Localizing PHP web sites using gettext

Localizing PHP web sites using gettext

Developing multi language web sites using PHP is actually very easy. A common approach is having an include file for every supported language which contains an array that maps string ids to localized text (for example “WelcomeText” => “Welcome to our homepage.” would be included using something like <?= $strings[“WelcomeText”] >). However there are several problems with this approach. First of all, when the application is updated and additional strings are added, there is no way to determine which new strings were added and if they are present in every language (unless you write a script for it). What happens if a newly added string is not yet translated into a specific language? Continue reading “Localizing PHP web sites using gettext”

50 Powerful Time-Savers For Web Designers

Being a web designer is not easy. Not only do we need to have a good understanding about visual design, typography, information architecture, psychology and a plethora of other disciplines; in our work, we need to take care of so many details, so that our job becomes more and more time-consuming, requiring dozens of tools, attention span and an effective workflow for beautiful, timely and functional results. Continue reading “50 Powerful Time-Savers For Web Designers”