Ask LISA
Producing Multilingual Documentation: Cost Effective Design and DTP
09:00 - 17:00 : Thursday, March 13, 2008
Workshop Agenda
| 09:00 - 09:20 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 09:20 - 10:15 | The document localization process |
An overview of the process a document undergoes from the time it is first created to final release in one or more localized versions. |
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| 10:15 - 10:45 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 - 11:30 | Designing documents to fit your customers' needs |
This section talks about the various document design options available and the advantages/disadvantages of each option for specific situations. Options discussed include single-language, parallel-language multilingual, and serial multilingual options. Additional printing options such as five-plate (extra black plate) printing are discussed |
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| 11:30 - 12:15 | Designing documents for easy localization - part 1 |
This section discusses practical ways to facilitate localization in document design, including ways of allowing for text expansion, setting up “stories”, labels and other textual content, designing effective styles, preparing for work with translation tools, making use of data-driven tools, and general DTP concerns. Various options are discussed in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. |
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| 12:15 - 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 - 14:15 | Designing documents for easy localization - part 2 |
| 14:15 - 14:45 | Choosing the right DTP application - part 1 |
This section covers the strengths and weaknesses of current applications, in terms of language, and platform support, as well as how well they interface with various translation tools. Tools discussed include FrameMaker, Quark XPress, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, and various graphics applications |
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| 14:45 - 15:15 | Coffee Break |
| 15:15 - 15:30 | Choosing the right DTP application - part 2 |
| 15:30 - 16:15 | Language-specific issues |
Issues affecting particular languages, writing systems, and markets are discussed, with a special focus on Asian languages and bi-directional and right-to-left languages. A special emphasis is made on the linguistic resources required to support various languages and how these affect design considerations. |
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| 16:15 - 16:45 | Design testing and refinement |
This section discussed common design problems and how to overcome them, as well as ways to modify existing documents in ways that will allow you to make improvements to processes with minimal investment and time. |
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| 16:45 - 17:00 | Discussion and conclusion |
