InfoAnda - Chinese speakers get easier access to Internet

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Pakistan army airstrike kills 30 militants in NW | 21 February 2010
US expert sees widening resistance to malaria drug | 18 June 2010
Nuance offers mobile users non-typing choices | 14 February 2011

Afghan gov't says OK to local defense forces | 15 July 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Chinese speakers get easier access to Internet

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Chinese speakers get easier access to Internet AFP - 2 hours 30 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Chinese speakers get easier access to Internet HONG KONG (AFP) - – The web will soon be a lot more accessible for more than a billion people after the body that runs the Internet's naming system gave the green light for the use of Chinese script. Registries in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong will soon officially start issuing domain names in Chinese characters following the announcement by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). "One fifth of the world speaks Chinese," said Rod Beckstrom, ICANN's president. "That means we just increased the potential online accessibility for roughly a billion people." The ICANN announcement follows an earlier decision to allow Arabic domain names, and other non-European writing systems are expected to follow. Jonathan Shea, chief executive of the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation (HKIRC), one of the bodies that will implement the changes, says Chinese people currently rely on search engines to find sites. At the moment, Latin alphabet script domain names can make it difficult for some Chinese people to remember or guess the domain names of websites. But many companies and organisations are only well known by their Chinese names and their branding and identities are often lost in cyberspace, Shea said, as they are forced to have their domain names in English. "The availability of Chinese domain names will solve these problems once and for all," he told AFP. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the government-linked domain name registry agency, lauded the change as "a recognition by the international community of the Chinese culture on the Internet." A hotline operator at CNNIC said users had already been allowed to apply for and register Chinese domain names and some were already up and running. He said more than 90 percent of Chinese government agencies, news media websites and universities already had Chinese domain names, as well as more than 40 percent of China's top 500 companies. But inputting characters can be more difficult than the current system of typing web addresses in pinyin, China's official system of romanisation, said Duncan Clark, Beijing-based chairman of tech consultancy BDA China. "You've got to type the thing and then select it -- it's actually more key strokes," Clark told AFP. "If it involves more clicks, people won't do it. We're all lazy." Popular Western brands will continue to use roman characters and Chinese brands will continue to use pinyin to seem more Western, Clark said. "At the end of the day, 'pinyin something dotcom' is still the cool thing," he said. "Politically it will be wanted and desired by the government, but whether the people here really want it, we'll see." The change reflects China having the world's largest online population estimated at more than 400 million, Clark added, as well as some of the most popular websites and biggest companies, "The reality is China is naturally achieving its weight on the Internet as it has in population and with the economy," he added. Liu Chin-ho, chief executive officer of the Taiwan Network Information Centre, which is in charge of Taiwan's domain name registration, also hailed ICANN's move. "Local users who do not know English had been somewhat restricted in their access to the Internet," he told AFP. But the historical significance is greater than the practical significance, says Paul Denlinger, an Internet consultant who specialises in the Chinese market. "Chinese learn pinyin, so they know how to write Chinese using Roman characters -- every educated Chinese knows that 'hulianwang' for instance means Internet," he told AFP. "The biggest significance is that the Internet now more closely conforms to the real world in which people live. "The period of exclusive Western-style communications and alphabets comes to an end, and a more multilingual, multicultural Internet begins to take shape." