Unicode URL Shortening

I have just discovered a URL shortening Service that has IDNs. When creating a custom URL the text you provide can be Unicode and so can be any language. Here are some shortened URLs I have created:

• http://✩.ws/国际化域名
• http://❥.ws/拉夫堡市场
• http://⌘.ws/ユニコード
• http://✿.ws/小山
• http://➽.ws/オンドレ
• http://➹.ws/트위터
• http://➔.ws/国际化

Another Unicode Savvy URL shortening service is http://doiop.com/

• doiop.com/Ноттингем
• doiop.com/ноттингем

Japanese Input Method

For many years I have used mechanisms like Character Palette for special pictorial symbols. Over time one acquires a set of frequently used symbols. There are also some symbols available by pressing key combinations. I do not find either of these methods satisfactory.
Recently I discovered an alternative method for typing pictorial symbols when using the Kotoeri Japanese Input Method on my Mac and iPod Touch. When writing Japanese one can invoke the Candidate Window by pressing the space bar after typing some Japanese. The Candidate Window lists all the possibilities for the word one has typed. Some Japanese words have associated symbol(s) which are selectable in the Candidate Window.
Below, I list those word/symbol associations I have, so far, found.

• でんわ=telephone: type でんわ to get ☎
• あめ=rain: type あめ to get ☂
• ゆき=snow: type ゆき to get ☃
• くも=cloud: type くも to get ☁
• ほし=star: type ほし to get ★ or ☆
• まる=circle: type まる to get ○ or ● or ◎ or ◉
• おんせん=hot spring: type おんせん to get ♨
• おんぷ=musical note: type おんぷ to get ♪ or ♩ or ♫ or ♬
• かっこ=brackets: type かっこ to get 『』or（）or〈〉or《》or【】or「」or〔〕
• とらんぷ=playing cards: type とらんぷ to get ♢ or ♤ or ♡ or ♧ or ♦ or ♠ or ♥ or ♣
• きごう=symbol: type きごう to get a profusion of symbols

For a more extensive list see Wolfgang Hadamitzky's Page

Hong Kong IDNs

• Aji Ichiban 優之良品.hk
• Aji Ichiban 优之良品.hk
• Café de Coral 大家樂.hk
• Café de Coral 大家乐.hk
• Chinachem Group 華懋集團.hk
• Evergreen Hotel 萬年青酒店.hk
• Evergreen Hotel 万年青酒店.hk
• HKR International 香港興業國際集團.hk
• HKR International 香港兴业国际集团.cn
• Hong Kong Electric 香港電燈集團.hk
• Hongkong Post 香港郵政.hk
• Hongkong Post 香港邮政.hk
• Hongkong Post 香港郵政.cn
• Lung Wah Hotel 龍華酒店.hk
• Lung Wah Hotel 龍華酒店.cn
• Lung Wah Hotel 龙华酒店.cn
• Lung Wah Hotel 龍華乳鴿.hk
• Lung Wah Hotel 龍華乳鴿.cn
• Lung Wah Hotel 龙华乳鸽.cn

Taiwanese Universities

Below are some Taiwanese University/College IDNs.

