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List: kde-core-devel
Subject: Re: Too technical terms in PO's
From: <ralsina () kde ! org>
Date: 2001-12-04 22:28:49
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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)
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