Pages in topic:   < [1 2]
How necessary is Trados?
Thread poster: Anne Seerup
Marc P (X)
Marc P (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 17:01
German to English
+ ...
Alternatives to Trados Jun 25, 2003



[Edited at 2003-06-26 05:45]


 
Marc P (X)
Marc P (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 17:01
German to English
+ ...
Reply to Emmannuelle Jun 25, 2003

Trados isn't the only translation memory application available - there are over twenty others (for Windows). They all have merits and drawbacks. For some people, Trados is no doubt the best. But it's quite possible to use one of the alternatives and be successful as a translator. If you are wondering whether it really, really MUST be Trados and nothing else, it's time to ask yourself what your profession is - translator or Trados operator.

The choice is not great if you wish to use
... See more
Trados isn't the only translation memory application available - there are over twenty others (for Windows). They all have merits and drawbacks. For some people, Trados is no doubt the best. But it's quite possible to use one of the alternatives and be successful as a translator. If you are wondering whether it really, really MUST be Trados and nothing else, it's time to ask yourself what your profession is - translator or Trados operator.

The choice is not great if you wish to use a Mac, but you do still have some options. Wordfast is by far the most popular translation memory for Mac users, and if I'm not mistaken, the Mac version is still free. If you're feeling more adventurous, Frankenstein is still beta but has an OS X installer, and I would expect an OS X version of the Araya Suite to be available before too long (ask Dr. Waldhör at Heartsome). OmegaT, of course, is here already.

As regards buying a PC, there is something to be said for having a second system as a back-up.

Marc
Collapse


 
sylver
sylver  Identity Verified
Local time: 00:01
English to French
Free and other wordfast issues Jun 26, 2003

Anne Seerup wrote:

Try and go to www.wordfast.org - there you can get it for free - you can also register after you downloaded the program.


www.wordfast.org is a long story, and not necessarily a nice one. Version 3.35x was cracked and kept for free on that web site when the program's developper, Yves, decided to go commercial.

Without going into details, as they did nothing but delivering the 3.35x, which was previously free anyway, and did not keep pirating version after version, Yves decided to let them have it, but without support of course, on the rationnale that people can get used to it, and when they are ready for more, they can buy the licence for the current version, which is pretty cheap anyway.

So you can download the old version (it's anyway quite equivalent to Trados, in my opinion, if not better.) and work.

About fuzzy matching, no problem there with wordfast.

About tagged files, it's normally not the translator's business to tag a file. The agency usually does that, except for HTML which is pretty easy anyway. Once the document is tagged (rtf file with tags in different styles), you can nicely work with Wordfast. No compatibility issue there.

For customers, the biggest problem is that they have been sold on the fact that Trados is the best, without ever considering the technical side of it. Few people even know how to use use it beyond the very basics.

The best way to deal with it is to send them a sample file translated with wordfast and ask them if they can use it with Trados.

Best if you are really concerned with it, download Trados' demo. Trados demo actually makes quite an interesting freeware

It can, amongst other things, presegment and clean your files. So when you are finished translating something with Wordfast, make a copy of the file and clean it with Trados. If there is any compatibility issue, (never happened to me), trados will not be able to clean it and will let you know there is a mistake. find it correct it, check again, and when you send the file, you are 2000% sure it will work.


 
Pages in topic:   < [1 2]


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

How necessary is Trados?







Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »
CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »