Computerization and Cultures

[Benjamin Barrett]

Here is the description for a project to provide computing access to Khmer
(Cambodian) in a way that it is accessible to Cambodians:

http://www.khmeros.info/drupal/?q=en/node/1

Excerpt:

We believe that in order to enter a digital world without forfeiting its
culture, a country must do it by using software in its own language.
Software in a foreign language exacerbates the digital divide, makes basic
computer training difficult and expensive, closes computer-using jobs to
people with little economic resources, impoverishes local culture, and
blocks computer-based government processes, as the local language script
cannot be used in databases.


Benjamin Barrett