1. Air Force Institute of Technology 空軍航空技術學院.tw
2. Aletheia University 真理大學.tw
3. Asia University 亞洲大學.台灣
4. Central Police University 中央警察大學.tw
5. Chang Gung University 長庚大學.tw
6. Chang Jung Christian University 長榮大學.tw
7. Cheng Shiu University 正修科技大學.tw
8. Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science 嘉南藥理科技大學.tw
9. Chinese Culture University 中國文化大學.tw
10. Chung Hua University 中華大學.tw
11. Chung Yuan Christian University 中原大學.tw
12. Chungyu Institute of Technology 崇右技術學院.tw
13. Dahan Institute of Technology 大漢技術學院.tw
14. Diwan University 致遠管理學院.tw
15. Far East University 遠東科技大學.tw
16. Fortune Institute of Technology 和春技術學院.tw
17. Fu Jen Catholic University 輔仁大學.tw
18. Hsing Kuo University of Management 興國管理學院.tw
19. Huafan University 華梵大學.tw
20. Hungkuang University 弘光科技大學.tw
21. I-Shou University 義守大學.tw
22. Jinwen University of Science & Technology 景文科技大學.tw
23. Kainan University 開南大學.tw
24. Kun Shan University 崑山科技大學.tw
25. Lan Yang Institute of Technology 蘭陽技術學院.tw
26. Ling Tung University 嶺東科技大學.tw
27. Lunghwa University of Science & Technology 龍華科技大學.tw
28. Mingdao University 明道大學.tw
29. Minghsin University of Science & Technology 明新科技大學.tw
30. Nan Jeon Institute of Technology 南榮技術學院.tw
31. National Central University 國立中央大學.tw & 中大.台灣 & 中大.台湾
32. National Chengchi University 國立政治大學.tw
33. National Chi Nan University 国立暨南国际大学.tw
34. National Chi Nan University 國立暨南國際大學.tw
35. National Chiao Tung University 國立交通大學.tw
36. National Chung Cheng University 國立中正大學.tw
37. National Chung Hsing University 國立中興大學.tw
38. National Formosa University 國立虎尾科技大學.tw
39. National Hsinchu University of Education 國立新竹教育大學.tw
40. National Ilan University 國立宜蘭大學.tw
41. National Kaohsiung Marine University 國立高雄海洋科技大學.tw
42. National Open University 國立空中大學.tw
43. National Penghu University 國立澎湖科技大學.tw
44. National Pingtung University of Science & Technology 國立屏東科技大學.tw
45. National Taichung Institute of Technology 國立臺中技術學院.tw
46. National Taiwan Normal University 國立臺灣師範大學.tw
47. National Taiwan Ocean University 國立臺灣海洋大學.tw
48. National Taiwan University of Arts 國立臺灣藝術大學.tw
49. National United University 國立聯合大學.tw
50. National University of Kaohsiung 國立高雄大學 高雄大學.台灣
51. National University of Tainan 國立台南大學.tw
52. National Yunlin University of Science & Technology 國立雲林科技大學.tw
53. Oriental Institute of Technology 亞東技術學院.tw
54. Overseas Chinese University 僑光科技大學.tw
55. Providence University 靜宜大學.tw
56. St. John's University 聖約翰科技大學.tw
57. Taiwan Hospitality & Tourism College 臺灣觀光學院.tw
58. Tajen University 大仁科技大學.tw
59. Takming University of Science & Technology 德明財經科技大學.tw
60. Tatung Institute of Technology 大同技術學院.tw
61. Tatung University 大同大學.tw
62. Technology & Science Institute of Northern Taiwan 北台灣科學技術學院.tw
63. Transworld Institute of Technology 環球技術學院.tw
64. Tunghai University 東海大學.tw
65. Vanung University 萬能科技大學.tw
66. Yuan Ze University 元智大學.tw
67. Yung Ta Institute of Technology & Commerce 永達技術學院.tw

International Computing

  One of the modules I teach at Loughborough University ラフバラ大学 is International Computing. This was a new module in the 2008-2009 academic year. It is an optional final year module. The uptake this year (2009-2010 academic year) has increased from last year's 14 students to 24 students. The topics I cover in my module include:

• Characteristics of Languages/Scripts
• Software Internationalization & Localization
• Character Sets
• Unicode
• Unicode Transformation Formats
• Fonts
• Keyboard Mappings
• Input Methods
• Internationalizing Websites
• Country Codes
• Language Tags
• IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names)
• Internationalizing LaTeX

This year I am including an additional topic which is the Language Features of the iPod Touch/iPhone.

IDNs - The Future

  There has recently been much publicity and controversy concerning IDNs. Here I are my thoughts on the future of IDNs or maybe my thoughts on what I consider should be the future for IDNs.
  English is currently the accepted International language and so most Domain Names are ASCII. So what should an organisation do about their Domain Names? Should they just stick with their ASCII names or also use IDNs?
  I consider that an Organisation's Domain Name strategy should be determined by their customer base or desired customer base. A Local/Regional Organisation should have Domain Names in both their local language and ASCII. An International Organisation, on the other hand, should have many Domain Names in many languages.
  My observation of many International Organisations' Websites is that, mostly, the content is predominantly/solely English. So why bother with multiple IDNs in multiple languages when they just resolve to a Website written in English?
  My answer to that question is: IDNs are just one small part of the Internationalisation of IT. AI (Adaptive Internationalised) Websites are one of the other parts of the Internationalisation of IT.
  An AI Website can adapt content according to:

• Language/Script of the IDN used for access
• The preferred display language setting of the visiting browser
• The Region (GeoLocation) of the visiting browser

  More on AI Websites another time ☺

Korean Universities

Below are some Korean University/College IDNs. I have not listed any that redirect to an ASCII address.

