Online help engineering is a central component of the whole localization process, and it is often underestimated. Engineers usually have a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, which will vary from one company to another, including:

• Project evaluation and setup

• Compilation and testing

• Processing updates

• Editing graphics

Because software localization vendors usually work with a broad portfolio of clients, online help engineers need to familiarize themselves with a large number of different online help systems, platforms, tools, and file formats.

As mentioned above, localization engineers require an in-depth knowledge of many different operating systems, utilities, translation tools, development environments, and localization models. Most localization vendors expect, as a minimum, that their engineers have the following skills:

• Working knowledge of installation and configuration management of the most common operating systems and platforms

• Experience with industry-standard online help development environments, e.g. Microsoft HTML Help Workshop, Microsoft Help Workshop, RoboHELP, Doc-to-Help, Apple Help

• In-depth knowledge of markup languages, such as HTML and XML, and commonly used editors

• Knowledge of international layout issues and desktop publishing basics, such as graphics, style sheets, and templates

• Understanding of language and character set issues in online help systems

• Experience using macro and scripting languages, such as Visual Basic for Applications, Perl, and JavaScript

• Professional and creative approach to problem-solving and bug-fixing

• Awareness of localization models and workflows, and project scheduling issues

• Experience selecting and using computer aided translation (CAT) tools

• Knowledge of Intermet technology and communication software and protocols

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

• Foreign language skills (preferred)

Online help localization engineers need to have wide range of software applications at their disposal in order to produce the highest quality localized online help. In addition to the standard Office and Internet applications, a localization engineering "toolkit" will

most likely include the following:

• Industry-standard online help compilers, such as Microsoft HTML Help Workshop or the Microsoft Help Compiler

• An advanced text editor, such as TextPad or Programmer's File Editor

• An image editor, such as Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop

• A screen capture utility, such as Collage Complete

• File management utilities, such as diff tools and file synchronizers

• Online help testing tools, such as HelpQA and HtmlQA

• HTML validation tools

• (Evaluation versions of) all commonly used translation memory tools, such as Trados Translator's Workbench, Atril Déjà Vu, and STAR Transit

Depending on the projects, development tools such as Java Development Kit (JDK) or scripting tools such as Perl or Awk will be required.

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