New subject: [X-POST] Universal Language Selector(ULS) Deployment - Phase 1

5 Jun 2013

Hello,

The Universal Language Selector (ULS)[1] provides a flexible way to
configure and deliver language settings like interface language,
fonts, and input methods (keyboard mappings). It combines the features
of two earlier Mediawiki extensions Narayam[2] and WebFonts[3]. From
June 11, 2013 on, ULS will be made available to all Wikimedia wikis in
5 phases[4].

# Phase 1: In the first phase, ULS will replace the Narayam and
WebFonts extensions on 84 wikis[5]. User preferences from the replaced
extensions will not be preserved. Affected communities will be
informed by the Wikimedia Language Engineering team of the upcoming
change.

# Phase 2: In the 5 weeks that follow, ULS will be deployed on
Wikipedias in size 11-20,

# Phase 3: All projects without language versions

# Phase 4: English language Wikipedia

# Phase 5:  All other wikis

The ULS can be visible in two ways:

1. In the sidebar for wikis with language versions, like Wikipedia, or
2. In the personal toolbar at the top of wiki pages for wikis without
language versions, like Wikimedia Commons and Meta-Wiki.

Based on the geographic location of users, the initial set of language
preferences is presented. Users can set the input methods and fonts to
that they want to use. Logged-in users can also change the language
for the MediaWiki menu items.

ULS is already available on several Wikimedia wikis like Wikimedia
Commons[6] and Meta-Wiki[7]. The beta installation of English
Wikipedia on Wikimedia Labs[8] shows what will be available as the
look and feel. A cog icon is present in the “Languages” section of the
sidebar menu. Clicking the cog icon opens the Language settings panel
that can be used to set the display and input settings.

Please have a look at the Universal Language Selector feature
description[9] or the Frequently Asked Questions[10] for more detailed
information.

Thank you.

regards
Runa

[1] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:UniversalLanguageSelector
[2] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Narayam
[3] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:WebFonts
[4] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/UniversalLanguageSelector/Deployment/Planning
[5]
https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/UniversalLanguageSelector/Deployment/Plannin…
[6] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
[7] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
[8] http://en.wikipedia.beta.wmflabs.org/
[9] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Universal_Language_Selector
[10] https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Universal_Language_Selector/FAQ

-- 
Language Engineering - Outreach and QA Coordinator
Wikimedia Foundation
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Runab_WMF