for NICT popularizing
structures in Madagascar...
2- Identifying targeted OpenOffice users (companies, individuals,
organizations, associations, etc.) and adapting OpenOffice to their specific
needs.
3- Developing Madagascar's OpenOffice Community Développement in
terms of membership (attracting most people to join the project) and expertise
(convincing a certain number of Malagasy high-qualified computer specialists
to join the project).
Subsequently, activities will be concentrated on OpenOffice translation into
Malagasy. A set of two activities has been determined:
1- Providing OpenOffice materials in the Malagasy language. For
indeed, most softwares do not have Malagasy glossary. Our objective will be to
make Openoffice the first software ever equipped with a Malagasy glossary to
help Malagasy users work better with it.
2- Translating interfaces into Malagasy to make the software
more accessible to users who cannot work in foreign languages (especially
French and English).
Finally, a schedule has been set up to reach the objectives:
ACTIVITIES
POPULARIZATION
TRANSLATION
Schedule
From August 2006 to End 2007
From 2007 to 2008
We hope the International OpenOffice Communities will be interested
in the project and that it will contribute to the development of the software
at global level and more particularly in Madagascar. For indeed, since
Madagascar is a developing economy, OpenOffice is an alternative to other
softwares at prohibitive costs for most Malagasy users.
