LL-L "Language use" 2003.11.26 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 26.NOV.2003 (03) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting Address: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: Bryan E. Schulz <bryans at northnet.net>
Subject: Lowland Technology

Having been in the computer industry since the late 1970's, allow me to add
my humble opinion on a subject I have closely watched for several years.
There are only two characteristics of a language needed for a it to exist.
Any language needs to be ATTRACTIVE and FUNCTIONAL.  There are numerous
'languages' in the computer world.  Almost all are English script
based.  Examples are BASIC, COBOL, JAVA.  Translation of these languages to
other lingua is very difficult since there is a widespread use of acronyms
(FTP, TCP/IP, PHP, XML etc..) that is strictly enforced in the information
community.  Hence, there is an basic problem when a computer needs to use
some of its resources to translate these commands.  In the computer world,
speed is money.  The faster a computer does its job, the more money is made
by the owner of the computer.  I doubt that there is much good will in the
world to create computers that work on other languages.
We live in very exciting linguistic times.  The speed of the information
age allows us to see the development of a new language in front of our
eyes.  English is by far not the best choice for a computer language but,
it is reality.  By the way, English-friendly countries such as India are
now the major source of software development in English. Any promotion of a
regional language in the computer community will remain regional unless
there is an agreed international language for computers that is semaphore
neutral.  Only then will there be a reason for having LINUX in Frisian,
Waloon, Dutch etc... that is, it will be attractive and functional.

Bryan E. Schulz

>Copyright-free is definately wrong wording. Royalty-free would fit
>better. GNU/Linux (or just Linux) and GNOME free software projects. Free
>here means free as in speech (often also called software libre) as
>opposed to gratis - even though Linux and GNOME are also free of charge;
>but they don't have to - and it is possible to buy linux and GNOME with
>support etc.

================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================