Very interesting suggestion! As far as I can see, yes, once an extension has been internationalized for two languages properly (or even just one done right, theoretically) then the localized strings could be extracted programmatically. Then it's easy to imagine a web page in the spirit of google translator toolkit that would allow contributors to fill them in. However some of it is not strings. Anything under a "_locale" folder, such as HTML and image files, also needs to be translated. That's v. difficult or impossible to provide an auto-tool for.
Other problems: * i18n for extensions isn't ready yet, is it? * Hard to see the context of some/many strings (an eternal translation issue for software). * A localization involves adding to the files inside the *.crx. It could be inserted automatically by the Chrome Extensions site but this screws around with the author's expectation, not to mention a question of version numbering. I imagine the only reasonable path is that it causes locale resources to be downloadable by the extension author so they can check it into their version control. But each string resource- affecting update they release puts the translations out of whack, needing another delta from all the contributors. Putting the human workflow through the extensions website is just awkward for this model. * Open to pranking. * In the case of localized HTML or javascript files, possibility of malicious tinkering. Original authors must check. Bit of a sourpuss, aren't I? But really I'm very keen on the idea of a page that entices foreign language speakers to see that the translation-requiring resources are just a few files e.g. "A.js", "B.manifest", and "C.html". Let them download those to their own PCs (maybe with auto-translations inserted?), so that they can manually edit them and send them to the author. Googlers related to the extensions site, any thoughts? Regards, Akira -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Chromium-extensions" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/chromium-extensions?hl=en.
