What do I need to translate Ultima VII?

[Angelo]

I know that I can dump the file that has the text with the ucxt.exe tool.

Do I only need to replace the text in there, and then save the file with the original file's name and extension?

[Gunnar]

This thread shows some tools available. Don't know if they still are available though.

[Angelo]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I don't have this:

"You'll need a PHP-ready web server, a MySQL account"

[Gunnar]

You can get MySQL at http://www.mysql.com and I think it was rather easy to enable Apache Webserver to work with PHP. But you should read the document section though.

[Angelo]

Hummm... I thought there would be an alternative way, instead of getting mysql, php, paying for a host, etc...

[Dominus]

you don't need a host. You can be your own server for this.

[Gradilla Dragon]

The whole point of getting apache, php and mysql is to NOT have to pay for a host. Those programs are what make YOU into a host. You don't need to pay anything.

[Angelo]

Thanks for the tip (gee... I'm a really newbie about that stuff ). I'll see if I can figure out how to setup all that stuff.

[Angelo]

Lol, just by looking at mysql's manual, I'm overwhelmed.

I guess I'll have to find an alternate way.

Can anyone answer m other question: if I save the dump file with the same name and extension of the dumped file, will it work? Or it must be compiled or whatever?

[Gradilla Dragon]

And why are you reading the MySQL manual? You don't need to read it if all you are going to do is install it and use the translation tool.

[Gradilla Dragon]

And answering your other question:
I'll answer with another question: Why do you think there is a compiler program?

[Angelo]

I don't know how to setup mysql, php, apache and the translating program.

Why do I think there could be a compiler program? Because I had to use a tool (ucxt.exe) to dump the file, so I thought maybe it would be necessary another program to revert the process with the updated dumped file...

But I'm no programmer, so I have no clue.

[Gradilla Dragon]

Well, apache, php and mysql are pretty straightforward to install. You just have to download the "binary packages" for "Win32". Once you have them installed, follow the instructions in the readme file from the translation tool, and once you get confused, go bug Artaxerxes for assuming that his instructions on the readme file are helpful (I know they don't help non-techies at all )

[artaxerxes]

Hey I'm sorry for writing bad documentation. It is a real art your know, ask Dominus, he'll tell you about it!

Otherwise, the web browser way is just that, a way to translate. We finished the translation in French using another way, so I know it works.

What you need is:
* the Exult Tools (from the download page)
* some perl script (more on that later) - you need to install perl then.

What you want to do is:
1- rip apart usecode (that's where the conversations are). Run the command:
"rip all" (make sure the usecode file is in the same directory). This will create a while bunch of .uco file (compiled usecode functions)
2- decompile each .uco file using wud like this (note: this is for Serpent Isle):
"wud -s filename.uco -a > filename.uc"
3- edit filename.uc with a text editor and only translate what's between ".data" and ".code". With some trial-and-error you'll get there.

To test your changes you must:
1- compile each .uc file (decompiled usecode functions) using wuc like this (note: this is also for Serpent Isle):
"wuc -s filename.uc filename.uco"
2- put all of them back into one file using rip again but this way:
"rip glue"
3- put the new usecode file into your directory as set in your exult.cfg file.

Enjoy!

Artaxerxes

[Angelo]

Great. Already ripped and decompiled the files. Now they're readable. And if I understood, I will only have to compile it again, glue them and copy them to the patch directory.

What is the perl script for?

[artaxerxes]

I just realise I forgot to talk about them!

The script can:
* take an original usecode and rip it, decompile the functions, split the data part from the code part and put them in distinct directories, create other directories to help in translating
* recombine translated .uc.data with orignal .uc.code whenever possible or use the original uc.data instead and glue it back together to form a translated usecode
* deal with CVS in an easy to use way to upload newly translated bits and download updates.

You can find the script in our CVS (sf.net/projects/si-french). It is called "le_camomille.pl".

Artaxerxes

[Angelo]

I got that file. And I'm downloading ActivePerl. Is that all I need to run le_camomille.pl?

[Angelo]

I know I'm abusing your kindness, but if you could show me how to setup/run that perl script, I would grateful.

[Dominus]

he he, maybe that is going to make him write a proper documentation on it

[artaxerxes]

>he he, maybe that is going to make him write a proper documentation on it



well, for your information, I have written about 80% of an upcoming HOWTO transate Serpent Isle, with lots and lots of text and examples and step-by-step guide. I just need a place to put it once I am finished, or, to push myself to finish it faster, I could publish it now with "Coming soon" in sections that are not finished.

Only issue, I wrote it in HTML and not SGML, so I'll have to rewrite first.

Anyone got room to spare?

Artaxerxes

[Angelo]

Do you need a host for html pages? How much space do your docs occupy?

BTW, I'm assuming that the process for Serpent Isle is similar to the Black Gate, isn't it?

[Dominus]

can't you host it on your SI-French sourceforge webspace?

[artaxerxes]

I really should have a look at that site. We use www.serpentisle.fr.st for our main site since Dagon is our webmaster, but I would like to use si-french.sf.net at some point to stay consistent.

I'll post the HOWTO there and I'll let you know how to read it.

Artaxerxes

[Dominus]

I'd think that si-french.sf.net would be the perfect home for it and all the other tools. Maybe at least link from there on to the www.serpentisle.fr.st site and have the tools still be on sf...

[artaxerxes]

ok, you can try it out on:
http://si-french.sf.net/HOWTO/.

All comments should be sent to artaxerxes2 at iname dot com.

The document is not finished.

Artaxerxes

[Dominus]

looks good

[Angelo]

yeah, look good. Thanks artaxerxes!

[Quester]

I made two .bat files (by using Excel) and use it to compress/decompress usecode. Editing text with Far Manager and don't use any Perl, PHP, mySQL.

[Dominus]

hi, how is your translation coming along?

[artaxerxes]

the use of Perl is to bypass the poor capacities of the DOS/Windows command line to use wildcards and loops, reading data from a file.

Basically, it does this (decompressing option):
1- rip usecode (this generate a bunch of .uco files and a very important "index" file)
2- for each line of "index" (which will be the name of a uco file), run "wud -s -a filename_from_index > filename_without_uco_extension_but_now_with_uc_extension"


And basically the reverse for compression.
If there is a way to do that with command.com, I'd like to know about it!

Finally, this is for the command line way to translate which is perfect for one-man job. The Web way is great when more than one person is involved. Also, I can access the translation from anywhere, compared to the command lline method where I can only do it where it is setup. Keep in mind that for Si-french, we used the command line method, so I know it works and that's why I mentioned it in the HOWTO. But even if the setup is quite intense, the Web way is the easiest to translate.


Artaxerxes

[artaxerxes]

translation is done. Now is proofreading. That takes times and is really the most boring part.

Artaxerxes

[Dominus]

uh, I meant Quester

[artaxerxes]

oups! Sorry !

Artaxerxes

[Quester]

70% translated. all info: http://www.uo.khakassia.ru & oldrus.nvnet.ru