Microsoft Bows to Chinese Pressure on Bhutan Tibet Link

Save Tibet | October 24th, 2005

Microsoft has barred the use of the Bhutanese government’s official term for the Bhutanese language, Dzongkha, in any of its products after Beijing complained that the term had affiliations with the Dalai Lama. In an internal memorandum, Microsoft employees were told not to use the term Dzongkha in any Microsoft software, language lists or promotional materials since “Doing so implies affiliation with the Dalai Lama, which is not acceptable to the government of China. In this instance, replace “Dzongkha” with ‘Tibetan – Bhutan’.”

The Kingdom of Bhutan is situated in the Himalayas between India and Tibet. The state religion is the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and Dzongkha, a Tibetan dialect, is the official language. Dzongkha has a linguistic relationship to modern Tibetan in a similar way to that between Spanish and Italian.

The use of the word Dzongkha was graded by Microsoft as a ‘ship-stopper’, which means that a product may not be produced in any form until the problem is resolved. Microsoft has four levels of error severity, ship-stopper being the most severe.

Likely uses of the term may have been in Language Lists for Microsoft products or in Microsoft’s Encarta product, which includes an encyclopedia and world atlas.

In June 2005 civil liberties groups condemned an arrangement between Microsoft and Chinese authorities to censor the internet. The American company aided censors in removing words like “freedom”, “democracy”, “human rights”, “Tibet” and “Dalai Lama” from the net in China with a software package that prevents bloggers from using these and other politically sensitive words on their websites.

Earlier this year Microsoft boss Bill Gates praised China’s leaders, who have mixed market economics with rigid political control. “It is a brand new form of capitalism, and as a consumer it’s the best thing that ever happened.”

Meeting November 1

Our next meeting will be next Tuesday night at 7pm in KT 247. We will be discussing the concert and such. A discussion on the campus movement that will be taken on November 3rd for Bombardier Day of Action will take place as well. Don't forget that Monday, October 31st, we will be chalking the sidewalk outside of Neff and Kettler to promote the concert!

Cheers!
Michelle

Windhorse

Well, we just finished Windhorse and it was truly moving! Sara and I give it 2 thumbs up! I, personally, suggest to all to watch this movie. I cannot think of words to describe the utter animosity you will feel towards the Chinese Government and their involvement with Tibet. This is a must see.

**** Four Stars

SFT PARTY

Hey SFT fans!

SFT MU will be hiosting it's annual benefit party at 1305 Bass Ave on Saturday November 12th at 10pm. If you love having fun and you love doin it for a good cause...now is your chance!!!!

Another techtoy bit o’ fun

I’d like everyone to try this new service “Frappr” out. Basically, its a way we can create a global map of where all of SFT supporters are. You can quickly add your location, photo, and a text or link. You can add multiple locations, as well, so insert your favorite Tibetan restuarant, SFT hangout, or any other interesting place.

Click on the image to start Frappin:

You can permanently find our Frappr map at http://www.frappr.com/studentsforafreetibet
I hope this can help all of us scattered around the globe to feel a bit more connected.