SDN Community in another countries

[Former Member]

Are you interesting in creating community in another countries where SAP NetWeaver is sold?

It could be a portal based on SAP ER with:

forums, articles(translated and on a native language), Events, portlets catalog, voting and so on.

This work could be done by partner company. Are you interesting in investment money in these projects?

What do you think?

[former_member374]

Hi SDNers,

Different then most people here thought. This week we started to have localized version of SDN a Chinese: https://www.sdn.sap.com/sdn/china.sdn

and Japanese: https://www.sdn.sap.com/sdn/japan.sdn version.

There are two strikes against them: One English as a foreign language, two the different character sets. I have been to Japan and wow it can be scary if you are at a street crossing and you can't even remotely decipher what the signs means.

To make it easier to get to the wealth of information on SDN, we are providing them with a front page in their native language and character set. Forums will follow.

Still as a Japanese or Chinese SDNer I would post my questions in English, even if it is broken English, because the helping community is so much bigger.

Therefore: Welcome new and old SDN members who's mother tongue is Chinese and Japanese. Please don't be afraid to post here even if your English is not perfect, if we don't understand we will ask clarifying questions.

Don't forget to come back and give points for good answers.

All the best, Mark.

[eddy_declercq]

Hi,

Sorry for extending this thread, but just found this langugae by accident: Tok Pisin (http://wikitravel.org/en/Tok_Pisin_phrasebook).

The above sentense would be roughly something like this

Sori long tret bipou tru, tasol kirapim ya tok birua

Eddy

[Former Member]

Life comes <a href="/people/alvaro.tejadagalindo/blog/2006/12/26/is-there-a-room-for-spanish-speakers-on-sdn">back to the topic</a> once again...

[Former Member]

I came here from this blog:

/people/alvaro.tejadagalindo/blog/2006/12/26/is-there-a-room-for-spanish-speakers-on-sdn

Craig, congratulations, you are a great moderator, keep the good job.

David, Alvaro, congratulations too, I respect a lot the people discussing their opinions to the community, your value is great.

I understand the spirit of the Alvaro initiative. English sometimes is a hard work, to me sure. I agree that we need a common language, but to me ( i dont know how many people is in this situation) is like feel that i am losing something writing just english, i think in a

double language input

initiative (multiple ? language input..), if we want to have more languages we have to do more work, english like a common language and other languages like a alternative, to add no to replace. We can do it just putting a "versión en español" link in our inputs and putting the spanish material in someplace like blogspot.com ( i dont know if there some "rights problems" to do it ).

Best, Ignacio.

[former_member583013]

Hi Ignacio:

I actually maintain an Spanish Blog...[El Blog Tecnológico de Blag | http://atejada.blogspot.com]...And I receive a lot of visits and comments....Which is good.....But of course, it can't be compared to the SDN -:P

You idea about linking to a Spanish version is great...I do that once.... So I agree with you -:D It really worked -:P

About "rights problems"....If I'm not wrong....Craig told that while you didn't translate work from other people....It's Ok....Your work, translate if you want -:) .....That's why when I like a blog...I put a direct link to the SDN instead of translate it......

Greetings,

Blag.

[Former Member]

great!

that is a acceptable solution to the language issue to me today.

Saludos

Ignacio.

PD: Saludos = "Greetings" in spanish.

[Former Member]

If it's your work you can of course translate it or put it where you like it's when you use someone else's work where it can sometimes get rather difficult.

[former_member583013]

> If it's your work you can of course translate it or

> put it where you like it's when you use someone

> else's work where it can sometimes get rather

> difficult.

That's why using a direct link to the SDN it's the choice -;) The author keeps his works "as it is"...Also he gets some free advertising -:D

Greetings,

Blag.

[Former Member]

Blag,

what about new project - translate SDN content "on the fly" ? ;o)

[former_member583013]

Hi Siarhei:

Even when it's a nice idea....We can only make translations of the blogs or whitepapers written by ourselves -:) We can do that for any content that we want....Also, the SDN layout is very complex to just grab any CMS and make a clone....Also, it would be a really hard work....My idea was to start writting blogs in another language...not translate existing ones -;)

Greetings,

Blag.

[Private_Member_9643]

Hi sergey,

I hope u <b>know NetWeaver</b> is all about <b>Integeration</b>, similarly we all must have to Integrate at one place only, then only we can share our views properly.