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles China official gives food safety scare warning AFP - 44 minutes ago Japan government signals tax reform Reuters - 46 minutes ago Australia shrugs off Timor refugee snub AFP - 56 minutes ago N.Korea delays talks with UN Command on warship AFP - 1 hour 2 minutes ago Drought-hit Vietnamese capital hit by floods AFP - 1 hour 12 minutes ago News Search Top Stories France launches bill to raise retirement age New cap raises hopes of end to Gulf oil disaster N.Korea postpones talks with UN Command on warship Mel Gibson rants posted online BP places new cap over leaking oil well More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Bahamas police capture 'Barefoot Bandit' Mel Gibson rants posted online Fiesta in Spain, agony in Netherlands after World Cup final Football: Casillas true hero as Iniesta steals headlines Spain win seals perfect eight for 'psychic' octopus More Most Viewed » Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again Germany's 'Octopus oracle' keeps perfect record Amputee cat gets bionic legs Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus? More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Tuesday, 13 July 2010
20 new Jewish homes approved in east Jerusalem
Sarkozy backs minister, offers conflict of interest inquiry
Microsoft, partners to push tablet computer rivals to iPad
Strong Russian remarks on Iran please Washington
Spanish team get heroes' welcome after World Cup triumph
Samsung targets Apple iPhone, wants top spot back
Omar Khadr says rejected Guantanamo plea deal |
Spain says awaiting 11 freed Cuban dissidents
EU finance ministers vow to help stressed banks
German minister calls for Internet 'honour code'
Israeli army finds errors in deadly Gaza ship raid |
Somalia's Shebab miliants claim Uganda bombings
US-TECH Summary
US Fed chief urges more lending
Consumer Reports will not recommend Apple iPhone 4
Sarkozy tries to draw line under donations scandal |
Qaeda magazine teaches bomb-making, other 'useful skills'
Enel inaugurates hydrogen-driven power station
Russia says detains suspect in Moscow bomb attacks |
Microsoft CEO touts new Windows tablets vs iPad
ICC issues arrest warrant for genocide against Bashir |
Anglicans yet to end women bishops rift : Williams |
Samsung targets Apple iPhone, wants top spot back
Polanski free after Swiss reject extradition
Clinton and Gates to hold talks in South Korea on July 21
Indian Kashmir politicians demand inquiry into killings
Top China miner pollutes river: report
NKorea, US-led UN Command to meet over sinking
Taliban attacks increasingly kill Afghan civilians
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Report: Insurgent cease-fire in southern Thailand
Jon Bon Jovi pulls muscle on stage, show goes on
Nearly 14 million Spaniards watched World Cup final: ratings firm
Polanski freed as Swiss deny extradition
Football therapy for Zimbabwe's HIV-positive women
New Comedy Central star outdraws Stewart, Colbert
China buys flat screens worth 5 bln dollars from Taiwan
Russia fines art experts over exhibition
Japan business leaders fear political stalemate
Swiss reject U.S. extradition request on Polanski
Jon Bon Jovi pulls muscle on stage, show goes on |
New Comedy Central star outdraws Stewart, Colbert |
Iran scientist seeks refuge in Pakistan embassy in U.S
300 arrested in Italian mafia crackdown: police
Uganda makes arrests after twin bomb blasts |
NATO chief warns against weakening Afghan campaign
Women bishops should be allowed: Church of England
Facebook dismisses ownership suit as 'frivolous'
North Korea calls off talks with U.N. officers over ship |
Russia warns Iran near nuclear weapons potential
France launches bill to raise retirement age
Facebook fights New Yorker's claim of 84 percent stake
Israeli army finds errors in deadly Gaza ship raid
Iran scientist seeks refuge in Pakistan embassy in U.S. |
Google tool aims to make it easy to create Android programs
New cap raises hopes of end to Gulf oil disaster
Six political prisoners leave Cuba for Spain
First of 52 Cuban political prisoners leave Cuba |
Afghans want foreign aid spent on their priorities
N.Korea postpones talks with UN Command on warship
Consumer Reports gives thumb's down to iPhone 4
Catholics attack Protestant parade in N.Ireland
Mel Gibson rants posted online
Cuba frees prisoners as Castro makes TV appearance
