Linux, Unix, and Open Source in Poland

This seems to be the consensus about Vista. The former lead designer of CityInteractive was holding out for sth better (the brother of my fiancee). However, that was his initial reaction. He has since grown to like it more after getting to grips with it.

As a non-technical guy, I think it boils down to two things. Firstly, practicalities. My mum, to this day, uses Lotus Pro. It's a dated integrated package but she finds it very user friendly. This is a major factor.

Secondly, expectations. Technical guys like my brother would find more faults than I ever could. He is looking for different things than laymen. I might do a class on this as my student has just written a book on Linux and various applications. I'm a novice, knowing only the most basic functions. I got a first class for IT at Uni but it was only a module.

So, thanks for the info guys. Much better than dismissing it outright which some resort to :(

I don't think this is a statement worthy of an open minded person in an academic environment. I, for one, cannot make such statement about anything. I may fall in love with Windows one day if they get it right. The only sure thing in life that's certain is change.


You touched upon the biggest problem with Linux. It;s not about how difficult it is to learn it, but how hard it is to unlearn Windows. As an ESL teacher you will have noticed that for sure. English is easy. So is Polish. The problem is not the new language, but the old one that interferes in the learning process.

My daughter, far from being a computer geek, has been using Linux for 10+ years now. Since she was 9 years old. She asked for WinXP last Summer. No problem. I gave her WinXP. Two months later, just about when she was go go back to school she asked me to install Linux back on her laptop. She finds Windows confusing, unfriendly and unstable. She doesn't understand the update and installation processes under Windows, and she much prefers Suse's way of doing this. A few clicks and the system is up to date. A couple more and a new app is installed. She also uses OpenOffice as her exclusive office software, since the time it was called Star Office 5.1. I use OpenOffice to fix corrupted MS Offcie documents such as doc or ppt.

As per her words, she has work to do and has no time for tinkering with all those malicious pieces of software that she suddenly realized exist in the Windows world.

Ask any Mac user. They will look down on Windows and Linux, even though Mac OS is based on a somewhat common root - BSD. Actually, so are some important parts of Windows' internals.

Dead right. You often go with what you know. I think it was the English chess player, Nigel Short, who once remarked, "familiarity breeds confidence in all positions" (or was it the Swedish porn star? LOL). My mum doesn't want to venture elsewhere.

The key is, never profess to be an expert. Almost every teacher had a teacher at some point. The mentor generations.

z_darius

If you had taken the full quote...


you would have seen that I have tried it and based my decision on that.
I just don't like the feel of it, the graphics look as they have been done in photoshop by a two-year-old.
I am sorry if I hurt your 'professional' pride and don't agree with you, but I am not going to agree with someone... just because, and a person such as yourself being a 'open minded morel person' should understand this.

I have no problem with your reasons, but I find it odd that you assume this is the end of it. Linux development is not complete. Your decision is.


That is different. I don;t like the feel of Mac. I'm OK with Linux and Windows.
As for the graphics, I'm not sure what you're refering to.


I am not the owner of Linux. I am a user and a happy one. I will neither win or loose regardless of what your approach to Linux is. The fact remains, it is a reliable and solid OS, and what's more, you and I would be unlikely to even have this chat here had billgates and the likes had their way.

Agreed, Linux works well for me and many others. It is very good as a desktop, and the graphics are just fine. Linux is not only intended for server purposes.

Linux and Open Source are becoming popular not only in Poland, but in all of Europe. Once more applications are ported for it, that will gradually cause erosion in Microsoft's market share. It's the quality applications that keep Windows going, and not the Operating System itself.

Windows contains a bloated registry, something not present in Linux. How about free built in quality firewalls? Linux has that as well. The Kernel (heart of Linux) is updated several times a month and is easily customized and integrated into the Linux distribution. New drivers and file systems are in constant development (Netbook, Wireless, Ext4, Btrfs). How often does Windows beccome updated?

My hope is that one day in Poland, Linux will become even more popular than it is now. Local Polish city and town government adaption of Linux sets a good example for individuals to follow. Numerous private firms in Kraków and Warszawa that I know of have already made the change.


Why does it matter what 'other' translators use? I was suggesting that your firm use OmegaT, and not other translation firms. If your reason is because you have clients or fellow translator firms that share and pass on work to your firm, and SDL Trados exports in their proprietary TTX file format, (and OmegaT cannot handle that, yet), the solution is vey simple. You simply request that those who use SDL Trados to export their translation files in the TMX format, which is a standard format for all CAT software. Just because other translation firms you may deal with use SDL Trados doesn't mean your firm must use it. There is plenty of material relating to this scenerio on the internet. If I'm correct, the initial price of SDL Trados is around $700, and upgrades also run for several hundred $?


If you never heard of OmegaT in the 8 years you have been working here, then how can you even say or assume that OmegaT is 'inferior and very rarely used" without actually ever hearing of this software? This doesn't make any sense at all. On the contrary, OmegaT is well known among translators and is quite popular.

