Latest Microsoft version launched DAWN June 1, 2001. http://www.dawn.com/2001/06/01/int3.htm By Nizamuddin Siddiqui DUBAI, May 31: Work aimed at an easier and wider use of the Nastaaliq script was started about four months ago by the world's leading software house Microsoft and it is likely to end within a year , the man leading the group of programmers involved in the project told Dawn on Thursday. Anas Abbar, chief of the Microsoft's team for the difficult scripts (Hindi, Urdu and Gujrati, etc.), said this after the official launch of Microsoft's new version of package called Office XP. Earlier, speaking at the launching ceremony, Bahram Mohazzebi, the Microsoft's general manager for Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, said that through meaningful work in the information technology sector several developing countries had managed to bring about economic prosperity. "There have been several encouraging examples in recent months and years in which the developing countries have made rapid progress in the economic sector due to their work in the infotech field," said Mr Mohazzebi. "Their work in the infotech sector has transformed their lives," he said. The ceremony was one of many ceremonies being held simultaneously around the world to launch the new product. The launching of the new version of Office was billed by Microsoft's senior management as one of the most important launches in their history. Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft, in a message said Thursday's launch had laid the foundation for many breakthroughs. "Today's launch is perhaps the most important launch in our history," he said. Mr Mohazzebi pointed out it was for the first time in the history of his company that the Arabic version of a computer package was launched simultaneously with the English one. "Eleven years ago the time-lag between the Arabic version of a computer programme and its English version was 18 months. But today there's a time-lag of zero," he said. Speaking on the occasion, Yasser Zeineldin of Microsoft said this year was an important one for Microsoft. "This year we are having three launches, involving Office XP, Windows XP and XBOX." He added that a "Tablet PC" was going to be launched later this year. Mr Abbar, the man behind the Arabic version of Office XP, told the audience that his programme supported eight languages, including Urdu, Hindi and Gujrati. He gave a demonstration on the capabilities of his programme. Mazen Shehadeh also spoke. Later, the Microsoft people answered questions put to them by the 1000-strong audience. [ends] ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.globalknowledge.org>
