Progress
Internationalization Guide


Equipment Differences

In some cases, the layout and composition of the user interface must change from one language edition to another because of equipment differences. Computer companies often manufacture different models for each market. Technology standards vary from one country to another. Differences in keyboards and monitors might affect the design of the user interface. Recognize that many users do not have access to the latest computer components that might be available elsewhere. For example, some markets might not consistently have access to color systems, advanced graphics, large memory systems, or high resolution printers.

Monitors

There are many different models of monitors available, with features or limitations that might affect the look of the user interface. Consider this in the design phase. In general, you should design for a range of monitors and not just for the ones that offer the newest features. Monitor features that might affect user interface design include:

Keyboards

Keyboard layouts vary to support different languages so it is important to consider the variety of keyboards during the design phase. For example, you should not hard code short-cut keys (key combinations that perform specific commands) until you ensure that the short-cut keys are available to your audience. In addition to the availability of keys, there are ergonomic issues to consider. The short-cut keys you select should be easy to type. For example, typing Ctrl-} on a United States keyboard is simple, however on a Finnish keyboard it requires three separate keys to complete the same function. Also, the at symbol (@) is one keystroke on United States keyboards but three keystrokes in some markets.


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