LANGDET (Language Detector)

[Peter]

Bilingual and multilingual sites can now enjoy language detector LANGDET.

Until now, a multilingual Job Board served the first page in default language, even if visitor's language was other. The visitor then had to locate the link (a flag icon) to switch to language he understood. This was a big problem, because many visitors were unable to find the link even if it was right in front of their eyes.

(A general rule of "good user experience" is that a user must find sought-after information within 1-2 clicks. Otherwise he will be lost forever.)

But no longer! LANGDET will detect user's preferred language and upon the first request serve the correct page. (Assuming that his language is available.)

LANGDET is a must-have plugin for all bilingual and multilingual sites. LANGDET can be purchased on Jamit Market.

Enjoy!  

[Amjad]

Greatttttttttttttttt Peter your plugins rock ,it seems i will spend my 10 credits on ur plugins
 why not consider developing an advanced newsletter? its a v.demanded plugin ?

KR,
Amjad

[Peter]

Greatttttttttttttttt Peter your plugins rock ,it seems i will spend my 10 credits on ur plugins
 why not consider developing an advanced newsletter? its a v.demanded plugin ?.....

Amjad, thanks!

About the request for new plugin "Advanced Newsletter", can you give me the specs? Or is it already a thread in the forum? (I will take a look right now!)

[Peter]

I found these FREE (public domain) flag icons. You can use them to replace the flags in JJB.

http://www.famfamfam.com/lab/icons/flags/

So pretty, even Skype uses them!!!

[Peter]

An improved version of LANGDET is out!

Version 2.x features additional enhancement of alternative language detection method based on geographical location. This method will be enabled only if you also use the TRAFFIC COP plugin.

(However, LANGDET doesn't need TRAFFIC COP in order to work properly.)

HOW LANGDET WORKS?

There are 2 methods to determine user's language: 1.) by parsing the header (from the user's browser) "ACCEPT-LANGUAGE", and 2.) choosing language from user's geographical location (country).

LANGDET uses both of these methods. First, LANGDET parses the header "ACCEPT-LANGUAGE". If unsuccessful, the latter method is used. (However, to enable the latter method, it is necessary to use the TRAFFIC COP plugin.) When the latter method is unsuccessful, the default language is chosen as a last resort.

It must be mentioned that the browser header "ACCEPT-LANGUAGE" is not always present, and if it is, it may be empty. This is why an alternative language detection method is helpful, so that a page is served in correct language upon first request.

SITUATIONS WHEN HEADER 'ACCEPT-LANGUAGE' IS NOT PRESENT

• User deletes language preferences from his browser settings.
• Search engine robots don't user browser to access your pages.
• .... etc.

[Peter]

Configuration of the LANGDET plugin is very simple. However, a novice may be puzzled with "language mapping", "codes" etc. Therefore, below I show some examples of language mapping configuration.

EXAMPLE 1:

We have a site that uses 2 languages:
English
Chinese

Default language:
English
(Default is set in Admin->Configuration->Languages.)

We are using these JJB language files (containing text translation):
EN ... English
CN ... Chinese language, simplified script

Code-to-Language Mapping

Code:

'en*' => 'EN'
'zh*' => 'CN'

Country-to-Language Mapping

Code:

'cn' => 'CN'
'sg' => 'CN'
'hk' => 'CN'
'mo' => 'CN'
'tw' => 'CN'

EXAMPLE 2:

We have a site that uses 5 languages:
English
Chinese
Japanese
German
Czech

Default language:
English
(Default is set in Admin->Configuration->Languages.)

We are using these JJB language files (containing text translation):
EN ... English
CN ... Chinese language, simplified script
JA ... Japanese
DE ... German
CS ... Czech

Code-to-Language Mapping

Code:

'en*' => 'EN'
'zh*' => 'CN'
'ja*' => 'JA'
'de*' => 'DE'
'cs*' => 'CS'

Country-to-Language Mapping

Code:

'cn' => 'CN'
'sg' => 'CN'
'hk' => 'CN'
'mo' => 'CN'
'tw' => 'CN'
'jp' => 'JA'
'at' => 'DE'
'ch' => 'DE'
'de' => 'DE'
'li' => 'DE'
'lu' => 'DE'
'cz' => 'CS'
'sk' => 'CS'

If you have any questions or need assistance, let me know!

[Peter]

Langdet plugin is now FREE and the license is GPL.

This is a new version 4.0.0 and existing users are highly advised to update as soon as possible!