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Quoting Blackflush:

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NOTHING states contribution notes should be in English, NOTHING.

Quoting Ken Cole:

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Secondary note - the notes must be in English.  You're welcome to write native language notes, but please also include an English translation, even if you have to use an automated translation.

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Quoting Blackflush:

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NOTHING states contribution notes should be in English, NOTHING.

Quoting Ken Cole:

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Secondary note - the notes must be in English.  You're welcome to write native language notes, but please also include an English translation, even if you have to use an automated translation.

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I am glad that they can use it without speaking english, but that wasn't the problem you said they had, now, was it?

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Quoting Berak:

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NO! I will not give it a rest! In my opinion, users like Surfeur add nothing positive to the community! I am sorry, but I cannot sit by idly as users like this critisize each and every aspect of this program! Either pull your load, or stop f'ing complaining!!!

PS: The program might support different languages, but contributions must be made in English, as the screeners (Gerri) need to understand what is being changed!

I am surprised by your insistence on the subject and, while I don't share it, I can understand Surfeur51's frustration. I believe a little understanding on all sides could help create a better DVDP environment.

For starters, I've been using the software since 2000-2001 when there was a free version. Stopped a year and then found out I had to pay. Did so happily and diligently. I have contributed many profile over the years and have read the contribution rules several times. Also I have discovered the existence of the forum only ~4-5 months ago (I'll get back to that) and I had ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE it existed before hand.
On my part, I'm British and French which seems quite helpful in some cases.

I'll try to make as simple as I can and not flame anyone.

NOTHING states contribution notes should be in English, NOTHING.
I even have the example of a profile I contributed a few weeks back (Boyz N the Hood) on which a discussion occurred about a cameo by J.Singleton. I exchanged a few PMs with fellow French Profilers and contributed the profile again with additional data. The notes were in French since all (visible) involved parties were French. The contribution was declined without any given reason. I got it through by putting French and English notes. At least stating a reason like "Contrib notes must be in English" would have been helpful.
I had to guess WHY my contribution was declined and the comments to the votes I received were as surprised as I was. I haven't seen any mention of English being a requirements in contrib notes. The sales speech is therefore slightly biased (not criticising a bit just pointing out a possible cause for some frustration on others' part) since it says you can use it in French and you can contribute but it doesn't specify you have to contribute in English.


Also we have a local problem (DVD wise) which is BENELUX (Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg). Most DVDs for those three countries are the same edition and have the cover art in several language : French and Dutch. The Netherlands only speak Dutch. Luxembourg only speaks French but Belgium speaks French and Dutch (and I believe some German but rarely), depending on the part of the country. These editions are also sold in France by online retailers because they are way cheaper than the French versions (Locality stays Belgium or Dutch because of the UPC coding and the rating)
The rules say overview should be in one language,the local one, if several are available. There lays a problem. They have two languages. It is usually accepted that Belgium profiles will be in French and Dutch speaking people will use the Netherlands profile. However nothing is written, so there is a vast mix of profiles of both countries and both languages. I once updated a Dutch profile for "12 angry men" with the French Overview, it was voted against stating the rules saying use the country's language. That was fine, my bad. I modified locality and contributed my new Belgium (French only overview) profile. Later on, I updated another profile (Belgium) with the Dutch Overview removed, that was voted against because Dutch was also in use in that country. The profile is then wrong by the rules but right by real life of the country and/or sometimes it is the other way around.


Finally, there is the issue of the forum and the attitude towards new comers.
I discovered the forum when I was bullied in the negative votes for a contribution of an Original title for "The Fifth Element" BR. I had almost never received neg votes before and I've contributed quite a few profiles but there I was being flamed down by the American users (I say American because the release is American could have been Chinese or others, not the issue). Some of the comments were borderline insulting but not really constructive.  Hopefully, I understand English, and figured out what the issue was all about (I seem to remember someone sending me a PM about it to talk it though). Otherwise my reaction would have really been (excuse my French) "Whats the F... is wrong with these people !?".
If you're not English speaking you will not be able to browse the forum to get the ropes of contributing and latest updates. For example, how are you supposed to know there is a list of accepted BY if you don't come to the forum. Nothing in the software says "See forum for list" and even then I added some references for Mike White (2 actors and 1 baseball player) when should I consider it as been accepted and use it on my profiles ?

Forum users should really bear in mind that not every DVDP user :
- is using their native language,
- knows there is a forum with some sort of life,
- knows that life as been going on for quite sometime,
- knows there is a all bunch of data that is considered valid listed here,
- knows there is ever so old discussion about ,Jr. or .Jr going on in the forum and can't imagine that that could be the subject of a discussion (Not criticising, it's your life, you do what you want with it)

Finally, I must also say that even for an English native, the condescending and obnoxious manners of some members believing they are almighty gods in the DVDP universe (or something) can get quite tiring and is a total turn away/off sign for newcomers. (Wait for it, wait for it, wait .. wait .... GO for the negative rating, that's now )


That's my two cents (actually gave you a all dollar worth but keep the change) of what I believe is the cause of frustration on all parts. Those subjects have all come up at a time or another on French DVD forums and they seem to be the three subjects that come up regarding DVDP. That is a Problem since DVDP is a brilliant piece of software, I can't thank Ken enough but those points seem to be the obstacles to a wider adoption of DVDP in my area (French speaking Europe)

Julien


PS @Rooster6975: Sorry for polluting your post but I felt compelled to put in my word on the matter.

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What I wanted to show is that since it was decided that new contributions needed notes (in english so that Gerri can read them), the number of contributors diminished in some countries (at least in France, where I can see it on new releases).

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Quoting pdf256:

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Quoting Berak:

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Quoting surfeur51:

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Quoting Unicus69:

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Then why did they buy a program that is english based? 

They bought this program because they saw it, in french, on my computer and found it marvellous. I installed their version, with my own translation file. So, for them, they can use it without speaking english.

Maybe you should have told them, then, that the program requires at least some English language knowledge to operate properly?      Man - you really know how to put a negative spin on every subject you come across...   

Give it a rest! surfeur51 has put money in Ken's hands! The program works in many languages other than English. If Ken did not want non-English speaking people to use it, why did he add translations to other languages?

pdf

There's a difference between using the software, as installed, and making contributions that originate on your own personal system.  Contributing files to ANY system, requires the format to be whatever is designated by the author.  In this case, it is English.

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>8>8 The Search function is not very helpful either. >8>8