A couple other issues you are forgetting: * Installation size. To internationalize Office, it would need to include the versions of the UI for each language, the help for each language, and customized content like clipart and so on for each language. An internationalized installation would be *huge*.
* Scheduling. The Japanese version of Office X hasn't hit the streets yet. Would you still want to be waiting for the single internationalized Office release? Dan On 1/19/2002 12:12 AM, "Thomas Schierle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Eric, thanks for the reminder to "Language Register", > I wasn't aware of its existence. > > For the rest -- apparently there is no "one truth" -- but your level of > insight into computer business praxis seems to be a bit limited. > > -Thomas > > On 2002-01-18 22:23 +0100, Eric Hildum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> I don't think you understand the situation properly. Large, or even small, >> vendors generally do not want a one world, one price model, and some have >> gone to extremes to avoid it (e.g., DVD region codes, which are really to >> prevent arbitrage, not piracy). Profit maximization occurs when differential >> pricing can be maintained, not when it is eliminated. Regional differences >> in product, via language or arbitrary region codes, or simply different >> packaging, limit price transparency and hence improve bottom line profits >> with limited impact on top line costs. >> >> Now, as to the direct question, there is a (non-standard?) method for >> changing the settings of the office applications - look for Value >> Pack:Utilities:Microsoft Language Register on the Office v.X CDRom. >> >> >> on 1/18/02 12:38 PM, Thomas Schierle at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> >>> On 2002-01-18 14:49 +0100, Guy Brooker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Most OS X apps seem to be multi language aware. Displaying menus and >>>> dialogs >>>> in English, French, German, etc depending on the users language choice, and >>>> the resources they have installed. >>>> >>>> If I select Show Info for Entourage X in the Finder, there is no >>>> 'Languages' >>>> pop up, and if I select another app, say Internet Explorer, and choose the >>>> language tab, and then select Entourage, there is a message saying >>>> "Language >>>> information does not apply". >>>> >>>> I would like to use Entourage X (and the rest of office) on a machine with >>>> two users, one French and one English. The GUI of Internet Explorer follows >>>> the language prefs, but Entourage and the rest of office appear to only use >>>> English. >>>> >>>> Is there a way of adding language resources to the Office apps ? Might this >>>> come with an update in the near future ? >>> >>> Looks like you're out of luck -- while Multilanguage capability at OS X is >>> available in principle (and Apple itself using it), most software vendors -- >>> especially large international companies -- aren't likely to adapt it. >>> >>> It's rather a matter of politics than a matter technical limitations or >>> whatsoever. Though software vendors operating internatinal (keep in mind, >>> they depend on local "national" distributors) are trying hard to keep >>> the "one world, one price" model, for some markets they have to adapt to the >>> local real purchase power. >>> >>> And of cause, as distributors aren't just selling, but provide services >>> as well (upgrades etc) vendors need to make sure customers are tied to their >>> local distributors -- in this context purchasing software somewhere at >>> (continental) China and calling an American distributor for getting upgrades >>> apparently cannot be regarded fair play. >>> >>> At this time, large international vendors have no other instrument than >>> to resort to selling one-language-only packages in order to get the >>> distribution channel managed. Of cause, that model seems to be outdated, >>> but what else? Look at Quark, they're offering Passport, for a steep >>> price increase ... not everybody outside of U.S. loves that price model :-o >>> >>> Bottomline -- though I understand vendors are and will be subjected to >>> services provided by local distributors -- customers, especially OS X >>> types, naturally in long term will expect multi-language software (well, >>> that would be a huge step forward -- I have (local) Czech and Turkey users >>> that have to live with German localized high-tech software). >>> >>> In an ideal world I'd give them software according to their native >>> language ... and *I'm not willing* to spent my time (or money) for >>> installing any type of special yadayada pack. Dan at allies, please >>> forward to responsibles -- OS X is giving you a hard time sticking with >>> the *old* distribution scheme. >>> >>> -Thomas >>> >>> btw, for U.S. resident readers, >>> German + Czech is in no way equal to U.S. + Mexican >>> >>> -- >>> Thomas Schierle, Munich, Germany >>> >>> PGP key [DSS/DH] 0xA23CDA1D available at various public key servers -- To unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/entourage-talk%40lists.letterrip.com/> old-archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/entourage-talk%40lists.boingo.com/>
