Easing software localization with Transifex

Hi Og, in my reading, you seem to confirm that there is a "disconnect between Ubuntu translations and upstream's", but not necessarily because there's something wrong with Launchpad as a tool. IMO, that's due to social interaction that exists (or doesn't exist) between Ubuntu translators and upstream translators. There is really not much we can do in that particular case. I am not saying Launchpad Translations is perfect, but it's far from being the cause of any problems you mention in the article - today.

As for your second point, uploading a tarball, or downloading one back has so far been a well used interface for project maintainers: if it's working so well for so many projects, I don't understand why do you insist that it's unusable. Translators have had a chance to completely enjoy easy to use interface for translation, and I simply can't see what do you think is harder for translators with Launchpad than with Transifex (actually, I can see that a lot of things are easier for translators).

Now, Transifex is a great tool that helps maintainers with allowing outside contributions from translators. At this time, it beats Launchpad Translations hands-down when it comes to effort a maintainer needs to do to accept outside contributions. But, this is only for maintainers: I see no advantages in the approach for translators.

And, we _are_ working on making this easier for maintainers as well.

But, on some points, we'll simply have to agree to disagree.

Cheers,
Danilo