I've noticed that mostly, all portable apps install all language packs available without giving the option to the use to choose. I know you might have wanted to make the installation as unobtrusive as it is now, but some language packs are hefty in size and only burden the storage device for no reason. When I went through my potable apps installation to clean all the unnecessary language files, I cleared around 15-20 MB of language files alone.
For example I would never use French or Chinese or any other language beside Arabic or English (at least for now). I know having them is an extra but it IS an extra after all and I think we need to have the option to install them or not.
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I made the same observation with apps like Pidgin where the lang files are big.
I wanted to code a custom "lang files remover" but never really tried it. Plus I'm not as savvy in coding. Maybe I find the time for it this year.
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
15-20MB isn't much to worry about now that 4GB flash drives are the norm and retail for under US$5 for major brands. Basically, it's more work to worry about it than it is to just include it, including the time to code, package and users to have to decide whether or not to install something at install time. We still leave it as an option for English vs multilingual for apps where the language files are a significant percentage of the install size. But are doing it for fewer and fewer apps.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Indeed it means more code, but I assumed that the format specs will continue to evolve. So, let's say, an option to choose the default language of the PortableApps platform will be considered and accordingly, any new installed app, will only install the default language only without user intervention to keep the installation process as unobtrusive as possible.
Or maybe even once the installation starts an option between full installation or custom which will only add one extra step.
Indeed 20Mb is nothing these days but an option is an option and I'd rather not cause more wear to my flash with this little occupied space
We don't need a reason to help people ~ Zidane
It isn't just code, it will affect some of the features we have in the upcoming platform and installation process if there are missing languages. 20mb won't affect the life of your flash drive one bit these days with wear leveling. Bottom line is that it's not worth saving 1 or 2mb in a 50mb app by adding the complexity. In apps like GIMP where the languages consume more than the app, we have the option for English only. And many of these apps are not designed to have their languages stripped out, as we've found with some newer releases.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!