"Getting more localization in a distribution brings the operating system as close as possible to the user. In order to do this, you need to translate all the material, from the installation system through to the documentation."

Internationalization in Debian is a long-running story.

The Woody installer, which came out in 2002, supported 16 languages and Sarge which came out in 2005 supported 42 languages. Etch, the current version in development which is due out in December can be installed in 63 languages.

Perrier heads up the effort to find translators for as many languages as possible through the Debian-i18n mailing list.

"We are working hard on coming up with a strong framework for i18n that will enable people to more easily customize Debian in their own language," he said.