Launch: Zettlr Translate — Translating Zettlr Universally
One of our first goals during the development of Zettlr was to make it accessible to as many people as possible. We never wanted to leave anybody out, because for us it is paramount to create accessible and easy to use software. This is why we don't follow design principles just because they are en vogue. We follow design principles that work. This has brought us some criticism, as some people think the toolbar is an old concept: Yes, it is old, but it simply works. Everybody nowadays knows what a toolbar is and what s/he is supposed to do with it. Hiding functionality around the GUI may look more seamless and modern, but it comes at a cost: New users will have to find their way around operating the app, before they can bring it to good use.
But we're getting off-topic. One of our aims besides sound UX-choices was always to enable users to translate the app. This is why each language is contained in a very simple format; a single file that can be added to Zettlr easily. But until now it posed a problem for people completely unaware of what, for instance, a JSON file is. And if you don't know what something does, you're likely to hesitate when it comes to making use of it. This is a part of Zettlr where the app has not been very accessible. Still, our goal remains to create translations into any language that is around.
To this end, we wanted to make it easier for you to translate the app into different languages. We wanted to make sure you could join in, translate some of the sentences in the program and collaboratively work together in creating a language that opens up our app to the native speakers of your country. This is why we have created Zettlr Translate, a service open to all of you who want to help translate the app in every language of the world. We want to make sure everybody on this planet is able to understand the application and be empowered by using something that has been tailored to his or her comfort zone.
So today we wanted to close with a call to action: Please consider joining Project Translate to help make Zettlr universally translated. The only thing you need is an account (which is mainly to prevent spambots from inserting nonsense) and you're good to go. The four languages Zettlr ships with have already been added to the service, so you can suggest improvements as you go. We have written down everything you need to know in this little document.
When there is PanDoc, why not create a PanApp, amirite?