ubuntuone-control-panel does not adapt to length of translated messages

[Redmar]

Backround:
English is one of the most compact written languages. As a result, translations are often longer than the original message.

This becomes a problem in ubuntuone-control-panel, where buttons and textfields are not big enough to hold the Dutch (nl) translations, which means they are cut, and the user cannot read them properly. (See the attached screenshot).

Preferred solution:
Make buttons expand in size depending on the text on the label. As can be seen from the screenshot, there is plenty of room for the buttons to expand to the left, and this was taken on an 10.1' netbook.

Easiest solution:
Keep everything as it is, but add a translators comment to all relevant strings, specifying the length restrictions that apply to that particular string.

The relevant strings marked in the screenshot are:
"Bestandssynchronisatie wordt uitgevoerd..."
"Verbinding verbreken"

And the English source text is:
"File Sync starting..."
"Disconnect"

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: ubuntuone-control-panel 2.99.5-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-17.27-generic 3.2.6
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-17-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 1.94-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sun Mar 4 21:11:12 2012
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: ubuntuone-control-panel
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Robert Grant (rtgrant)]

I'm happy that - as suggested - the buttons expand to the left and push the upsell button and storage to the left along with it.

I assume that this can be done in code and no further UI work is needed.

[Roberto Alsina (ralsina)]

Doesn't seem to be happening right now (see attached screenshot). If it still happens for you, please reopen.

[Redmar (redmar)]

It does still happen, I just patched up the translation as a temporary fix (and only for my language, dutch). You can even still see it in the screenshot attached in #3, the top right word should end with "satie", while only "sat" is visible.

I should have mentioned I was changing the translation, sorry

[Lisette Slegers (lisette-slegers)]

Slightly shorter translation alternative:

* Bestanden worden gesynchroniseerd
* Verbreek verbinding

[dobey (dobey)]

Redmar, can you ensure you have version 2.99.90 installed, and see if you can reproduce the problem with it? Thanks.

[Redmar (redmar)]

This problem is still present in version 2.99.90-0ubuntu2

[Redmar (redmar)]

The problem is getting worse, now even the 'fixed' dutch translations don't fit any more. Compare the attached screenshot with the one in #3.

[Roberto Alsina (ralsina)]

I'll take a look at this today. Sorry, I did not notice it was cutoff last time.

[Redmar (redmar)]

The length restrictions for the translations appear to be as follows:
17 characters for the connect/disconnect button
18 characters maximum for a single word in the status field above the button

[dobey (dobey)]

Many changes have happened in ubuntuone-control-panel since this bug was filed. Is this still an issue in the current version in Ubuntu 12.04? Thanks.