Nor those who are u nable to read English, navigating through Windows Operating system is a challenge. To alleviate the problem, Microsoft, the leading software producer, is introducing Local Language Program (LLP) in the upcoming Windows® Vista and some of its other software, such as Office 2007.

The company says its customers will be able to focus on the content on the screen rather than on how to access it. It promises a snazzy desktop experience, which will be more informative and intuitive.

Microsoft has already taken the initiative to develop LLP in Bangla with BRAC University and Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).

Each Language Interface Pack is built using the glossary created by the Community Glossary Project in cooperation with the local government, academia and local linguistic experts. When complete, the new Language Interface Pack must be installed to experience Windows in local language. It will be available as a free download from the Microsoft Download Center. And it can be installed even on a licensed copy of Windows XP and Office 2003 Standard Edition.

Recently Chris Atkinson, President of Microsoft, South East Asia, was here in Dhaka and ET Reporter, MD. Rokibbuzzaman, met with the regional President to talk about LLP and Microsoft's strategy in promoting its products in Bangladesh.

The Executive Times (ET): How do you think, having LLP in Microsoft will contribute to productivity?

Chris Atkinson (CA): I think that it will improve productivity by giving a wider access to communication technology. In all 20 years of service, the personal computer has been a tremendous device used to increase productivity. The US Federal Reserve, I believe, attribute about 2% of American GDP growth in the 1990's to productivity. Now you are going to improve your productivity if you can understand what the values are. In Bangladesh, some people speak both English and Bangla and they can cope with the technology. So, it's basically a massive increase in accessibility of computers to Bangladeshi who don't speak English that will increase productivity.

ET: Bangladesh is a least developed country and a large number of its people live in poverty. What are your plans for marketing your products and how can you make your products affordable to people in Bangladesh?

CA: I see Bangladesh like a pyramid. At the top of the pyramid you have the wealthy people, you have wealthy companies and these people and companies can afford to buy software and they should buy software. Just below that you have medium size and small companies that are growing and those should also buy software-I think they should probably buy a lower or slightly less satisfying version of the software. And we should make the software available to them at accurate price points.

We recognize that in many developing countries the current price of the operating system is a deterrent. So we are basically working on developing a new version, Windows Starter is available at a much, much lower price. And it [Starter] is still a good enough operating system to use.

ET: About 70% of our people live in rural areas. What is Microsoft's plan there?

CA: In the rural areas the locals have shared access to computing. So I think you have the information kiosk or internet café. Now, you have a village with say a couple of hundred people- they are not going to be able to afford a PC individually-but there are things that they would like to access-whether it's for educational training, whether to see what the prices of the commodities are or to see the whether forecast. I think microfinance can play a key role. With the help of micro-finance entrepreneurs can set up kiosks and generate revenue by charging fees for using the kiosk.

As a secondary [means] I think it's the mobile phones. I think that over time mobile phones penetration will increase significantly and I think that we will start to see a generation of mobile phones that are computers, as well. We have prototypes, which are being developed in China, that actually are windows mobile phones and we bring a small keyboard with it and you can enter it to your television. You can browse the internet using your key board, looking at your TV, within the processing power of your mobile phone.

ET: Most of the people of our country use pirated software. How do you see this? Why is it that establishing Intellectual Property Rights may be important in countries like Bangladesh?

CA: Poor people can't afford to buy software. I am talking about the top of the pyramid. Because the reality is software and information technology has...