Although the volume of localized Mac OS software is significantly lower than the volume of PC-based or Windows software, the success of Apple's iMac and Gx product lines has meant that many software publishers are now shipping Mac OS versions of their software.

Localizing software for the Mac OS has traditionally been easier and more intuitive than Windows-based software. Many of the tools required are free, and MacOS software development is well-standardized with respect to tools and designs.

Most software for Mac OS computers is translated directly in the program files. This means that instead of editing text-only resource files that need to be recompiled after translation, most translators work directly in the executable of a Ma cOS application.

1. TERMINOLOGY

Terminology for applications used on the Ma cOS platform may differ from standard Microsoft Windows terminology. Like Microsoft, Apple has published standard operating system glossaries in a number of languages.

When translating Mac OS-only products, it is advisable to use the standard terminology. For cross-platform products, however, where the product is shipping both in a Mac and a Windows version, consider adapting the terminology of the Mac version to suit the Windows version. There are some disadvantages to this, for example, in some languages translations of the standard commands (Open, Save, Print, etc.) differ from the localized Mac OS. The advantages are that translations can be leveraged between platforms, and allow the user to create one set of translated online help files or documentation that can be used for both platforms.

The Apple international glossaries can be found on the Apple Developer Connection CDs and at the Apple FTP server at ftp.apple.com/devworld/Tool_Chest/Localization_Tools/Apple_Intl_Glossaries.