Announcing a "beta preview" release of Language Forge

[Christopher Hirt]

Short version

Language Forge beta preview is now available here: http://languageforge.org

Submit bugs you encounter on our bug tracker: https://github.com/sillsdev/lfsite/issues   (github account required)

Submit feature or UI improvements on trello:  https://trello.com/b/2ANSfeLT/languageforge-suggestions   (trello account required)

Long version

I am happy to announce that the Language Forge software development team has completed work on a beta preview version of Language Forge.

You can sign up for an account and start using it right now at: http://languageforge.org

Language Forge is SIL software whose primary function is to bring the dictionary development and review process to a wider audience on the internet.  Language Forge is a web app, so there's no software to install.  This "beta preview" release has the following features:

• Import your WeSay or FLEx data (LIFT format)
  
• View or Edit the dictionary online
  
• Invite others to view, collaborate, edit and comment on your lexicon data
• Dictionary configuration editor: customize input systems, lexicon fields and tasks
• Supports most FLEx fields
• Assign project members one of several roles: Observer, Commenter, Collaborator and Manager
• Customize what each member sees down to the field level
• Custom field support
• Right-to-left script support
• Integrated commenting system allows team members to have discussions about any piece of data in the lexicon
• Editors receive near real-time updates to the lexicon when there are multiple editors active online.
• Data protection.  Only those you give access to can view or edit the lexicon.

I'm excited about the potential use of Language Forge and the development team would like to solicit your help to test and give Language Forge it's first real work-out.  We're not afraid of bugs.  We just need your help to find them :)

Please submit bugs you encounter on our bug tracker: https://github.com/sillsdev/lfsite/issues

Regarding importing LIFT files, our import code needs another week or two of optimization effort to resolve some issues.  In the meantime, the LIFT import will likely fail if you attempt to import more than 3000 entries.  We will update you when an update has been released that will support importing much larger LIFT files.

We value your suggestions and feedback.  Please submit feature or UI improvements on trello:  https://trello.com/b/2ANSfeLT/languageforge-suggestions

In this announcement I have focused on the features that Language Forge has, but there are plenty of features that we don't have ready yet.

Two important features that we plan to implement down the road are

• Send/Receive with WeSay/FLEx
  
• Offline support

Each of these features requires significant development effort yet we recognize that they are fundamental the way that SIL language workers are working.

Thank you for participating in our beta preview.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Chris Hirt for the Language Forge development team

[David Baines]

Hi Chris,

I wasn't able to add a card to the trello board, the "Add a card" option doesn't appear in the list's menu, the only option is subscribe.
Do all trello users have access?
Have any other non-developers been able to add suggestions to the trello board?

All the best,
David.

[Christopher Hirt]

Hi David,

Thanks for asking.  We have two places where suggestions can be added.  We have the languageforge-suggestions trello board.  I just checked the permissions of the board and the only way to make a suggestion is to comment on the card marked "How to Add Your Suggestion" on the far left list.  Public trello members cannot add cards, but if you are a palaso trello org member you can add yourself to the board and create cards.  Once you comment, a developer or board members will convert your comment to a proper card to be placed on a list.  You have to have a trello account in order to comment.

Secondly, I also set up an user voice website:  https://languageforge.uservoice.com

This is probably a more friendly way to solicit feedback so it is an option as well.

Thanks,

Chris

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