It might not seem like much but for the thousands of Mistral users that rely solely on icons to navigate the programs it is!
It is a fact, the majority of Mistral users either don't speak English at all or it isn't their first language. So why doesn't Mistral provide versions translated into all the world's more popular languages? A simple answer. Mistral serves a niche market and it would be prohibitively expensive. Then our customers couldn't afford to purchase the operating licences and would thus be denied the benefits of our industry's leading software. Besides, a picture 'speaks a thousand words'.
So why all the fuss now?
Well until quite recently there were thousands of users around the world still running 16 bit computer Operating Systems and some very crude hardware along with it. Costs of computers have come down in relative terms and now virtually everyone has access to more powerful 32 bit and even 64 bit machines. Meaning Mistral can now offer 256 color program icons to describe such things as food types where previously we had to struggle with a crude 16 color 'Windows Standard' color pallet. Mistral achieved it nonetheless and rarely did we ever receive any complaint that something was unclear or confusing. Now though it has all changed and Mistral is undertaking the massive task of redrawing every one of literally thousands of program icons. Perhaps more icons than any other software system of its type in the world. Starting with the most critical from a recognition point of view - the 'Food Group' icons. Here's a sample:-
So what if English is my first language? What do they do for me?
Well apart from making recognition more reliable and faster they might actually help brighten up your day! And what's wrong with that?
How long do I have to wait to obtain these program and database updates?
No time at all! In fact if you are an existing Mistral Licensee (Registered Mistral user) you may download the necessary update files right now by clicking on the link below.
MISTRAL
"Bringing the benefits of computerisation to our industry - without the historically associated problems."