01. HowTo: Installing Localizer (New install)

The purpose of this document is to provide a more detailed version of the installation instructions found in the README.txt file that comes with Localizer. It is geared more for beginners with shared hosting accounts than any other audience, but may be useful to others as well. If you are already a proficient Linux user, this is probably too basic for you--head on to the shorter instructions in the README.txt file. For the rest of us, hopefully this will be of use. Note that this document is based on Localizer version 3.x when being installed on Drupal 5.7. Things may change faster than this documentation, so keep one eye on the README.txt file in any case.

First some background. Drupal uses Unicode (specifically UTF-8) encoding, so most of the languages of the world can be displayed using it--even side-by-side if that is what is necessary. While Drupal 6 will have a high degree of true multilingual capability (the RC out as of this writing looks very promising), as of version 5.x, Drupal core does not provide for a true "multilingual" environment, meaning that it has very limited language switching capabilities, and no way to enter or keep track of content in multiple languages. This is done by Localizer.

Since Localizer version 1.9, brute-force patching of Drupal core is no longer necessary for installing Localizer. However there is one small modification to the settings.php file involved that enables access to some modified drupal core files ("pre-patched" files) that reside safely within the sites/all/modules/localizer directory. Also, due to distribution rules on drupal.org, flag graphics must be downloaded and installed separately if you want your language switching block to display flags. So, installation of Localizer is slightly more involved than other modules you may have dealt with. Give yourself a little extra time for the installation.