Using a server in a distributed computer network to provide an application to a client in the client's preferred language with the correct regional settings. A client accesses an application on a server and provides a preferred language and corresponding regional settings for the application. A local string software module determines the client's preferred language and selects a matching language pack software module. The language pack software module on the server takes the encoded content of the application and converts it into the language desired by the client. A text converter can take data such as dates, times, counting numbers, and currency values and convert them to the correct regional settings for the chosen language. The server then sends the translated application to the client. This approach eliminates the need to create separate applications for each language with distinct regional settings.