Re: [MCN-L] Multilingual websites
ill helps. If you > > think of machine translation just as an aid to comprehension, and you > > think of adding the widget to your site as a convenience, just to make > > it easier for visitors to do something they can already do and you can't > > stop them anyway, why not? Well I mean, that's what I thought and I lost > > my job. But I still think it's a logical argument. And I haven't seen a > > whole lot of museum websites succeed at human translation in more than a > > couple languages, except on very limited sets of pages. > > > > There have been a couple major museum websites that provided the Google > > translation widget on every page, as a convenience. The two that I > > recall having it in the past no longer seem to provide it, so I have to > > imagine they similarly had a champion for it who moved on (willingly, I > > hope!) and their successors were less interested in fighting that fight. > > > > Anyway, here's my suggestion: try Google on a few of your pages in any > > languages for which you have a local fluent speaker/reader and see how > > well it works. I bet you'll find that it conveys the basic ideas > > reasonably well, that it makes some really boneheaded mistakes, and that > > about 100 out of 100 visitors will not be harmed by it. But I also bet > > that if you share it with your colleagues from marketing, > > communications, etc., you'll quickly get a sense of how politically > > difficult it may be to roll it out. Exploratorium seems like the kind of > > place that might be willing to try it ... but wow, I bet your stuff is > > hard for machines to translate, so who knows. > > > > Best, > > Matt > > > > On 10/22/2018 08:40 PM, Susan Edwards wrote: > > > Hi Mark - > > > > > > I managed the localization work for the Getty's Visit section 4 years > ago > > > and can give you some tips. From an accessibility point of view, you > want > > > to have human-translated language, not use Google. In general > translation > > > services are ok, but they make mistakes. You also want to think about > > > non-English language search engines and SEO in other languages as well. > > So > > > localization is not just about translation. Feel free to contact me - I > > am > > > happy to talk on the phone to discuss. > > > > > > Things have probably changed in the last 4 years - I do wonder if > Google > > > translate services, which are much more accessible these days through > > > search, are more commonly accessed and used by users. But ideally a > user > > > from China, for example, isn't coming to your English pages and then > > > clicking on a button to change the language. They shouldn't see your > > > English page at all, and should just be sent directly to the Chinese > > page. > > > Again, this requires search optimization in that language, as well as > > > language declaration on the pages. > > > > > > Susan > > > > > > Susan Edwards > > > > > > Associate Director, Digital Content > > > > > > HAMMER MUSEUM > > > > > > 10899 Wilshire Boulevard > > > > > > Los Angeles, CA 90024 > > > > > > 310-209-7921 > > > > > > sedwa...@hammer.ucla.edu > > > > > > On Mon, Oct 22, 2018 at 5:04 PM Megan Richardson < > > > megan.richard...@museedelhistoire.ca> wrote: > > > > > >> The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam offers its whole website in Dutch and > > >> English, and key visit information in 9 other languages. > > >> > > >> Megan Richardson > > >> Directrice, Musée virtuel du Canada > > >> Musée canadien de l'histoire > > >> Director, Virtual Museum of Canada > > >> Canadian Museum of History > > >> 100 rue Laurier Street, Gatineau QC K1A 0M8 > > >> T 819-776-7189 > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> -Original Message- > > >> From: mcn-l [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Andrews > > >> Sent: October-10-18 5:23 PM > > >> To: mcn-l@mcn.edu > > >> Subject: [MCN-L] Multilingual websites > > >> > > >> Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations about language > > >> translation for museum websites. Currently, the Exploratorium has a > > series > > >> of single pages for visit planning for seven non-English languages > > (e.g., > > >> https://www.exploratorium.edu/es).
