Author: W.G.T. Fernando
W.G.T. Fernando is currently a freelance writer and Managing Director of Gihan Book Shop and GTS. Gihan is a former lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He began his education at Thurstan College before going to Wycherley International School. Afterwards, he was selected into the University of Liverpool in the UK. He graduated with Honors in Computer Science. During his time in the UK, he has worked as an analyst for a Regeneration company (Innercity solutions) working on numerous projects focused on improving the standard of living in the Liverpool community.He worked as an IT consultant for an engineering company (Grand Engineering) to produce an efficient user-friendly electronic system for manipulating client contacts. He also had the opportunity to hold the post of 'Hall Tutor' and 'Network Assistant' at the University of Liverpool. He successfully completed an MSc in Advanced Software Engineering at Kings College, University of London.
 

Symposium on localized systems and applications

09/29/2009 10:27 pm By W.G.T. Fernando | Articles: 56


The very first symposium on localized systems and applications was held at the University of Moratuwa on the 2nd September 2009. It was organized by LakApps (http://www.lakapps.lk). The event was well organized with the presentation of over 20 personalities involved in localization of systems and applications. A good number of people interested in localization were also present at the event.



 



Image from http://www.lakapps.lk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1408

The chief guest at the event was Prof JB Dissanayake. He gave an entertaining speech to start the proceedings. (The audio clip of his speech can be accessed via Dhanika Perera’s blog  http://dhanikauom.blogspot.com/2009/09/jb.html ).

A large number of applications and systems were introduced by the presenters in the short time they were given (10 mins). It was very heartening to see so many computer applications in our mother tongue being introduced.

Madura Kulatunga introduced the online version of his English-Sinhala dictionary which is a valuable resource for Sri Lankans.



A number of Tamil localization processes and applications were also presented.

Sinhala Unicode and the Sinhala terms for applications was a topic that required a greater discussion time but due to the busy schedule of the presentations, it was limited to about 30 minutes. It was nevertheless a great opportunity to hear out thoughts from people from across the island. Let us hope more time would be allocated for a healthy discussion in the next symposium.




Prof Asoka Karunananda addressing the gathering. Image from

http://www.lakapps.lk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1445

 

 










 

W.G.T.Fernando introducing Sinhala games. Image credit – Dhanika Perera

 

The event gave an opportunity for all interested in localization to discuss matters at hand and have a brief discussion on the challenges faced in localization. Prof Gihan Dias chaired the discussion at the conclusion of the event.

A similar event would take place in the near future and if anyone is interested, they can get in touch with the LakApps team via the site http://www.lakapps.lk

 


 

Eager listeners at the symposium. Image from http://www.lakapps.lk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1421

More images of the event can be accessed via http://www.lakapps.lk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1406

For those interested in knowing more details on what happened at the event could access the following websites:

http://www.lakapps.lk/index.php/symposium

http://dhanikauom.blogspot.com/2009/09/jb.html

http://www.theopen.chamiladealwis.com/2009/09/is-localization-making-language-foreign/comment-page-1/

http://kanishkaya.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post.html

 

 
 
 
 
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