On Wed, 5 Dec 2001, Corrin Lakeland wrote:

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> > > > >    "KSuperApp Error code: 12345"
> > > > That's helpful how? 
> 
> > > > At least I could've searched Google for cryptic messages.
> > > > error numbers are horrible
> 
> > Agreed; a text on screen is there for the user, not the developer.
> 
> The problem with this is that error messages occur when something goes wrong. 
> Normally there are all sorts of nice concepts you can use to explain things 
> things to the user, you share a `world view' in UI speak.  When something 
> goes wrong this world view breaks down and you've got two jobs: 1) Tell the 
> user something screwed up, maybe with enough information for the user to 
> avoid the problem 2) get information to the developer for a bug report.  
> 
> Giving the user enough information to avoid the problem is tricky.  Sometimes 
> the developer can guess a likely reason ``check file permissions'' but in 
> generally error conditions occur when the program enters a state the 
> developer considered impossible.
> 
> 
> > The principle is simple; the user does not have to know much to be able
> > to use a computer 
> 
> This is fine for normal strings, but breaks down for error strings.
> 
> 
> > > "Checking this box lets KDE to use shared memory for image to pixmap
> > > conversions."
> >
> > People don't care about the technical talk; 
> >
> > Someone know why it is 'nice' to use shared mem for this? Is it faster?
> > Does it mean the memory load is less? What?
> 
> Be careful about hiding the facts though.  I really _HATE_ check boxes that 
> say things like "Clicking this makes the program go faster".  If it makes the 
> program go faster why isn't it always on? Obviously there is a downside.  
> Those of us who do know what shared memory is (say 10% of linux users?) would 
> prefer the technical string.  How about giving both? A brief correct string 
> and then a long understandable version?


Why not create a "en_TE" locale, for english technical?

Alternatively, translate the things in the en (and every other) locale,
and leave the technical stuff in the C locale.

I am pretty serious here ;-)

 ("\''/").__..-''"`-. .         Roberto Alsina
 `9_ 9  )   `-. (    ).`-._.`)  ralsina@kde.org
 (_Y_.)' ._   ) `._`.  " -.-'   KDE Developer (MFCH)
  _..`-'_..-_/ /-'_.'           Abeja obrera en Xtech (www.xtech.com.ar)
(l)-'' ((i).' ((!.'             Buenos Aires - Argentina
Futuaris nisi irrisus ridebis. (Carlton, De rerum comoedia)