Unlike more traditional software like operating systems and office productivity suites, social networking technology and therefore terminology has developed rapidly over the last few years.
With more Web 2.0 applications featuring a strong social aspect, including the voice of the customer is becoming increasingly important in order to be able to capture the latest terminology used in the social networking domain. To be successful in tomorrow’s market-place, established businesses need to create business models that are inclusive of its customers while leveraging the global expertise and vast know-how and future potential they bring to the table.
To address this challenge, Microsoft has launched several initiatives to embrace end-users and the “community”. One of them is the “MTCF” terminology community engagement and feedback program designed to assess and improve the quality of localised Microsoft Messenger and Spaces terminology through community feedback with a focus on social networking terminology.
This presentation will cover lessons learned from the 1900+ terminology suggestions received across 29 EMEA languages during this feedback program. It will explore interesting observations from the community around existing terminology, implications for source terminology, the importance of style and “artistic license” in translation and challenges to existing - and often anecdotal - assumptions about terminology quality.
LRC XIII Localisation Conference - Using community feedback to improve social networking terminology in microsoft products
1. USING COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE SOCIAL NETWORKING TERMINOLOGY IN MICROSOFT PRODUCTS Palle Petersen Terminology Manager, Language Excellence Group Sara Nicolini International Project Manager, GPD Intl EMEA Microsoft Corporation October 2008
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3. MICROSOFT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK Microsoft Language Portal Feedback programs Style guide downloads Online terminology Search Glossary downloads Blogs, articles, news… Comment/ suggestion tool Local market seminars, forums…
Microsoft Engineering Excellence Microsoft Confidential
Microsoft Engineering Excellence Microsoft Confidential
Benefits for Microsoft: Validation of terminology: quality parameter Leverage expertise of local expert matters and customers Increase visibility for new products in the local market Engage in a dialogue with our customers Increase terminology consistency and quality of Microsoft products Supports the brand Benefits for the community: Influence terminology in Microsoft products Connect directly with Microsoft and other users Recognition from industry peers Microsoft Engineering Excellence Microsoft Confidential
Examples of PR: DA - http://www.microsoft.com/danmark/windows/digitallife/windowslivefeedback.mspx ES - http://vivewindowslive.spaces.live.com/ Hotmail Member Letters - Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Greece and Turkey.