Orb Volunteer User Community Localizes MyCasting Service with New Web 2.0 Translation Tool Created by Orb for Users to Get More Involved in Development
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EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 9 // -- Orb Network's(TM) user community is helping "internationalize" the company's free MyCasting(TM) service using a new Web 2.0 language translation tool created by Orb that allows registered users to translate the software into their native language. In the past month, enthusiastic Orb volunteers who want the software to be available to their friends, family and fellow countrymen, have successfully translated the MyCasting service in Spanish, German and Finnish with six others currently in development.
Orb's free software allows you to enjoy all digital media from your home PC, as well as online videos from the growing source of Internet TV and content sites, on any networked device with an internet browser -- be it other PCs, lap tops, PDAs or mobile phones with streaming players -- and now TV with the Wii(TM), PlayStation 3(TM) and Xbox(TM) game consoles.
The online tool, called "Translate It," gives users the instant gratification of seeing translated copy dynamically rendered within the application so they can see completed work in a "live" working environment. Using a Wikipedia(TM) approach to editing, at least one other user reviews the accuracy of the translation before it is approved for release on Orb's Web site at www.orb.com/download. The tool provides a real-time running tally of the percentage of translation for each language completed, how many "strings" or lines of copy are completed, what items need to be reviewed and what has been updated.
"Translate It" was piloted for use with Orb's international partners who are offering the MyCasting service, such as Hutchison 3 Group in Austria, Ireland, Australia and Hong Kong. It was quietly opened up in the Orb Forums to users in February and was instantly popular.
"Orb enthusiasts from around the world are getting actively involved in the development of our software for use in their country," said Dr. Luc Julia, Orb Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. "We've had an amazing response so far -- one user translated the 2,000 strings of content for us in just four days and as a result we now have a Finnish version of Orb that will soon be available." Julia went on to say that another user volunteered to help the company validate the entire Spanish translation of Orb's software because he was so passionate about the technology.
"Orb users are volunteering their time and talents so people around the world can enjoy our service," said Julia. "They are working with our engineers and making a significant contribution -- and doing so gladly -- because they believe in the media freedom that Orb brings." The company thanks Jani Sukunimeton for translating Orb into Finnish and Marcos Sandoval, in Spanish.
How You Can Volunteer to "Internationalize" Orb's free MyCasting Service
It's easy. If you are an Orb user, visit the Orb Community Forum at forums.orb.com/viewtopic.php?p=21258. Register to participate and then get access to the online tool where you can volunteer to help translate languages already in progress. If there is a new language you want to translate, you can get it started on your own. That's it. Orb engineers will work with you directly as the language translation continues.
How Orb Works
Orb's MyCasting service turns the home PC into a personal broadcasting system, and lets users build and organize their own "channels" to enjoy their music, photos, video, TV, documents and other extras, using the devices they already own. The free software is downloaded onto an always-on home PC; there is no Orb player software download required or other add-ons to install on the device used. Once the Orb MyCasting application is installed, the user can use most any Internet-connected device with a streaming media player to stream their media content -- be it live or recorded TV, music, videos and photos -- anytime, anyplace.
About Orb Networks, Inc.
Orb Networks is an award-winning developer of software and services that unlock the digital media stored on personal computers. Orb MyCasting gives consumers secure, free, instant, and everywhere-access to everything from their photos and video to TV and music on virtually any Web-enabled device. The company's partners and affiliates include: AOL Winamp, AMD, Creative Labs, Hauppauge, Hutchison, Nokia, Orange and Vodafone. Orb Networks is a privately held company in Emeryville, Calif. For more information about Orb Networks and the Orb MyCasting service, please visit www.orb.com.
www.Orb.com
Orb and MyCast are trademarks of Orb Networks, Inc. All other trademarks and/or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Source: Orb Networks, Inc.
CONTACT: Ann Willey of Orb Networks, +1-513-608-0829, ann.willey@orb.com
Web site: www.orb.com/