1. Ansan University 안산대.한국
2. Cheju Halla University 제주한라대학교.한국
3. Daewon University College 대원대학.한국
4. Hanseo University 한서대학교.한국
5. Jeju National University 제주대학교.한국
6. Joongbu University 중부대.한국
7. Korea National Sport University 한국체육대학교.한국
8. Korea National University of Arts 한국예술종합학교.한국
9. Korea University 고려대.한국
10. Pukyong National University 부경대학교.한국
11. Sungkyunkwan University 성균관대학교.한국

Japanese Universities

I am not sure how many Japanese Universities have IDNs and of those I have found, most redirect to an ASCII address. Below, I list only those I have found that do not redirect to an ASCII address.

1. Fukuoka Institute of Technology 福岡工業大学.jp
2. Hiroshima Institute of Technology 広島工業大学.jp
3. Kanazawa Gakuin University 金沢学院大学.jp
4. Kurume University くるめだいがく.jp
5. Kurume University 久留米大学.jp
6. Meiji University 明治大学.jp
7. Okayama University 岡山大学.jp
8. Okayama University 岡大.jp
9. Shiga University 滋賀大学.jp
10. SUN Techno College サンテクノカレッジ.jp
11. SUN Techno College 学校法人サンテクノカレッジ.jp
12. Tokyo University of Science 東京理科大学.jp
13. Tokyo University of Science, Suwa 諏訪東京理科大学.jp
14. Tokyo University of Science, Yamaguchi 山口東京理科大学.jp
15. University of Marketing & Distribution Sciences 流通科学大学.jp

Chinese Universities

Most Chinese Universities now have IDNs. The following is a selection of Universities, Institutes, Colleges and Academies idn addresses. I have not listed any that redirect to an ASCII address. Addresses that end in 中国 are Simplified Chinese and those that end in 中國 are Traditional Chinese. Both 中国 and 中國 mean China. Some of the Universities I have listed below do not have the 中國 form because they have not yet configured their DNS for 中國

1. Anhui Xinhua University 安徽新华学院.中国
2. Beihua University 北华大学.中国
3. Běijīng Film Academy 北京电影学院.中国 & 北京電影學院.中國
4. Běijīng Forestry University 北京林业大学.中国 & 北京林業大學.中國
5. Beijing University of Chemical Technology 北京化工大学.中国
6. China Women's University 中华女子学院.中国
7. Communication University of China 中国传媒大学.中国
8. Dalian University of Technology 大连理工大学.中国
9. Fujian Medical University 福建医科大学.中国
10. Fujian Medical University 福建醫科大學.中國
11. Fuzhou University 福州大学.中国
12. Fuzhou University 福州大學.中國
13. Gānsù Coal Technical School 甘肃煤炭工业学校.中国
14. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies 广东外语外贸大学.中国
15. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies 廣東外語外貿大學.中國
16. Guangxi Normal University 广西师范大学.中国
17. Guangzhou University 广州大学.中国
18. Guilin University of Technology 桂林工学院.中国
19. Guilin University of Technology 桂林工學院.中國
20. Harbin Institute of Technology 哈尔滨工业大学.中国
21. Harbin Institute of Technology 哈爾濱工業大學.中國
22. Hebei University 河北大学.中国
23. Hebei University 河北大學.中國
24. Heilongjiang University 黑龙江大学.中国
25. Heilongjiang University 黑龍江大學.中國
26. Henan University 河南大学.中国
27. Henan University 河南大學.中國
28. Hong Kong University of Science & Technology 香港科技大学.中国
29. Inner Mongolia University 内蒙古大学.中国
30. Jimei University 集美大学.中国
31. Jimei University 集美大學.中國
32. Lanzhou University of Finance & Economics 兰州商学院.中国
33. Lanzhou University of Finance & Economics 蘭州商學院.中國
34. Liaoning University 辽宁大学.中国
35. Nanchang University 南昌大学.中国
36. Nanchang University 南昌大學.中國
37. Nanjing University 南京大学.中国
38. Nanjing University 南京大學.中國
39. Ningxia University 宁夏大学.中国
40. Peking (Beijing) University 北京大学.中国
41. Peking (Beijing) University 北京大學.中國
42. Qinghai Normal University 青海师范大学.中国
43. Qufu Normal University 曲阜师范大学.中国
44. Shaanxi Normal University 陕西师范大学.中国
45. Shandong University 山东大学.中国
46. Shandong University 山東大學.中國
47. Shandong Xinhua Computer College 新华教育.中国 & 山东新华电脑学院.中国
48. Shandong Xinglin Vocational College of Science & Technology 山东杏林科技职业学院.中国
49. Shanghai Jiao Tong University 上海交通大学.中国
50. Shanghai Jiao Tong University 上海交通大學.中國
51. Shànghǎi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 上海中医药大学.中国 & 上海中醫藥大學.中國
52. Shantou University 汕头大学.中国
53. Shantou University 汕頭大學.中國
54. Shenyang University 沈阳大学.中国
55. Shenzhen University 深圳大学.中国
56. Shenzhen University 深圳大學.中國
57. Sichuan Agricultural University 四川农业大学.中国
58. Sichuan Agricultural University 四川農業大學.中國
59. Sichuan University 四川大学.中国
60. Sichuan University 四川大學.中國
61. Southeast University 东南大学.中国
62. Southeast University 東南大學.中國
63. Tianjin University 天津大学.中国
64. Tianjin University 天津大學.中國
65. Wuyi University 五邑大学.中国
66. Wuyi University 五邑大學.中國
67. Xī'ān Jiāotōng University 西安交通大学.中国 & 西安交通大學.中國
68. Xī'ān Jiāotōng-Liverpool University 西交利物浦大学.中国 & 西交利物浦大學.中國
69. Xihua University 西华大学.中国
70. Xuzhou Normal University 徐州师范大学.中国
71. Yanbian University 延边大学.中国
72. Yanbian University 延邊大學.中國
73. Yangzhou University 扬州大学.中国
74. Yangzhou University 揚州大學.中國
75. Yanshan University 燕山大学.中国
76. Yunnan University 云南大学.中国

