[FM Translation] Repost of languages poll

kander · 12 Jan 2004, 06:28 PM

Hi All,

This is a poll to determine which language would be useful for the FM Translation Project. It's a project that's about offering the community a tool to work on translating the documentation and interface of the FM service. It's not going to work on any of the internal FM code, so compatibility issues with sending/receiving mail are not something I can help you with...

[edited this due to it's inclarity, it just said 'Repost of the languages poll']

--K

JamesHenderson · 12 Jan 2004, 06:41 PM

Kander - do you mean what languages do we speak other than English (which isn't in the poll) or what is your native language?

Edit: OK, so just read the other thread and now understand.

Someone made a good point though. If you decide to use another language properly, that should include support too, otherwise you could end up annoying people more with only a half baked solution.

James.

kander · 12 Jan 2004, 07:05 PM

I think that if we make it clear from the start that the additional interfaces do not come with support, and that this is clearly indicated as you select a language this shouldn't be a hassle...

What would you prefer: a 100% completely English solution, or a solution that offers multiple languages as an additional bonus, but doesn't offer support in that language (meaning you'll have to switch to english to use the correct interface names and stuff like that) ?

--K

JamesHenderson · 12 Jan 2004, 07:07 PM

I am personally OK with as many tranlsations that are required, but (as you say) as long as it is made clear to those users that the system is "as is" and all email support would have to be in English.

J.

NumberSix · 13 Jan 2004, 12:14 AM

One vote for Japanese here.

And I must admit, I'm somewhat undecided on the advisability of offering an interface in a given language without support in that language, but willing to consider all the arguments...

Prognathous · 13 Jan 2004, 05:36 PM

Bump.

Spanish had 12 votes in the previous poll and none here. That can't be right.

Prog.

bitequator · 13 Jan 2004, 07:47 PM

^ Oh really you speak Spanish Prognathous? I'd thought it was something else...

Como.. umm.. es, uhh.. usted.. ?

Prognathous · 13 Jan 2004, 09:10 PM

Bitequator, I speak Hebrew and have voted accordingly. It's just that I hate to see this poll so skewed.

Prog.

kander · 13 Jan 2004, 09:15 PM

Don't worry about it too much, Prog, it's just a small informative poll to get something of a list together... it's not like the fate of the world is being determined depending on the outcome of this poll... And the list can always be changed, so there really shouldn't be a problem. I think. I'd just like to see which languages are all being spoken here...

--K

Ilja · 13 Jan 2004, 11:34 PM

Good to see we dutchies rule the fastmail forum

and that for such a small country

AlexR · 14 Jan 2004, 01:54 AM

Hi,

I 'd like to see Fastmail's interface in Italian - or at least with an Italian spell checker. Then I could go around telling everyone in Italy how great Fastmail is. Italians like to do things in Italian. And being English, I tend to prefer things in English - but I've got a pretty good handle on Italian now - so can work in both languages. But, I can appreciate someone struggling with something which is not in their own language - or that they are not 100% confident with.

However, translating Fastmail into other languages is going to be one hell of a big job and probably very expensive - but if Yahoo and Hotmail can do it - then so can FM - it would be great!

AlexR

kander · 14 Jan 2004, 02:06 AM

Alex,

It IS one 'helluva' job, but I think we can handle. We don't have big obese manager breathing down our necks reminding us of every minute not being spent is a minute wasted, and we've got a great community here who can (and hopefully will

) contribute to the translation effort.

--K

pvergano · 14 Jan 2004, 02:19 AM

I'm waiting for an italian interface too!

The interface is sufficient, no need the support in my own language (i'm italian).
I can contribute to the project of course.

;-)

bitequator · 14 Jan 2004, 04:59 AM

Hey how about Korean?

But I'd vote for Latin (it is the most widely used language next to Klingon, after all)... Pig Latin that is.

hadaso · 14 Jan 2004, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ilja
Good to see we dutchies rule the fastmail forum

and that for such a small country

Actually the "others" lead!

Right now it is:

Other: 7
German: 5
Dutch: 4
Hebrew: 4
French: 3
Arabian: 3 (actually it's Arabic)
Spanish: 2
Hindi: 2
Chinese: 2
Russian: 0

If you compare relative to the size of the population speaking each language, then I believe Hebrew leads!

A good place to find demographic and other information is The World Factbook.

