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http://www.dit.gov.bt/newsdetail.php?newsId=44 3 June 2006 - While the promise of integrating the Dzongkha Unicode system, developed since 1998 at a cost of US$ 523,000, in Microsoft Vista may be out of the window locals have come up with a much cheaper but more advanced software for Dzongkha computing. Called Dzongkhalinux , the software enables to chat, write emails, surf Internet, play music or video, in Dzongkha. It has provisions equivalent to Microsoft office with all the interfaces in Dzongkha for word and excel, powerpoint presentation, calculations, multimedia and CD burning. Developed by the department of information and technology, with initial technical support from Sherubtse College and language support from dzongkha development authority, Dzongkhalinux, with the logo of a penguin draped in a monks robe, is a locally developed version of the free Linux operating system which supports Dzongkha computing for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, emailing , web browsing and chatting with all the interface commands and menus for the applications in Dzongkha. The software was developed with assistance from PAN Localisation grant from International Development Research Centre, Ottawa in Canada administered through Centre for Research in Urdu Language Processing, National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Pakistan. Developed at a cost of US$ 50,000, it is the most advanced Dzongkha computing software till date according to DIT. And it had the potential to grow further. It took over two years and the major work involved was translating 72,000 Dzongkha messages by 11 translators. Three translators, including the chief translator were from the Dzongkha Development Authority. None of the terms for users interface existed in Dzongkha so it had to be invented under the guidance of the DDA, said DITs Pema Geley. Other works also included developing technical capacity like support for proper display of fonts and proper input, rendering engine and human resource. Internal messages were yet to be translated but all interfaces seen by the users had been covered. It is our software developed on our own platform and under our control, said DITs director Tenzin Chhoeda. Otherwise to localise we have to depend on proprietary operating systems and we will never have what we want. Without localisation, it is said that majority of Bhutanese were on the wrong side of the digital-divide; that the Dzongkha-literate majority could not participate in the information and communication technology (ICT) age. According to Tenzin Chhoeda the target group for the use of Dzongkhalinux was students of non-formal education, dratshang, government offices and private institute imparting computer trainings. At the Beta launch yesterday, over 150 CDs were distributed freely. It could also be downloaded freely from DITs website. Besides installing, it could be used as dual boot, running simultaneously with other operating system, or used it through Live CD, which did not require installing. There was also possibility to develop features like the Adobe applications and macromedia on Linux that was used mostly by publishing industries. Localising Dzongkha is one concrete step forward towards building an inclusive information society in Bhutan, said information and communication minister Lyonpo Leki Dorji at the launch. In todays world of Information Technology, no national language can survive and flourish without taking part in digital advancement. -- "Bart! With $10,000 we'd be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things... like love." -- Homer J. Simpson
