Comments on: Facebook Taps Users To Create Translated Versions Of Site. Spanish, French and German Available Now http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:31:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Facebook中文版本 - Greenmoon55’s Blog - Just another WordPress weblog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2129970 Facebook中文版本 - Greenmoon55’s Blog - Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:29:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2129970 [...] They’re using their new user-powered translation engine to get Facebook into 22 more languages, on top of English, French, German and [...] [...] They’re using their new user-powered translation engine to get Facebook into 22 more languages, on top of English, French, German and [...]

]]> By: Is Facebook “translation worthy” or just plain cheap? | Global by Design http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2060223 Is Facebook “translation worthy” or just plain cheap? | Global by Design Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:59:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2060223 [...] Techcrunch provides additional details on Facebook’s translation efforts. Possibly related posts:Facebook and MySpace going [...] [...] Techcrunch provides additional details on Facebook’s translation efforts. Possibly related posts:Facebook and MySpace going [...]

]]> By: iheni :: making the web worldwide » Blog Archive » Crowdsourcing translation http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2048286 iheni :: making the web worldwide » Blog Archive » Crowdsourcing translation Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:17:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2048286 [...] Facebook openly crowdsources translation by rolling out a loose translation of the site (some have claimed by using Babelfish) and then letting the users do the rest. Indeed the final French version of the site was rolled out on Sunday 9th March and almost immediately I spotted this status update from a French friend of mine: “Frederique is trying out facebook in French and is having a good laugh”. Facebook would do well to get her feedback as she is a translator by trade and has worked on translating series such as Sex in the City and now translates games. You can’t really get much better than that! [...] [...] Facebook openly crowdsources translation by rolling out a loose translation of the site (some have claimed by using Babelfish) and then letting the users do the rest. Indeed the final French version of the site was rolled out on Sunday 9th March and almost immediately I spotted this status update from a French friend of mine: “Frederique is trying out facebook in French and is having a good laugh”. Facebook would do well to get her feedback as she is a translator by trade and has worked on translating series such as Sex in the City and now translates games. You can’t really get much better than that! [...]

]]> By: Facebook Now In German - Thanks To 2,000 Generous Users http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2014273 Facebook Now In German - Thanks To 2,000 Generous Users Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:22:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-2014273 [...] thanks to 2,000 users who’ve helped translate the site using an application that Facebook released a couple of months ago to a limited number of users. Supported languages include German, Spanish [...] [...] thanks to 2,000 users who’ve helped translate the site using an application that Facebook released a couple of months ago to a limited number of users. Supported languages include German, Spanish [...]

]]> By: DigitalBlab » Blog Archive » Facebook Pokes Users For Translation Project; Results Could Affect Digital Marketers http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1973953 DigitalBlab » Blog Archive » Facebook Pokes Users For Translation Project; Results Could Affect Digital Marketers Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:19:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1973953 [...] reported on Monday that Facebook is now tapping its users to translate the site into different languages. [...] [...] reported on Monday that Facebook is now tapping its users to translate the site into different languages. [...]

]]> By: Konrad http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1938113 Konrad Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:31:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1938113 I think they don't have much chance in Poland, even if they translate everything into Polish. Most of internet users in Poland are using www.nasza-klasa.pl (something like classmates.com) and their growth is amazing in last few months. They have over 7 mln users already. Little bit of history: started by 4 students, investment around 1 mln$ from Samwer Brothers. Now they overtook almost all largest Polish portals. http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/nasza-klasa.pl?site0=nasza-klasa.pl&site1=onet.pl&site2=interia.pl&site3=gazeta.pl&y=r&z=3&h=300&w=610&range=1y&size=Medium I think they don’t have much chance in Poland, even if they translate everything into Polish. Most of internet users in Poland are using http://www.nasza-klasa.pl (something like classmates.com) and their growth is amazing in last few months. They have over 7 mln users already.
Little bit of history: started by 4 students, investment around 1 mln$ from Samwer Brothers. Now they overtook almost all largest Polish portals.

http://www.alexa.com/data/deta.....ize=Medium

]]> By: Daan Jansonius http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934627 Daan Jansonius Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:29:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934627 I wrote about this a while back and I think the timing off this is bad. Only a few weeks after pissing off pretty much everyone and everything they have decided to ask their users to help them do THEIR work for them, for FREE! I for one will not be helping them! Also, I believe their reach outside the English speaking world is rather small, so it will be interesting to see if they can find enough people to pull this off. http://www.taxidrivermarketing.com/?p=19 I wrote about this a while back and I think the timing off this is bad. Only a few weeks after pissing off pretty much everyone and everything they have decided to ask their users to help them do THEIR work for them, for FREE!

