You can use Emacs with `po-mode’, Vim with the plugin `po.vim’ or a graphical PO file editor like `poEdit (requires wxWidgets)’, `gtranslator (requires GNOME)’, `KBabel (requires KDE)’, these editors have special features for editing PO file. You can use a normal editor like Mousepad, Vi etc. of course, but it’s highly recommended using one of those editors.
Here are some helpful links to documentation of those translator software packages:
It is important that you know the specific issues of these programs when you are making translations. Please follow the mailinglists for specific discussions and problems with these software packages. Important issues will be mentioned in this wiki.