Starting with version 14.4, I've fully internationalized LapTimer. All text can be customized and adopted to languages other than English. The first localization available is naturally German, my mother language. In case you want to support translating LapTimer to a third language, please let me know.
What is required to localize LapTimer to a further language (lets name it new language)?
There are two text files that need to be translates. One consists of a simple mapping from English phrases to phrases in new language. You start with the file including the English / German mapping. You do not need to speak German at all to translate, but you need to fully understand English including the technical terms used within LapTimer. The second file is the definition of all the alerts and messages shown by LapTimer. It is available in English and German to translate it to new language.
Finally, there are some user interface files that need to be translated. In case you have a Mac available including the XCode development environment, this helps. In case you don't, I'll send you a list a snapshot you translate 'on paper'. This last area is not too big.
As soon as all this has been done and sent to me (phase 1), I will generate a version including the new language and provide it to you for testing. There will be areas where text needs to be shortened because it is too long. Once this is done (phase 2), localization is finished and will be available in the next public release.
My estimate for translating LapTimer is 4 or 5 hours for the first phase, and another 2 for the second.
As I keep developing LapTimer, I will contact you from time to time to add new language elements.
Please contact me on LapTimer@gmx.de if you want to take the challenge
- Harry
