‘Nepali version of Windows will enhance people’s access to IT’

Photo source : unlimit.com

Nepali people lacking good command in English language can now easily use computer programs with the introduction of the Nepali version of Windows.

This has become possible after the launching Nepali version of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 by Unlimited NuMedia Pvt. Ltd in collaboration with the Microsoft Corporation of the US. The program which was launched last month in Kathmandu is being distributed free of cost.

According to a study, only two per cent of the country’s population is well-versed in English and merely 0.5 per cent population has access to information technology. “With the introduction of the Nepali version of Microsoft Windows, the access of common Nepalis to information technology will increase significantly,” believes Chief Executive of Unlimited NuMedia, Allen Tuladhar.

The software, which covers programs of XP version, MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook Express of Office, is easy to use and would be available for downloading, without cost, in the company’s website.

“The program will basically enable people with no knowledge of English, mostly those with poor economic background, to get access to information technology,” explains Tuladhar, adding that the Nepali Windows is expected to come into use in rural IT centers.

The Microsoft Corporation has decided not to levy any license fees for the use of the localised editions of the new computer software. It took Microsoft’s local partner, Unlimited NuMedia, nearly 18 months to develop the program.

The Microsoft has developed such programs in 38 different languages. nepalnews.com sg Dec 13 05