Saturday, October 21, 2006
Why Translating Your Website in Hindi Makes Better Sense
Why Translating Your Website in Hindi Makes Better Sense Did you know that in 2002, an estimated 32% of Internet users were non-English speakers? With the phenomenal growth of computer usage and the spread of the net fever, especially in the third world countries, the figure would have multiplied manifold in the past 4 years. In fact, the Internet is fast becoming the basic and fundamental source and dissemination of information, purchases of goods and services worldwide. In addition, those computer and Internet users are increasingly from non-English speaking countries. This figure is constantly rising. In response, businesses have quickly become aware of the benefits of making their websites relevant to the native languages of the target audience. Marketing is all about speaking the customers’ language There is no denying that the rest of the world outside of English-speaking countries is coming online faster than never before. What is the state of affairs, and how does that impact businesses worldwide? How serious is the impact of everyone "going global"? And, more importantly, what needs to be done with our Websites to fully take advantage of this wave of non-English-speaking people coming online? Whether or not a person speaks English has really nothing to do with the responsibility of a Website to communicate in the language of the target markets. Indians read English just fine, and yet they feel comfortable to surf in their own language. They live their life in their own language, not in English. If you want to attract their attention, your site has to go where they are, and speak to them in their own language. Outside the seven countries where English is native, and India too, there is no form of marketing in any country that happens in English. If someone doesn't believe this, they should visit Europe, Asia or South America. People live their life in their own language, and your marketing better follow, whether the media is newspaper/magazine ads/articles, radio/TV, billboards... or Websites. Enter Website Translation Translating a Website is a viable answer because you then make an existing website accessible, usable and culturally suitable to your specific target audience. This requires both programming expertise and linguistic/cultural knowledge. In the majority of cases it is the lack of linguistic and cultural input that lets a website localization project down. In order to give an insight into the impact culture has on website localization the following examples depict areas in which a solid understanding of the target culture is necessary. Some very good reasons to translate your website into Hindi • One of the official languages of India, with a population of over 1 billion. Hindi has 366 million first-language speakers; additional 121 million second-language speakers. Spoken throughout northern India: Delhi; Uttar Pradesh; Rajasthan; Punjab; Madhya Pradesh; northern Bihar; Himachal Pradesh. • Hindi is also spoken in Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Germany, Kenya, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, UAE, United Kingdom, USA, Yemen, and Zambia. • With the growing numbers of Indans buying PC’s and Internet access available from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, English speakers will soon be in the minority when it comes to Internet use. • Results of research carried out by Nielsen-Net ratings in March 2005 described foreign internet markets as “low hanging fruit,” i.e. if you have the will and foresight there are massive revenues to be found for relatively little effort. • As Kaizad Gotla, senior analyst at Nielsen-Netratings states, “The easiest opportunities are in countries where Internet usage patterns and user/site relationships are less established. Acquiring users in markets that are currently in their growth stages will lead to a loyal user base that will pay dividends for Internet companies in the future.” • The ability to communicate to a whole new audience in their own language will undoubtedly yield results not only in a financial sense (cost efficiency) but also in terms of marketing and creating awareness of your brand, service or product. • For non-English speaking users looking for your product or service, you automatically capture their attention. • A Hindi website shows you are thinking about the customer. That little extra effort shows you have thought and cared enough about them to offer the website in their language. • For many cultures, more so in India, there is an issue of trust when it comes to buying over the Internet, especially if they feel it is in a language they are not fully proficient in. Offering them a language alternative allows the customers to feel secure • Search engines lead people to your site. In countries such as China, Japan and France, Google, Yahoo and MSN are not the default search engines. Homegrown search engines are emerging and they are proving successful because they work in native languages and are focused on the habits and needs of their users. In addition, many of the key search engines, especially Google, are developing the capacity to run searches in Hindi. Having pages of your site available in Hindi ensures maximum potential for your site being picked up in searches. Making a website in Hindi or translating the existing website does not complete the task. There are a lot of important, cultural, ethnic issues which form an essential part of the contents of the website in Hindi. Some examples, which need to be decided upon, in greater details, are mentioned below: • Images and pictures – as they carry subtle cultural intonations in them. • Symbols - as with pictures, symbols can cause problems. Icons using fingers such as an OK sign or V-sign may mean different things to different cultures. Western symbols do not always mean the same abroad. • Colors – they are also loaded with cultural meanings. • Ease of navigation - Access to certain pages is also a factor that can be considered as relevant. Culture affects everything we do, say, read, hear and think and even websites cannot escape the influence of culture. The impact of culture on the translation of a website is huge. The above few examples are literally the tip of the iceberg.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Computers And Technology: Shop For Insurance Responsibly
