Ray Saintonge wrote:
While I can appreciate the occasional need for several translation versions, I don"t think that it is a realistic prospect in the near future. Before there is a second translation of a work there needs to be a first one.
Yes. But you won't get one complete translation if you don't make clear which type of translation it should contain, as after the first translated pages, at least two parties will start argumenting. I think Robin's idea is a very good one: One could start with a first translation and some explicit policy, begging everyone who wants to follow a completely different approach to start another one, which is linked by the main page. This way, "edition management" is very possible.
What's missing? Two-pane design *for translating* can be achieved by having two browser windows side by side. You only have to use the same original text, for example by linking to the Perseus Project. If you follow their page numbers (or even set links to the individual Perseus pages into the translation, if that's permitted), you can even *read* bilingual versions. For footnotes, one can start by using the discussion page.
I agree, this way one can at least start and see where there is a real need for software features. Now let's start a project and find some translators :-)
Have a nice Christmas everybody, Viktor.