Tamil websites will now be given a substantial boost with a common encoding system to be introduced in a fortnight all over the world. In the past, users were handicapped and could not reach out to websites of choice because the language was encoded differently in different platforms. It was difficult to communicate between Windows NT and Unix or Macintosh because of chaotic conditions in the coding scheme, said former vice chancellor of Anna University M Anandakrishnan, now involved with the state council for education.

Lakhs of users around the world had to download an appropriate software whenever they wished to access a particular site. Consequently, at an international Tamil congress held here it was proposed that a common encoding be followed worldwide. A draftsystem was formulated which was downloaded and experimented upon by more than 200 users across the world and substantive recommendations included in the draft. The final draft was ready on May 29. This is again being sent out through the worldwide Net - tamilnet99.org.com - and a formal launch date will be finalised soon.

There are already 600 Tamil-related websites worldwide, and within the country about 15-20 websites which could be classified as serious. The latest one introduced last week on a low key was by Chennai Interactive Business Services Ltd, which has ambitions of providing news and information pertaining to the city, commercial or otherwise.

While the Tamil language site was initially part of Chennai Online website of the company, now a separate site has been created called Aaramthinai, or the `sixth region' which is cyberspace. The website gets as many as 9,000 hits a day (mostly from NRIs). It has many interesting features such as autobiographical serials, magazines, musings on Chennai'shistoricity.

Likewise, ISP provider Dishnet (of the Sterling Infotech group) has launched its own site called `Minnambalam' in a bid to create content on the Web. It claims 35,000 hits a day.

With common encoding and bilingual keyboards in the offing, communication in Tamil through the Web will be revolutionised with a larger user base, said Anandakrishnan.