Today’s advancements in computers and technology make many tasks easier than they were years ago. Computers and technology aid us in our personal lives as well as professional lives. Most young people probably can’t imagine a world without computers and technology, and most older people probably can’t imagine going back to that world. Thanks to computers and technology, we work online, we play online – we do just about everything online! A popular trend today is the act of purchasing insurance policies online. Health insurance, life insurance, automobile insurance – you name an insurance, and it can probably be purchased online thanks to computers and technology. This is a great convenience for some folks. Think about it: who wants to make a detour on their commute home from a long day of work to talk with an insurance agent about purchasing an insurance policy? Wouldn’t most people rather go home to spend time with their families and relax before the next day begins? While computers and technology make it much easier to spend more time enjoying these kinds of leisurely activities, they also make it much easier for us to lose connection with real people. By purchasing insurance online, you’re saving time and effort, but you’re also losing the important, yet overlooked, benefit of speaking with an insurance agent one-on-one, face-to-face. At the very most, the only human interaction you’re going to have by purchasing insurance online is speaking with a representative over the phone. This isn’t to say that you should avoid the perks of today’s computers and technology, such as purchasing insurance online; however, you should make sure you have the chance to get some one-on-one time with an insurance agent – even if that one-on-one time is only over the phone. Rather than the conversation consisting solely of a brief synopsis of the coverage and your credit card number, ask specific questions, and make sure to get thoroughly detailed answers.About The Author:http://www.myquoteguide.com/High-Risk-Home.shtml http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Origin Of The Cell Phone
Fifteen years ago seeing a cellular phone was quite rare, and in today’s technologically advanced world, just about everyone has a cellular phone. Adults, teenagers, and even children carry around portable models of the telephone. Through the interesting history of the cellular phone, one can get the picture of how the portable wonder became what it is today. In 1843, a skilled, analytical chemist named Michael Farady began exhaustive research to find a space that could conduct electricity. He told of his findings, and these advances of 19th century science and technology have had an incalculable effect on the development of today’s cellular phone. By the year of 1865 a dentist by the name of Dr. Mahlon Loomis became what is thought to be the first person who was able to communicate wirelessly through the atmosphere. Between 1866 and 1873 transmitted telegraphic messages 18 miles between the tops of the Cohocton and Beorse Deer Mountains in Virginia. Dr. Mahlon Loomis developed a way of transmitting and receiving messages by using Earth’s atmosphere as a conductor. He also launched kites enclosed with copper screens that were linked to the ground with copper wires. He was awarded a $50,000 research grant from Congress to continue his studies. Then, in the year of 1973, a former general manager from the systems division of Motorola, Dr. Martin Cooper, became who is thought to be the inventor of the first portable handset. Dr. Cooper was also the first person to make a call using a portable cell phone. In New York, he set up a base station with the first working prototype of a cell phone, the Motorola Dyna-Tac. He and Motorola took this technology to New York to show the public. Later on, in 1977, the cell phone went public and public testing began. Chicago was the home for the first trials with 2,000 people. After Chicago, there were later trials in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and then it spread to Japan in 1979. Usual technologies changed in 1988 when the CTIA – Cellular Technology Industry Association – was formed to lay out realistic goals for cell phone providers. Research for new applications of development was included. In 1991 the Telecommunications Industry Association set a new standard with the creation of the TDMA Interim Standard 54. Cell phones have had quite a long journey. Although there was a great demand for cell phones, it took 37 years for them to become commercially available in the United States. Wireless service was actually invented almost 50 years ago, so it’s hard to believe that cell phones have only become popular over the past couple of decades. Currently, there are more than 60 million people who own cell phones.About The Author:Read more from Joe Goertz at: http://www.technology-mag.com
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Protect Your PC from Viruses, Worms & Trojans
Each of the items in the checklist below is part of a broad and easy to implement security policy.
