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The KhmerOS
initiative was launched in February 2004 by the Open Forum of
Cambodia local NGO.
During the first two months it developed a glossary of computer
terms for the Khmer language. This glossary was improved and
corrected by a panel of Khmer linguists and computer teachers from
several universities. This glossary was a key issue to assure
homogenization of the language used in computer use (same in all
programs) and training.
After this first task was finished, the projects two-person team
started the translation of Thunderbird, an e-mail program, while a
typographer was hired to prepare some fonts for the project. The
translation task was accomplished in two months. At this point,
having some experience and some more funding, the team grew up to
six translators, prepared now to undertake and the major task of
translating a complete office suite (word processing, spreadsheet,
Presentation tool), as well as the translation of an Internet
browser.
By the end of
2004 the project had accomplished:
A glossary of computer terms in Khmer.
A set of free Khmer Unicode fonts.
Translation of the Firefox Internet browser, together
with all its help files, documentation.
Translation of the Thunderbird e-mail client program,
together with its documentation.
Translation of a chat client program and its
documentation.
Translation of a web-mail program.
Translation of the OpenOffice office suite. The
in-program help system will be in the process of being translated.
Studies and utilities. Studies on how to
alphabetically order Khmer words. Programs for sorting Khmer words,
programs for converting Khmer texts in old fonts into Khmer Unicode
texts, programs to do research on Khmer orthography. Quantitative
research studies on Khmer typography. Proposals for improvement of
the Khmer Unicode Standard.
A large number of technical developments needed for
Khmer language to work in the Linux platform.
Report on the state of the
Project in mid-March 2005
The project advances in schedule towards its first milestone:
May 2005. By that time the help and some documentation for the
OpenOffice suite will already be available in Khmer, as well as a
training module. Training modules will also be available for the
other applications. This will mean that all the computer tools
used by 80% of the users will be available in Khmer language on the
Windows platform in May 2005, together with the training
materials that will make deployment possible.
The second
milestone planned for May 2006 has two components:
o
Deployment of the programs that have been translated,
through partner-based distribution and through training.
o
Continuation of translations and development, in order
to complete a computer system that being independent from
Microsoft (and therefore free) is fully in Khmer. This system will
be based on the Linux OpenSource Platform.
Deployment will be based on:
o
Assuring that all translated applications are made
available in as many computers as possible, as self-installation
(even if very easy) is always a barrier for the user. This will be
done through partnerships with computer vendors, the support of the
government (NiDA), partnerships with other NGOs who work on IT
capacity-building and a campaign addressed to public Internet
training places, so that they all install programs in Khmer.
o
Training. Development of good quality training
materials that can be offered to computer skill training places, so
that they can come easily into the market of teaching computer use
in Khmer. Development of a training certification program based of
these training materials, providing certificates to those who pass
the evaluations of the courses, certifying that trained professors
can teach with these materials, and certifying that certain training
centers are prepared to teach using this method (they have trained
teachers and the necessary facilities). Open Forum will provide
training for trainers and the infrastructure for this system.
Deliverables for
this second stage will include:
o
A complete free Khmer computer system (KhmerOS),
with 100% of the applications used by 80% of the possible users.
Documentation and training modules (this system will be deployed in
stage 3).
o
Between 200 and 300 experienced computer-trainers
trained, equipped and certified to teach the use of the programs.
o
At least 50 training centers certified
to offer the courses.
o
Most public access computers in Cambodia with the
programs installed and Unicode keyboards.
o
The applications pre-installed in at least 80% of
new computers sold in Cambodia, the CD available at all software
vendors, Khmer Unicode keyboards available (and recommended) from
computer vendors and books on the applications available on most
bookstores.
The projects third stage will take place from May 2006 to
April 2007.
o
Continuing technical advance with new tools and
applications, reaching a larger number of users with at least two
new versions of the system. Search for solutions to assure
continuity of the development project.
o
A new deployment campaign will aim at having vendors
pre-installing this system, even if they also pre-install Microsoft.
The goal is to try to have at least 50% of new systems by April 2007
installing the free Linux-based system. Trainers that are already
teaching the applications will be retrained to teach also the new
system.
Deliverables will include:
o
Two new versions of the Khmer software system
(KhmerOS), with upgrades of the programs, fixes and reaction to
user demands, including new software that is considered important by
final users.
o
All computer teachers trained in stage two will be
re-trained to teach KhmerOS.
o
New user certification levels, including a
professional user certification that will assure that the person
who has the certificate can handle several applications easily and
can also use KhmerOS.
o
Distribution. Reaching agreements with vendors
for them to install KhmerOS in at least 50% of new computers.
Prepare a campaign for people to install this system in their
computers together with the Microsoft system (both systems
installed). Attempt to reach public access computers with the
system.
o
Assure continuity. A strong effort will be made
to try to assure sources of income that will maintain the project,
so that new versions are delivered at least once a year, and that
the relationships with the industry are maintained, so that the
benefits of the project are not lost and slowly disappear. |
