FieldLynx
Language Files (*.lng)

These instructions explain how to create your own language file for FieldLynx.   

Before you begin

You need the following items:

• A text editor such as Microsoft Notepad. 

• Access to the original FieldLynx installation files that came with FieldLynx 2.0. 

• A handheld device and a HotSync® cable or cradle attached to a computer. 

Step 1:  Create an empty FieldLynx language (LNG) file.

1.       Create a text file that contains the following: 

• Name of the language file you are translating in the first line, followed by a comma, followed by the name of the LNG file with no extension. 

• Line two reading, “Registry Version:  1.00”. 

For example, the text file for an Italian language file named “it_IT.lng” would look like this: 

2.       Save the file with the extension, LNG.  For example, “it_IT.lng”. 

Step 2:  Convert the LNG file into a Palm™ database (PDB) file. 

1.       Double-click the executable file, LNG2PDB.EXE, that came with FieldLynx 2.0.  A conversion dialog box appears (Figure 1). 

Figure 1:  Conversion dialog box

2.       Click the Browse button and select the LNG file you created in the previous section.  The Output path is automatically filled in. 

3.       Click the Convert button.  When the Conversion Complete dialog box appears, click OK.  A file named FLLNG_<text file name you created in Step 1>.pdb is created. 

Step 3:  Move the PDB file to the handheld device. 

Run the Install Tool and perform a HotSync® operation to transfer the PDB file you just created to the handheld device. 

Step 4:  Export the strings to the PDB file. 

1.       Run the FieldLynx application on the handheld device. 

2.       Tap on the word, FieldLynx, at the top left of the main screen.  The Options screen appears. 

3.       Tap Preferences. 

4.       From the Language pick list, select the language file you just created and transferred to the handheld device. 

5.       Press the hard scroll down button at the bottom of the handheld device.  An Information box appears that says, “Default Language Strings Successfully Exported.” 

6.       Tap OK. 

Step 5:  Retrieve the PDB file. 

Note:  Before completing this step, check to make sure your Palm Desktop software settings are set to “Device overwrites desktop.”  

Perform another HotSync® operation. 

Step 6:  Convert the PDB file back to a LNG file. 

1.       Run the LNG2PDB executable again. 

2.       Click the Browse button and navigate to the PDB file you just transferred back to the computer.  It will be located in the following directory:  \Palm\username\backup directory. 
Tip:  Select *.pdb from the Files of Type: drop-down list to help you find the PDB file. 

3.       Press the Browse button again to navigate to the Output path for the file. 

4.       Press the Convert button.  Press OK when the Conversion Complete dialog box appears. 

Step 7:  Translate the file. 

1.       Run the text editor and open the LNG file you just converted in the previous step.   The first few lines resemble (Figure 2).

Figure 2:  LNG file to be translated

2.       Notice that each line starts with a number, followed by a comma, followed by a text string.  The number at the beginning of the line is the maximum number of characters you have to fit into your string.  Anything longer will be truncated. 

WARNING!  Do not move the strings out of the order they appear in the text editor!  Doing so will make the FieldLynx application unreadable and inoperable. 

When you have finished translating the file, follow the instructions in:

• Step 2:  Convert the LNG file into a Palm™ database (PDB) file. 

• Step 3:  Move the PDB file to the handheld device. 

The next time you run FieldLynx, it reflects the translations you just made.  This completes the FieldLynx™ Strings Translation Instructions.