Downloadable Windows Vista in Maltese launched

Olvin Vella

Aug 15th 2009, 13:27

Jeżisti manwal jismu "L-Użu tal-Malti fil-Kompjuter" maħruġ mill-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ilsien Malti. Issibuh www.kunsilltalmalti.gov.mt .

"drop-down menu" nistgħu nsejħulu "pavaljun" għax eżatt bħalu jġib ruħu... jirrombla 'l isfel. Jekk xi wħud jidħqu b'pavaljun, jien nidħaq bil-"menu" għax normalment insibu fir-restoranti, u nidħaq ukoll bit-"tower", meta lanqas ilaħħaq ma' rkoppti...

Ludwig Flask

Aug 11th 2009, 20:52

@ Roderick Spiteri: show us what MITA is worth - issue Maltese Language Interface packs for other OS such as OSX or Linux distributions, i.e. real OS used by the Maltese Professionals. Not for end of life OS versions please - thanks.

Roderick Spiteri

Aug 11th 2009, 12:22

The aim of translating operating systems such as Vista into Maltese is to deliver tools that will help users to operate their computer in their native language. This is a fundamental aspect of ensuring an inclusive approach to ICT at a national level. Such initiatives are also aimed to preserve the Maltese language and increase its use online.

The translation was carried out by local professional translators, who were assisted by MITA and Microsoft when it came to translating difficult, technical terms and phrases that are not commonly used in the Maltese language. The 400,000+ of translated words and phrases were then reviewed by an expert in Maltese language who could ensure that the best translation was selected in each and every instance.

The project involved also the development of a detailed ‘style guide’ for the use of the Maltese language in IT applications, as well as an extensive glossary; all of which will serve as the building block for future translation of mainstream software.

Those interested in learning more, are invited to contact us and attend for a presentation at MITA. Kindly send your requests to vistamt.mita@gov.mt

Roderick Spiteri
Marketing and Communications Executive
Malta Information Technology Agency

A Mangion

Aug 11th 2009, 11:42

What's your problem? Are you paying for it? If it wasn't translated in Maltese it wouldn't have been the end of the world as we know it but I find it enjoyable that they did it and that it is free. Its not easy to translate technical words but still it just keeps our language alive. Maybe you should brush your Maltese a bit through this download and become a patriot like me:)

Franco Cassar Manghi

Aug 11th 2009, 11:26

To stay on topic, I don't see a partial translation of Windows to be practical, and I also cannot understand why the Windows Vista (partial) Language translation took place now when Vista will soon be taken down from retail stores to be replaced with Windows 7. Note that Windows 7 is already finalised, and also note that anyone buying Vista today will get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it gets released to the public next October. Therefore new customers will be practically all exclusive Windows 7 users. Vista has been released for over two and a half years. Kinda about time?

As soon as I re-install a Vista copy, I will try this Maltese LIP. I feel the urge for a good laugh :)

Franco Cassar Manghi

Aug 11th 2009, 11:16

@N. Schembri: I've been using Windows 7 since last October and have tested various builds, ranging from Alpha versions up to the RTM now (yes the same version you people will have next October). Compared to Vista, there are a lot of differences from various aspects. The 2 most noticeable differences are performance and GUI (Graphical User Interface). In simple terms, I got Win7 to run as fast as Windows XP even on an old computer during my testing (without any modifications). Vista failed to run efficiently on that same PC. The GUI is A LOT improved and doesn't look at all like Vista. Go check it out for yourself on YouTube or other review sites. I assure everyone that 7 is everything but Vista and has the equivalent performance of XP. This coupled with some new features, especially compatibility which is by far better than XP or Vista.

@Andrew A: Any Operating System (OS) on Earth is prone to Viruses and hacking attempts. Nothing is foolproof. Vista might be (and in my opinion is) more secure than XP but it's not 100% immune. Personally I believe a firewall to be more important but ideally both should be installed.

Manuel Mangani

Aug 11th 2009, 11:03

@A. Coppini: Yes, translating technical terms is a challenge. However, would it not be fairer to reserve judgment until one has actually seen and tested the product? Is functionality the be-all and end-all of human endeavour? Moreover, there are many users who are not very comfortable using English. Why should they be denied the opportunity to use IT?

@ M. Grech: Apologies. Monosyllabic English is not my forte. Try reading it slowly. Keep at it, voice the occasional prayer, and you'll manage to understand. Perseverance is the ticket.

