Esperantoization Runs Amok
I've been noticing a phenomenon that seems to me somewhat odd:
the Esperantoizing of everything from Second Life/Dua Vivo to Firefox.
Maybe Second Life in Esperanto makes some sense. But Firefox?
The English version seems fine for Anglophones, and I'm guessing that there are versions in other languages. So why Esperanto? Is it just to be able to show the world that there can be an Esperanto version of Firefox?
by Allan Fineberg
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Anything and Everything
I've always favored anything that enabled Esperanto to be used in everyday life. Waaay back when, onmy old Commodore 64, I used to change the print statements in BASIC programs to be in Esperanto. I had an Esperanto version of Telengard, and Wumpus. I even had a 'Doctor' or 'Eliza' program in Esperanto. It was fun and I even learned from it.
--
You need an Esperanto shirt!
Vi bezonas cxemizon en Esperanto!
http://esprimoj.tripod.com
December 21, 2008 by NJ_Esperantist, 1 year 7 weeks ago
When I was studying French,
When I was studying French, I loaded a French versions of Windows onto my computer, for practice. I've done the same with Windows/Netscape in Swedish and Hebrew, when I wanted to immerse myself in those, too. It makes sense to have an Esperanto version for people who want to immerse themselves in Esperanto.
Also, a computer isn't always a tool to be used by just one person. Consider the Universala Kongreso each year: If they wanted to provide a few computers with internet access, that conventioneers can use, what language would the computer be in? If it were in Japanese during the UK in Yokohama, how useful would that have been to foreign visitors? Many of other situations are like this: The UK organizing committee has its own office where it runs things, and presumably they need computers in the office, to used by an international group of volunteers. Or consider the offices of UEA or the offices of the Oomoto newsletter, both of which use Esperanto as their operating language -- they'd need computers that everyone in the office can use.
Of course, I also support what others have said: It helps exercise Esperanto vocabulary in these areas, builds experience among Esperanto speakers, builds relationships between cooperating Esperanto speakers, and builds relationships between the Esperanto community and the non-Esperanto world (such as the open source community).
December 17, 2008 by kvarko, 1 year 7 weeks ago
Computer for the UK
This is a good point, kvarko. I helped out a little bit at the UK in Zagreb in 2001, but it was hard to navigate their Croatian-language computers. Same goes for the computers that were set up in the conference area for public internet access.
December 17, 2008 by Tim Westover, 1 year 7 weeks ago
Firefox Esperante
I'm using it right now!
And Firefox 3.0.5 is now available, with Esperanto fully localized... it'a no longer considered a beta localized build.
(I also have German and Russian language packs installed. As Tim said, it helps me think in other languages; good practice!)
December 17, 2008 by Ailanto, 1 year 7 weeks ago
I've seen Esperanto versions of . . .
Google, Remember the Milk (website for managing to-do lists), OpenOffice, and Ubuntu, in addition to the ones you mentioned. I think there's several good reasons for Esperanto-izing such things:
It helps to build and standardize the computer-related vocabulary of Esperanto.
It shows that Esperanto isn't a 19th century relic, but has a role in 21st century trends and technology.
It helps users to "think in Esperanto" - having English menus can sometimes "take me out" of my Esperanto mindset when I'm writing. I found that my Esperanto capabilities improve when I make a conscious effort to think in Esperanto more.
It's a learning tool for users who may be familiar with a particular program but not with Esperanto.
But most importantly, I believe, it builds relationships between Esperanto and the open-source movement, whose ideals I think are compatible with Esperanto's in many ways. People who translate these programs into Esperanto are contributing to the open-source movement; other contributors see this and learn more about Esperanto. I'm grateful to the individuals who've taken the time to "internationalize" programs for Esperanto users. They're doing good work for Esperanto and for open-source.
(I have not personally contributed to these internationalization efforts, except by downloading and using some of the programs.)
Is there a complete list of open-source software with Esperanto-language versions available somewhere?
December 17, 2008 by Tim Westover, 1 year 7 weeks ago
Mi konsentas...
Ĉar preskaŭ nenio Vindoze estas tradukita en Esperanto, mi uzas ambaŭ Linukso kaj Makintoŝo. Kun Ubuntu, la KDEa tabulo (labortablo) funkcias pli bona ol Gnomo. Ĉio en mia komputilo estas Esperante. Kelkfoje, mi forgesis la anglan vorton sur menueroj :)
Por Esperantigi programaron ankaŭ validigas Esperanton, mi kredas.
Formiko
Formikoj en miaj pantolonoj
December 17, 2008 by formiko, 1 year 7 weeks ago
kelkaj listoj
http://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listo_de_esperantigitaj_programaroj
http://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listo_de_liberaj_programaroj
December 17, 2008 by russ, 1 year 7 weeks ago