The next release will allow greater customization in terms of localization, but one sticking point is the localization of the Documents, Music, Video and Pictures directories. Up until now, it's always used the English versions of those names (which is the same way all the commercial portable software platforms do it). We have the ability to localize it, though, so that if the user wishes, the directories could be in German. This does introduce some hurdles, though.
First off, while all our current software that has a custom location to look for supports checking the PortableApps.comDocuments and other environment variables, some older software assumes it will be X:\Documents. I think this only affects software outside of our own at this point, though.
Second, we need to determine how to change the paths. If the user changes the menu language, do we change the paths then, do we ask first? (I'm leaning towards asking first). What if the directories or files inside are locked (file open) what then?
Third, we need to determine how to handle Unicode characters. Some apps and many of the launchers choke on some Unicode characters. This does affect some of our base languages, too. While English and German are fine, Italian and French have a couple accented characters. And then there's Japanese and Simplified Chinese which are more complicated. So how do we handle those?
Basically, our choices are:
- Keep things as they are. Use Documents, Music, Videos and Pictures as the official names.
- Use full translated versions for all the directories including Unicode characters.
- Use ASCII substitutions to achieve close approximations of Unicode characters to preserve application compatibility
I'm inclined to stick with #1 at least for now as 2 and 3 get complicated quickly. I know Marko would love to get localized folders into the first release of the German suite, but we need to keep things consistent across all languages and ensure that we're not going to be unnecessarily breaking apps. Using localized for some languages and not for others isn't in the cards for right now... we need to get it working across the board some way.
#3 would be the ideal of course, but it may not be possible in some apps (and I still need to ensure it will work in the Platform itself, though I remember it working ok last time I tried it). #2 will get problematic in some languages, but may be more doable.
So, again, I'm thinking sticking with #1 for now and then doing an intensive review of all apps to figure out what would be involved for #3. If we can't do it, we'll fall back to #2 for a later release.
(Added) Oh, and as far as updating later, once we add it as a feature, we'll give users the option to switch to localized directories when we update the platform.
Thoughts?
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Stick with #1 for now and then do an intensive review of all apps to figure out what would be involved for #3
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
I think 1) is the easiest way.
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
I'm pretty sure PortableFreeware checked Unicode support for all its apps, so we just ask them.
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First, we need to verify the NSIS bits as well (there is a bug in the NSIS GetParameters procedure when CJK paths are involved, for instance). Second, the PortableFreeware database has mistakes in it.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
there are two quick ways of choosing a certain folder, e.g. music
- the menu buttons
- the visual information (i.e. the folder icon)when going through the documents folder
at least for me the foldername is only secondary information and actually isn´t displayed when the folder is chosen by the menu button (which is already localized).
My choice is: stick to solution 1, but give the possibility to change the folder path within the menu buttons ( as in xrxca´s R3x mod)-> so only a bit of code has to be added, anybody can localize, rename the main folders and rearrange their hierarchy as needed.The icons are kept as long as the mainfolders stay on the drive...
Then let´s see how many people are going to use the full localization at all
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I'm not all that fond of localization upto the part that we should rename directories. Documents, Music, Videos and Pictures are clear enough and I don't think it would be very useful by adding the renaming of the folder when the language changes. (I hope you stepped away from automatically switching language depending on UI or locale language)
I realize that Windows localizes those things but as Portable Apps doesn't strictly follow these names, the translations might be off too. Maybe a better way is just rename the shortcuts appropriately and not the folders themselves. hmm, one could then say that might be confusing but I think if people are able to use portable apps they will understand. Remember you don't offer the PortableApps.com website in all languages so I guess almost every user has a basic understanding of English.
So while it might be tempting, it requires ALL portable applications to change if they use the documents folder for example and that includes all prereleases and 3rd party releases.
Well some of these folders are rarely used by applications themselves I think, and translating or renaming those is perhaps not as intensive. So maybe Music, Videos and Pictures folders would be easier to rename. The documents folder itself, hmm..
#2 I prefer over #3 but that means restrictions for non unicode Windows versions. (while it seems non unicode versions are getting rare). But above all for now I prefer #1.
Always ask and never automatically change language settings in case of people who travel abroad. And hmm, I guess maybe you could have an option to have people rename these folders themselves (including appearance in the menu). That way it would be up to the individuals. (like customizing or adding folders in my documents)
The documents folder is mainly for the users, so as little as possible taking over by the platform would be nice.
For now as I said I'll stick with keep it as it is...
Go with 1)
As wk said, the visual info given by the changed icon is enough I think.
And Ryans idea isnt bad as well.
I know some people want the buttons to be removable, but I think thats a bad idea cause then I as a dev cannot count on their existence.
I only like auto-switching languages if it can be turned off.
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
How about we do it the Windows way? It involves putting a desktop.ini file in with a localised string that says what to call it (same way "User's Documents" becomes "My Documents").
AFAIK, you can then access it from the normal path or the localised path.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
That may work. I'm experimenting with it now. It doesn't take a string directly, but we could point it at an included resource-only DLL to pull the strings.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
... and untill we find a general solution we should go on with #1.
Ryans Solution reflects the actual way of life like Win Vista 'localized' the folders now. No more renamed folders, the same (en) folders for all langs and only liks to it in the native langs.
Paid for Software more or less?
What You need is OSS!
Yeah, and I think I have it working right using a resource-only DLL I've compiled using Delphi and switching the desktop.ini via the menu. Users won't be able to add their own translations, but it'll work just like it does in Windows and it'll show Unicode characters in Windows 2000+ just like users expect
without messing up paths.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thats all we want and need (IMHO)
If a beta is ready for testing, please let me know!
Paid for Software more or less?
What You need is OSS!
Thats great news John!
"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate
what about Downloads folder?