Egypt launches Arabic web domain

[Kari]

Egypt will open the world's first Arabic language internet domain, its communications minister has said.

Tarek Kamel said the new domain name would be ".masr" written in the Arabic alphabet. It translates as ".Egypt". "It is a great moment for us... The internet now speaks Arabic," Mr Kamel said.

Last month, internet regulator Icann voted to allow non-Latin web addresses. Domain names can now be written in Arabic, Chinese and other scripts.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Egypt launches Arabic web domain

 

[seekermeister]

This is one domain that I will never need, but after reading the article, it seems that many Egyptians aren't happy about it either.

 

[Kari]

The BBC articel is from last November. I posted it because as of today it's reality (Foreign Language Domain Names Launch - The World Newser).

It's now possible to register Arabic domains in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Kari

 

[CarlTR6]

I don't believe I will be visiting that domain either.

 

[CarlTR6]

I disagree. This represents a major policy change in regulating domains. It has ramifications for Asian languages also.

I think your comment was a bit harsh.

 

[Kari]

Forgive me for being so blunt, but I find this quite stupid and pointless. I see this more as a way to try and get noticed rather than creating anything useful.

Whatever we think, regardless of possible prejudiced thinking, this day stays forever as a milestone in Internet history. As of today, it is possible to use other than Latin based alphabet to register domains.

I find posting this anything but stupid and pointless. In fact, I find it very important news. I'm sorry you feel my post pointless.

Kari

 

[Product FRED]

No, I wasn't calling your post pointless. I'm sorry. I was saying that it wouldn't be of use to most people. I'm deleting my last comment.

 

[Kari]

No, I wasn't calling your post pointless. I'm sorry. I was saying that it wouldn't be of use to most people. I'm deleting my last comment.

I misunderstood you. I'm sorry.

There's over 500 million Arabic speakers in the world, half of them native. These three first countries to allow Arabic domains have a total population of over 110 million.

 

[bahmanbahrami]

Sorry to post my question here.
I am new and I can not figure out how to enter a new post. I can not find any tap or botton in home page.
Please help. Email me, because I can not find your reply.
[email removed]
Thanks a lot
Bob

 

[Kari]

Bahman, you already asked this question, and both Barefoot Kid and me answered you. Read the answers here and here.

You should remove the email address from your post, it's against the forum rules.

Kari

 

[Product FRED]

No, I wasn't calling your post pointless. I'm sorry. I was saying that it wouldn't be of use to most people. I'm deleting my last comment.

I misunderstood you. I'm sorry.

There's over 500 million Arabic speakers in the world, half of them native. These three first countries to allow Arabic domains have a total population of over 110 million.

Well when you put it in perspective, I guess it becomes harder to disagree, especially when I myself speak Arabic.

 

[CarlTR6]

No, I wasn't calling your post pointless. I'm sorry. I was saying that it wouldn't be of use to most people. I'm deleting my last comment.

True, it will not be of use to most people. But it is a big, historic event in the world of the internet.

 

[bahmanbahrami]

Thank you Kari for being patient with me. Being new in something and being illiterate in that is not fun for anybody.
Thanks again
Bob

 

[Kari]

It's OK, Bob.

 

[mhasanbulli]

It is a good development, but what happens to other people who cannot type in Arabic?

 

[Kari]

It is a good development, but what happens to other people who cannot type in Arabic?

What happens to people who can not English?

I'm trying to keep my mind open, that's why I think Internet in your own language and alphabet should be part of global human rights. I'll bet you, as me, are using a localized keyboard, typing the web addresses using alphabet familiar to you.

According to what I've read today on the web, the first domains in Egypt using Arabic are going to be ministries and other government organisations, as well as local newspapers. IMO, it is a marvelous thing, giving more people an opportunity to use the net in their own language, with their own alphabet.

Of course I understand some people take this negative. The most stupid comment I've seen today can be seen here, read the first comment after the article. It just shows how we people tend to be too narrow minded.

 

[CarlTR6]

Kari, I think you misinterpreted that comment. I also commented something similar because I do not read or speak Arabic; therefore I won't be going to that site. I do think think this is an historic advancement for the web.

 

[DarkDavil]

Kari, I think you misinterpreted that comment. I also commented something similar because I do not read or speak Arabic; therefore I won't be going to that site. I do think think this is an historic advancement for the web.

Well - I'm really excited about this, as i cannot read Arabic, but i find that it opens up opportunities for those of us who fluently speak multiple languages. For example, i myself fluently speak Hindi and English, and i have set my Facebook page set to Hindi ( so all the text appears in Hindi - not Hindi English) Which i enjoy much more . Cant wait to see . India and in Hindi too