Translation of compiled Webhelp

[jaybird]

I generate webhelp for a software product using Flare 8. I have been asked by my bosses if I can provide an "electronic" version of the online help so that one of our customers could translate it to a different language? Is it possible for the customer to use the generated webhelp output files (not the source files) to create a translated version of the Help? Or would they have to be provided with the source files to produce a translation? I searched the Forum, but could not locate a similar question. Thx

[sfoley]

I generate webhelp for a software product using Flare 8. I have been asked by my bosses if I can provide an "electronic" version of the online help so that one of our customers could translate it to a different language? Is it possible for the customer to use the generated webhelp output files (not the source files) to create a translated version of the Help? Or would they have to be provided with the source files to produce a translation? I searched the Forum, but could not locate a similar question. Thx

You'll have to ask your translator what they need to get the job done.

From a writer perspective, it is easiest to give a translation vendor the source files and tell them to translate the files as XML. You can then take the translated source files and use conditional tags (or a separate project) to compile translated help yourself. If you give the translator generated files, then they will have to also translate search indexes and other automatically generated content in order for the finished product to work correctly.

[cbdebris]

Big translator businesses usually work with XML anyway so they can use Flare files without problem.