ProZ.com Translation Forums

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | A comparison

Tomás Cano Binder, CT — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: Tomás Cano Binder, CT
Post title: A comparison

Imagine an architect asking: "Can I still get work as an architect with Linux?". Well, there are AutoCAD-like software for Linux, but AutoCAD does not exist for Linux. If your customers expect you to use AutoCAD to be part of their projects, then clearly Linux is not an option for you as an architect. Exactly the same as a translator. Your choice! :-)

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | Yes, Linux

esperantisto — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:01:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: esperantisto
Post title: Yes, Linux

I work in Linux and am asked about Trados very seldom, thus I can easily discard such jobs.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | reply

luke mersh — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:27:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: luke mersh
Post title: reply

Iwill make the most of it.
As I say I only have a few programs installed on it so it should not be too slow, plus its very portable.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | Netbook is a bad choice

boostrer — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:46:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: boostrer
Post title: Netbook is a bad choice

[quote]luke mersh wrote:

seems fine to me.
I have MS office 2003 and Sdl Trados 2009 installed on it.
I think for the purpose of translation work it fit the part.

As thats allI am going touse it for. [/quote]

Netbook may be too slow, e.g., if you have to translate complex tables with Trados 2007. Once I had to refuse from a project, because it took Trados about a minute to move to the next segment (at that time I had 1GHz computer).

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | reply

luke mersh — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:35:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: luke mersh
Post title: reply

seems fine to me.
I have MS office 2003 and Sdl Trados 2009 installed on it.
I think for the purpose of translation work it fit the part.

As thats allI am going touse it for.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | Either Netbook OR Trados

Rolf Keller — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: Rolf Keller
Post title: Either Netbook OR Trados

[quote]luke mersh wrote:
I am actually considering buying a netbook specifically for this work, with Trados and Office installed.
Please let me know your thoughts on this move. [/quote]

Screen definitely too small ( 1024 x 600?)
Speed not suffient
Memory & (probably) disk drive too small
Limited to Windows 7 Starter?

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | reply

luke mersh — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: luke mersh
Post title: reply

well I finally made the move.
I purchased an acer one netbook with MS office 2003 or 2007 can not remember which for the sole purpose of this work, I will install Trados maybe an older version and start practising with it.
I am hoping that soon I will become a paying member and start working with it in a professional way.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | Linux user myself

matt robinson — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:24:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: matt robinson
Post title: Linux user myself

Unfortunately there are many compatibility issues between open source software and the most frequently used and requested. (I am thinking OpenOffice/MS Office, for example) A document with the minimum of formatting beyond plain text may throw up errors, and I personally (after trying) have found it impossible to work without MS. That said I keep MS as a secondary OS in a virtual box within my linux system, and only run programs on it which I find essential for translating (Trados, Transit, etc.) I actually find it quite stable under those circumstances! I do not have internet connection with this OS and thus can avoid all the attack problems MS is prone to. I have to pass all docs. through a shared folder, but that only takes a few seconds. I run both OSs simultaneously. I have experimented with OmegaT but I would only use it for the most basic of projects, as I don't want any nasty surprises regarding compatibility and none of my clients have ever said that they use linux.
It's a pity but until some open source format has the lion's share of the market I think we will still have to bow to their superior strength.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | feedback

luke mersh — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: luke mersh
Post title: feedback

thanks for the info.
I am actually considering buying a netbook specifically for this work, with Trados and Office installed.
Please let me know your thoughts on this move.

Can still get work as a translator with linux? | Linux? Yes, but ...

Rolf Keller — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:14:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: Rolf Keller
Post title: Linux? Yes, but ...

[quote]luke mersh wrote:
if there are clients out there that do not need Trados, etc.
[/quote]

Yes, of course. Trados etc. is suitable for many texts but completely unsuitable for other ones. Actually I use Trados rather seldom. BUT I HAVE IT - that's the point.

[quote] Can anybody tell me that you can still get work as a translator with linux? [/quote]

Plain text (e. g. contracts or texts from publishers that are to be layouted later on) presents no problem. But if you get a source text with "strange" MS Office formatting, you might discover, that "OpenOffice is 100 % compatible" means "Sometimes OpenOffice is somewhat compatible".

Now look at the situation from a client's point of view. Or from a customer's secretary who has to get you to translate something. "Well, Mr Customer, I'll try to import your file into my OpenOffice. I hope this will work." [Thoughts: "Huh? I hate such technical discussions. What means 'import' anyway? Commissioning this guy might cause trouble and loss of time. Better choose a real translator."] "Oh, that's good, Mr Mersh. We'll contact you next week, bye bye."

OTOH, in the software industry there are some companies that work with Linux and boycott Microsoft. There you could find some customers, provided you are able/willing to translate their - often special - material.

