Now when it comes to languages, I think it's hard unless you are studying a particular language. I'm coming from a totally different angle here but I think the best option is to have a "buddy" system for the different language versions if that is possible, but instead of pairing people off on a formal basis, have a system where no one person is tied to a volunteer and have a separate mailing list altogether. As long as rules are set down whereby you have looked in the English version to compare phraseology and instructions, reference books, googled, etc and still can't find the answer, then ask someone who does know. That's what I'll be doing for working on the developer's documentation - I wouldn't say I know any particular programming language but I don't know anyone who wouldn't help someone who has tried their best to find the answer and not quite got there but quite alot of things can be intuitive if you're willing to take the time and try, that's if you have the time ;)
Quite a few years ago now, I had to document, in English, a German media wall and I ended up downloading the English version on trial and working with that alongside the German version. My German is extremely ropey, but I managed to figure most of it out with the help of dictionaries and specifications and I ended up calling the guy in Germany last to fill in the blanks. He wasn't 100% happy but he'd appreciated the fact I'd tried. Hope that helps in some way.... On 12 July 2010 06:41, Katrise Dillon <[email protected]> wrote: > I sent an email a while back asking if anyone was working on Chapter 2 in > the review list and got no response. The rest of the docs in the review > list are in languages that I don't understand. I would love to help out as > I'm still just beginning, but will there be any more English chapters or > documents that will be added to the review list soon? That's the only > language I am fluent in...lol. I want to start off reviewing > something...just let me know what's best for me to start with. Thanks. > > Katrise > > On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 10:14 PM, Jean Weber <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Jessica it would help if you had some specific questions for me or > > others to use as a starting point. "Totally lost" is very open ended. > > Can you find the Review List? Have you read the instructions on the > > website about checking out files, indexing, etc? I know these > > instructions can be improved but withou some idea of what people don't > > understand it's very hard to know where to begin. I sent some notes to > > the list a few weeks ago about indexing but received no response on > > what other info is needed. We really can use your skills, so I hope we > > can help you get started. > > > > Jean > > > > On Monday, July 12, 2010, Jessica McCurdy Crooks > > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > This would be excellent because I'm totally lost and I want to help > > > with indexing especially. > > > > > > Jessica > > > > > > On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 7:02 PM, Jean Weber <[email protected]> > wrote: > > >> People have often suggested we have a mentoring program to help people > > >> get started, learn the tools etc and get help with reviewing, > > >> planning, writing, formatting, wiki conversion etc etc. I am 100% for > > >> this but I personally don't have time to do more than a small part of > > >> it, even keeping the instructions up to date. So it would be really > > >> good if more people stepped in to help each other wherever you can. > > >> Some already do a fine job of answering questions but we really don't > > >> have any regular mentoring in place. > > >> > > >> See the things I thin about while waiting around in airports? :-) > > >> > > >> Jean > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Jessica McCurdy Crooks > > > Writer/Indexer/Proofreader > > > 954-703-6765 > > > blog: http://blogs.babiesonline. > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] > > For additional commands, e-mail: > [email protected] > > > > > -- Best wishes Claire Wood
