Request: Other languages help files

[Trablas]

I think more people could benefit of advanced features of Total Commander if the help file could be downloaded in other languages. Many people could do the translation ( myself for example ) and be the maintainers of it (a little contribution to a great piece of software ).

I could do it, absolutely (english -> spanish)

[Clo]

 Hello, welcome on board !
- Some "unofficial" Helps exist here and there in other languages than the official ones…
- You might ask for the agreement of the Author, I guess.
- You could realize a translation from the Tutorial too (I made the HTML-sources availables); I think it's easier; whether Ch.Ghisler should agree to this, please contact me too.
In anyway, it's a big work, I know what I say ! However, I could help you a little in certain ways (indirectly)

 Kind regards,
Claude
Clo

[Sheepdog]

I think more people could benefit of advanced features of Total Commander if the help file could be downloaded in other languages. Many people could do the translation ( myself for example ) and be the maintainers of it (a little contribution to a great piece of software ).

I could do it, absolutely (english -> spanish)

In anyway, it's a big work, I know what I say ! However, I could help you a little in certain ways (indirectly)

2Trablas
And if you've done this huge work you could publish it at Total Commander net and/or Club total if it isn't possible at the official site

sheepdog
2Clo
Off Topic: Hi Caude, my work makes progress, I'm at the 'help' topic now.

Stefan

[Clo]

2Sheepdog
Hello Stefan !

¤ I could host such a Spanish folder too, whether Ch. Ghisler should agree to such a realization.
The number of Spanish-speaking people is very important worldwide…
- Maybe Trablas can host that by himself too ? Otherwise, I've a good way to make updates, through a personal FTP-server as a relay

Off Topic: Hi Claude, my work makes progress, I'm at the 'help' topic now.

Nice to hear ! Not late regarding the future 6.5 release ! …

 V G
Claude
Clo

[Jqn]

Hi,
If you need help for spanish translation (or some other related job), I would be very satisfied to help you.

BR
JOAQUIN

[Trablas]

Well, I'm thinking on an official help (and tutorial). We can define a sort of template, so all the help files would have the same structure. I know that it wouldn't be easy, but is the best way (my oppinion). ¿What you think about it? (I think about robustness, and maintainability )

[Clo]

2Trablas

Hello !

- We didn't get the Ch. Ghisler's opinion yet…
- His agreement is indispensable before to start such an "adventure"

- Following that I experienced, a classic *.hlp folder in another language is a bit complicated to make, because it needs to create a *.RTF-source, and compilation-scripts. Indeed, you need the M$-program to compilate this folder as *.HLP.
- I've a French-source only, and not quite up-to-date. Moreover, in that folder are some pictures in the *.SHG format. I don't know what image-soft is able to create that format. I never could display these pics in any image-browser, even in XnView, although it supports 435 formats at reading !

- If ghisler(author) agrees, I guess it should be judicious to begin with a Tutorial; the best source-structure is the English one, it's the most handy to translate / update.
- I think that you could accept the Jqn's offer of help, and perhaps work together at this project then.
- Two brains are always better than a single one Moreover, it's more secure, in the case of a pretty mortal PC-crash.
- Pratical details could be getting off-topic a little. So, please send me an e-mail from the board to know more, with TC-Spanish-Help as is in the subject.
• About the point of “official” designation, it's the ghisler(author)'s decision, but like he told himself, he doesn't know Spanish really, so can't check such an “official” Help folder  ……

Kind regards,
Claude
Clo

[ghisler(Author)]

I have no objections against additional translations, but I have to warn you that it is really a LOT of work. User "Clo" helped me with the French help in the past, and he knows how much work this really was. I think that it would be easier to start with his FAQ first, and mayby my tutorials from ghisler.com . What do you think?

[Lefteous]

2Clo

Moreover, in that folder are some pictures in the *.SHG format. I don't know what image-soft is able to create that format. I never could display these pics in any image-browser

The Microsoft Help Workshop contains a program called Hotspot Editor (Shed.exe). This program can be used to create hotspot files (*.shg). This special images can contain rectangle areas. Every defined area can be linked to a help topic. If the user clicks inside this area the help topic will be shown.

A good side about help files is
http://www.helpmaster.com/index.htm

[Trablas]

Hi, Thnx Jqn for your offer, prepare yourself for this travel. .

About the format, What about html, chm or pdf? *.hlp doesn't appear to be the solution. Other formats can be created with freeware applications.
I would investigate more on this topic.

We already have the author "green light".

Comments, suggestions?

[Clo]

2Trablas
Hi again !
- The English HTML sources are available already from the link in my signature below. They contain a CHM script (to change a bit, indeed)
- That stucture is very convenient, but not quite classic, so -like I said you above-, please contact me whether you would use that structure, elaborated and handy.
• Or else, you could show your email-button from your profile, it's quite secure, no problem; then, I'ld contact you to explain details…

kind regards,
Claude
Clo

[Clo]

2Lefteous
Hello !

The Microsoft Help Workshop contains a program called Hotspot Editor (Shed.exe).

- Right, I found it, thanks, but there is no "New file" entry in any menu...

- I guess that Trablas should prefer HTML / CHM, that I agree strongly...
VG
Clo

[Lefteous]

2Clo

Right, I found it, thanks, but there is no "New file" entry in any menu...

Well this program is not an image editor. You have to prepare an image, a bitmap for example, and use the open operation of the Hotspot editor to open it. Then add the hotspots.

2Trablas

About the format, What about html, chm or pdf? *.hlp doesn't appear to be the solution. Other formats can be created with freeware applications.

The hlp format can be created using the above mentioned HTML Help Workshop (freeware from Microsoft). These files are based on Rich Text documents which can be edited with Wordpad (included in Windows) for example.

[Clo]

2Lefteous
- Thanks again, I'll give it a try like this, it could be useful for the French HLP updates sometimes

 VG
Claude
Clo

[Trablas]

Hi everyone.
I test “HTML Help Workshop” tool, and isn’t too hard to use. I think it’s a good choice to make Total Commander help file.

The next step, if Ghisler agrees, is to transform the Total Commander WinHelp project (that make the *.hlp file) to “HTML help project” (that make a *.chm file). “HTML Help Workshop” can do it automatically.

This way, we can have access to the files in *.html format, that is easy to manage and edit. A lot of smaller files it’s better than few big ones.

Every one of these files can be translated separately, so it can be more manageable and easy to update (if one english version file changes, Ghisler can send the request to the translators team to translate only that file). Additionally, it allows more people to participate as translator / revisor .

Probably would be necessary to fix some things in the new English *.chm project (if the conversion where not so good). In that job, all of us could participate. When Ghisler thinks that english version is ready, we can start the translation process.

This way, ALL the help files of Total Commander would have the same look, and the same behavior, without mattering in which language is.

What you think? ?