Localization and Internationalization

Localization and Internationalization

Internationalization: Writing in a neutral, simple language so that the document can be translated to other languages without much trouble. There are standards for it like the The European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA) Simplified English. The AECMA Simplified English (SE) dictionary is defined in the AECMA standard PSC-85-16598 developed by the aerospace industry.



Localization: The actual process of translation.



At least, that's what I have understood.



Now you know why you have to keep it simple when you write that manual, don't you?



Important note: Robohelp gives a lot of trouble in translations. That's what I have heard at least.



write to me: Suman@sumankumar.com

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In Denver

Guys I am in Denver. So updates will be erratic. I should be back in India around 18th of March. Until then, bye!

Suman

write to me: Suman@sumankumar.com

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Next STC Chennai Meeting On March 7 : This will be the second knowledge sharing session. The first meeting was a wonderful success and we hope the second one will be even better. Take a note of the details..

Day & Date : Sunday, March 7, 2004

Time : 10 to 11 a.m

Venue : Cognizant Technology Services (CTS), 3rd Floor, Conference Room, Whites Road, Royapettah.

Contact Person : Kiruba Shankar . phone : 52133619 (res)

RSVP : kiruba @ kiruba.com

The theme of the meet is "Bring a tech writing friend".

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I am engaged

I got engaged to Chitra on 25 Jan 2004. I was busy traveling and making arrangements. The other news is that I have published my first novel; visit http://sunnu.blogspot.com to read 10 free chapters. If you like what you read go right ahead and buy the novel at http://cafeshops.com/sunnu.

I will resume posting on this blog tomorrow; let me find a nice topic. Thanks people.

write to me: Suman@sumankumar.com

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Chennai Tech Writers Mixer on Jan 25 : Calling all Tech Writers in Chennai for an informal Mixer on Jan 25th. It's a great opportunity to network with our fellow tech writers from different companies in Chennai.



The Mixer aims to be a nice watering hole for chennai tech writers to meet up and share their experiences and knowledge in an informal atmosphere.



Here are the things to remember.

Day & Date : Sunday, Jan 25th 2004.

Time : 4:30 p.m

Venue : Amethyst cafe. ( It's a really cool place to hang out )

Bill : We just go dutch on the snacks and drinks.

Directions : Take the lane next to Hotel Saravana Bhavan on Peter's Road, Royapettah. Go down the lane for about 100 meters and you'll find Amethyst on the right.

Contact : You can mail Kiruba Shankar at Kiruba @ Kiruba.com or call his residence at 52133619 after 7:00 p.m



Please do spread the work to your tech writing friends in Chennai. Thanks in advance.

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Usability Testing of Your Documentation

Yea, it is possible. Let's say you have created a user-guide. The user-guide is aimed at helping users in performing various tasks on the product.

1. Choose a representative user (anyone, even your mother-in-law is all right). If you can't recruit a user read List-item:



2. Ask the user to perform tasks on the product using the instructions from the guide



3. Ask the user to Think Aloud, but don't interrupt or help the user in performing tasks



4. Make notes. Note the reactions of the user. That frown. That click of the tongue indicating frustration. People are nice; they wont tell you to your face 'Your guide sucks.' It is our duty to find out what they think



5. Make a list of your findings; identify action points; compile a report, and go to work on the guide



6. Once you have incorporated changes/enhancements to your guide, test it again on the user and make sure that your enhancements have made the guide usable



7. If you can't recruit users, you and your other technical writer can review the guide (individually) against a heuristics check-list. The check-list is intended for a software application but you can use it for your guide as well, if you know what to keep and what to throw away (discretion my lord!)

Disclaimer: If you thought this idea of testing is stupid, please tell me, I am just thinking aloud and sharing the thought with you; maybe you and I can discover a method that would be world renowned, who knows!



write to me: Suman@sumankumar.com

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Microsoft LongHorn Help

The next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system, codename "Longhorn", promises to raise the standard for performance and innovation. The Windows "Longhorn" Help system is designed to greatly improve the user assistance experience in Windows.

"Longhorn" Help includes the following features:

• A new structured authoring model enables Help authors to create higher quality Help content, leveraging the flexibility of XML.



• A unified Help viewer pane, which is shared by all applications, provides a consistent entry point to Help.
  
  
• A new organizational structure based on common tasks, rather than application features, makes it easier for users to find the Help they need.



• Active content displays the most appropriate Help content, based on the current state of the user's computer.
  
  
• A more efficient update model continuously provides connected users with the newest content; each update contains only updated material, which conserves bandwidth.

Links:

Longhorn page on MSDN

About Microsoft Assistance Markup Language (MAML)



Note: Learn XML buddy; that's where the future is. In probably a couple of years organizations will start mentioning this in their recruitment ads for tech writers: "Help authoring skills using 'Longhorn' (or whatever the actual name is; Longhorn is just a code-name)"

Tools Die. Concepts don't. Get it?



write to me: Suman@sumankumar.com

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