@ Darren Cassar: XP was admittedly unprofessionally translated, and most lovers of Maltese I know were not amused. The translation work on Vista has apparently been overseen by a language expert. One presumes the finished product will reflect the expert input.

John Falzon

Aug 11th 2009, 09:21

Well, I for one think its a great idea.

After all, we all need a good laugh given the stress we all live under these days. So I think its jolly decent of the Government (acting through our beloved IT Minister) to give us this great amusement pack in return for our hard-earned taxes !

And I too am dying to learn what a drop-down menu is in Maltese :-)

Victor Zammit

Aug 11th 2009, 09:17

If 'run' is 'iġri' instead of 'to operate' (run/ħaddem/ibda ħaddem...)', then I give up. It is not a question of finding equivalents, however plausible, but the extent to which they are understood and accepted. There will come a time, if is not with us already, that loan words, as in IT, as much as in many other matters, are and will be part of Maltese, and written as ther are uttered. Otherwise it is mere prescription for its own sake.

Alistair Farrugia

Aug 11th 2009, 08:25

@Edward Bartolo
... I was wondering when the mac-users would open their mouth! ;) hehe

I think the issue here is that most computer users do not associate the Maltese language to computers. In fact - whilst I always speak in Maltese on a face-to-face basis, I always use English on a computer, even if I'm chatting or writing comments on the Times, for instance. For this reason, I would find it very strange to have to 'switch' my computer to Maltese when I'm so used to the wording in English across the Windows interface.

Nonetheless, well done to those involved. I can imagine the frustration involved in finding a suitable translation to phrases like 'command prompt' or 'disk defragmenter'...

S. Calleja

Aug 11th 2009, 08:05

I installed Windows Vista for a month, found it terribly slow, and reverted back to Windows XP. Besides being resource hungry, it had compatibility problems with some applications. The only "good" thing about it is that it looks nice.

"@Darren Cassar &S.Calleja: I DO! Why mock your own mother language?"

Duh. I'm not mocking my mother language Mr Patriot. I was only asking whether it was feasible (from a commercial point of view) translating 400K+ words and phrases for a handful of people who prefer reading "Aħzen" instead of "Save".

Joe Galea

Aug 11th 2009, 07:43

Windows Vista doesn't function well in English, let alone in Maltese!!

Ramon Casha

Aug 11th 2009, 06:18

@Ludwig Flask: I totally agree. All them other people should learn Maltese then there would be only one language pack :)

Andrew A

Aug 11th 2009, 00:21

Why is everyone compaining about instability when it comes to windows vista? it is up to 4x faster than xp when it comes to cpu heavy applications ( 64 bit programs) and you do not need an anti virus with vista, unlike xp where getting a virus is so easy.

A Mangion

Aug 11th 2009, 00:15

@Darren Cassar &S.Calleja: I DO! Why mock your own mother language? Its nice to see windows in Maltese even if Vista is hopeless. I'm proud to have a language to talk about. If you live in a foreign country like I do you will realise the beauty of having your own language. Having a computer in my language is really cool and people are just jealous of it! Maybe you should get out more and see the world.

edward bartolo

Aug 10th 2009, 23:32

I have windows in every room, but definitely not on my computer's hard-disk.

N. Schembri

Aug 10th 2009, 23:25

I have found Windows Vista to be a far better and stable operating system than XP. I believe that all those who claim vista to be rubbish have either not used it themselves or have used it in the 1st few months after its release when admittingly it needed some arranging mostly on the drivers issue - all resolved eventually.

windows 7 is basically vista for dummies, cause its main selling point will be that it is easier to use than vista, otherwise the look and feel is exactly the same.

CONGRATS for translating vista in Maltese. Its always good to give our language a global status. WELLDONE

D. Fenech

Aug 10th 2009, 22:02

Ħafna nies f'Malta, iktar milli jaħsbu xi wħud, jużawh ħafna l-Malti fuq il-computer. Personalment jien ftit li xejn, imma naf xi wħud hekk. Ma nara xejn ħażin u xejn stramb billi jkun hawn Windows bil-Malti... anzi konnha daqxejn tard għax ħafna pajjiżi ewropej għandhom il-Windows bil-lingwa tagħhom u ħafna jużawh. Allura... dawk in-nies li qed iqisu dan bħala 'joke' le din mhix ċajta, ara kieku kontu tgħixu f'pajjiżi bħal sweden ma kontux tgħidu hekk għax mhux Malti! Hawn ħafna injoranza f'dan il-pajjiż.