But why don't you set up a virtual machine with Windows? "I want to make nice furniture but I hate to use saws and drills made from steel"? "

Can still get work as a translator with linux?

luke mersh — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:01:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Can still get work as a translator with linux?
Poster: luke mersh

I am a linux user and was wondering if there are clients out there that do not mind linux, and do not need Trados, etc.

Can anybody tell me that you can still get work as a translator with linux?

[Edited at 2012-03-14 13:33 GMT]

New on Linux, need some advise | Swordfish

Rodolfo Raya — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:50:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: Rodolfo Raya
Post title: Swordfish

[quote]opolt wrote:
The only real problem that I see with Swordfish is that it seems to be a one-man show, so there's always the risk that the program might disapppear from the market one day.
[/quote]

Not really.

[quote]
(Another problem that I've noticed is that S. calls home over the network upon starting, which will keep the interface from becoming available for one minute or so if you are not connected to the Internet at the time.)
[/quote]

The program checks for updates at startup. An Internet connection is desirable.

Regards,
Rodolfo

[Edited at 2012-01-24 12:58 GMT]

New on Linux, need some advise | WFP

Heinrich Pesch — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: Heinrich Pesch
Post title: WFP

[url removed]

Wordfast runs on Windows, Apple and Linux, as far as I know.

New on Linux, need some advise | or dual boot

gfichter — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:56:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: gfichter
Post title: or dual boot

The VMWare suggestion is a good one, and I use it all the time for other purposes, but it is expensive and you still need a Windows license for the virtual machine.

You could also create a dual-boot system with the same hardware and a new hard drive partition, and then you would have a native Windows installation. You still need the Windows license, of course.

If you use Linux most of the time, you can insert a floppy disk or USB key with a different boot setup when you want to boot into Windows. That might not even be necessary depending on your installation - you might be able to simply select from a menu when you boot up. Windows or Linux.

New on Linux, need some advise | Vmware

Martin Damiano Alcorta — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: Martin Damiano Alcorta
Post title: Vmware

I'd like to add here that you can use Vmware, a virtual machine software. It will let you install windows in Linux, it's like Windows will now be an application. Then, when you have windows, you can install in it any software like Trados, Across, Memoq. etc. I say give it a try, a lot of linux users do this in order to get access to software that is only available in windows.

Cheers!

Martín

VMWARE LINK: [url removed]

[Edited at 2012-01-21 15:38 GMT]

New on Linux, need some advise | Swordfish + Heartsome

opolt — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:04:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: opolt
Post title: Swordfish + Heartsome

Swordfish is maybe the best commercial CAT option available on Linux (judging from the tests that I have done):
[url removed]
The program has a support forum here on ProZ, where you'll get a quick reply in case of problems. The only real problem that I see with Swordfish is that it seems to be a one-man show, so there's always the risk that the program might disapppear from the market one day. (Another problem that I've noticed is that S. calls home over the network upon starting, which will keep the interface from becoming available for one minute or so if you are not connected to the Internet at the time.)

Another option is Heartsome, not quite as well-behaved and well supported IMHO, but with an interface quite similar to Swordfish and some interesting add-ons:
[url removed]

There should be trial version available for both of these.

There's also the free program Virtaal, which has a nice simple interface but does not seem to be an industrial-strength tool with all the bells and whistles:
[url removed]
Virtaal may be available as a preconfigured package from you distro.

Other interesting apps are QT linguist and poedit, these are both software localization editors.

If you are still at the beginning of your career as a translator and/or you are not more or less familiar with Linux, the OS might not be the right option for you, unless you have a powerful machine and are prepared to install a virtual machine to run Windows on it. Or maybe you could use a dual boot setup (installing Linux and Win in parallel on your HD). The reason is that many companies/agencies will require full MS Word compatibility, not to mention Trados etc.

So my advice would be not to switch to Linux 100% from the outset, but to migrate gradually over the years. You'll have to try things out to see what works for you and what doesn't, and a lot depends on the type of customers/documents you have to deal with.

Good luck.

[Edited at 2012-01-21 15:12 GMT]

[Edited at 2012-01-21 15:15 GMT]

New on Linux, need some advise | Start here:

esperantisto — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:38:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: esperantisto
Post title: Start here:

[url= [url removed] ] [url removed] [/url]

New on Linux, need some advise

Tristan Jimenez — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:04:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: New on Linux, need some advise
Poster: Tristan Jimenez

Hi,

I have been working as a freelance translator English-French for only a few months and I am currently using a laptop under Linux..

I have researched the internet for some translation programs that could be installed on Linux, but only found OmegaT.
I am not a computer genius and find it quite difficult to use...

Any suggestion on a nice translation software on Linux? I need to get quicker on my translations...

or maybe I should forget my computer and buy a new one with windows....

