Translation of Desktop Environments for Cobber.

If you have read through all the posts so far you will already know that I translate various Desktop Environments into Australian English for use in Cobber. This is a time consuming task and I am fortunate that the Linux ecosystem (well the majority of it) believes in sharing work allowing it to be freely modified. A few years ago I was lucky to be able to start using a script developed by Gnome’s British English translation team. I have modified, with the help of a few people, that script to suit Australian English. Because the ethos of the majority of people, it is my ethos as well, who work on Linux is to share I am posting the script I now use here.

Be very aware this script is a work in progress, as I find things that need attention I add them to the script. As I find various wordlists around the internet I add bits and pieces to the script. I often add things but also comment them out so they are available if and when I am convinced they are relevent and required. I add comments at various sections, mostly to acknowledge the origin of the additions but also to add notes to help others who may want to use the script.

If you choose to use this script please read it first so you are aware of various langauge issues. If my friends (followers) from New Zealand would like to help create a script for en_NZ just contact me and we can start developing a script to localise Linux (not just Cobber) to New Zealand English. If anyone has any suggestion for the script please post them and if they are relevant I will add them and give you the credit next to your suggestion.

Just so you know there is 1 bug in this script that has been in it for as long as I have been using it (back when it was en_GB.pl). That bug sometimes causes the script to not translate the last 2 lines of a *.po(t) file. This doesn’t bother me as I know to check for this but also because each translated file should always be reviewed (checked) after the script has been run anyway.

Anyway, please find en_AU.pl here (http://github.com/k3lt01/Cobber/tree/master/Translation).

Cobber Canberra

These are screenshots of Cobber Canberra (Canberra is unstable and this one has experimental in it as well) using Gnome 3 (Gnome-Shell is 3.2 from experimental).

Here is Cobber Canberra using XFCE4. Notice the dropbox intergration, yes this install has Nautilus as well as Thunar.

Here is Cobber using LXDE. Again notice dropbox is available.

Here is Cobber with Enlightenment (E17 from Experimental)

Work on Cobber is continuing and a repository is slowly being constructed using Reprepro.  It seems as though I wont be able to have a  proper repository on sourceforge so I’ll be spending a little bit of time looking around for a suitable location. I am thinking of contacting Linux Australia and the major Australian ISPs to see if they will host it for me and what their terms and conditions are for the service.

Welcome to CobberLinux

Welcome to CobberLinux.

[EDIT]: This wordpress blog is old and no longer maintained. This is because as of 2016 Cobber has a new home on the net, you can find it here https://cobber-linux.org/ Please use the new site for all your Cobber Linux needs. [/EDIT]

Please take time to read this post plus the links (internal and external) provided to gain a better understanding of the purpose of CobberLinux.

What is CobberLinux (Cobber for short)?

Cobber is a project to create a uniquely Australasian version of Linux. Cobber is based on Debian and uses DebianLive to build a LiveDVD/LiveUSB system including installer.

How much does Cobber cost?

Nothing, it is/will be free and will always remain free if you download it. I intend to provide DVD and/or USB media with Cobber on it and because I am (currently) the only person here I will need to charge for media and postage.

How is Cobber uniquely Australasian?

The intent of Cobber is to provide a Linux system that suits Australian, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinean users without containing unnecessary bloat (e.g. translations that are not required or academically correct for the country/culture such as American English). While this will take time it is hoped that each country/culture group can develop translations that suits the national and cultural languages of the peoples using Cobber. The intention is to produce a LiveDVD and LiveUSB installer with the appropriate localisation settings (e.g. timezone, area, keyboard, languages) already in place allowing users a quick and easy installation.

Cobber is the first Linux distro, feel free to provide proof that I am incorrect if you can, that encourages work translating upstream (see point 2 below). Doing this helps all Linux users not just end users of Cobber. While our aim is to produce a uniquely Australasian Linux we also believe in giving other Linux users the choice to use Australasian translations in their preferred distro.

How can I/you help Cobber achieve its goals?

1. You can help Cobber achieve its goals by joining the Cobber Community.
2. You could also join other Linux communities such as Gnome, KDE, MATE, XFCE, and LXDE and help translate these environments into your language. By joining these communities you not only help Cobber but you will help Linux in general. For Australian English translation/localisation I am using the Oxford English Dictionary and the Australian National Dictionary.
3. If translation isn’t something you feel you can help with there are also visual aspects of Cobber such as artwork, backgrounds and screen savers that are open for enthusiastic people to share their artistic talents with others.
4. Like any operating system Cobber is always going to encourage people with programming skills to help.
5. You could test development versions of Cobber and help to iron out any bugs that limit its usability.
6. Take part in any polls listed so we can develop a system that suits the majorities purpose.

What versions of Cobber will be available?

For the Australian edition there will be 1 major version and various testing versions. It is expected that each countries edition users will name its versions. The Cobber (Australian edition) dists are:

Uluru=Stable
Maralinga=Testing
Canberra=Unstable
Experimental=Experimental (Experimental is not for general use).

This isn’t set in stone, if anyone can give suggestions they will be considered through a community forum.