Microsoft releases two Arabic tools to manage common tasks on the desktop

The two applications, Microsoft Calculator Plus and Microsoft Time Zone, provide helpful new tools for converting figures and for checking time zones on PCs running Microsoft Windows XP.

Tasks such as converting between one currency and another, and finding out date and time information for another country are common tasks for many people in the region, be it for business or for home life. The two new Microsoft applications aim to give Windows XP users a convenient desktop tool to handle these common tasks quickly and easily.

Microsoft Calculator Plus is an enhanced version of the standard Microsoft desktop calculator. The new version includes a new look interface and a unit conversion feature, which allows users to convert common measurements such as weights, lengths and so on. Calculator Plus also includes currency conversion, with a live link to the European Central Bank to ensure that the currency exchange rates used by Calculator Plus are as up to date as possible.

Microsoft Time Zone runs in the system tray on Windows XP desktop, and allows users to easily view the date and time in various locations around the world. Users can customize Microsoft Time Zone to time information just for specific countries, creating a handy quick reference for checking times and dates in selected locations such as branch offices in other countries.

Both of the applications were localized and tested by the Microsoft Arabic Development Team working in Dubai and Cairo, to ensure that they used standard Arabic terms for units or measurement and so on.

"Particularly in the Middle East, many organizations do business with other countries in the region and around the world, or have staff that travel abroad on a regular basis, creating a constant need to work in different currencies or to deal with customers and partners in different time zones. These two applications give users answers to common problems such as converting currency, or working out if an overseas office is open, right on the desktop at your fingertips. We are very pleased to be able to bring these extra tools to Arabic speakers, and we hope that Windows users in the region find them helpful and productive to use," said Assem Hijazi, Localization Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation.