We need to translate English RoboHelp 7 HTML text to at least
two languages, and later probably more languages (if all goes
well). We need to update these translations once every six to
twelve months. We currently translate the help text, but in a very
non-efficient manner.
We understand the concepts of computer-aided translations,
and we are willing to put the time and money into it.
We searched the Internet for documentation on how to
translate RoboHelp 7 HTML. However, except for fragmented text and
a few comments on forums, we could not find a true solution
anywhere.
So, we tried to contact the "big" translation-software
companies first, hoping to get more specific information.
We started with SDL, to research their Trados product line.
Their web site does not mention anything about RoboHelp, but we
figured that perhaps RoboHelp would be supported via their XML or
HTML filters. So, we contacted SDL via their web form.
To keep a long story short, after considerable time and
numerous communications with different people at SDL, we got the
following impression: They just wanted to sell to us multiple
licenses for their software, pretending that it would work for
RoboHelp 7 HTML, only so that we would afterwards find out that
this was not true, but then not be able to get a refund. In the
end, a manager somehow got a hold of our case, and admitted that
this is indeed true. That is disappointing behavior.
In addition to the bad taste in our mouth from SDL, we are
back at square one. Of course, SDL is not the only vendor, but they
do seem to be the biggest one.
Anyhow, the quest for internationalization is a bit
frustrating, in the sense that it almost feels like we are the
first ones to undertake this quest. But we doubt that this is the
case. Everytime we contact a vendor for information, they do not
know what RoboHelp is (and only the "Adobe" part keeps them from
hanging up the phone immediately). And they definitely do not seem
to be willing to cater their software towards a RoboHelp
application.
Well, this topic is meant to warn other users about SDL's
business practices, and it is also yet another request for
assistance.
Does anyone have experience with the actual translation /
internationalization process? We are familiar with the concepts. We
need to know which translation software is most suitable.
In the meantime, we will pick another vendor from our list,
and try again.
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