As I have translated Ringlink to Swedish I think I should comment on the matter.
In my opinion the # 1 priority is to solve the problem with programflow. Now
directed by the value of the buttons, i.e. the text on the button is the name
of the subroutin and if they don't match the program don't work. Therefore I'm
confused over that someone claimed to have translated the program but in
another message seamed to have no understanding of this problem.
I don't know what Gunnar means with *cleaning up the code*. Are you changeing
it to avoid this problem?
In my opinjon this is the main points:
1. Make program flow language independet.
2. Move the text out from the program itself.
3. Translation should not require any special knowledge.
Question is - how to put it up to make translation easy?
It has been suggestions using some sort of database-file where you put the
sentences or words and translate at runtime.
IMHO there are easyer ways. Especially as it's common in Ringlink with
sentences that are *broken* by a value that is inserted by an variable. You
can't just translate and exchange the part before and after the variable.
What I propose is in a way in use in Ringlink today. The use of templates.
The costomisable parts incl the ringcode is in fact a kind of templates, saved
as separate files for each ring. This could be done for all output from the
program.
Templates are easy to use and understand for anybody with some HTML knowledge.
Only text that are to be output is read in by the server and only in the
language used. Program is smaller i memory, runs faster and puts less stress
on a busy server.
Templates allows translate to any language without any programing skill
whatsoever. You only nead basic understanding of HTML. Each Ringlink System
could have its own design even on output from the program if they wanted. And
it is only a short step to make it possible for each ringmaster to redesign the
output for his ring, even in a different language.
My opinion i based not only on my translation of Ringlink to Swedish but also
on translating a couple of other programs. Translating a program who's output
is based on templates is a piece-of-cake.
Remember it is not only translation to more widely used languages. Ringlingk
is ideal for small ringservices on a national level and smaller language
communitys and then we are talking maybe hundreds of different languages.
/Ulf
http://www.iring.nu