| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Would you sign? Thread poster: Annika Neudecker
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Hi ProZians
I was offered to work on a short-term project (six weeks) for a relatively big, well-known company.
They use an "internal tool" that I would have to use to enter my translations into their database. I asked them to send me a link and let me see how this "tool" works and is set up before I sign the contract. This is the answer I received:
"You can only have access to the tool once ... See more Hi ProZians
I was offered to work on a short-term project (six weeks) for a relatively big, well-known company.
They use an "internal tool" that I would have to use to enter my translations into their database. I asked them to send me a link and let me see how this "tool" works and is set up before I sign the contract. This is the answer I received:
"You can only have access to the tool once you sign the agreement and you are officially hired by XX. You need a username and password to access the tool. All employees at XX can work from home and get access to the tool from any kind of fast connection (DSL, ADSL, Cable, etc.) and have no problems at all. You don’t need to install any kind of software, our tool is web based and it only goes into your browser."
Considering that it's web-based (and I don't have to install anything), it sounds "problem-free". However, I'm hesitant to sign a contract that says I'm supposed to work with a "tool" that I haven't even laid eyes on. Even if I don't have to download anything, there might be other problems that I'm not aware of right now....
What would you do??
Thanks,
A. ▲ Collapse
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Hi!
I would first of all ask what kind of tool it is. Once I was asked to do something very similar, under like circumstances, and all they wanted me to do was to do the translation in a Word-like application directly in their WebSite.
Tell them your concerns, and ask them what kind of tool it is. I am quite certain they will understand your concerns and tell you.
Good luck, and enjoy this project!
Rufino
| | | | | Hourly rates? | Jun 9, 2006 |
Annika,
Presumably you will be paid based on an hourly rate, right? I work like that all the time, and usually I am provided with a training course (for which they pay me). Many clients establish some kind of productivity rate that they expect you to adhere to, and that needs to be discussed and possibly adjusted after some practical experience with the tool.
All of those clients always require me to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before using their tool.
... See more Annika,
Presumably you will be paid based on an hourly rate, right? I work like that all the time, and usually I am provided with a training course (for which they pay me). Many clients establish some kind of productivity rate that they expect you to adhere to, and that needs to be discussed and possibly adjusted after some practical experience with the tool.
All of those clients always require me to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before using their tool.
Fred ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kevin Fulton 
United States
Local time: 03:42
German to English
| Could be FTP access to their database | Jun 9, 2006 |
This "tool" might be simply a means to access their database for downloading/uploading files. In that case, it's reasonable not to give you access until you've signed an agreement.
On the other hand, it could be some awkward mechanism for actually translating a document and a nightmare to use.
You might wish to inquire whether you would use this "tool" actually to translate the documents or merely to send them the translations.
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Vauwe
Local time: 09:42
English to German
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Sounds like it could be LogoPort. If so, you don't need to install nothing. You need to sign the contract first to get access to the TM server. If you know Trados, you can handle LogoPort as well and you don't need any special introduction.
| | | | Brandis (X)
Local time: 09:42
English to German
+ ...
| I didn´t go for this contract | Jun 9, 2006 |
I know atleast from the description about 4 companies trying an attempt, about 3 years I went with them, but things didn´t go well with their web tool and we quit, while loss being mine. Fortunately I did that on the shortest time frame 1 week and immediately payable and I take over the account clearance, which means I needed payment on their accounting tool within 24 hours of submission that I can count on. What came of this was that neither the tool nor the accounting module were going well, ... See more I know atleast from the description about 4 companies trying an attempt, about 3 years I went with them, but things didn´t go well with their web tool and we quit, while loss being mine. Fortunately I did that on the shortest time frame 1 week and immediately payable and I take over the account clearance, which means I needed payment on their accounting tool within 24 hours of submission that I can count on. What came of this was that neither the tool nor the accounting module were going well, and the whole company was running around, many people, atleast that was my impression those days. Then I quit these solutions. That experiment was good, but I don´t think I shall that ever agian. This attempt is not to discourage you, go for your choice, like many would do. Once you go for it, whether it works or not you are in it. Best Brandis
[Edited at 2006-06-09 11:57] ▲ Collapse
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Hi Rufino,
Thanks for your reply.
I did ask them. I said I needed to know what their tool "looks like" and how it's set up.
I also told them about my concerns (signing a job that has me working with an "unknown tool".)
That's when I got the response I posted above....
| | | | | Not encouraging.... | Jun 9, 2006 |
Hi Brandis,
I appreciate your response. Your experience doesn't sound encouraging....
And I'm suspicious by nature. I hate signing on the dotted line without being 100% certain what I'm agreeing to...
Thanks for your input!
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| Hourly rate - yes. Training course not mentioned... | Jun 9, 2006 |
Fred Lessing wrote:
Presumably you will be paid based on an hourly rate, right? I work like that all the time, and usually I am provided with a training course (for which they pay me).
Fred
Hi Fred,
Thanks for your response Yes, it would be an hourly rate (USD 20.00). And no... a training course (let alone one I will be paid for) wasn't mentioned....
| | | | | Good ideas, Kevin! | Jun 9, 2006 |
Kevin Fulton wrote:
This "tool" might be simply a means to access their database for downloading/uploading files. In that case, it's reasonable not to give you access until you've signed an agreement.
Good thought, Kevin. However, even if it's an FTP account, they could set up a guest account/password.... and delete both after I've had access.
Kevin Fulton wrote: On the other hand, it could be some awkward mechanism for actually translating a document and a nightmare to use.
Exactly!
Kevin Fulton wrote:You might wish to inquire whether you would use this "tool" actually to translate the documents or merely to send them the translations.
That's a good idea! Thanks!
| | | | Nicolette Ri (X)
Local time: 09:42
French to Dutch
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| Ask your client | Jun 9, 2006 |
For some tools you need a training and then you are expected to translate directly sentence by sentence in a database (that is, you keep no copy for yourself), other tools are very simple to use: you only have to copy your translation directly from Word into the website. Ask your client if you can do a small translation with this tool before signing the contract.
| | | | | For god's sake......sign the agreement and will see the tool.... | Jun 9, 2006 |
Sorry to be so straightforward but there is no need to be so pessimistic.........just sign the agreement and will see the tool.....when you see the tool if you don't like it or feel can't work with it...let them know so....
We are here to make communication better not to create obstacles......
Sorry.
Good luck.
[Edited at 2006-06-09 14:08]
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| For God's sake.... | Jun 9, 2006 |
... if you are unable to take my question seriously, please refrain from responding ....
| | | | Marc P (X)
Local time: 09:42
German to English
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| Would you sign? | Jun 9, 2006 |
AnnikaLight wrote:
Yes, it would be an hourly rate (USD 20.00).
Less than 16 euro per hour? Before expenses? Before tax, health insurance and pensions premiums?
Hm.
Marc
| | | | | For god's sake had a valid opinion too | Jun 9, 2006 |
AnnikaLight wrote:
... if you are unable to take my question seriously, please refrain from responding ....
you got lots of different feedback, and For god's sake took time to give a unique opinion - I think if you want lots of help for free, you should give respect to all the different types of answers you get. I enjoyed reading 'for god's sakes opinion' and thought your response to him was unfair - please remember there are other people reading these comments besides you, who might benefit from a different perspective.
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