Prove it!!!
Because I know what I am talking about here and not one of my translators has heard of it, and one of the biggest translation agencies in Poland Skrivanek will not use it because it is unproven and is little known in Poland.

4. Conclusion / Opinion

On OmegaT, the TM offers very few good matches and OmegaT unfortunately lacks the tools to compensate for that. It can not be configured to meet specific needs, and the glossary function is poor. To develop into a mainstream tool, OmegaT will have to implement better glossary functions, develop subsegment matching and create other functions to compensate for the lack of matches. There is room for improvementin the appearance of the program. OmegaT should also have a simple routine to work on Trados segmented files and produce them if needed.

your-translations.com/omegat.php

The review and link you have provided is extremely outdated as the author mentions:

"Please note that this review is now a little dated and some aspects have changed. I will try and update it in a few days."

The author of the review you provided hasn't updated it since (approximately) October 14, 2004. You will find the same review here along with the date and author's name (same one). Ukpolska, using such an outdated review isn't objective at all. Software changes constantly and gets updated. You provided a software review which is over 4 years old. The latest stable release is version 1.8 from 03 November 2008.

Now, please look at this review, about OmegaT written by a professional translator.

Excerpt:

- "...this software is *fast,* and not just because I've recently had some speed issues with other tools. OmegaT's processes (segmenting a source file, compiling target files, pulling up fuzzy matches) are so fast that you almost don't realize they're happening; in one case I actually clicked "Create Translated Documents" again because I didn't realize that OmegaT had taken only a few seconds to compile the translations in the 15-file project I was working on. Other translators with different needs may have other opinions about OmegaT, since my use of TM is largely for my own productivity rather than because my clients request it, so issues such as exchanging TMs with other translators (which OmegaT can do) are not very important to me. If you're looking for a new or additional TenT for your office, I highly recommend OmegaT; even if you just test it out, it's free, it's easy, and it's fast!...I love it, and as far as presentations and spreadsheets, it does the best of any tool I've used- for free!"

Not bad for Open Source CAT software.

Again, do a search for this software and you will see how many professional certified translators do use it. I'm not saying it's more popular than Trados, but it seems quite good. Why do you keep on mentioning what other firms are using? Aren't we talking about your firm? What difference does it make if one firm uses Trados, and another uses something like OmegaT? They both share a standard file format for importing and exporting translation files. Isn't it at least worth a try, to see how Open Source translation software compares to proprietary? If you don't like it, simply uninstall it.

Ela I will spell it simple for you...... give it up!!!
You bludgeoning me into using it will never work and it's kind of disturbing for a lawyer in your fanaticism over this...end of please!!!

I already said I do not wish to take you up on this and you should respect this.

And by the way this quote I gave you is from
ProZ.com Translation Article Knowledgebase, which is the translators forum and is used by all translators in discussing problems and it funny that this is the only review that they have, strange wouldn't you think for a program, which you say is very popular.

Still, a very technical debate. Well conducted by all sides :)

Here you go again what business is it of yours may I ask, you say you don't wish to be a moderator but you are always moderating with your unwelcome opinions.

Nice edit jeezzee

What?

Taking WB's advice and lightening up. These are just words thrown over a forum. On a serious note, it's good to read some real debate and discussion. Keep up the good work all.

Well, off to play backgammon and Scrabble :)

Nothing like a good edit :)

The nice thing about Linux is that you can pretty much customise anything and everything. Don't know what linux you tried, but I run Ubuntu (hardy heron) and the graphics look fine to me. I changed it anyway to look more like Windows XP just so my wife found it more familiar to use.

You are too nice in life as well as with the wife eh Ben lol
Nice touch with the changes :)

Is it common for you to resort to insulting others when you have no answers to questions? i attempt to answer, politely, all questions aimed at me. Why can't you do the same? I'm really surprised your 'fanatic' comment wasn't quickly edited out like other comments were.

Our Eastern neighbor, Russia, is now planning to implement a national Linux based Operating System to be used as an alternative to MS Windows.
networkworld.com/news/2009/012609-russia-to-develop-linux-based-alternative.html

All Russian schools are expected to switch to Open Source by the end of 2009.

Mentioned in the same article is news that 3,000 U.S. schools have already signed up to switch over to Open Source. That amounts to 20,000 computers and more on the way.

I'm sure you will eventually see similar, mass movements toward Open Source in Poland on a larger scale than has already taken place. The world economic situation only provides more incentive to lean towards FOSS (Free Open Source Software).

