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Poll: As an individual freelance translator, do you use any translation management software?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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Jun 9, 2011

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "As an individual freelance translator, do you use any translation management software?".

This poll was originally submitted by Witold Chocholski. View the poll results »



 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 22:49
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Jun 9, 2011

I don't know what "translation management" software refers to specifically.

I use Wordfast Basic TM SW, and, for chuckle value, occasionally an antiquated MT programs (Systran). I don't consider (myself or) these "management" material...


 
David Wright
David Wright  Identity Verified
Austria
Local time: 22:49
German to English
+ ...
No Jun 9, 2011

I have one (translation office 3000) but it is so complex and so non-self-evident that I gave up on it.

 
Simon Bruni
Simon Bruni  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:49
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
I believe Studio 2009 has some management features... Jun 9, 2011

... but it generates an unmanageable amount of files.

 
Anne Carnot
Anne Carnot  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 22:49
Member (2009)
English to French
no Jun 9, 2011

I have translation office 3000 but somehow, I never use it :-s

 
Klára Kalamár
Klára Kalamár  Identity Verified
Romania
Local time: 23:49
English to Hungarian
+ ...
No Jun 9, 2011

I only use a time tracking software, but not ExactSpent from Translation Office 3000.

 
Ahmet Murati
Ahmet Murati  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 22:49
English to Albanian
+ ...
I use Jun 9, 2011

my own made software for tracking and managing the projects.

 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 22:49
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
No Jun 9, 2011

I have never found any technology that beats a sheet of A4 turned to 'landscape view' with a grid on it. The columns are headed:

Rec(eived, date)/ VAT Number / Client & comments / Rate &Curr(ency) / DEADLINE / Words / Hours / VAT

I fill in a line - with a hand-held pen - every time a mail comes in with a job, and start a new sheet every month.

I note down everything I need to know for invoicing, under 'comments' if nowhere else. This usually means the clie
... See more
I have never found any technology that beats a sheet of A4 turned to 'landscape view' with a grid on it. The columns are headed:

Rec(eived, date)/ VAT Number / Client & comments / Rate &Curr(ency) / DEADLINE / Words / Hours / VAT

I fill in a line - with a hand-held pen - every time a mail comes in with a job, and start a new sheet every month.

I note down everything I need to know for invoicing, under 'comments' if nowhere else. This usually means the client's reference or PO number, file names, whatever.

There is an empty column that gets used for my invoice numbers.

The current one has a special place on my desk and can be seen at all times, unlike programs that are closed down (and forgotten??!) while I am working on other things.

I archive these sheets in a small folder, and actually have them going right back to the first jobs I did in house, although in a different form.

[Edited at 2011-06-09 11:30 GMT]
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NMR (X)
NMR (X)
France
Local time: 22:49
French to Dutch
+ ...
Other (Thunderbird and Windows) Jun 9, 2011

I use the colours of Thunderbird. Red: to do, green: done, blue: purchase orders and other financial matters, violet: other but important, for instance contact details of a colleague.
Windows for organizing my files: a general "To be translated" directory, in which I open a directory for each new translation, giving it a number, starting each year from 001.
Once the files have been translated I move them into a "Clients 2011" directory.
Don't need anything else. I have a vey q
... See more
I use the colours of Thunderbird. Red: to do, green: done, blue: purchase orders and other financial matters, violet: other but important, for instance contact details of a colleague.
Windows for organizing my files: a general "To be translated" directory, in which I open a directory for each new translation, giving it a number, starting each year from 001.
Once the files have been translated I move them into a "Clients 2011" directory.
Don't need anything else. I have a vey quick turnover, so it shouldn't be too complicated, and I hate administrative work. If I had to use special software to keep track of my files, I would try out an Excel sheet first.