Nations open talks on world arms trade treaty |
BP places new cap over leaking oil well
Sarkozy rejects cash claim, says France not corrupt
NATO chief: Pullout plans put troops at risk: report |
EU finance ministers vow to help stressed banks
US scientists create cloth that can listen
Italian police arrest 200 in anti-Mafia raids |
Fidel Castro appears on Cuban TV |
Euro zone lauds Greek effort to cut budget deficit |
'Abducted' scientist wants to return to Iran: TV
Canadian Guantanamo inmate to offer no defense
N.Korea delays talks with UN Command on warship
Drought-hit Vietnamese capital hit by floods
"Die Hard" director McTiernan guilty of lying to court
S.Korea to screen bachelors seeking foreign brides
Australia shrugs off Timor refugee snub
Chinese speakers get easier access to Internet
North Korea calls off talks with U.N. officers over ship
Facebook fights New Yorker's claim of 84 percent stake |
Japan government signals tax reform
Drunken Aussie tries to ride giant croc
Labels try to catch porn industry with pants down
Family flicks firing up summer box office
Three dead, over 50 missing in China landslide
Malaysia says deal with Indonesia on maids delayed
"Die Hard" director McTiernan guilty of lying to court
'Despicable Me' snatches 56.4-million-dollar opening
Carlos Santana proposes onstage to girlfriend
Susan Boyle launches singing competition
Nissan may halt US, Mexico production
China, Argentina agree $10 billion in rail deals
Seoul shares cut gains; Hynix, Ssangyong decline
Japan minister: tax hike needed despite poll rout
Asians are most prolific online shoppers: research
Seoul shares slash gains on tech, auto losses
Indian Infosys quarterly profit disappoints
Fujitsu, Microsoft in cloud computing tie up
Taiwan stock market support fund posts profit
PAKISTAN
Polanski freed as Swiss deny extradition |
Mel Gibson will work in this town again |
Carlos Santana proposes onstage to girlfriend |
Family flicks firing up summer box office |
Die Hard director McTiernan guilty of lying to court |
Labels try to catch porn industry with pants down |
Susan Boyle launches singing competition |
Afghan soldier kills three British troops
Sarkozy rejects scandal, pushes pension reform
"Coffin" bomb wounds nine in troubled Iraq province
Freed Cuban political prisoners arrive in Spain
Afghan soldier on the run after killing 3 Gurkhas |
Israel razes inhabited Palestinian home in Jerusalem
French lower house approves Muslim veil ban
French cabinet approves pension reform draft bill
Rogue Afghan soldier kills 3 British troops
Southwest China landslides kill 17 |
12th suspect in Russian spy ring case: report
Probe as Afghan forces reportedly kill 3 UK troops
Israeli navy challenges Gaza-bound Libyan ship |
Afghan forces reportedly kill 3 UK troops
Freed Cuban political prisoners arrive in Spain
NATO: 3 international troops die in S. Afghanistan
Sarkozy pursues pension reform as scandal lingers |
Police slam N.Irish govt on riots, 82 officers hurt |
Netanyahu-Mubarak talks postponed again |
'Abducted' scientist surfaces in Iran's US office
Japan's Nomura to list 100 mln dlr Sukuk on Malaysia bourse
U.S. detains 12th person in Russia spy probe
Tourists told not to feed Bangkok street elephants
S.Korea deploys sentry robot along N.Korea border
Southwest China landslides kill 17
French lawmakers to approve full veil ban
Japan PM pledges 'fresh start' after poll defeat
North Korea calls off talks with U.N. officers
Polanski victim says satisfied with Swiss release
Top economies get clever with oil, IEA says
"High School" star Zac Efron graduates to producer
China eases control on web forums
China, Argentina agree $10 billion in rail deals
Georgia eyes foreign wine markets
Australia police find cocaine haul in paving slabs
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates flat
World Cup finale draws 700 million viewers
China official gives food safety scare warning
Arabia's ancient past on show at the Louvre
Asia stocks slump on earnings anxiety
50 years ago, Sammy Davis Jr at center of racial divide
China says no change to property measures
Swiss adopt cows for the summer
Mel Gibson will work in this town again
POSCO: net profit almost tripled in second quarter
Polanski victim says satisfied with Swiss release |
U2 reschedules N.America tour |
World Cup finale draws 700 million viewers |
High School star Zac Efron graduates to producer |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01