Product Overview of Zanata
Zanata is a web-based, open-source translation platform designed to facilitate the localization (L10n) of software and documentation into multiple languages. Here’s an overview of what Zanata does and its key features:
Purpose and Target Audience
Zanata is tailored for writers, translators, and developers of open source documentation and software projects. It aims to provide a uniform and feature-rich translation platform that simplifies the translation process, making it more efficient and accessible for its users.
Key Features
Translation Environment
- Zanata offers a web browser-based translation editor where translators can work without needing to interact with version control systems like Git or SVN. This editor includes integrated translation memory, which displays similar translations to aid in the translation process.
Workflow Integration
- The platform supports automated commands to push and pull translatable text using REST APIs, Maven plugins, and command-line tools. This integration allows seamless interaction between developers and translators, streamlining the localization workflow.
File Format Support
- Zanata natively supports various file formats, including Gettext, Java Properties files, and experimental support for OpenOffice/LibreOffice ODF files via the Okapi project. It also supports DocBook projects through Publican’s Gettext support.
Validation and Tools
- The online translation editor includes validation features to check each string, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Translators can filter strings by state (e.g., Incomplete, Complete, Invalid), use tools like CopyTrans and TM merge, and perform project-wide search and replace operations.
Collaboration and Feedback
- Zanata facilitates collaboration among translators through features like real-time updates, chat rooms, and notification systems. This ensures that translators can interact with each other and receive immediate feedback on their work.
Customization and Options
- Users can customize their translating experience with options such as configuring keyboard shortcuts, setting validation options, and modifying other preferences to suit their needs.
API and Client Tools
- Zanata provides a REST API and client tools (Maven plugin, command-line client) that allow developers to integrate translation workflows into their projects easily. Users can upload and download translation files directly through the website or using these tools.
Technical Details
- Zanata is written in Java and JavaScript, leveraging modern web technologies such as JBoss EAP, CDI, GWT, and Hibernate. It is free software licensed under the LGPL, making it accessible for a wide range of users and contributors.
Deployment and Community
- Public instances of Zanata are hosted at https://translate.zanata.org for open source projects and https://translate.jboss.org for JBoss projects. The platform is actively used within Red Hat and other open source communities, with ongoing development and feedback from users contributing to its improvement.
In summary, Zanata is a robust and user-friendly translation platform that simplifies the localization process for software and documentation, offering a range of features and tools to support translators, developers, and writers in their work.