software required Thread poster: alibo (X)
|
|---|
alibo (X)
Local time: 11:13
Portuguese to English
+ ...
What software would you recommend for a freelance translator starting up again after many years. I have Microsoft Word - what else would i need? Also, a fax with scanner...anything else? Thanks so much!
| | | | Kevin Fulton 
United States
Local time: 11:13
German to English
| Other MS products, OCR, graphics editing software | Jan 31, 2008 |
You may also need Excel and PowerPoint, as frequently translators are asked to use these programs. Excel is also useful for compiling simple glossaries without having to learn a serious database program. Xbench is a free program that's useful for managing multiple glossaries.
A graphics editing program such as PaintShop Pro or Photoshop Elements would be helpful for doing call outs / labels on an image. There are freeware/shareware utilities available for graphics editing, so you m... See more You may also need Excel and PowerPoint, as frequently translators are asked to use these programs. Excel is also useful for compiling simple glossaries without having to learn a serious database program. Xbench is a free program that's useful for managing multiple glossaries.
A graphics editing program such as PaintShop Pro or Photoshop Elements would be helpful for doing call outs / labels on an image. There are freeware/shareware utilities available for graphics editing, so you may want to try an inexpensive alternative.
You may eventually want to get a CAT tool, so optical character recognition software such as OmniPage, ABBYY Fine Reader or Able2Extract might be useful.
It's generally better to become familiar with a software package before actually having to work with it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Stephen Franke
United States
Local time: 08:13
English to Arabic
+ ...
| MS Office XP or 2003 versus 2007. Add Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Standard or Professional (full suite) | Feb 1, 2008 |
Greetings.
If I may add to those good suggestions of "productivity software:"
Use those MS Office application (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) available in either their XP or 2003 version. Both versions will remain in wider service for several years until MS Office 2007 (later) becomes more common worldwide.
The encoding and features of MS Office 2007 will recognize, open and display files formatted in those earlier versions, but not the other way ***unless**... See more Greetings.
If I may add to those good suggestions of "productivity software:"
Use those MS Office application (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) available in either their XP or 2003 version. Both versions will remain in wider service for several years until MS Office 2007 (later) becomes more common worldwide.
The encoding and features of MS Office 2007 will recognize, open and display files formatted in those earlier versions, but not the other way ***unless*** when you go to the"SELECT AS" file phase, you scroll down the list and then select the proper other / earlier format and save the file in that.
So, if you create a file in Word 2007 and send that to someone whose computer has an earlier version, the recipient may have difficulty opening that file in MS Word 2007 format. I undersand that Microsoft offers a compatability converter MS PowerPoint 2007 - XP / 2003, but I don't know about MS Word.
Also, buy and install a full version of Adobe Acrobat (AA 8.0 is the current build), either Standard or Professional, so you can covert MS Word files into PDF. Installing AA will add a dongle to your MS Word desktop frame (appears usually in the upper left corner) so you can easily select that option to re-format your file while you're working inside MS Word.
If your computer's OS is MS Windows XP (with no slight intended or implied against other OS out there), your computer should provided you with fine operation for the next 3-5 years.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Stephen H. Franke
English - Arabic, Kurdish, and Persian
San Pedro, California
(Late of Riyadh, KSA)
[Edited at 2008-02-01 00:43]
[Edited at 2008-02-01 00:44] ▲ Collapse
| | | | NMR (X)
France
Local time: 17:13
French to Dutch
+ ...
| Excel and Powerpoint | Feb 1, 2008 |
Minimum: Excel, Powerpoint, Acrobat Reader (the free version), WinZip, an ADSL internet connexion and an e-mail program (Outlook or another one). And subscribe to the antivirus option of your internet provider.
Optional: a CAT (test the trial versions before you purchase one), and a desktop search tool (such as Copernic) just for making your life easier.
If you have money: another CAT, and a second PC with an internet connexion, just for the case everything is going wro... See more Minimum: Excel, Powerpoint, Acrobat Reader (the free version), WinZip, an ADSL internet connexion and an e-mail program (Outlook or another one). And subscribe to the antivirus option of your internet provider.
Optional: a CAT (test the trial versions before you purchase one), and a desktop search tool (such as Copernic) just for making your life easier.
If you have money: another CAT, and a second PC with an internet connexion, just for the case everything is going wrong.
And basic knowledge of these office tools! Some time ago, I subcontracted a small translation to another translator, and she just typed her translation in a new document: she didn't know that she could (and should!) use the original and save it under another name... ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Margreet Logmans (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 17:13
English to Dutch
+ ...
| Article Knowledgebase | Feb 1, 2008 |
Have you tried searching the Article Knowledgebase here on ProZ?
You can find it under the tab 'Community' at the top left side of the page.
In the section 'Getting Established' you will find some articles on this. And a lot more you'll probably find interesting.
I would like to add a comment of agreement with NMR: even the best tools won't help you if you don't know how to use them. Most of them have help files or (online) tutorials - make sure to read these at least on... See more Have you tried searching the Article Knowledgebase here on ProZ?
You can find it under the tab 'Community' at the top left side of the page.
In the section 'Getting Established' you will find some articles on this. And a lot more you'll probably find interesting.
I would like to add a comment of agreement with NMR: even the best tools won't help you if you don't know how to use them. Most of them have help files or (online) tutorials - make sure to read these at least once before you start accepting assignments.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » software required | 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 » |
| | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
