| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How many CAT tools do you use? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | Frits Ens
Netherlands
Local time: 03:33
Member (2006)
English to Dutch
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A stunning 20 something percentage of participants of this quick poll indicates they do not use any CAT.
I seriously ask what kind of translators they are, or what kind of subject matter they are translating and in what quantities.
Unless you are translating literature (and even then) or poetry, a CAT can be sooo useful.
So anybody out there without a CAT, can you tell me why you choose not to use one?
| | | | | Strange enough! | Aug 12, 2008 |
I was surprised to see this result as well!When I suggested this poll, I thought about the possibility of translators not using CAT tools, but I didn't think the percentage would be so high!!
...Although it's probably true that those who actually don't use them work in the literary field!
I'd be thrilled to know your opinions!
Romina
| | | | lillkakan
Local time: 03:33
English to Swedish
| Not so strange | Aug 12, 2008 |
The fact that plenty of translators don't use CAT tools has been covered by several polls, some very recent ones as well. If you're interested I suggest reading the old poll forum threads.
Personally I have 6 or 7 CAT tools installed on my computer currently, but I only have a paid copy of Trados/SDLX which I use alongside Wordfast as my main tool. The free versions of the other ones are quite enough for my needs. I keep all of them because regular clients of mine employ different ... See more The fact that plenty of translators don't use CAT tools has been covered by several polls, some very recent ones as well. If you're interested I suggest reading the old poll forum threads.
Personally I have 6 or 7 CAT tools installed on my computer currently, but I only have a paid copy of Trados/SDLX which I use alongside Wordfast as my main tool. The free versions of the other ones are quite enough for my needs. I keep all of them because regular clients of mine employ different systems and with a few conversion tools and external glossary management tools, it's not that much of a hassle to use different programs. ▲ Collapse
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savaria (X)
Hungary
Local time: 03:33
English to Hungarian
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| How about MemoQ? | Aug 12, 2008 |
I use MemoQ.Anyone else out there ?
| | | | Henry Hinds 
United States
Local time: 19:33
English to Spanish
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In memoriam
There are no CATS at my place except for the one that hangs out in front of my office.
Reasons:
1.- 37 years of experience.
2.- An excellent memory, except for "where did I put my glasses?"
3.- An overall mistrust of tools (a sudden desire to shoot my computer whenever it does something dirty on me); after all, I worked with pencil and paper for 15 years.
4.- Heaviest work (measured by the kilo) consisting of paper documents.
5.- A lot of variety... See more There are no CATS at my place except for the one that hangs out in front of my office.
Reasons:
1.- 37 years of experience.
2.- An excellent memory, except for "where did I put my glasses?"
3.- An overall mistrust of tools (a sudden desire to shoot my computer whenever it does something dirty on me); after all, I worked with pencil and paper for 15 years.
4.- Heaviest work (measured by the kilo) consisting of paper documents.
5.- A lot of variety in my work.
6.- A large file containing texts from former jobs that is repeated, and can be found.
7.- Excellent production, efficiency and quality the way I am now.
8.- A mentality that has said: "Don´t send me work anybody can do, send me work nobody can do" for 37 years.
Plus, I enjoy my work as it is now. With CATS I don't think I would enjoy it, but then again I have never tried it. I wouldn't mind just checking it out to see how it works, but it must also be remembered that curiosity killed the CAT. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 21:33
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
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| No CAT here either | Aug 12, 2008 |
Too restrictive on style. I do not translate sentence by sentence.
Too expensive.
Too many errors and compatibility problems.
There is little repetition in the work I do.
There is no industry standard. Which tool to buy?
However, if Trados would lower its price to under $100 and fix all the bugs and errors, I may think about trying it.
[Edited at 2008-08-12 18:06]
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Hi there,
I use the SDL Trados 2006/2007 suites (Trados and SDLX) and SDL Passolo.
I also have Transit 3.0 Satellite PE, DVX Editor and Catalyst 7.0 Translator/Lite Edition installed, but I haven't used them much yet.
Groetjes,
Evelyn
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lexical
Spain
Local time: 03:33
Portuguese to English
| other way round, Henry | Aug 12, 2008 |
Henry Hinds wrote:
I wouldn't mind just checking it out to see how it works, but it must also be remembered that curiosity killed the CAT.
Although I am a Trados user, bearing in mind the limitations CAT tools place on your freedom of working, it could also be said that "the CAT killed curiosity".
| | | | Yaotl Altan
Mexico
Local time: 19:33
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
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Jeff Whittaker wrote:
..
There is no industry standard. Which tool to buy?
I support Henry's and Jeff's comments.
TRADOS could be an option but it's too expensive and complicated. Have you ever read its manual?
I am open to CATs in the future. Are their firms open to lower their costs?
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I am with Henry and Jeff! It's better to rely on your memory and train it good than letting some machine take over and let your brain deteriorate.
[Edited at 2008-08-12 19:39]
| | | | Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 22:33
Portuguese to English
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| None for me, either | Aug 12, 2008 |
Jeff Whittaker wrote:
Too restrictive on style. I do not translate sentence by sentence.
Too expensive.
Too many errors and compatibility problems.
There is little repetition in the work I do.
There is no industry standard. Which tool to buy?
However, if Trados would lower its price to under $100 and fix all the bugs and errors, I may think about trying it.
[Edited at 2008-08-12 18:06]
Couldn't have said it better myself! Except I'd add that Trados should be Mac compatible.
Amy
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Rolf Kern
Switzerland
Local time: 03:33
English to German
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In memoriam | CAT does not comply with reality | Aug 12, 2008 |
I do not use CAT because the main problem in translating is to guess what the author actually wanted to say. No software can discharge you from this difficult job.
| | | | Mara Ballarini
Australia
Local time: 11:33
Member (2006)
English to Italian
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| 2 - 3 but one in particular | Aug 12, 2008 |
I mainly use trados, but have and sometimes use wordfast and sdlx.
If it's not a requirement by the agency, I do tend to use a CAT tool anyway, because I've now got so used to them. In this case I generally choose Trados since I've become so familiar with it and have been building memories and glossaries for a while, which are extremely useful!!!
| | | | Vera Wilson
France
Local time: 03:33
Member (2006)
English to German
+ ...
| I use wordfast..call me a Mac Snob, if you like.. | Aug 12, 2008 |
Just using the basic functions of a CAT tool like wordfast is so efficient, increases your TM, and doesn't block experience or the ability of working in all sorts of different fields at all. Just think of a text in a special field you have been translating a year ago (...or 25 years, in Henry's case ) for the same client. Honestly, do you recall exactly the term you chose then? And maybe you used two or even more expressions for o... See more Just using the basic functions of a CAT tool like wordfast is so efficient, increases your TM, and doesn't block experience or the ability of working in all sorts of different fields at all. Just think of a text in a special field you have been translating a year ago (...or 25 years, in Henry's case ) for the same client. Honestly, do you recall exactly the term you chose then? And maybe you used two or even more expressions for one term in a different context? With a CAT tool it only takes a mouse click.
Each time, I cannot use my CAT Tool (because of working on odd formats, online platforms), I regret it.
I have seen Trados, but I am quite happy to just work with wordfast, even if I cannot quote for some jobs. It is just the right price, I have reinstalled it several times, and there is a really nice community out there. And - thanks for the proz.com Kudoz forum too, even if this is all "manual TM". Just imagine, how many terms are added each day. ▲ Collapse
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