The problem is you won't earn much developing for linux.. sad fact but a fact nonetheless. On the other hand you can indulge yourself in writing apps in vi and wearing poky t-shirt with a penguin. And Mono doesn't even support .NET 3.0

out of the box, maybe... as a majority of linux distributions caters first and foremost to people who want speed vs effects. However, with a few tweeks you can have amazing graphics. Go online to find themes that the OS asks if you want to install as soon as you DL them (wow, just like windows... except that it asks, first) and the options are limitless



first half is vista... thereafter it's ubuntu with an add-on (now I hear you don't even have to install it, just go to preferences ans switch these on... in what amounts to the ubuntu version of control panel, in a pulldown menu)

I started using ubuntu just as hardy came out... I installed it on a laptop and still the only thing I had to hunt down was a driver for my built-in camera. I'll admit that part was a pain... but yeah.

Seriously though, the multiple desktops alone (an out-of-the-box feature) make it far easier to work on than windows where you need to hunt for programs through window upon window

install WINE and poof... even office works on linux

You buggers, I am almost interested now and might try it out at the weekend :)

you'll love us for it ^_^
though just so you know, i have wine installed, but got used to openoffice to the point that i deleted the MSoffice I had installed

that vid is old, too... pre vista launch if I recall right (when vista was going through beta, like win 7 is now)

Also I use Amarok to deal with my ipod (full intergration) without having to use Itunes

Maybe we will see, I tried open office before and didn't like it and I guess office 2007 is one product that MS have got right and as long as 'WINE' works then great.

I have been using MS Word since 1989 and I like and are used to the functions in word, open office is not an option for myself as the translators that I work with use tradus and open office doesn't recognize the data marks.

Besides that, I have always had conflicts with format changes from open office to MS word, be it table position or something and I cannot take the chance with my customers, as one mistake can cost me money.

So yeah thanks for the heads up on wine, but I need to be sure 100% first before I start using it full time.

One thing I am impressed with at the moment, is Adobe Air Apps and they are the sexiest things on the web at the moment as they are so slick and smooth to work with.

60+ Useful Adobe AIR Applications You Should Know
hongkiat.com/blog/60-useful-adobe-air-applications-you-should-know

Adobe® AIR Applications Wiki
airapps.pbwiki.com

I guess my fav out of these is RichFLV
richapps.de/?p=48

RichFLV allows you to read and edit FLV data. You can cut FLVs, convert the sound of the flv to mp3 and convert flv to swf.

I came across this a few months ago when I was searching for a FLV editor and this is just the coolest one you will find... so simple to use as well.

Ubuntu desktop apparently scares Microsoft

news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10159100-16.html

Linux and OpenOffice on a hybrid tablet PC both run really well. Not!

forgive me... is that the computer in a touchscreen thing (aka, the complete waste of money)?
If you're going for something that gimmicky (sorry, but I've tried it, that thing is just not practical), you sir shouldn't try linux. Oh, and yes, it can work... you just gotta do a lot of work yourself vs getting a nice package that all you have to do is DL and install for it to work. Once that is done, a quick google search did show programs available for said gimmick... as well as 'proof' of a working version

I think Harry will take your advice on this one for change lol

P.S. I think I would be really piszed off if someone wrote all over my computer with a permanent marker :)

And I suggest you read the comments on Youtube as this proves bugger all lol

It is the one with the touchscreen but it isn't a complete waste of money. Not for my needs anyway.


Depends on what you mean by practical. If like me a person can not use a keyboard other than a split ergonomic one, using touchscreen for entering data is by far the most practical choice,


Damn right I shouldn't: it doesn't work properly on my machine. Or at least not all the features on my machine will work with it.


No it can not.


So either I can quickly and easily use something which works properly and which the machine was designed for or I can use something which might be better but which will take a lot of messing around and will never work properly with my machine? Hmm, let me think about that for a while....

thus the quotes on the proof... though the indicators on the top and left rulers kinda negate the whole perm marker bit...
didn't read the comments, no

I was only kidding ya!! :)


Ok so I tried this and sorry I haven't changed my mind about Linux, it's fine for what it is but Microsoft Update software will block updates to Microsoft application software running in Wine-based environments.

So for that simple reason I have to use windows XP, but hey I gave it a go.

i don't remember an MS update actually changing stuff in MSOffice while i ran it in xp or the couple months I had vista


meh, not for everyone ^_^

Yeah, I dunno why, but most of linux users I've seen are fat guys wearing old black sweaters or old penguin t-shirts, no fashion sense at all, jabbering about how can they use vii to code, and that every Microsoft app has a counterpart for linux.. I refuse to join that world ;)

Oh, so wrong. Such a generalization blown out of proportion. I prefer my skimpy shirt, no bra, and mini-skirt with a cute penquin on rear.


I use Nano.


That is over 95% true already and quickly improving. The only two applications I find as not complete alternatives in Linux are Photoshop and AutoCad. GIMP is getting there though and considering it is being developed for free, I can't complain. Most important, if GIMP is sufficient for my graphical needs, then I'm happy. There is a Linux CAD program but not as good as AutoCad, yet.

You'll see Linux taking the government by storm in Poland in the not too distant future. Many countries are now opting for this alternative.