[MCN-L] Multilingual websites
Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations about language translation for museum websites. Currently, the Exploratorium has a series of single pages for visit planning for seven non-English languages (e.g., https://www.exploratorium.edu/es). But as we try to attract and serve more non-English speakers, we're thinking about other approaches. For instance, for anyone who is using (or has used) a Google Translate widget in your universal footer or header, did you find it successful? Did it get good usage? It occurred to me that I don't really have a sense of -- broadly -- how people use foreign language websites. Are they translating at browser level (or device level), making a site-specific widget superfluous? Or is a widget actually useful? Any insights or stats are appreciated! - Mark -- Mark Andrews | Director of Online Media e x p l O r a t o r i u m mandr...@exploratorium.edu mobile: 415-830-1578 ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/
[MCN-L] Request for Proposals: Online Audience Research
The Exploratorium is seeking proposals for online audience research and evaluation services to assist us in our goal to improve our understanding of our online audience and their behavior, motivations, and needs. https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs/rfp-online-audience-research The Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Our mission is to create inquiry-based experiences that transform learning worldwide. We launched our website (www.exploratorium.edu) in 1992 to become the first independent museum online (and approximately the 600th website in the world), and since then have created over 50,000 pages of original content: online exhibits, activities, articles, webcasts, videos, microsites, and apps. More than 11 million people visit our website every year. We seek a consultant or firm experienced with research and analysis of online audiences in the museum and informal education sector. The consultant should possess expertise in quantitative and qualitative user research, including user testing, surveys, interviewing, focus groups, and data analysis, as well as user experience design. Our goal is to use the insight gained from this research to improve our online visitors’ experience, and to expand our reach and impact. The findings may also be used to inform a redesign of the core website and aid decision-making and prioritization for content development and R strategies. The Request for Proposals (RFP) provides additional details and instructions for submitting a proposal: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs/rfp-online-audience-research If you have questions, please contact Mark Andrews at mandr...@exploratorium.edu. Proposals are due by April 28, 2017. -- Mark Andrews | Director of Online Media e x p l O r a t o r i u m mandr...@exploratorium.edu w: 415-528-4860 | m: 415-830-1578 ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/
[MCN-L] Job opening @ Exploratorium: Senior Web Developer
The Exploratorium is seeking a full-time Senior Web Developer. Drupal development experience is essential. Thanks! - Mark http://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs/senior-web-developer ABOUT US The Exploratorium is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to the public understanding of science, art, and human perception. It has pioneered the role of museums as active teaching centers with original programming based on an interactive approach to learning. It serves as an interdisciplinary resource for schools, universities, scientists, and artists, as well as for the public. SUMMARY Primary responsibilities include developing new features and supporting a variety of web platforms, with special emphasis on the Exploratorium's Drupal and WordPress websites. The candidate should possess strong technical design and demonstrate proficiency with common programming/scripting languages and databases in a mixed-platform computing environment. The Senior Web Developer position is located in the Online Media group within the Exhibits & Media Studio and reports directly to the Director of Online Media. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Design, develop, and maintain software for online and networked interactive platforms including: websites and applications, web publishing content management system customizations (Drupal & WordPress), data conversion and migration tools, mobile applications • Document project process and results, including the creation of written reports, code documentation, code walkthroughs, and other documentation of work. • Work collaboratively with web developers, project managers, project directors, artists, researchers, evaluators, and educators. • Manage own projects, meet deadlines and participate in project team meetings. • Other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or related field. • Minimum 8 years' experience developing web-based applications and tools, preferably in a formal or informal education environment. • Demonstrated proficiency developing web software using programming and scripting languages including PHP, Javascript, Python, and markup with HTML5 and CSS3. • Proficiency developing database applications with MySQL or related relational database systems. • Proficiency working with commercial and open-source APIs and software libraries. • Proficiency with software development processes including analysis, design, prototyping, debugging, and testing. • Experience using source code control with Git and remote repository management. • Excellent knowledge of web browsers, cookie handling, and session management. • Proficiency working in a mixed platform environment with Macintosh, Windows, mobile browsers on the client side and Unix/Linux on the server side. • Experience using VPNs and secure file transfer protocols. • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with project teams. • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. • Excellent documentation creation / revision skills. • Excellent analytical abilities. • Willingness to learn new programming languages and tools. APPLICATION DEADLINE This position is open until January 8, 2016. HOW TO APPLY This is regular, full-time (37.5 hours per week) exempt, union position that includes benefits. To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to: SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER (Please include position title as subject heading) Pier 17, Ste. 100, San Francisco, CA 94111 E-mail: res...@exploratorium.edu No phone calls, please The Exploratorium is committed to a diverse workforce. -- Mark Andrews | Director of Online Media e x p l O r a t o r i u m mandr...@exploratorium.edu w: 415-528-4860 | m: 415-830-1578 ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l@mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/
