Windows supports a traditional move

MICROSOFT has launched a new version of the Windows operating system that supports traditional Chinese characters. It is expected to have a dramatic impact on the Chinese-language computing market in Hongkong.

Chinese Windows 3.1 takes all the familiar features that have made Windows 3.1 so successful and combines them with support for the 16-bit, or ''double byte'', characters required for Chinese-language processing.

''We believe the effect of Chinese Windows 3.1 is going to be at least as powerful locally as the release of Windows 3.1 on the global market last year,'' said Laurie Kan, the country manager of Microsoft Hongkong.

''The Chinese-language computer market is going to become extremely important by the end of the decade and it is our intention to be the major player in that market.'' According to Mr Kan, the development of widespread demand for Chinese personal computing in Hongkong and elsewhere had been held back by a lack of standards.

Without a standard interface, Chinese PC applications have been considered difficult to use.

''By combining our Windows graphical user interface with effective double byte character input and display technology, we have created a Chinese personal computing platform which is going to be attractive for application developers and users alike,'' he said.

The new operating system has a complete Chinese-language interface, with Chinese drop-down command menus, Chinese dialogue boxes, full Chinese on-line help information and Chinese manuals.