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What's Meddal.com about... .

Meddal.com aims to encourage the production, dissemination and use of Welsh language software and content. We work with local and international software producers to produce high quality translations of well known software and encourage others to produce similar quality products.

If you have an interest in Welsh language software and would like to make use of it at home or at work, this is a good place to start. We are making an assumption that you are reading this to help you understand what's on the Welsh pages and that you would be interested in a bilingual setup if possible. If that's not the case, sorry...

Our main recommendations are:

systems

Windows Vista and XP

Both these systems have Welsh language packs through which you can install the Welsh language interface. The Welsh Language Board have produced a program for changing languages on the fly - Language Control Center. This will enable the machine to be used in Welsh or English.

Mandriva Linux

Mandriva Linux is a Linux operating system that is availabe in Welsh - and English, as well as very many other languages. It's easy to change from one language to another through the Mandriva Control Center, no additional programs there. Download the three cd set for the Welsh translation.

programs

Microsoft Office 2007 and 2003

Language packs are availabel for both office suites. The packs also include a spell-checker produced by the Language Technology Center at Bangor University. A spell-checker is also available for Office XP

OpenOffice.org Bilingual Version.

This version of OpenOffice.org 2.0 has a button on the interface so that you can change languages easily. Click, and reopen the program for the language to change. You can also make choices about spell checkers as well. This is a great advantage for families and workplaces who use both languages as it's easy for different members to change the language interface.

How to install

Download the OpenOffice.org 2.0 Bilingual Version

The installer is in English and opens in the English interface. To change interfaces click on rthe Cymraeg button on the top right hanfd corner.

A sub menue will appear offering a choice of changing the interface changing the spell checker or the spelling of the current page.

The interface and spelling system can be easily toggled from one language to the other by clicking the Cymraeg or English button..

The remainder of the program operates in exactly the same same way as the normal OpenOffice.org. 2.0.

Mozilla, Firefox and Thunderbird

At present both Firefox and Thunderbird ar in different versions in English and Welsh and are therefore unsafe to install together. An alternative is Mozilla where it's possible to load a Welsh language pack into the English version of Mozilla 1.7.7.

Other programs

Many programs offer a choice of languages through their Options menu - AceMoneyLite