View Poll Results: What languages do you speak?
Dutch	5	14.71%
French	3	8.82%
German	7	20.59%
Hebrew	4	11.76%
Spanish	3	8.82%
Hindi	3	8.82%
Arabian	3	8.82%
Russian	0	0%
Chinese	4	11.76%
Other (please specify)	13	38.24%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

12 Jan 2004, 06:28 PM	#1
kander The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,112	[FM Translation] Repost of languages poll Hi All, This is a poll to determine which language would be useful for the FM Translation Project. It's a project that's about offering the community a tool to work on translating the documentation and interface of the FM service. It's not going to work on any of the internal FM code, so compatibility issues with sending/receiving mail are not something I can help you with... [edited this due to it's inclarity, it just said 'Repost of the languages poll'] --K Last edited by kander : 16 Jan 2004 at 07:53 AM.

12 Jan 2004, 06:41 PM	#2
JamesHenderson Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 603	Kander - do you mean what languages do we speak other than English (which isn't in the poll) or what is your native language? Edit: OK, so just read the other thread and now understand. Someone made a good point though. If you decide to use another language properly, that should include support too, otherwise you could end up annoying people more with only a half baked solution. James. Last edited by JamesHenderson : 12 Jan 2004 at 06:47 PM.

14 Jan 2004, 02:19 AM	#13
pvergano Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2	Italian for me too! I'm waiting for an italian interface too! The interface is sufficient, no need the support in my own language (i'm italian). I can contribute to the project of course. ;-)

12 Jan 2004, 07:05 PM	#3
kander The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,112	I think that if we make it clear from the start that the additional interfaces do not come with support, and that this is clearly indicated as you select a language this shouldn't be a hassle... What would you prefer: a 100% completely English solution, or a solution that offers multiple languages as an additional bonus, but doesn't offer support in that language (meaning you'll have to switch to english to use the correct interface names and stuff like that) ? --K

12 Jan 2004, 07:07 PM	#4
JamesHenderson Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 603	I am personally OK with as many tranlsations that are required, but (as you say) as long as it is made clear to those users that the system is "as is" and all email support would have to be in English. J.

13 Jan 2004, 12:14 AM	#5
NumberSix Cornerstone of the Community Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Village Posts: 616	One vote for Japanese here. And I must admit, I'm somewhat undecided on the advisability of offering an interface in a given language without support in that language, but willing to consider all the arguments...

13 Jan 2004, 05:36 PM	#6
Prognathous Master of the @ Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 1,060	Bump. Spanish had 12 votes in the previous poll and none here. That can't be right. Prog.

13 Jan 2004, 07:47 PM	#7
bitequator The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,978	^ Oh really you speak Spanish Prognathous? I'd thought it was something else... Como.. umm.. es, uhh.. usted.. ?

13 Jan 2004, 09:10 PM	#8
Prognathous Master of the @ Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 1,060	Bitequator, I speak Hebrew and have voted accordingly. It's just that I hate to see this poll so skewed. Prog.

13 Jan 2004, 09:15 PM	#9
kander The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,112	Don't worry about it too much, Prog, it's just a small informative poll to get something of a list together... it's not like the fate of the world is being determined depending on the outcome of this poll... And the list can always be changed, so there really shouldn't be a problem. I think. I'd just like to see which languages are all being spoken here... --K

13 Jan 2004, 11:34 PM	#10
Ilja Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 173	Good to see we dutchies rule the fastmail forum and that for such a small country

14 Jan 2004, 01:54 AM	#11
AlexR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milan, Italy Posts: 142	Hi, I 'd like to see Fastmail's interface in Italian - or at least with an Italian spell checker. Then I could go around telling everyone in Italy how great Fastmail is. Italians like to do things in Italian. And being English, I tend to prefer things in English - but I've got a pretty good handle on Italian now - so can work in both languages. But, I can appreciate someone struggling with something which is not in their own language - or that they are not 100% confident with. However, translating Fastmail into other languages is going to be one hell of a big job and probably very expensive - but if Yahoo and Hotmail can do it - then so can FM - it would be great! AlexR

14 Jan 2004, 02:06 AM	#12
kander The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,112	Alex, It IS one 'helluva' job, but I think we can handle. We don't have big obese manager breathing down our necks reminding us of every minute not being spent is a minute wasted, and we've got a great community here who can (and hopefully will ) contribute to the translation effort. --K

14 Jan 2004, 04:59 AM	#14
bitequator The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,978	Hey how about Korean? But I'd vote for Latin (it is the most widely used language next to Klingon, after all)... Pig Latin that is.