We alredy have seperate forums for all the Domians , so i don't think there is any need of sepearte community.

regards,

kamaljeet

[eddy_declercq]

Maybe the suggestion is about languages. Sometimes things can be better explained in the native language.

I see a problem with translating stuff and which languages to pick. What do to eg with Dutch for instance, since the head count of Dutch speaking people within SDN is less than eg German? The chance that Dutch speaking people could solve their own problem is less than for the German speaking people.

[Former Member]

I can understand people wanting to do it in their own language, but has anyone had a recent course at SAP? Most of the training material is all in English.

I think it boils down to resources, if SAP was to host SDN in multiple languages who would maintain the sections in each language you'd have to have a Mark Finnern for each language - not a realistic thought is it? I mean no company can support so many people for the same task only in different languages and how would you centralize the data then?

[ssimsekler]

Hi

Also consider that, the audience of a language other that English will also be less.

One may explain his problem in Dutch better, however there will be less people who understand his problem. I'd prefer to explain my problem in somehow insufficient English rather than explain it in Turkish. As technical materials, some little English would be enough at least to explain the problem. This is much about the forums aspect. Alternatively, one can write his problem in both languages if he wishes:

e.g. : (Our famous example question )

EN: What does 'ABAP' stand for?

TR: 'ABAP' neyin kýsaltmasýdýr?

For weblogs and others, one can write in any language since it will be a matter for the reader to prefer reading it.

Regards

*--Serdar [[ BC ] | https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtro... sag jiw=]

[Former Member]

There I disagree as do most moderators and users.

Single language here, little quirps about what ABAP means OK, but if you post a weblog in another language then you are forcing the SDN people to deal with it and that is unfair of you. You are also excluding the bulk of the user base.

For example, if you were write your weblog in Dutch then how many SDN users good read it? Same for Turkish or Italian. Yes it is nice for the writer but you are writing it for the user base and provided content related to SAP and Development. Of course some of you will say that it's easy for me to say all of this as I speak English, this is true I do speak English but that doesn't mean I don't want to read what everyone else writes. What if Brian McKellar wrote in his native language instead of English? Or Prakash Singh or Roberto Negro? How many people would loose out on excellent information then?

SDN is English based - and since we have such a mixed collection of users what other choice do we have?

[ssimsekler]

Hi Craig

I understand your disagreement. The original thread was about localization where it is now turned to a mere language discussion. Basically, I just say it is the author's preference to select the language. That is; there should not be any restriction to force people to contribute in English.

In forums, if you explain your problem in a language other than English, you accept that only the speakers of that language will understand and try to solve your question. Leave it to the author to assess and prefer. Telling this, I am also aware that pretty little of us would prefer another language.

About weblogs, again I do <u>not</u> think a restriction will be good. Why to force people to do so? Consider I have prepared a table to use as reference in my ALE works and it is in Turkish and I have no time (or just can not handle) translate it, why not put it on SDN? OK, this may bring problems for moderators to evaluate the paper to publish, but still it is shareable.

On the other hand, as an author, if it is sharing, I like to share with the most of the people. Then it is reasonable to prefer English. That is what I did for my previous articles and threads. And after that, I will go on contributing in English since I <i>somehow</i> handle it and this way I can share with more.

Ultimately, I say OK to use English as a common communication tool, but let other languages still be tools for communication.

A <=EN=> B
A <=EN=> C
B <=EN=> C
A <=EN=> E
B <=EN=> E
C <=EN=> E
C <=DE=> D        Here, do not let "D" be
D <=DE=> E     out of the SDN ring!

Hence, I think it is more proper to make SDN as a multilingual environment where English is recommended. Still I believe that a very little percent will participate in other than English. Or let's build up a new language SDNish

[lang=TR] Iyi aksamlar! [/lang]

Regards

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

Part of the problem with the language in such an environment such as this is what happens if someone really has trouble, they post in their language Turkish, let's say and they get no response and they just go out and tell everyone that everyone on SDN is dumb because they don't help.

OK the same can be said if we force everyone to use English, Hey SDN is not flexible.

I say this, if I had to run a website a company one, with so many people involved I would require the language to be a single language simply for the reason I am responsible for the data that goes into. What if someone was angry and wrote horrible messages in a language the moderators didn't understand and no one came forward to alert them to this?

Again all extreme cases but from a moderator point of view it would be a nightmare waiting to happen.

I for one want everyone involved and everyone to be able to get the help they need but we have to consider our gracious hosts as well don't we?

