MADAGASCAR OPENOFFICE.ORG PROJET
Since July 2006, a team has been established with a view to participating in
the OpenOffice.org Project. It is composed of five persons including four
computer scientists and a linguist:
- Mr. Denis Alexandre LAHINIRIKO, Project Management Consulant and
Computer Specialist; Project Manager
- Mr. Raymond Elia RANAIVOSON, Linguist
- Mr. Olidera ANDRIANJAFY, Computer Specialist (Software developer, web
designer)
- Mr. Arthur RAMANATSEFERA, Communication and Marketing Consultant,
Computer Specialist
- Mr. Olivier RAVAHINY, Computer Specialist (Software developer)
Actually, the project has two major steps: First, activities are focused on
popularizing OpenOffice.org softwares in Madagascar. A set of additionnal
activities is to be developped in order to reach that goal:
1- Introducing OpenOffice.org to future Malagasy users
(companies, individuals). At this prospect, a series of activities are
scheduled: participation in specialized trade shows (eg. E-Bit trade show),
dedicated website designing, OpenOffice.org training organization for NICT
popularizing structures in Madagascar...
2- Identifying targeted OpenOffice.org users (companies,
individuals, organizations, associations, etc.) and adapting OpenOffice.org to
their specific needs.
3- Developing Madagascar's OpenOffice.org Community Développement
in terms of membership (attracting most people to join the project) and
expertise (convincing a certain number of Malagasy high-qualified computer
specialists to join the project).
Subsequently, activities will be concentrated on OpenOffice.org translation
into Malagasy. A set of two activities has been determined:
1- Providing OpenOffice.org materials in the Malagasy language.
For indeed, most softwares do not have Malagasy glossary. Our objective will be
to make OpenOffice.org the first software ever equipped with a Malagasy
glossary to help Malagasy users work better with it.
2- Translating interfaces into Malagasy to make the software
more accessible to users who cannot work in foreign languages (especially
French and English).
Finally, a schedule has been set up to reach the objectives:
ACTIVITIES
POPULARIZATION
TRANSLATION
Schedule
From August 2006 to End 2007
From 2007 to 2008
We hope the International OpenOffice.org Communities will be
interested in the project and that it will contribute to the development of the
software at global level and more particularly in Madagascar. For indeed, since
Madagascar is a developing economy, OpenOffice.org is an alternative to other
softwares at prohibitive costs for most Malagasy users.
