3 Tips For Localizing Open Source Projects

Open source software (OSS) has had a huge impact on the development of technology today. From apps and web browsers to content management platforms and operating systems, there's no doubt that open source projects have influenced the way that we create and access information.

Research shows that the open source trend is growing beyond the traditionally tech-focused market, too. A survey, conducted by BlackDuck Software and the Linux Collaboration Summit, found that within the next two to three years, government agencies, health and life sciences organizations, and media and finance businesses may all be making more use of open source products. Additionally, respondents said that they're adopting more OSS development methods and fostering the growth of industry-specific communities.

As the demand for OSS grows across industries, the demand for OSS will grow globally, too. That often sparks conversations about how to localize a project for a new market. Translating an open source project is a unique undertaking in many ways, with a number of moving pieces. Open source organizations and their communities need to do three things to make their solutions as accessible as possible: establish a guiding set of terms, a central contact and a set of criteria...