Translations dilema

My translations cover the entire UNA system as well as Core Apps, plus translations for some modules by AQB and Jerome. I’ve accumulated a lot of language modules since 2022, compatible with versions 13 and 14. I’ve thought about offering them here for free to make it easier for everyone starting out and to simplify UNA management, but I haven’t decided yet.

The reason for considering free access is simple—today, many people know how to use tools like ChatGPT (I did most of mine manually), and can easily create their own language module following guides instead of paying for one. It’s not complicated; for instance, you can copy the Russian module and translate it into as many languages as you need with the help of AI. Plus, if you’re not a native speaker, you’d still need to adjust translations in Polyglot to get them right.

Dividing users into premium and non-premium seems like running into a wall to me, but I’d still like to wish you success in your efforts! No offense, of course—just sharing my perspective, not trying to impose anything.

The translation is part of the premium module code, which raises a question about licensing, as I’m unsure if distributing translations for premium modules aligns with the policy. Whether it’s free or offered at a symbolic price, the key issue is the license. I’ve been using Dolphin for over 15 years and have a collection of translations in various languages, many of which I’ve updated for UNA. While it's clear that everyone is free to publish their own code, whether for free or for a fee, the premium translation code inherently includes content from a commercially licensed product. I’m seeking clarification on whether we’re permitted to distribute translations for these premium modules, given UNA's policies around commercial products and licensing restrictions.

A "covered work" means either the unmodified Program or a work based

on the Program.

To "propagate" a work means to do anything with it that, without

permission, would make you directly or secondarily liable for

infringement under applicable copyright law, except executing it on a

computer or modifying a private copy. Propagation includes copying,

distribution (with or without modification), making available to the

public, and in some countries other activities as well.

As far as I know, this doesn’t affect the license, and you’re free to offer translations. I previously offered them here for a fee before taking them down. However, regarding your question about UNA's policies, the UNA team would, of course, give you a better answer.

Just remember that if you sell something, you’ll need to keep it updated with every new release of UNA or module.

P.S. I was on Dolphin too (it was great) before I switched to UNA, which is the best😉

If you previously provided these translations for free to the community, I’m curious about why you decided to remove them. Community-shared resources are incredibly valuable, especially with updates needed for every new UNA release or module. Having your translations readily available would help others immensely, and with community support, it might even reduce the time you’d spend maintaining them. Just open a github repo.

Before I took them down, I wasn’t offering them for free but for a fee. The reason is simple—health issues came up, and I couldn’t fulfill what I’d promised. I didn’t want anyone saying I was unreliable or unresponsive, for example. I didn’t want to mislead users because my nature is to help, and if it doesn’t interfere with my personal life or work, I do it for free. I hadn’t been on UNA for—I don’t even know—three quarters of a year, maybe longer before I returned. However, I didn’t renew the modules for sale because a lot of things had changed in the meantime. They’re still in my App Store, but hidden, and I’ve completely deleted some of them.