I for one will not be helping them! Also, I believe their reach outside the English speaking world is rather small, so it will be interesting to see if they can find enough people to pull this off.

http://www.taxidrivermarketing.com/?p=19

]]> By: Remember the Milk has this http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934282 Remember the Milk has this Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:57:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934282 Remember the Milk has used this successfully for a long time... http://www.rememberthemilk.com/services/translate/ click More Languages to see all 19 they have completed. I think FB's approach is better, more scalable (and cheaper) than MS. Remember the Milk has used this successfully for a long time…

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/services/translate/

click More Languages to see all 19 they have completed.

I think FB’s approach is better, more scalable (and cheaper) than MS.

]]> By: Arizona Spanish Translator http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934273 Arizona Spanish Translator Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:47:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934273 With the amount of money facebook has they should pay professional translators to do the job and make sure that the translations are quality instead of relying on someone who may do a poor job. With the amount of money facebook has they should pay professional translators to do the job and make sure that the translations are quality instead of relying on someone who may do a poor job.

]]> By: Complex Rhetoric http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934198 Complex Rhetoric Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:26:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934198 <strong>Facebook relies on user-generated translations...</strong> MySpace and Facebook are both trying to expand their markets outside of the English-speaking world. According to Tech Crunch, MySpace is doing this by creating local offices. However, “Facebook is taking a radically different approach—tapping users t... Facebook relies on user-generated translations…

MySpace and Facebook are both trying to expand their markets outside of the English-speaking world. According to Tech Crunch, MySpace is doing this by creating local offices. However, “Facebook is taking a radically different approach—tapping users t…

]]> By: Dan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934162 Dan Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:41:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934162 Just to pick up on the point in the last paragraph - the US isn't the only English-speaking country. Therefore, it would be more interesting to know how many users are using Facebook outside English-speaking countries, than purely the US. Just to pick up on the point in the last paragraph - the US isn’t the only English-speaking country. Therefore, it would be more interesting to know how many users are using Facebook outside English-speaking countries, than purely the US.

]]> By: Rodney Rumford http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934030 Rodney Rumford Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:02:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934030 I blogged about this on December 27th. http://facereviews.com/2007/12/27/facebook-is-language-translation-crowdsourcing I blogged about this on December 27th.

http://facereviews.com/2007/12.....wdsourcing

]]> By: Roman http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934006 Roman Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:30:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1934006 Contrary to popular (and Michael's) belief, translating a site doesn't do much at all for its popularity. Foreign early adopters tend to not be scared away by English-language sites, and once a base is built, users find ways around not understanding precisely what's going on. Prime examples: orkut in Brazil (wasn't available in Portuguese until much, much later) completely taking over social networking in Brazil (if not the country itself), Hi5 in Latin America in general (biggest player down there although only in English for a long time), and a lot of other examples. Language doesn't matter at all in a globalized (online) world; localization, local user base and local momentum do. So Michael's wrong if he thinks that this will do anything to FB's traction with users in Germany. Contrary to popular (and Michael’s) belief, translating a site doesn’t do much at all for its popularity. Foreign early adopters tend to not be scared away by English-language sites, and once a base is built, users find ways around not understanding precisely what’s going on. Prime examples: orkut in Brazil (wasn’t available in Portuguese until much, much later) completely taking over social networking in Brazil (if not the country itself), Hi5 in Latin America in general (biggest player down there although only in English for a long time), and a lot of other examples. Language doesn’t matter at all in a globalized (online) world; localization, local user base and local momentum do. So Michael’s wrong if he thinks that this will do anything to FB’s traction with users in Germany.

]]> By: Webepags http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933963 Webepags Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:18:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933963 This is a lazy idea on their part, but sounds like fun for users. This could be another way for users to impress friends. http://www.webepags.com This is a lazy idea on their part, but sounds like fun for users. This could be another way for users to impress friends.

http://www.webepags.com

]]> By: Mystic Liquid http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933920 Mystic Liquid Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:10:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933920 That is very cool. I think is harnessing the power of the user and allowing them to have a voice in development. That is very cool. I think is harnessing the power of the user and allowing them to have a voice in development.

