In this issue…

Language Fever • John Freivalds, JFA
Director’s letter • Michael Anobile
Language Professionals and Telematics in the New Economy • Dr. Gideon Strauss, University of the Free State, South Africa
Little Fish and Large Blue Chips • Robin Bonthrone, Fry & Bonthrone Partnerschaft
The Future of the Localization Industry • Roger Jeanty, President, International Communications, Inc.
Korean Localization Standards • Christopher Chung, Microsoft
Other Things Being Equal, Choose the Best • Tai Young Kwon, Prolangs

Director’s letter

Michael Anobile

Dear LISA Members,

During the first quarter we have had some changes on the LISA Executive Committee. Henri Broekmate, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Trados Corporation, has replaced Christoph Heck, who resigned at Autodesk Europe to join Disney Interactive Studios in California. Ken Bergenthal, Director of Business Development for the Asia-Pacific region at Cheyenne Software, has replaced Gail Wertheimer, who resigned from the board and her position at Cheyenne in February.

The Executive Committee is working hard to prepare the agenda for this year’s General Assembly meeting in Washington, D.C. We have reserved a meeting room at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency Hotel for Wednesday, June 4 from 2.30 - 5.30 p.m., immediately preceding the USA Forum cocktail reception. All General Assembly Members should try to arrange their travel schedules to attend. The formal agenda will be published on May 2; please let me know of any special topics you wish to have included.

In keeping with last year’s membership survey results, we are upgrading the LISA Web site, the Newsletter and the Forums. By midsummer, the security levels will be installed on the Web site , along with new areas for online SIG discussions, open forums and member directory access. We also hope you like the new look of the LISA Newsletter. Due to the nature and content of the articles published, we are beginning to attract companies and translation professionals outside the mainstream IT business. Much of the credit for innovation belongs to Deborah Fry (Fry & Bonthrone Partnerschaft), who as LISA Newsletter editor and marketing consultant is helping us reach a wider audience. Details of our new service for members wanting multiple copies of the Newsletter (rather than photocopying rights) and of non-member subscription rates are included in this issue.

Members and the administration have put considerable effort towards improving the presentations at Forums. At the European Forum in Mainz, Roger Jeanty (International Communications), Frans Bruinsma (Compaq), Dr. Alan Melby (BYU), Henning Kather (Netscape) and Lloyd Honomichl (Novell) gave presentations that were highly rated in terms of content and business relevance. Their candid treatment of operations, projects, production methods and costs contributed significantly towards the conference’s achievement of a 92% “meeting expectation” rating. Our collaboration with Global Meeting Services proved beneficial for logistic support and overall conference management.

Our hosts for the USA Forum on June 5-6 in Washington D.C., Trados, Logos and Netscape, are helping prepare a program that will be a landmark event for localization professionals. Beginning with a user/developer workshop on Integrating Advanced Translation Technology (June 3-4), the forum will feature work group discussions and presentations aimed at some of the most controversial business and technical issues challenging today’s industry.

Consolidation, technology and investments are precursors to the tremendous growth this business is experiencing, as this issue of the Newsletter shows. Thank you for helping LIS

A keep abreast of these exciting developments.

Mike Anobile signature
Mike Anobile
LISA Managing Director