Arabeyes^[1] is an Open Source voluntary Meta-Project^[2] aimed at Arabizing the Unix environment by providing the necessary interface, tools, and underlying engine(s). It is aimed at providing a centralized knowledge-base of anything that deals with Arabic linux/unix software as well as a means to contribute to the standardization effort through various means.

The lack of standards in the world of Arabic Computing is of great concern to the Arabeyes project. In fact, a quick look at the Arabic keyboards on the Internet would give a clear indication of the severeness of the problem. There are at least five different keyboard mappings and no clear standard. Demanding standards, creating and implementing them are all items that fit under Arabeyes' umbrella and charter. Standards nowadays encompass many details which have to be sifted though and studied in great detail in order to start comprehending their affects on the Arabization effort. Arabeyes is committed to the assistance of that effort as well as in putting forth suggestions and presenting solutions pertaining to our communal needs via open discussion of the facts and effects.

Arabization projects are currently scattered across the Internet with no means of integration and/or cooperation. Arabeyes is meant to fill that gap, and become a central location for all Arabization efforts. That includes hosting and tracking all available Linux/Unix Arabic software. Arabeyes also aims to develop its own tools and utilities which are necessary to provide for a basic computer interface (at both the console and GUI levels).

Arabeyes also aims to present an open forum for discussion in order to "spread" the knowledge and give an opportunity for the "haves" to share with the "have-nots". Arabeyes' utilization of CVS (Concurrent Versioning System) is meant to prolong the lifecycle and existance of the projects as well as to attract and incite onlookers and developers to jump-in and modify code (direct involvement).

Raising computer and Linux/Unix awareness in the Arab world is one of the reasons Arabeyes exists today. The up-and-coming student generation needs to know of the existence of Arabeyes (and the Open Source movement) in order for them to acquire the various necessary tools as well as to give them a forum to learn, teach and participate. We are also raising awareness within the Open Source community about Arabization issues.

Finally, Arabeyes seeks to garner the respect of their peers (other Open Source projects) and their communities.