]]> By: Zuggu http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933911 Zuggu Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:02:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933911 You can also preview the translated version and translate while you surf. And you can vote other people translations in order to make fb know if those are OK You can also preview the translated version and translate while you surf.
And you can vote other people translations in order to make fb know if those are OK

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933896 Anonymous Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:47:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933896 <strong>Facebook Translations...</strong> Hmmm.... According to a Techcrunch article (follow the link), Facebook is now tapping in on its multilingual users to create translated versions of the site. And this is where I stop being amazed with Facebook. I confess: I am a Translator, it is my li... Facebook Translations…

Hmmm…. According to a Techcrunch article (follow the link), Facebook is now tapping in on its multilingual users to create translated versions of the site. And this is where I stop being amazed with Facebook. I confess: I am a Translator, it is my li…

]]> By: Fake Steve Jobs http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933893 Fake Steve Jobs Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:45:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933893 Some may call this exploiting users, but it's not. It's actually to the benefit of the users, and they get to be part of the creation. p.s. Flickr started on this same 'exploitation' model before it was turned into a full blown photo community. It was a game involving tagging the random images that showed up. free labour! Fantastic strategy by FB. Some may call this exploiting users, but it’s not. It’s actually to the benefit of the users, and they get to be part of the creation.

p.s. Flickr started on this same ‘exploitation’ model before it was turned into a full blown photo community. It was a game involving tagging the random images that showed up. free labour!

Fantastic strategy by FB.

]]> By: Martin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933888 Martin Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:39:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933888 Ben, for Germany www.facebook.de is already prepared. Ben, for Germany http://www.facebook.de is already prepared.

]]> By: 113.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933774 113.com Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:52:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933774 How about translating facebook to ascii in decimal - 102097099101098111111107 henceforth, 102097099101098111111107.com :p How about translating facebook to ascii in decimal - 102097099101098111111107
henceforth, 102097099101098111111107.com :p

]]> By: Ben Johnsen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933764 Ben Johnsen Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:42:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933764 Does anyone have an opinion on whether the actual facebook.com domain will be translated into other languages to represent different languages? For instance, would livredevisage.com be used for the French facebook? Does anyone have an opinion on whether the actual facebook.com domain will be translated into other languages to represent different languages? For instance, would livredevisage.com be used for the French facebook?

]]> By: Facebook kann sich keine richtigen Übersetzer leisten http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933730 Facebook kann sich keine richtigen Übersetzer leisten Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:11:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933730 [...] Techcrunch Falls dir mein Beitrag gefallen hat,abonniere meinen RSS Feed! Dieser Eintrag wurde von ricdes [...] [...] Techcrunch Falls dir mein Beitrag gefallen hat,abonniere meinen RSS Feed! Dieser Eintrag wurde von ricdes [...]

]]> By: Jim Hirshfield http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933718 Jim Hirshfield Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:55:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933718 Apples to oranges. FB makes a smart crowd-sourcing move on translation. MySpace makes a smarter move by getting into the society (that's the same root as "social", right?...duh). A Spanish language version of FB is bound to alienate most Spanish speakers, becuause not all Spanish is the same - every Spanish society has it's own variations on the language. So if users vote on acceptable definitions, it'll be like the Brits being forced to read "pants" when the meaning is really "slacks". To the Brits, "pants" = "underpants". Ergo, local is not just a translation exercise, crowd-sourced or otherwise. Apples to oranges. FB makes a smart crowd-sourcing move on translation. MySpace makes a smarter move by getting into the society (that’s the same root as “social”, right?…duh). A Spanish language version of FB is bound to alienate most Spanish speakers, becuause not all Spanish is the same - every Spanish society has it’s own variations on the language. So if users vote on acceptable definitions, it’ll be like the Brits being forced to read “pants” when the meaning is really “slacks”. To the Brits, “pants” = “underpants”. Ergo, local is not just a translation exercise, crowd-sourced or otherwise.

]]> By: CanCar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933708 CanCar Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:42:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933708 Definitively that is going to be of much utility. To cover the market and to obtain the greater amount of users is the goal of Facebook and that better way to do, that implementing new tools of language... Definitively that is going to be of much utility. To cover the market and to obtain the greater amount of users is the goal of Facebook and that better way to do, that implementing new tools of language…

]]> By: Facebook Taps Users To Create Translated Versions Of Site. Spanish, French and German Available Now  »TechAddress http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933692 Facebook Taps Users To Create Translated Versions Of Site. Spanish, French and German Available Now  »TechAddress Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:30:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/21/facebook-taps-users-to-create-translated-versions-of-site/#comment-1933692 [...] MySpace is responding with its own incubator to be called Slingshot Labs. According to the Source:Techcrunch MySpace continues to roll out local versions of its social network. As I wrote last week, they [...] [...] MySpace is responding with its own incubator to be called Slingshot Labs. According to the Source:Techcrunch MySpace continues to roll out local versions of its social network. As I wrote last week, they [...]

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