The Czech and Slovak localization team that works under Apple published a “new” version of Czech and Slovak localization for Mac OS X 10.6.2.

I have installed it and I can say the Czech localization is not better than the first one from Apcom aka Czech Data Systems.

For example the help is still not in Czech or Slovak language, some of system applications are also still not translated (iSync, Automator) and the stylistic of the localizations is the same like by the first one, also bad.

We cannot recommended it. Unfortunately.

According to information of one person familiar with the devoloping of Czech localization of Mac OS X 10.6.2 should appear the whole Czech localization of Mac OS X 10.6.2 next week.

Early after that the Czech localization of iWork 09 and iLife 09 should be published. And that doesn’t all. Apple plans starting a better services and PR for most of its products.

We´ll inform you about the changes and quality of it.

Dnes byla vydána nová české lokalizace poslední aktualizace Mac OS X 10.6.2 aka Snow Leopard.

Stahovat ji můžete z této stránky.

On September 18 was released the Czech localization of Mac OS X 10.6.1. This could be downlouded from this page. But with a limitation: Only users they bought their mac in Czech or Slovak Republic can purchase the licence for the Czech localization of Snow Leopard.

That means the licence politic was not changed how we requested in our petition. Czech Apcom aka Czech Data Systems don’t want along to oblige users abroad. Although a most of them they signed the petition want to unlock the existing licence politic.

Two and half months have passed since we handed over the Petition for full integration of
Czech and Slovak languages into the Mac OS X 10.6 system. Until now no one from Apple or Apcom (formerly Czech Data Systems) has given us an answer. We find this silence an expression of neglect towards current and future Czech and Slovak customers of Apple‘s products. Apple has shown a particular lack of consideration for the 1,694 signatories of the petition. These people have hoped for an improvement in the language compatibility issue, or at the very least some form of communication from Apple.

There is only one way to interpret Apple‘s stance of silence: as an explicit sign to Czech and Slovak costumers not to buy Apple‘s poorly supported products, and instead purchase hardware and software compatible with their linguistic needs – such as the widely available Czech and Slovak versions of Microsoft Windows.

Apple‘s behavior thus far clearly indicates that they are uninterested in attracting Czech and Slovak customers. Although Apple has recently founded its own Czech subsidiary, no one knows what that will mean for customers. When Apple neglects the quality of its Czech and Slovak service, it is inviting its customers in these countries to neglect Apple.

Czech and Slovak costumers do have support for the iPod and iPhone, yet support for computer products falls short. While the OS X operating system is technically available in Czech and Slovak, license limitations and poor upgrade options greatly hinder the software experience. The localization of other software is poorly supported or completely unsupported, and often prohibits Czechs and Slovaks from working in multiple languages.

If Apple wishes to improve its position among Czech and Slovak customers, it should answer our complaints and improve service and support for its software products. Apple should also consider the negative opinion it is generating among Czechs and Slovaks who find its neglect on this issue a sign of irresponsibility and hostility. »» Read more…

Since Juli 4 we have been waiting for an answer from Apple. We just know from someone familiar to Apple who doesn’t want to be mentioned that Apple doesn’t want ignore our petition. But this waiting look like an ignorance because nobody from Apple has given us any answer until now. Why? Please, talk with us we are your costumers and we want to improve the situation in Czech Republic together with you!

Zde je odpověď od pana Martina Lance z Apple (UK) Limited:

Važený pane,

vaši petici jsem předal dále. Nejsem pověřený ani oprávněný se k ní nijak vyjadřovat. Nevím, kde jste získal můj email.

S pozdravem,

Martin Lanc

⇢ stáhnout odpověď.

From April, 24 until May 31, 2009 the petition was signed by 1.694 users.

• 1.168 are from Czech Republic
• 479 are from Slovak Republic
• 47 from foreign countries: 13 from Germany, 11 from USA, 9 from Italy, 3 from Ireland, 3 from Great Britain, 2 from France, 2 from Switzerland and one from Belgium, Spain, Austria and Canada.

during the whole time, the webpage has been

• displayed 7.103-times
• visited by 4.584 users
• visitors from 42 countries of the world.

The biggest rate is represented by the Czech and Slovak Republic (3.746 resp. 1.046). See enclosed statistics of the visit rate.

› download the Statistics paper

It should be a thing of course to provide MacOS X in all spoken and written languages all over the world. [Germany]

The experience with the Czech language support was so unsatisfactory that we decided to uninstall it (actually to reinstall the whole thing), when I brought MacMini for my mum who does not speak any foreign language. The user-friendlinies of Mac is then very much hidden to her, as, I believe, to most of Czech and Slovak users who are not fluent in a supported foreign language. Also, as a customer, I would expect that given the recent expansion of well designed Apple iStyle stores in Prague and other Czech cities, the company will provide the corresponding support of the local language in its products.
[Czech Republic]

For my dear and be loved wife. Thanks. [Slovak Republic]

I’m using Apple computers for over 20 years. There’s been always Czech environment on OS7 through 9. Not that I’d need it (i’m actually rather comfortable with English software, but that’s just my personal opinion).

I was working on localizations since then and all over (fonts, applications, games).

I’m signing this petition in order to support other people who are in desperate need of extending Czech support (spell-ckeching, hyphenation exceptions, more iTunes content…). [Czech Republic]

I know several people who do not update system software at all to avoid the hassle of updating the localization separately, and virtually everyone who does runs into trouble every now and then. The system of localizations in Mac OS X was never meant to have the software and its localization installed and updated separately. Maintainging Mac OS X up to date with Czech localization is a real pain. [Czech Republic]

I have some Czech friends. I can’t persuade them to switch to Mac if the OS isn’t translated into their language!  [Italy]