The Patch Contains the following items :

AdAstra_Patch                 - This should be used as a replacement to the AdAstra executable
language directory            - Contains a 'Russian' subdirectory
text_7x11b                    - Bitmap containing the Cyrillic font.


The 'AdAstra Patch' and 'language' directory should be copied into the top level AdAstra directory.
The 'text_7x11b' file should be copied into the 'textures' subdirectory to replace the existing file.

Once you have executed the 'AdAstra_Patch' you can change to the Russian Language via the 
'Preferences' window by hitting the 'ESC' key. Once selected you should press the 'Save' button.

The Cyrillic font can be found in the lower 4 rows of the bitmap and you should have no problem
in editing this if you feel that improvements can be made. However the font is limited to 7
pixels wide and 11 pixels deep and the right most column typically needs to be left blank to allow
for character separation. Unfortunately Cyrillic has a number of wide characters and I recognise
that this may cause some problems. I have looked into making the font larger in the past and 
unfortunately this is extremely difficult to accommodate as many of the windows become too large 
to be displayed on smaller resolutions. However if the font is a big issue then please let me know
together with details of the specific problem.

Within the language subdirectory you will find a 'Russian' subdirectory which contains a 'general'
and 'windows' directory. The 'Russian' directory also contains a bitmap which should be ignored.

Within these directories are held a set of text files in Unicode format. I have checked that 
Cyrillic can be supported within these and you should have no problems in editing them using 
notepad. Please be aware that the format must not be changed from unicode as otherwise the 
Cyrillic text will be lost.


The 'general' directory contains files that relate to general text that is used for printing 
various messages and compiling lists. The files typically consist of 2 columns such that the 
lefthand column contains English text that is used as a hook when performing the translation 
within the game. The righthand column also contains English text, however this represents the 
Russian translation and it is this bit that you should edit by replacing the letters between the
{} brackets. As a general principle try to avoid exceeding the length of the longest English
character string otherwise you text may overflow certain screens. For instance in the 'stock' 
file try not to have text that is longer than 'Communication Equipment'.

The 'windows' directory contains files that relate to the actual windows that appear in each of
the different screens and is organised in a similar manner to the files previously described 
such that the Russian translation is located in the righthand column. Each window within a screen
is separated by a '#-----------------------' and the text after the 'WINDOW' marker relates to the
name of the window itself. Again you will need to be careful with length of the text strings.


Please be aware that this is nowhere near a complete translation and there are many important
areas that I need to deal with. Also please note that the following areas are yet to be 
implemented :

1.	Contract descriptions and Messages in general
2.	The instruments panel only has partial translation
3.	No embedded design screen apart from the new Solar System designer (use F8) is translated

In addition should the following be translated :-

1.   Star Names. These use internationally recognised Latin names eg Episilon Eridani.
     Does the Greek alphabet and Constellation names need a Russian translations.
2.   Should the Spacecraft names be translated
3.   Do the Star Spectra have a Russian equivalent eg. G2.


Providing me with an initial translation will help me in spotting the holes.



PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT IF YOU WISH TO LOAD A GAME SAVED UNDER THE PREVIOUS VERSION THEN YOU SHOULD
USE THE JUMP BUTTON AS THE STRUCTURE OF SOME OF THE SYSTEMS MAY CHANGE - A PRODUCT OF IMPLEMENTING
THE SOLAR SYSTEM EDITOR. YOU SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT THIS PATCH IS NOT NECESSARILY STABLE AND
IS ONLY INTENDED TO HELP PRODUCE A SET OF TRANSLATION FILES.




