Hello Dear incubators: I am Huang Neng Geng. I would like to post my proposal about i18n4data, an i18n tool for java web application, that I would like to be incubated.
Currently I cannot find any sponsors for this project, so if anyone reading this message would like to get on board, it will be really appreciated. I am new to Apache Incubator. This proposal is post here only. I don't know any other places to post. I will be appreciated if any one could help. Here follows the proposal. = i18n4data Project Proposal = Author: Huang Neng Geng (MailTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] ) Date: January 2008 Status: .:: D R A F T ::. Proposal draft i18n4data ============================== 1 Abstract ============================== The i18n4data is a Java i18n library and tool not only for interface message, but also for user's data. ============================== 2 Proposal ============================== The i18n4data (i18n4data means i18n for data) allows an existing web application designed for single language to support multi languages without any changes in the data structure and software architecture. It also helps to simplify the design of new i18n web applications. The i18n4data supports not only the internationalization of web application interface message, but also the internationalization of user's data. The internationalization of user's data is very complex and requires detail design of data structure and software architecture. By using i18n4data, application developers simply configure i18n4data only and the application becomes internationalized. ============================== 3 Background ============================== The i18n4data project started three months ago. The idea came from a customer needs to internationalization an existing ERP system to support multi languages of user's data, such as product name. By using i18n4data, the ERP system supports multi languages for all necessarily input fields now. The i18n4data is not designed for a specific system and may be used wildly to reduce the complexity of i18n process of web applications. ============================== 4 Rationale ============================== Java SDK provides an i18n solution for interface message but didn't provides any solutions for user's data. Java message bundle technology has following three disadvantages: 1. It do not support i18n of user's data; 2. It is difficult to maintain the message bundles file, especially the consistence of message bundles of different languages; 3. It is difficult for end users to change the translations of interface message. The end users need knowledge about java programming language and the application code itself. The i18n4data provides a solution with following advantages: 1. It supports i18n of both interface message and user's data; 2. It is easy of installation, easy of implementation, and easy of use. 3. It supports i18n of user's data without any changes in data structure of application. The i18n4data provides an alternative to i18n message bundle technology. It could not replace existing i18n implementations because i18n4data does not support format of string, date, time, number, and currency. The i18n4data and i18n message bundle may work together. ============================== 5 Initial Goals ============================== The initial goals are: * supports i18n of interface message of java web applications; * supports i18n of user's data of java web applications; * supports user's data searching in various languages; * provides an easy way to configure i18n4data; * provides interfaces for editing messages of various languages; * provides security control to message edit; * supports most compliant Servlet or J2EE container. ============================== 6 Current Status ============================== ===6.1 Meritocracy=== We plan to do everything possible to encourage an environment that supports a meritocracy. ===6.2 Community=== The i18n4data is a project on SourceForge. It will remain an active community and continues to grow. ===6.3 Core Developers=== Currently, there is only one core developer. Huang Neng Geng is the main developer on this project. It is expected that developers from a variety of existing Apache projects will become part of the team. ===6.4 Alignment=== The i18n4data will likely be widely used by various open source and commercial projects that have a dependency on Apache Tomcat and other compliant Servlet or J2EE container. It will work with i18n tag library to provide a perfect i18n solution. ============================== 7 Known Risks ============================== ===7.1 Orphaned products=== This project is recently started and has only one developer at present. There is a risk of being orphaned. But the project is small and the requirement for i18n of user's data is continues growing. The risk is not very big. ===7.2 Inexperience with Open Source=== The main developer developed another open source (eOfficeWare) on SourceForge in 2004. ===7.3 Homogenous Developers=== More developers from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of needs are welcome to join this project. ===7.4 Reliance on Salaried Developers=== The i18n4data does not rely on salaried developers. ===7.5 Relationships with Other Apache Products=== The i18n4data will have relationship with Apache log4j project. ===7.6 An Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand=== The main developer is familiar with Apache and has used more than five software of Apache project. ============================== 8 Documentation ============================== The official documentation will be hosted in a SourceForge website: http://i18n4data.sourceforge.net/ ============================== 9 Initial Source ============================== The official initial source is hosted in a SourceForge website: https://sourceforge.net/projects/i18n4data ============================== 10 Source and Intellectual Property Submission Plan ============================== All source code is copyrighted by Huang Neng Geng. ============================== 11 External Dependencies ============================== The i18n4data depends on HSQLDB, which is an open source with itself license agreement. ============================== 12 Cryptography ============================== The i18n4data does not use cryptography in any way. ============================== === I could not provide following information at present == === to be added later === ============================== 13 Required Resources 13.1 Mailing lists 13.2 Subversion Directory 13.3 Issue Tracking 13.4 Other Resources ============================== 14 Initial Committers ============================== 15 Affiliations ============================== 16 Sponsors Anyone who would like to be a sponsor are welcome. I will be really appreciated. 16.1 Champion 16.2 Nominated Mentors 16.3 Sponsoring Entity -- ------------------------------ Mr. Huang Neng Geng ------------------------------ Associate Professor Computer Information Engineering Department Wuxi Institute of Technology Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, 214073 Tel: 86-510-5414627(8087) Mobile: 13921501950 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
