Discussion:
Some reviewing about a recent change in about.en.xhtml on DFD site
Besnik Bleta
2013-03-23 19:01:56 UTC
Permalink
Hello,

There's been a little change in about.en.xhtml file, which
I spotted while updating my translation of it:


"Documents that aren't free are locked to some particular product or
company."

has been changed to


"Documents that aren't free are locked to some particular software or
company."

The commit messages says: software is not product

(r1985 | guest-marado | 2013-03-15 13:42:21 +0200 (Fri, 15 Mar 2013) | 2
lines )

It sounds to me as a bit of diverting readers' attention
from the real direction here: proprietary software vendors.
That's why I'd like to ask the opinion of the more experienced.
On IRC we had a little chat with two of the colleagues there,
and their opinions vary.

My understanding is that the section deals with software which
lock freedom. Those are, almost all, products of certain
companies. So stating that those are "products", goes along
our efforts to point to the fact that those are intended to
be how they are, proprietary, intended to lock users.

"Software" is the big bag for all kind of them, while our
intention are the proprietary ones. So, at least, it should
be stated that they're proprietary, if going back to "product"
is not agreed upon.

"Software product" was proposed as an alternative by nicooo.

I'd like to hear your opinions before updating my translation.


Best,
Besnik
Sam Tuke
2013-05-02 13:07:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Besnik Bleta
I'd like to hear your opinions before updating my translation.
Thanks for your attention to detail!

In my view, whether "product" or "software" is used is not especially
important here - "product" is an extremely broad term: "products" are
not only created by companies, and not only for profit. Proprietary
apps can be projects or products, and so can Free Software apps.

I agree that most user-restricting apps in this context are "products"
created by companies, but not all. However we need not make a clear
distinction - the clarity of the message is unaffected in English
whichever term we use, and I see no benefit in being hyper specific.

If the choice of term in this case would have a significant impact on
the meaning of the sentence in your language / translation, then I
recommend you choose whatever is most clear and least restrictive in
meaning.

Many thanks for your translation,

Sam.

PS This thread is probably most relevant to the translators@ mailing
list, so I've put it in CC.
- --
Sam Tuke
Campaign Manager
Free Software Foundation Europe
IM : samtuke at jabber.fsfe.org
Latest UK Free Software news: uk.fsfe.org
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