Install all windows critical updates for your operating system from the Microsoft Update site - it's free! All that's required to keep your Microsoft operating system up to date is an Internet connection.
Install and configure a firewall - either a hardware or software based firewall is a must! If you are using a router, it probably has firewall capabilities included. Software firewalls are available at minimal cost; one of the best is free!
Install and configure antivirus software - the cost is minimal, there are even free versions available - the protection is priceless! Update the definition files daily - scan your drive weekly - it can all be automated with most programs.
Create a backup - even the best plan can be circumvented - be prepared for the worst with a complete backup of your hard drive! If you already have a CD burner and software installed in your machine, you probably have the tools to create a complete system backup - for only the cost of a few CD-R's!
Obviously, the costs to properly protect yourself from the worst threats to your security are almost nil. If you need help with any step above, simply use a Google search to find help - it's freely available.
Follow these four simple steps and you will have implemented comprehensive and complete protection for your PC. If you are unable to initiate your own plan, hire an expert to do the job. You won't be sorry!
© 2004 ODEC
Mike Burstein has been helping the SOHO and Small Business community grow & prosper for over 20 years by solving start up problems, creating best practices, automating their offices, getting free publicity and dramatically increasing traffic and sales.
Visithttp://www.SOHOWiz.com for the latest FREE business tips.
Email the Wiz at: SOHOWiz@SOHOWiz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Burstein
Install all windows critical updates for your operating system from the Microsoft Update site - it's free! All that's required to keep your Microsoft operating system up to date is an Internet connection.
Install and configure a firewall - either a hardware or software based firewall is a must! If you are using a router, it probably has firewall capabilities included. Software firewalls are available at minimal cost; one of the best is free!
Install and configure antivirus software - the cost is minimal, there are even free versions available - the protection is priceless! Update the definition files daily - scan your drive weekly - it can all be automated with most programs.
Create a backup - even the best plan can be circumvented - be prepared for the worst with a complete backup of your hard drive! If you already have a CD burner and software installed in your machine, you probably have the tools to create a complete system backup - for only the cost of a few CD-R's!
Obviously, the costs to properly protect yourself from the worst threats to your security are almost nil. If you need help with any step above, simply use a Google search to find help - it's freely available.
Follow these four simple steps and you will have implemented comprehensive and complete protection for your PC. If you are unable to initiate your own plan, hire an expert to do the job. You won't be sorry!
© 2004 ODEC
Mike Burstein has been helping the SOHO and Small Business community grow & prosper for over 20 years by solving start up problems, creating best practices, automating their offices, getting free publicity and dramatically increasing traffic and sales.
Visithttp://www.SOHOWiz.com for the latest FREE business tips.
