How important is localised language strings

[utopiomania]

I'm writing a simple app that can be used by everyone that has a camera. It's targeted at ordinary people that may or may not
be comfortable with a PC.

The program is in english by default, and I need some feedback on how important it is for ordinary people around you that a
program like this is in their own laguage?

A short explanation to support your vote,and perhaps which country you live in would be nice info as well since the poll isn't too
exact by nature.

EDIT: This poll is for those of you that live in a non-english speaking country

[ts-soft]

Very important, my english is bad
(Germany)

greetings
Thomas

[utopiomania]

There's nothing wrong with your english from my standpoint

But what about other ordinary germans around you? My app is targeted at ANYONE with a camera, young and old.
How imoprtant is this issue to them? Thats what I want to know!

[Kaeru Gaman]

if you want to reach the whole folks, a local port is absolutely necessary.

even in germany, where english is a duty subject in school from 5th grade on for the mayority of the people,
most people don't speak english well enough to cope with an application that is completely in english.

though, a ported documentation would help most, the gui is less important.


... but asking this in an international english speaking forum is perhaps a bit useless...
those whose english is bad enough won't read ot write in this forum.

[utopiomania]

even in germany, where english is a duty subject in school from 5th grade on for the mayority of the people

Thanks for the reply! Its the same here in norway. Younger people is no problem, but the older Joe's and Jane's can
struggle with english language software at times.

Don't agree with your view on docs though. No one I know reads a manual unless its absolutely vital.

... but asking this in an international english speaking forum is perhaps a bit useless...

I asked specifically about people around you. Ask your neighbour, ehh, MILF, for example

[USCode]

What would be the order of importance, by language? Any thoughts?

I was thinking maybe:

1 English
2 Chinese
3 Spanish
4 German
5 French
... others ?

[srod]

utopiomania, I don't really understand the question in that, well, how much hassle is it to build your program around a language file? Especially if, as you say, you are only dealing with a simple application anyhow.

Any program I write these days always has a multi-language facility built in, even if I never get around to creating language files in anything but English! Why not just bite the bullet and use a language file etc. and then worry about translating to other languages if there is a demand etc?

[utopiomania]

utopiomania, I don't really understand the question in that

I'm not as experienced regarding these questions as you seem to be, thats all.

well, how much hassle is it to build your program around a language file?

Quite a bit, actually, especially since I'm prepared to use the result of this poll to do what
I need to do. Contrary to this:

even if I never get around to creating language files in anything but English!

Thanks to the voters and contributors so far

[pdwyer]

If you want to sell an app in Japan it will need this, otherwise only the very computer literate will use it as they are used to dealing with english apps.

Considering who you said was your target audience, it's very important.

(assuming you want the support issues that come with selling intl too of course )

It would be as important as your desire to sell in JP, if you don't really care about this one little island then you don't need to bother

[idle]

Perhaps a tutorial on using Unicode and doing multilingual interfaces with language files could help promote more usage.

I think a lot of people would consider it important, though I expect it's often overlooked especially for the likes of us who live in isolation at the arse end of the world and find it odd that not everyone understands English.

[ts-soft]

Perhaps a tutorial on using Unicode and doing multilingual interfaces with language files could help promote more usage.

Enable Unicode in the Compiler-Options and use this:
http://www.purebasic.fr/english/viewtop ... 073#191073
there is no tutorial required

greetings
Thomas

[idle]

danke Thomas

[utopiomania]

This seems to be more important than I thought. I'll make the app switch automatically to users language.

The language strings are hardwired into a datasection, and the UI at least handles russian.

[Barney]

This seems to be more important than I thought. I'll make the app switch automatically to users language.

Don't make it automatic. That's one of the worst things to do. At least ask the user if he/she wants the language you detected and let him change it if necessary. My native language is Croatian but I hate when an application switches to it immediately upon installation as I prefer to have a GUI in English. So, my suggestion would be to detect the language but let the user decide what he/she is going to use.

Barney

[case]

The language strings are hardwired into a datasection

that mean that only you can create language files.
external localisation files are better as they can be made by users, so you don't have to care about making them yourself. and that can save your money from traductors.