Nepali version of Linux ‘NepaLinux’ launched With the number of computer users increasing in the country, Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya has launched free/open source 'NepaLinux' to ease the problems faced by Nepali people lacking good command in English language. With the launching of the software, Nepali people who are using pirated software can use Nepali software free of cost. People can simply download it from Internet of install in from a CD. Some of the packages included in NepaLinux are Linux Kernel 2.6.12, Gnome 2.10 Desktop Environment, OpenOffice.org 2.0, Gimp Graphics Editor, IRC Client, Gaim Messenging Tool, Development Tools (Includes C and C++), Mozilla Suite, GnomeBaker CD/DVD Burning Utility, Firewall Security, Antivirus, Rootkit and Sniffer Detection Tool, Image Viewers, Games and others. The main features of the NepaLinux are NepaLinux dictionary, Lexicon and Spell Cheker and Grammer Checker. Talking to Nepalnews, one of the developers of the software, Subir Pradhanang said, “NepaLinux is a Free/Open Source Software (FOSS), in which the source code is open and the users have the freedom to use, study, modify according to one's needs and redistribute it.” "We have developed the software both in Nepali and English but our primary target is the Nepali people who were facing problems due to lack of command in English," he added. NepaLinux, being a Free/Open Source Software, is free unlike proprietary software, which costs a lot and does not allow the users to study, modify or redistribute, a press release issued by Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP) said. The work for the installation process has been facilitated through the European Commission supported Bhasha Sanchar Project (www.bhashasanchar.org) which is led by the Open University (UK), the statement added. People do not have to pay for the software and can get a CD of the software and user manual in a packaging costing 190 rupees. People can also download the software from www.nepalinux.org. Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya undertook the Nepal component of the 30-month long PAN Localization Project (www.PANL10n.net), a multi-nation localization project being conducted in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, with the support of International Development and Research Center (IDRC), Canada. Chief Executive Officer of Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd, Sanjib Raj Bhandhari, launched the software amidst a function in the capital on Thursday. Earlier Unlimited NuMedia Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation of the US had launched the Nepali version of Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003. However, the software is not free and has to be purchased. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- News Source nepalnews.com pb Dec 13 05 - http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2005/dec/dec22/news08.php#