Topics in Usability
Internationalization and Localization

BooksArticles and WebsitesCase Studies

Books

Usability and Design Bibliography for International Products (Word file) Chauncey Wilson, 1998

Del Galdo, E. M. and Nielsen, J. (Eds.) International User Interfaces. Wiley: New York, NY, 1996.

Fernandes, T. Global Interface Design: A Guide to Designing International User Interfaces. AP Professional: Boston, MA, 1995.

Articles and Websites

Cockburn, Craig, Courtesy Titles - their proper use and website design guidelines - http://www.siliconglen.com/usability/courtesytitles.html

Hars , A. Localizing software is not just a multilingual issue; it's also multicultural. http://www.byte.com/art/9603/sec18/art1.htm

Hoft, N. L. Case Studies in International Technical Communication. http://www.world-ready.com/cases/index.htm

Internationalization Working Group of the W3C. Non-western Character sets, Languages, and Writing Systems. http://www.w3.org/International/

ISYS Information Architects, Inc. Globalization Tips. http://www.iarchitect.com/htglobal.htm

Microsoft Corporation. Developing International Software for Windows 95 and Windows NT: Glossary. 1996.

Nielsen, J. International Web Usability. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9608.html

Nielsen, J. Global Web: Driving the International Network Economy. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/980419.html

Nielsen, J. International Usability Testing. http://www.useit.com/papers/international_usetest.html

W3C - World-Wide Character Sets, Languages, and Writing Systems

Yeo, A. World-Wide CHI: Cultural User Interfaces, A Silver Lining in Cultural Diversity. http://www.acm.org/sigchi/bulletin/1996.3/international.html

Web of Culture includes resource pages on many internationalization subjects, including:

• Gestures
• Icons
• Colors
• Currency Formats

Case Studies

Bob the Builder fixed for Japan
Television favourite Bob the Builder is to have his fingers doctored for the Japanese market - because he looks like a gangster. (BBS News Online)