We could use help from exemplary adult publishers having the time for it in several areas:
- Testing. Using the fictional practice congregation on this web site, any exemplary publisher can test any available version of JwC. A number of functions would actually be useful to any publisher and I may eventually offer versions without the specializations elders need. So their time spent testing can improve their own ministry in addition to functionally testing those specializations.
- Translation. Currently mobile JwC editions are offered in four languages (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese) and the Windows equivalent in 27, but I am fluent only in English. The others are provided by a free Microsoft translation service for app developers, but all should be checked by persons fluent in those languages. Once done, I can then check whether current screen displays may require some longer expressions be abbreviated to fit, etc. I would also like to explore use of additional languages, including those that do not read left-to-right like English. Any exemplary adult publisher fluent in English and another language can help. He or she can take as long as they require; no deadline.
- Guide document translation. This is far more arduous; the Guides exceed 200 pages each, with all illustrations in English. I have already used Google Translate to supply machine translations in the Windows versions’ 26 additional languages. As the required Guide prep software is rather expensive, I would just ask a remote translator to use Word (or equivalent) to edit the appropriate Google translation, with me later redoing the illustrations in that language. If anyone is willing to take on such a task that would be great though hardly anticipated!
- Coding. I do have some time-intensive prospective tasks and could really use the help. Note carefully: This requires a professional programmer with tools similar to mine and willing to cede to me all rights to whatever he does for Jwc. As I cannot sub-license purchased vendor controls or software even for another’s use in assisting in Jwc development, we would have to work out what tasks can still be addressed unless he has or is willing to acquire his own licenses. There cannot be any profit motive or expectation; Jwc will always be free. Fortunately about half of the controls I use (those open source or from Syncfusion) are free for non-commercial use. But the many Telerik ones require at least an initial $1000+, with annual renewal at lower cost. If he had to work with the internal emailer code there would be another one-time license purchase of about $400. Although I continue to use Enterprise versions of Microsoft’s Visual Studio, a helper very likely could get by with the free Community Edition or else the less costly Professional version.
- In time, assuming control. This month the author will be 75. I remain prayerful and hopeful I still might someday be asked to act as a remote worker for the organization. I began JwC upon retirement 4 ½ years ago simply to fill a void until such requests were received. If this effort is to continue, at some point someone younger will have to take over. My investment in time and money has been substantial but has always been kept subservient to making sure of the more important things regarding ministry, congregation, and family. Another person would have to be willing to act similarly.
If interested in any of these matters, please do use the contact form on this web site. Thank you.
