+++ Roman Muñoz [05-01-23 18:52 +0100]:
Next, to have an untranslated user interface is one of the most scary things to my friends. If translated, they can play quite easy, and, being therion as good as really is, there is a probability for it to be adopted. But, with untranslated user interface, no chance. Friends will remain with Visual Topo, which is not bad software, and is translated.
You are quite right that everyone deserves an interface in theri native language, but therion is a trickier case than most software. Because the interface is really just an aid to editing the data files, thier format is exposed a great deal in the interface. I don't think it is practical or sensible for therion to have a different file format for every language, so some english will show through in the UI until someone writes a UI that hides the data format completely, and we are a long way from that now. However I'm sure a significant amount of UI translation is possible, whilst keeping the syntax the same. I assume that is what you are trying to do. It will make things a little more confusing by adding yet another layer of indirection (from the test in the UI to text in the file, which will only match up when the UI is english), but most of the time this will not be too much of a problem.
Third, thbook is very good as reference book, but it is not a starter guide IMHO. There was perhaps a year ago I see therion for the first time, getting a quite pretty headhache and running away with the tail between the legs. No offense intended. This time, I got it, but I'm really missing a starter guide so I could play with my first cave quickly.
I wrote one a year or so ago for therion 0.2.19. It is now a bit out of date, but I think it is the most useful existing starter guide. You can read it here: http://www.chaos.org.uk/~wookey/CP33.pdf Martin is working on including it in the thbook and.or website I think. I could write an 'intermediate' one now :-)
After this, I'll be ready to start writing that starter guide, expect to get quite a lot of questions about therion tips, etc ;-) Only after this I could think about translating thbook reference
Feel free to translate my article - it is GPL-licenced. Wookey -- Aleph One Ltd, Bottisham, CAMBRIDGE, CB5 9BA, UK Tel +44 (0) 1223 811679 work: http://www.aleph1.co.uk/ play: http://www.chaos.org.uk/~wookey/