Internationalization and Emerging Markets

As Linux becomes even more widespread around the world, we felt a focus on internationalization would be timely. Linux has long been used in countries where languages other than English are spoken and the needs of those users must be addressed. Not only is there the difficulty of translations, but also different character sets. In addition to outputting program messages in the local language, a way to edit and manipulate multilingual text is a must.

Many of these topics have been addressed and our feature articles tell us how. The latest version of Emacs includes multilingual extensions for support of text entry in different languages, including those based on ideographic characters. The GNU gettext system provides the tools for developers to output messages in multiple languages. There is even work to get the euro symbol onto the keyboard (see the “Strictly On-line” article “Linux and the EURO Currency: Toward a Global Solution” by Guylhem Aznar).

This month, we also focus on emerging markets—not those products that are announcing Linux support each day, but truly new products which have not been available for any operating system. Computer driven vehicles, wearable computers, smart cards and space station applications can all be found running under the Linux operating system. Join us as we enter the future with Linux.

Marjorie Richardson, Editor

Many problems exist when more than one character set is needed. Standards are being developed to deal with these problems. In this first of a two-part series, Mr. Turnbull takes a look at just what internationalization means to all areas of the Linux world.

by Stephen Turnbull

The future is here—cars that can be driven by a computer while we nap. And what operating system drives the computer? Linux, of course. Read all about it in this article on the ARGO Project being conducted at the University.

by Massimo Bertozzi, Alberto Broggi and Alessandra Fascioli

Program developers wishing to localize the messages output from their applications will want to read this article about the GNU gettext system. This system offers a set of tools and libraries which enable multilingual programming.

by Pancrazio de Mauro

Is it real or is it mediated? This month, Dr. Mann shows us how to change our reality to substitute pleasing pictures for unwanted advertising or just jazz up an otherwise humdrum scene—all by using his wearable computer that looks just like an ordinary pair of sunglasses.

by Dr. Steve Mann

Preparing text that includes multiple languages no longer needs to be a frustrating job. Learn how to do it easily with the new Emacs that includes multilingual extensions (Mule).

by Jon Babcock