Korean Job Discussion Forums

mysteryadam · Joined: 27 Jan 2011

I don't know if this has been answered before; I gave the threads a run-through and didn't see anything about it.

New to Korea here. I was wondering where I can buy computer software in English in Korea. I'm in Seoul at the moment, but am moving to Suwon soon. Just Microsoft Office, Excel, maybe some games and such. I tried to download some of them from the Microsoft website, but as soon as I click through the transaction, the website changes to Korean, so I don't know how to continue, even though I am logged into my windows live ID as an English speaker. If anyone can help me get the programs either in a store or online, I would really appreciate it.

Inb4 pirate bay, just download the torrent already, etc. I hate that garbage.

Thanks

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

mysteryadam · Joined: 27 Jan 2011

hey thanks

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

This is a massive problem with companies like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, etc.
They have this strange notion that no one would ever be in a country unless they were a fluent native speaker or that someone might not want software to install in the language actually chosen on the operating system and not determined by something else like an IP address or some other random thing.

I have to change the Unicode fall-back language to Korean for the odd Korean app or website that has improperly set fonts. Even though the OS is set to English, all kinds of programs from these vendors will install in Korean. That includes things like Itunes/Quicktime, wireless drivers from intel, or update emails from Microsoft (changing your location to Korea means you automagically speak Korean to them, regardless if your profile is set to English).

I've exchanged emails with MS over this and their solution was to change my location to something else, instead of say respecting the language choice on my profile.

Intel and Apple have been just as dense.

If you're buying PC games, save yourself the hassle and get them online. This is especially easy if you have a Credit Card from back home. You'll have access to your back home store on Steam and you won't have to worry about any region restrictions. Everything will be in English. Direct2drive, greenman gaming, gamersgate, impulse driven, etc. all good (more or less) but Steam is the only one I know that lets you pass region restrictions.