[Edited at 2011-06-09 11:54 GMT]
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Allison Wright (X)
Allison Wright (X)  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 21:49
Human resource Jun 9, 2011

Christine Andersen wrote:

I have never found any technology that beats a sheet of A4 turned to 'landscape view' with a grid on it.


I did make the transition from the paper-bound register to an Excel spreadsheet some years ago, but I am the one who manages it, not some software programme. Keeping it completely up-to-date at all times is essential.


 
Mindaugas Kiaupas
Mindaugas Kiaupas  Identity Verified
Member (2006)
English to Lithuanian
+ ...
Tom Solito Jun 9, 2011

I used to use paper and a pen, then moved to Excel sheet, however, after some investigation of the apps in question, I tried TOM (http://www.jovo-soft.de/solito_en.htm) some years ago, and now I cannot imagine how I would manage my projects, agencies, contacts, emails, finances, etc. without it. Sure I would manage somehow, however the extent of automation of the processes and the interconnection o... See more
I used to use paper and a pen, then moved to Excel sheet, however, after some investigation of the apps in question, I tried TOM (http://www.jovo-soft.de/solito_en.htm) some years ago, and now I cannot imagine how I would manage my projects, agencies, contacts, emails, finances, etc. without it. Sure I would manage somehow, however the extent of automation of the processes and the interconnection of the various parts of the program facilitates day-to-day business so much, that it became my main job related tool. I don't want this to sound as exaggeration, but there are only a few applications I am totally happy with and this one is surely among them.Collapse


 
jacana54 (X)
jacana54 (X)  Identity Verified
Uruguay
English to Spanish
+ ...
So relieved to see these replies! Jun 9, 2011

I use a lovely notebook given to me by a colleague to keep track of hours and words plus Google calender to remind myself of deadlines -- not that I need it, really (used to stick post-its on the sides of the screen until I realized that I wasn't looking at them). I keep all my used notebooks in reasonably neat pile.

And I organize my email much as others have mentioned, with different color tags (and folders) for different clients and leaving what is pending in my inbox.
... See more
I use a lovely notebook given to me by a colleague to keep track of hours and words plus Google calender to remind myself of deadlines -- not that I need it, really (used to stick post-its on the sides of the screen until I realized that I wasn't looking at them). I keep all my used notebooks in reasonably neat pile.

And I organize my email much as others have mentioned, with different color tags (and folders) for different clients and leaving what is pending in my inbox.

It's true, as Simon says, that Studio offers a feature for this, but I'm still not happy with Studio and so I don't open it every day.

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Monika Rozwarzewska
Monika Rozwarzewska  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:49
Member (2006)
English to Polish
+ ...
versions of Translation Office 3000 Jun 9, 2011

David Wright wrote:

I have one (translation office 3000) but it is so complex and so non-self-evident that I gave up on it.


I was very happy with Translation Office 3000 v7 but after having Windows 7 installed I discovered that v7 is not supported so I had to switch to v9. Indeed, it is a drug. It has so many unnecessary options and it is actually very difficult to use it so it makes my life very complicated.


 
Hilary Davies Shelby
Hilary Davies Shelby
United States
Local time: 16:49
German to English
+ ...
I put "no" Jun 9, 2011

But I DO use an Excel spreadsheet similar to others already mentioned. I've found the following columns most useful: Date Due/Client/Description/Source Word Count/Price per Unit/Total Price/Date Invoiced/Invoice Number

I keep it open on my desktop at all times, and highlight anything urgent or missing.


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 22:49
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Human Resources II Jun 9, 2011

Allison Wright wrote:

Christine Andersen wrote:

I have never found any technology that beats a sheet of A4 turned to 'landscape view' with a grid on it.


I did make the transition from the paper-bound register to an Excel spreadsheet some years ago, but I am the one who manages it, not some software programme. Keeping it completely up-to-date at all times is essential.


Excel is excellent for managing my translations. It works well...if kept up-to-date.


 
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Poll: As an individual freelance translator, do you use any translation management software?






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