[ssimsekler]

Hi

This would be a good debate topic in English classes :). As I stated, if SDN announced the freedom to contribute in any language, I do not think that there would be a flood in non-English texts.

Regards

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

You are probably right and I've just spent some time looking the only times I've seen people being told not to write in their language was in the forums by other SDN memebers

I think SDN is safe!

OK back to another aspect of the topic, what about local groups of SDNer's getting together in person to discuss stuff (mini SDN Events?)

[ssimsekler]

Hi Craig

"Local SDN meetings" is a great idea if possible in a locality. I think it is not possible for Turkey for now, but should be good where it can be held.

I'd like to say that it is also good for me to talk personally about people with whom I share. It means to me something when I hear your meetings in person (or just personal communication in some way) with others, Mark's honeymoon, Roberto's weddings and his hammock, Thomas's two little daughters, fooseball play at TechEd,...

However, I guess this will be restricted just to some places. There may be such kind of activity's in Germany, India, USA, France and Italy. For others, it may require some more time for people to acquire their SDN identity

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

Actually with such an idea it's not restricted to any area. If you know a few people who are on SDN in your area or not too far away then you could setup your own get together and then share with SDN what you guys did together and what your topics were - like a "meeting minutes" or something like that.

So for example there might be over 100 small SDN "Locals" groups in Germany alone?

I'll e-mail SDN people and ask them what they think.

[Former Member]

There already over 150,000 developers from all over the world connected to SDN, what would the advantage be to creating another community? It would only take away from this one wouldn't it?

All the things you are describing is done here? Sorry I just don't see your point in breaking off and starting another community with the same focus?

[ssimsekler]

Hi

I find localization of SDN <u>not</u> necessary for the moment, too.

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

My offer is to have localized version of SDN or localized section of SDN.

I don't know will it work or not. It was just a question.

but

How many event has SDN? San Diego and Munich? Is it enogh? For example BEA has user groups in multiple countries.

[Former Member]

Then I would say that you have not been very proactive in looking around.

/people/sap.user72/blog/2005/06/24/sdn-meets-labs-bangalore-the-final-plan

That is a link to the latest SDN event in Bangalore, that is a follow up to events in California, Germany and several other places.

/people/mark.finnern/blog/2005/04/22/sdn-meets-labs-tel-aviv

/people/shay.barry/blog/2005/05/24/sdn-meets-labs-raanana

/people/sap.user72/blog/2005/04/21/sdn-meets-labs-walldorfrot-2005

There are also all of the TechEd conferences which are in Vienna, Boston, Bangalore and Tokyo.

SDN has over 150,000 people and I think there are something like over 50 countries here. Now the idea of a localized SDN section isn't a bad one but with a different prespective. Creating a local group of SDNer's who get together and discuss items and make presentations is a good idea but NOT and online environment for that we have SDN.

Most SAP people belong to local user groups but these groups get together as I stated above in person and discuss things not in an online environment.

A Localized version of SDN would be of little benefit other than to isolate the users from the larger group thus removing the chances of getting help from all over the world for their problems.

[Former Member]

Hi,

well I think Sergey's idea is not so bad. I might lead some people to SDN who also have questions or a good SAP knowledge to share with others but are not able to fulfil the SDN restriction 'all postings in english'. On the other hand this is also a risk because then it might happen that people only post in their local forums using their own language. Even for me it would be much easier to post in german.

But may be it is thinkable to get some kind of translation tool implemented to make it easier for those who are not able to post in english!?

Siggi

[ssimsekler]

Hi Craig

Just as we discussed

Look it happened:

Regards

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

We going to take bets on the what the next reply is? haha

[former_member374]

All bets ar off:

[Former Member]

I would have lost

I was gonna bet someone responds with the answers then reminds the person to post in English next time

[ssimsekler]

Hi

Next bet: Will Carlos understand what Mark reminds and will he re-post his question in English?

Maybe, it would be better Mark has translated his post into Spanish (it is Spanish, isn't it?) for once.

OK... OK... I think English is better. It seems I lost 10 points since I do not understand Spanish...

Regards

*--Serdar <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.com:443http://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.sdn.businesscard.sdnbusinesscard?u=qbk%2bsag%2bjiw%3d">[ BC ]</a>

[Former Member]

)

We both lost out I think

[Former Member]

Mmmhhh....guys I think you will lose 50 points and not only 10...

This is Portuguese and not Spanish !!!

Anyway, if these are the results, better English way, no doubt !