The Maltese version of Windows XP, the computer operating system developed by Microsoft, was launched yesterday evening. Computer users will now be able to use Windows XP with nearly all the instructions and menus translated into Maltese. For example, the Start button on the desktop will read in Maltese Startja, while the main toolbar in Windows Explorer – File, Edit, View, Tools and Help, changes to Fajl, Editja, Dehra, Favoriti, Ghodod and Ghajnuna. The Maltese version of XP goes beyond simple “desktop” dressing that is only the desktop icons are changed, but a lot of effort has been made to offer a fully-functional operating system in the Maltese language, including extensive help pages. While the translation is major development for the Maltese language, purists will not be happy with some of the translations. Control Panel, for example, has been translated into Kwadru tal-Kontrol while Display has been translated to Wiri. However, the Industry, Investment and IT Ministry, which has been responsible for the project, is fully aware that some of the changes will be controversial and it is taking steps to address any mistakes in the translation. Minister Austin Gatt, speaking to teachers and educators at the launch yesterday evening, admitted that there will be some computer users who will disagree with the words chosen for the different icons and commands. “A living language changes and adapts to new circumstances and things like the internet and technology. There will be those who disagree with the translation however it is not a perfect translation. In fact, we welcome users of the Maltese version of XP to look out for errors so that these can be corrected,” Dr Gatt said. This is the first computer system in the Maltese language, Dr Gatt said, “and mistakes in one version will be corrected when a new version is available”. The next version of Windows will be Microsoft Vista. Dr Gatt said the ministry had been working on this programme since 2000 and it was not an advert to persuade someone to use the Maltese version of XP. “The idea behind the Maltese version is to break down any barriers that prevented people from using technology. The absence of the Maltese language in technology prevented a large number of people from using it,” Dr Gatt said. To make full use of the technology, it was important that the system and content was of relevance to Maltese users, he said. He said this latest development would go a long way towards the development of content in Maltese on the internet. “If our language is suitable to be spoken and written in the home, in school, in our courts, in parliament, why, then, should it not be suitable for use in technology, for internet content and for e-mail?” Dr Gatt asked. The launch of the Windows XP in Maltese is not the first software initiative by the Ministry. Together with Microsoft, the government had launched the Maltese alphabet in the Unicode standard. This resolved problems of compatibility of texts between different users. A Maltese version of the computer keyboard is also available and a local company is selling keyboards with Maltese characters on it. Dr Gatt thanked Microsoft for investing in the Maltese language and its contribution was certainly not commercial in nature. “This program will lead to the launch of a spell check program in Maltese. This will be one of the greatest developments for our language... and we should be proud,” Dr Gatt said. The ministry is setting up an online forum to enable computer users to give their views on the translation and to propose changes that will be included in the new version of Windows when it is released. Details on the discussion forum can be found at www.miti.gov.mt. Anyone interested in installing the Maltese version of Windows XP can do so from www.miti.gov.mt. Installation instructions are available. The download must be installed on computers running either Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2) or XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2). The Maltese version (5.7Mb) takes around three minutes to download (depending on your internet connection).