I have discovered three more fascinating Chinese Characters that are being used as Given Names. Each character 汉字 is constructed from three occurrences of a single radical.

晶 jīng ≅ crystal/bright/radiant. The radical is 日 which means Sun.

磊 lěi ≅ Sincere/Great/Massive/Pile of Stones. The radical is 石 which means Stone.

鑫 xīn ≅ Symbolises Prosperity. The radical is 金 which means Gold.

When choosing an English Given Name there are considerations, such as, meaning and sound. There are extra dimensions when choosing a Chinese Given Name. I was recently introduced to a Chinese female Given Name: 淼 (miǎo). This has various meanings, including: Infinity / A Flood / A wide expanse of water. In the context of a Given Name I will take the meaning to be Infinity.

淼 is a fascinating character because it consists of the radical 水 repeated three times. 水, as a standalone character, means water. One can easily appreciate the connection between 水, 淼, flood and hence Infinity.

On Wednesday I gave a presentation on IDNs to UCISA-NG (Universities & Colleges Information Systems Association - Networking Group) Committee. The following is a short article I have written for the UCISA Newsletter.

Internationalisation (i18n) is on the Agenda

André 小山 Schappo - Loughborough University

Internationalisation is on the agenda and now is a golden opportunity to turn aspirations into reality in the IT domain. There are many aspects of IT that can be internationalised. This brief article will focus primarily on Internationalised Domain Names (IDNs).

Loughborough has a set of fully functioning IDNs in several languages/scripts. These include:

① http://ラフバラ大学.com/ - Loughborough University Japanese IDN

② http://拉夫堡学生会.cn/ - Loughborough Student Union Simplified Chinese IDN

The complete list of Loughborough IDNs can be viewed at http://yep.it/idns

I term these PIDNs, that is, Partial Internationalised Domain Names because the TLD is still ASCII. During 2010 there will be some ccTLD FIDNs, Fully Internationalised Domain Names. 拉夫堡学生会.cn will become 拉夫堡学生会.中国 where 中国 means China. In actuality, 拉夫堡学生会.中国 already works but not when using the ICANN Root Servers.

The implementation of internationalised gTLDs is longer term but we will probably see them in 2011. My considered prediction is that .com will be .公司 in Chinese and .コム in Japanese.

Registering IDNs is straight forward and inexpensive. At Loughborough ラフバラ we use dynadot.com as our Registrar for IDNs. Currently, not all Registrars are IDN aware or capable.

Along with Loughborough Students, one of my current activities is the development of AI (Adaptive Internationalised) websites. These websites adapt content according to: language of the IDN used to access the website, browser preferred display language, Region and Date. So, for example, one of the adaptations is display of prices in the currency of the Region of the visiting browser.

With commitment and imagination the opportunities for internationalisation of IT are limitless and boundless.

TLD ⇄ Top Level Domain
ccTLD ⇄ country code TLD eg jp, uk, cn
gTLD ⇄ generic TLD eg com, net, org