Email the Wiz at: SOHOWiz@SOHOWiz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Burstein
Friday, October 13, 2006
Physical Benefits Of Using A Wireless Telephone Headset
The use of wireless headsets has increased significantly over the past several years. Whether you are operating a radio, and Ipod, a cellular phone, or just a standard telephone, there are great advantages to using them. First, they are convenient. The elimination of a cord allows you to move about freely, and the signal range is constantly increasing with advancements in technology. Many businesses are even beginning to use them for various customer service positions that require employees to use the phone frequently. This allows both hands to be free so that representatives can enter the necessary information into the computer without the hindrance of a telephone receiver or the obstacle of unwanted cables. While these advantages are more for convenience, there are physical benefits of using a wireless telephone headset that can actually a significantly positive impact on one’s overall health. In recent years, studies have shown that the use of certain wireless headsets has been shown to reduce muscle tension up to 41 percent when used with a telephone. This means that by not holding an actual telephone receiver, you are enabling freer movement of your head, neck, and even shoulders. It also frees both hands so that it is not necessary to hold the phone receiver between your head and shoulder, which significantly reduces muscle tension and allows longer job performance. This is especially important in today’s computer age where workers must often enter a wealth of information into a computer during numerous telephone calls that can last several minutes and are conducted many times throughout the day. Using a wireless headset for telephone work also deceases the strain placed on your hands that is caused from holding them in the same position for a long period of time. A wireless headset, in particular, allows you to move about more freely, which makes it easier for you to type on a computer keyboard, then turn and consult paperwork without the hassle of a cord. It also allows you to get up from your desk and walk over to check files without having to put the caller on hold. This makes it easier to do your job seamlessly, and can help establish a better rapport with customers because there will be fewer interruptions. In addition, you aren’t stuck in the same position all day, and are able to stretch your arms and legs as needed. This alleviates all-around muscle tension, and promotes a better working environment.About The Author:http://www.headsetexpress.ca Offers Bluetooth Headset and Wireless plantronics headsets
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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Find Google related images
Create custom paper CD case
Revision3 Launch Party Photos
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Micron Samples DDR3 Memory
Micron is the second major DRAM manufacturer to announce sample shipments of next-generation DDR3 modules and claims to be the first company to ship 1 Gb devices with a capacity of up to 2 GB. DDR3 promises to double the speed of today’s DDR2 memory and is expected to become available on high-end desktop computers in late 2007. More…
Permanent link to this post (61 words, estimated 15 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Permanent link to this post (61 words, estimated 15 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
World’s most easily misplaced cellphone?
Nevertheless, the Xun Chi 138 forges ahead with the submicronic form factor, trading a traditional keypad for a touch sensitive display with handwriting recognition while still managing to pack in USB connectivity, an MP3 player with 121MB of storage, More…
Permanent link to this post (41 words, estimated 10 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Permanent link to this post (41 words, estimated 10 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Hands-off my Slingbox, my podcasts and my Tivo; The EFF’s Gwen Hinze
The EFF’s Gwen Hinze on the WIPO treaty, YouTube, Podcasting and the dark future of a world in which everything broadcast gets a foreboding world-wide copyright. The end of fair use More…
Permanent link to this post (33 words, estimated 8 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Permanent link to this post (33 words, estimated 8 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
What Kind of IT Shop Are You Running?
Business executives tend to perceive IT in one of three ways, and those perceptions dictate what they expect of the CIO. Here’s a quiz to help you find out what they’re thinking. More…
Permanent link to this post (34 words, estimated 8 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Permanent link to this post (34 words, estimated 8 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Exclusive - Microsoft Spinoff Wallop Launches
Wallop, previously a semi-forgotton Microsoft Research “sandbox” social network and photo sharing project, was spun off into a new, independent, venture backed business earlier this year (details here). Tonight at 9 pm California time, Wallop is launching a semi-public beta. More…
Permanent link to this post (42 words, estimated 10 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Permanent link to this post (42 words, estimated 10 secs reading time)
Filed under Sci-Tech
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Linux Spreads Its Wings In India
With 4,000 students and just 21 computers, the Cotton Hill Girls High School in the south Indian city of Trivandrum wouldn't appear to be at the vanguard of anything related to information technology. Yet the 71-year-old school is abandoning Microsoft Windows software in favor of its free, open-source rival, Linux. More…
The House of Innovation
With its roughly $60,000 worth of wiring, it would be easy to see the House of Innovation as a gadget freak's dream. But there is more to the place than a robotic lawn mower and floor washer and phase-changing windows with remote-controlled blinds. Like some previous Idea Houses, this one has an element of prefab. More…
Friday, September 22, 2006
A few thousand science fiction magazines (interactive)
This is cool. it's a random colelction of covers from the visual index of science fiction cover art. move the mouse over the covers to see more information, click to see the cover full-size. covers are arranged horizontally by time, and vertically by average hue. More…
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