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Hi all.
The L10n project has been discussing for a while now (also at FOSDEM with mspevack) about ways to improve our translation processes. We estimate that more than 1 out of 3 users uses a non-English desktop.
First of all, let's clarify here that for the time being, we are referring only to applications that Fedora is upstream (anaconda, system-config-*, and basically most of the non-deprecated stuff that appears on [1] ).
[1] :http://i18n.redhat.com/cgi-bin/i18n-status?page=status&locale=es&branch=HEAD&essential=0
We have a plan with three actions in mind.
For F7, the RelEng team has introduced string freezes in the schedule [2] . This means that application strings for F7 should be complete *by 19/3*. Translations made after this date (and before the freeze) should be guaranteed to be included in the release.
[2] : http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Core/Schedule
To do this we need to try not to add new strings after the freeze and let the L10n folks know if they need to do so. Also, maintainers should repackage before each release (and after the translation freeze) without a bug needing to be opened.
Right now translations are done on i18n.redhat.com. This requires contributors
to have one account on the Fedora Account System (FAS) and a different
one for translations. With the merge of Core and Extras, now is a good
point to get rid of this distinction.
The plan is to move all PO files on Fedora infrastructure under a new CVS group (cvsl10n) [3] . An email will be sent to all translators to create a FAS account if they don't have one and join the cvs group. Members of the L10n team and ambassadors will help with this process.
[3] : http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/L10N/Projects/CVSInfrastructure
At this point we could discuss the idea for Fedora to act as upstream for the translations of outside-hosted projects such as yum, smolt, and pungi. The proposal is to host and maintain those project's translations with the existing Fedora L10n community.
One final plan (and probably the one that needs most discussion) is about changing the way we package translations. Right now PO files live inside the application and are packaged there (GNOME-style). The plan is to move the PO files in to their own directory and distinct package [4] (KDE-style langpacks).
[4] : http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/L10N/Projects/TranslationsPackage
Cons: L10n team should maintain a package (or many) and packages should be altered to accomodate the different locations of PO files.
Pros (many): increased modularity and maintenance (L10n repackages at will). App packages will be smaller in size -- we could provide one langpack or different ones per language.
Comments, suggestions?