Nepali version of Microsoft windows launched (fwd)

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Nepali version of Microsoft windows launched
http://english.people.com.cn/200511/29/eng20051129_224426.html

Unlimited NuMedia Private Limited and Microsoft Corporation jointly
launched Nepali version of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office
2003 in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

"Preservation of culture, tradition and language through the use of new
technology will be more easier and effective," vice chancellor of Royal
Nepal Academy Basudev Tripathi said.

He said that Nepali version of Windows will be a window to the world for
Nepalese people.

Inaugurating the new version, the chancellor said that it will now be
possible to bring the advantages of information technology to the rural
masses, where the biggest challenge so far has been the language
barriers, as less than 10 percent of the Nepali people are well versed
in English.

"It will also help bridge the gap created by the existing digital divide
in information technology and to extend Nepali language to the national
and international level," Tripathi added.

The people with computer access will be increased to 55 percent from the
present 2 percent and the sale of personal computers will be multiplied
by many folds with the introduction of the new Nepali version of
windows, according to Allen Tuladhar, CEO of Unlimited NuMedia.

The record shows that there were 500,000 computer sales in the past 15
years but the same amount will be sold in a year now, Tuladhar said.

Microsoft has decided not to charge any license fees for the use of the
localized editions of the new product, which has been under development
for the last one year together with its local partner Unlimited NuMedia.

Source: Xinhua