Multilingual operating systems

[Guest]

I am studying Chinese and living in Taiwan. My first language is English. I
want to get a new laptop and am faced with the problem of whether to get an
English or a Chinese language operating system. I have been told that if I
get an English operating system, setup of some chinese programs (specifically
dictionaries , dreye and wenlin) may be difficult. However, if I install the
Chinese operating system I am liable to get error messages that I have no
chance of understanding. (I have great problems with them in English!).
I have heard that Windows XP Professional can run in different languages
without having to reinstall the system. Can anyone tell me if this is true
and how would it work? Would it be a solution to my problem? Also could it
run in both Traditional and Simplified characters? Finally, does this mean
that Windows XP home does not have this feature?

Thanks for your time,

Alex

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Alex,

There are two different things here:

One is the MUI (Multilingual User Interface) which overlays an English
version of WinXP Pro with the alternate language version. This is generally
available only for commercial volume clients. Read:
http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/DrIntl/faqs/MUIFaq.mspx

The other is the IME (Input Method Editor) which keeps the same basic
Operating System language (english), but allows you to input characters from
other languages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/ime/default.mspx

For Chinese:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/ime/install.mspx

IME's will work in both the Home and Pro versions of WindowsXP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[xfile]

Hi:

Our company also works in a multinational environment, so as suggested
below, your best choice is to obtain an English version of OS and a Chinese
MUI pack.

This is the best way if you need a greater capability of different
languages.

However, there are additional alternatives:

(1) Just reading Chinese web pages: You don't need anything else, IE can do
it with built-in multi-language support (Unicode),
(2) Office: If you are going to purchase an Office suite including Office XP
and later, you can purchase language pack comes with Office instead of OS,
(3) Utilities: There are some local utilities (such as hand writing devices)
that could be installed in an English version of OS but allow you to type
and write (and read, of course) in Chinese.

Hope this will help and good luck.

 

[Yujiro Oda]

Hi! "Alex",
From Yujiro Oda,
RE: "Multilingual Environment for Windows & MS-Office2003" Resources:

I hope that these kinds of information could help you!
( Frankly speaking I do not know Chinese but I am using Japanese Language/Fonts(& English)
with English version of Windows, MS-Office, IE, OE etc
without any big problems. )
I can not understand what you want or need....
but I would use WindowsXP Pro(English Version) and MS-Office2003(English Version) for your case.
I think that MS-Office might be very important with OS(WindowsXP) to cope with Multilanguage use.
Do you know how MS-Office2003 (English Version) can handle English and Chinese?
( IE and Outlook Express are very smart, so you can configure these for your language needs.)


****************************************************************************************************
MicrosoftR Office Proofing Tools 2003 & Price:
http://www.microsoft.com/PRODUCTS/i...071b9ced-ed82-47ef-b5fa-a42ecbdec9b7&type=ovr

For your reference/study:
Firstly you should read this home page!!!
http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/reference/muizone.mspx

Multilingual Features in Windows XP Professional
http://www-pc.uni-regensburg.de/systemsw/WinXP/Info/MultilingualXP.doc


What is a Windows XP Language Interface Pack?
http://www.win2000mag.com/Article/ArticleID/25990/25990.html
Some remarks regarding this matter:

Latest prices for MS Office Professional Edition 2003 MUI Pack 2 - media
http://shopper.cnet.com/MS_Office_P...524_9-30677805&tag=nav&cip=1&orderby=90&sort=

Office XP Tool: Simplified Chinese Language Pack
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...1A-CA36-47A3-B4A0-2A1D19EEFA05&displaylang=EN

Office XP Tool: Global IME (Traditional Chinese)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a2-fac3-4443-999b-8be12734a596&displaylang=en

Office XP Tool: Global IME (Simplified Chinese)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...97-FFA7-45A7-B1E1-C3457E1B0C1F&displaylang=EN


Proofing Tools for Office 2003 Editions Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/language/proofingtools.mspx


Multilingual Proofing Tools
http://www.spellex.com/Multilingual/default.asp?q=proofing+tools

If you have any inquiry regarding this issue,
next NEW newsgroup might help even for Chinese Setting (In English or Japanese)
microsoft.public.jp.ime


#####
*******************************************************************************************
Option 1;( Without MUI Pack.)
Dr. International > FAQs

Windows XP Professional Language Interface Pack (LIP)

WindowsXP Pro(or HE ) & MS-Office2003 Multi-language issue:
although you have to use (WindowsXP's & Office's) HELP, MENU, etc. in English,
( No Chinese Menu, Help, Wizard etc...)

these can work many languages including Chinese Character(Language) , i.e. Key-in, Edit, or Read.
supposing you set up WindowsXP and MS-Office options by using control panel, language setting etc. before you
use some languages.)
{ IE and OutlookExpress can work, too. you have to set up international font/language options in these
too.}

Do you need more remarks or comments?
If someone around you has WindowsXP Pro or HE (English Version) then you can try the above mentioned
function.
***************************************************************************
Option#2: (With MUI Pack, there are two kinds of MUI pack for OS and MS-Office)
WindowsXP Professional (English Version) and MS-Office(English Version)
AND
WindowsXP MUI Pack & MS-Office 2003 MUI Pack are best for establishing Multi-Language Environment.
****
As far as WindowsXP- MUI Pack is concerned,
see this URL very last portion:
Windows XP HE v.s. XP pro
(Windows XP Home Edition & ProComparison Guide)
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

XP HE can not work for MUI
but
XP Pro can:
Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on -
change the user interface language to get localized dialog boxes,
menus, help files, dictionaries, and proofing tools etc.

How to Acquire Microsoft Product Licenses Through Microsoft's Volume Licensing Programs
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/howtoacquire.mspx

And more per your request!
********************************************************************************************

Best Luck!
Yujiro Oda,

I am studying Chinese and living in Taiwan. My first language is English. I
want to get a new laptop and am faced with the problem of whether to get an
English or a Chinese language operating system.
I have been told that if I
get an English operating system, setup of some Chinese programs (specifically
dictionaries , dreye and wenlin) may be difficult.
However, if I install the
Chinese operating system I am liable to get error messages that I have no
chance of understanding. (I have great problems with them in English!).
I have heard that Windows XP Professional can run in different languages
without having to reinstall the system. Can anyone tell me if this is true
and how would it work? Would it be a solution to my problem? Also could it
run in both Traditional and Simplified characters?
Finally, does this mean
that Windows XP home does not have this feature?

You can use Chinese Language even under WindowsXP HE.
( You can not use HELP, MENU, etc in Chinese, (even Xp-pro(without MUI) can not.)