V.Pulis, ma nafx intx tiċċajta imma 'Windows' huwa brand name u mhux kelma kwalunkwe li tista' tibdilha.

Galea. L

Aug 10th 2009, 21:21

Darren Cassar, S. Calleja
Instead of appreciating the work and the initiative to have our national language on worldwide software you denigrate the effort.
Denigrating your language in favour of a foreign language is an INFERIORITY complex Darren. You should be ASHAMED of yourself Darren.

A Coppini

Aug 10th 2009, 21:13

@Manuel Mangani
The Maltese language simply does not have enough technical words to be usable in computing. Even as an IT professional I find myself bastardising English words to explain something technical.

In fact, the Maltese vocabulary is riddled with words like "tikklikkja", "maws" and "startja". What others are saying is that we -as Maltese- are now well accustomed to working with technology in English, it is a tad pointless to have the full Windows platform available in Maltese.

I'd be most interested in going through the help file... always wondered what a "drop-down menu" would be called in Maltese... :-)

Kevin Camilleri

Aug 10th 2009, 20:32

Actually I think it will cause more confusion. "Run" - Igri, Connect To - Qabbad Ma.

It's funny :) I'm a person proud of our language and speak Maltese, however, I don't think that it will be of help to the government departments sorry. Everybody got used to the english terms of windows. You can still send emails or type documents in Maltese with a normal English "talking" Vista.

M Grech

Aug 10th 2009, 20:26

@ M Mangani. I did not understand what you were trying to say in English. Could you kindly rephrase? Maltese will do.

Joseph Micallef

Aug 10th 2009, 20:22

I would love to see a demo of this version in Maltese. The laughter the XP version brought to me is unforgettable. Let me just point out a few things that would make you laugh your heart out. Sinna Kahla - bluetooth, Zbarra - toolbar, Infrahmar - infrared!!! Let's hope nobody wet their trousers with laughter.

Darren Cassar

Aug 10th 2009, 20:19

@Manuel Mangani
Statistic show clearly how many people wanted windows in Maltese. XP was literally translated to give people a good laugh.
Biex nifirhu u fiex nahlu r-rizorsi hawn Malta.
Ahjar nghallmu n-nies ikunu kburin b'xogholhom u bil prodott u servizz malti u mhux b dawn il hmerijiet.

D Delia

Aug 10th 2009, 20:10

Its not worth the time invested to translate any Windows in Maltese. Hope it did not cost the country any money!

Manuel Mangani

Aug 10th 2009, 19:01

@ Darren Cassar. Some Maltese happen not to be only semi-literate ( i.e. they're capable of communicating will in both official languages) and would like their Windows in Maltese.

A. Camilleri

Aug 10th 2009, 18:51

Due to the reason that Windows 7 was built upon Windows Vista, I am to believe that this language pack can be easily switched to Windows 7 in the coming months, following its much awaited release. I can't see how this language pack is no more that just a sense of patriotism and pride. The personal computer experience today is part and parcel with the Internet which is dominated by the English Language. I'm not saying this project was a waste of time, but I don't believe more than the few odd people will download it.

Ludwig Flask

Aug 10th 2009, 18:45

OS in 48 languages including Maltese, ie 48 variants, ie CONFUSION!

Darren Cassar

Aug 10th 2009, 18:44

Who wants windows in Maltese anyway. What a joke.

A Brincat

Aug 10th 2009, 18:40

I' m still on Windows XP since it is the most stable operating system micrsoft have ever produced so far

S. Calleja

Aug 10th 2009, 18:38

Does anyone actually use computer software in Maltese?

Colin Camilleri

Aug 10th 2009, 18:31

Windows Vista is at the end of its life cycle with the new complete overhauled version called Windows 7 coming out in the coming weeks. So we maltese just made it with the localised version a few weeks before it is overtaken by a better OS. When will Windows 7 localised version in Maltese be made available? Again a few weeks before the following version is due out? Well as the saying goes: better late then never!

William Sultana

Aug 10th 2009, 18:29

Thanks, but just switched to Windows 7, could not bear Vista anymore.

v.pulis

Aug 10th 2009, 18:23

Shouldn't that be Twieqi Vista?!

Mario Ellul Kenely

Aug 10th 2009, 18:17

Why waste money and time on Windows Vista? Its the worst Windows ever made! And a Disaster!

They should start working on Windows 7 in Maltese!!

James Spiteri

Aug 10th 2009, 18:03

Its about time ! Now that Windows 7 will be launched soon !