HDDSuperClone

[maximus]

I have been working on the language translation possibilities. My original idea was to allow the export of a language file that could be translated using Google Translate and then imported to change the language. I am now planning on taking this a step farther by providing all of the translated language files. I am writing automated code to do this. In testing I have translated it to 103 languages. I have also reverse translated from each language back to English. I have randomly checked some of the reversed language files, and for the most part the program should be able to be operated. I am planning on making a function to export all of the reversed translations into a spreadsheet for further evaluation. The idea is to look for common issues to see if there is a better word or phrasing that is better.

In my random checks I did find some things that made me laugh a bit, sorry but don’t have exact specifics. One language translated a word (I think it was “disconnect”) back to “pillow” (seriously Google, WTF, there is no way that word meant pillow). And I also saw some error messages that had the phrase “guest meltdown” in them. Obviously not perfect, but when it comes down to be able to use it, I think the basics seem to more or less translate enough to be able to use it in many languages. I will just need to provide a disclaimer that I used Howler Monkeys, umm, I mean Google Translate, for the language translation

 

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Maximus ,
Have You Added Hindi In The Supported Languages Also .Hindi Is The National Language in India ,The World's Second Largest Populated Country .Secondly Are You Planning Of Adding a Serial Port Or USB Assisted Power Controller For Your Tool ? . Might Be As a Additional Addon or Might Be a IDE / SATA Addin Card Like PC3K Etc

 

[maximus]

I am using Google Translate for all of its available languages. From the official list found online it is 104 languages (including English, which means I am translating to 103 other languages). I have read that Google Translate support 105 languages, but I only found 104 language codes in the official list. And yes, Hindi is one of them. For demonstration I have attached an original English file, a Hindi translation, and the back translation file. A quick inspection of the back translation file shows that it is mostly sane (doesn't look like Howler Monkeys translated it).

USB controlled relay capability is in the future. I may try to support a few relay boards with software and allow the user to build their own. Depending on how that goes and the demand, I may also choose to sell compatible relay boards wired up. But again, that is in the future, one thing at a time.

 

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Thanks ,
I Will Look Into Your Hindi Work And Then Help You With Any Issues Will Take Me a Day To Go Through This .Also I Have Knowledge Of Punjabi Language ,You Can Attach Your Those Files Also For Me

 

[maximus]

@Amarbir, just understand that the way this works is that when I build a version of the software, it will be translated by Google Translate into the files. At this time I don't have any provisions for including specific corrections for any given language. So please don't spend too much time checking the translation right now for needed corrections specific to the language. I will appreciate suggestions for words or phrases from anyone, but I have to make sure it is best for the majority of language translations. This is going to be automated for every version build as I am always making changes to the software for improvements. There is no way I could ever keep up with making sure any other languages were always accurate.

 

[maximus]

I have released a new version of hddsuperclone, along with hddscviewer. I have included language packs in both, so the language can now be changed at program startup without having to do the translation yourself. As stated, it uses Google Translate for the translations. I have not yet had time to go through the reverse translations to see where possible wording changes could help.

Smaller changes: I also made it so hddsuperclone will start in gui mode if there are no other command line options. I also got rid of the annoying exit message box, as its purpose was served during the gui development.

 

[maximus]

So I now have all of the free options in the GUI. It is (finally) time to start working on things for the paid version. It is time I need to commit to a licensing method. I have some options.

1) Use a license key in combination with online data. This requires the computer to be online every time the program is run. I think I am going to do this for early trial versions for certain individuals, and maybe also for time limited versions. I could make it so something like a 30 day usage could be purchased.

2) Use a license key and lock it to a computer. This requires the user to send a data file, and then they would receive a key or file that would only work for one computer. I don't like this idea, as it is more work for me up front, plus if there is hardware failure the user is out of luck unless I offer to create a new license, which is also more work for me.

3) Use a license key. I am leaning towards this option for full licenses, along with option 1 for limited licenses. But I will say that it will be a long key, and will need to be broken up into sub keys. The reason it will be long is that it will contain critical data for program operation, that would be almost impossible for a hacker to make a key generator (without having a working key to start with). My thought is that if you pay good money for a license, you wouldn't want to share it.

4) Use a USB dongle. This is much more work for me, plus additional cost ($30 each), plus shipping cost and time. I don't like it, and don't think it is worth the effort.

I think I am going to offer the program initially without hardware, with an option to either purchase relay hardware or build your own with provided instructions. If there is enough demand for the relay hardware and I can make decent money off of that part, I could ramp up production. It just has to be worth my time.

So what do all of you think?

 

[Jared]

If you're going to go with option 1, you'll need to be sure you've got redundant activation servers on different hosting. Data Rescue 4 does this, and I've had entire days where I couldn't use the software because their one activation server was down all day. It's happened multiple times to me, and I've left them some choice reviews while waiting around for their server to come back online.

I'd prefer to see options 2 and/or 3. Perhaps for a less expensive license, it could be option 2 and just locked to the one machine. Maybe even prohibit transfers, but market it toward the budget crowd. Then for more serious techs who need to use it on multiple computers, do a license key (option 3). Like you said, a more expensive license is unlikely to be shared or posted online for fear of it being deactivated.

 

[maximus]

As for option 1, I was really only thinking about it for limited time usage. And not an activation server, but an available hidden file download to get the data, which would be used in combination with the key. It is actually not the most secure method. It is also not the easiest.

I do kind of like the idea of option 2 for a lower cost, and option 3 for something like an unlimited "tech" license. I was thinking about option 2 and complaints of hardware failure, but making it a lower option with either limited or no transfer is not a bad idea. Plus I can already do this, it is a part of my initial licensing scheme. And my method is not too picky about hardware changes, it would almost always be tied to the motherboard.

 

[maximus]

And as I think about it, for limited time usage (like buying a 30 day license), I could use a combo of 1 and 2 to make it secure. Still more work though, not yet sure I will go with that. I would kind of like to have a limited time license, but not something so simple that changing the date on the computer would bypass it :roll: