The decision to launch Windows XP in the Maltese language is a move that finally consolidates the country’s aspirations to become a top internet and IT hub.

In a conference organised by the IT Ministry yesterday, a fully operational and downloadable version of Windows XP was launched in the Maltese language.

Of course, one realises that the bulk of people who do use computers are proficient in English, the international computing and IT language.

But this move should help two-fold. The first area is that of the older generations who are now starting to use computers.

Many older people would feel much more comfortable using a PC with a desktop and instructions in Maltese. A 65-year-old from a village might not understand “click balloon to solve this problem”, but might on the other hand understand better “Klikkja din il-buzzieqa biex issolvi il-problema”.

The Ministry has made it clear that this Maltese operating system is a test bed for the eventual next Windows program Vista – which will also be available in Maltese. The Ministry is also setting up a forum whereby users can give feedback or suggestions to improve the language content. While fittex (search) Itfi l-Kompjuter (shutdown) or Ghajnuna (help) are straightforward enough, “Issettja access ghall-program u l-ipprogrammar minn qabel” – is a bit ambiguous – even for seasoned users, let alone people who are not that good with IT.

Of course, even whiz kids might prefer using it in Maltese – but we should not fall into the trap of making something more complicated through trying to keep it simple. But at least, the ministry recognised that some people were being prevented from using technology simply because of the language barrier.

The key now is to develop an IT version of Maltese that is simple enough and becomes standard.

After all, we must remember that IT English is not exactly Queen’s English, so the same should hold for Maltese. An example that springs to mind is issavja (save) or equally ddawnlowdja (download).

But 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.

But the far more important aspect of this service pack is the simple fact that Microsoft allowed tiny Malta to issue this interface in its very own language. We have long been striving to earn the tag of an IT centre of excellence and this should raise our profile somewhat.

The coming of Smart City coincides nicely with this latest move and it should help put the country and its IT industry on the map.

Whatever the uptake of this initiative, the undeniable truth is that it is a feather in Malta’s cap. Even if not many people chose to use it, the government should be praised because it is a genuine attempt to bridge the digital divide as stipulated in the Lisbon agenda.

The next real step forward will be the introduction of a word processor and spreadsheet application in Maltese. This would, in a hands on and practical manner, allow Maltese speaking business users to really get the best out of their business by using IT.