Many Thanks!

Tristan

Are you a Linux Translator?

luke mersh — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:32:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: luke mersh

HI there.
I am a linux user, i use opensuse 11.4 and i have successfully downloaded OmegaT, but I see that companies prefer Trados which i am trying to get to run on virtualbox.

Do companies accept OmegaT, what about if they specify Trados?

Are you a Linux Translator? | Not difficult

esperantisto — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: esperantisto
Post title: Not difficult

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

[quote]esperantisto wrote:
Using a virtual machine is overkill for a translator, leave it to software developers. [/quote]

Is it that difficult to use a virtual machine in Linux?
[/quote]

Not that it is very difficult, but it involves extra effort that could be spared for work or leisure. Besides, what's the point? With a VM, you work in Windows, not in Linux…

Are you a Linux Translator? | virtual machines are OK

Milos Prudek — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:44:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Milos Prudek
Post title: virtual machines are OK

[quote]
Is it that difficult to use a virtual machine in Linux?
[/quote]

It is easy. It is not the desired solution. I had a Linux desktop with Windows virtual machine for translation for quite a while. Since I spent almost all of my time in the virtual machine, the setup started to feel inconvenient.

I do not mind using the virtual machine from time to time. Using it 95% of the time is inconvenient.

Are you a Linux Translator? | Virtual maccchine

PROSGR — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:16:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: PROSGR
Post title: Virtual maccchine

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

[quote]esperantisto wrote:
Using a virtual machine is overkill for a translator, leave it to software developers. [/quote]

Is it that difficult to use a virtual machine in Linux?
[/quote]
Not at all!
It's the best way to handle all these problematic applications (trados and company)
that don't behave well when installed together.
Let's suppose that your clients need Tag Editor, and Trados 2009 SP3...
I keep all these beasts each one in his own cage (virtual machine) and the only thing i have to do
to solve the occasional problem is to revert the machine.

Even for win users, this is the way to go!

Are you a Linux Translator? | Virtual machine

Samuel Murray — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:53:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: Virtual machine

[quote]esperantisto wrote:
Using a virtual machine is overkill for a translator, leave it to software developers. [/quote]

Is it that difficult to use a virtual machine in Linux?

Are you a Linux Translator? | WFP

Samuel Murray — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: WFP

[quote]Milos Prudek wrote:
[quote]Rodolfo Raya wrote:
Swordfish supports all you are asking for. [/quote]
How does Wordfast Pro compare to Swordfish? [/quote]

WFP does not do TTX (as a bilingual file).

WFP can read TTX and translate it, after converting it to its own format, in a similar way to how Trados 2009 would do it... but if your TTX file is not fully pre-translated, WFP can't handle it. If the TTX file is non-pre-translated, WFP will show no segments. If it is partially translated and not fully pre-segmented, WFP will only show the segments that are currently translated.

Can Swordfish read TMW memories?

Swordfish's support for TTX isn't optimal either. If the TTX file is partially translated, Swordfish will retain the translations but will pre-segment the other segments and copy their source texts into them, so when you save the TTX file after having translated just a few segments, all segments will be "translated" in the TTX file (most of them with their source texts). At least with Swordfish the TTX doesn't have to be pre-segmented before you can use it -- Swordfish segments it itself.

OmegaT can also handle TTX files... in a way. You can read about it here:
[url removed]

None of these three tools mentioned can handle TTX like Trados can, though.

[Edited at 2011-05-07 17:07 GMT]

Are you a Linux Translator? | Swordfish and alternatives

Milos Prudek — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Milos Prudek
Post title: Swordfish and alternatives

[quote]Rodolfo Raya wrote:
Swordfish supports all you are asking for.
Regards,
Rodolfo [/quote]

Thanks for the input. I am evaluating it. How does Wordfast Pro compare to Swordfish?

Are you a Linux Translator? | Swordfish is it.

Rafa Lombardino — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:18:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Rafa Lombardino
Post title: Swordfish is it.

[quote]Rodolfo Raya wrote:

Swordfish supports all you are asking for.

Regards,
Rodolfo [/quote]

Totally agree. That's what we've been using in our offices for a couple of years now. The best part of it is that our colleagues who didn't switch to Linux and are still using Windows or Macs can use Swordfish as well ;-)

Are you a Linux Translator? | Word is no big problem actually

esperantisto — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:06:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: esperantisto
Post title: Word is no big problem actually

[quote]sadly you'll have to live with some MS Word and Trados incompatibility[/quote]

Obviously, if Trados is critical, Linux is no-go. However, MS Word can be used with wine and Crossover Linux. Word 2000 runs perfectly, Word XP, 2003, and 2007 run mostly (meaning that most of their functionality is available).

Using a virtual machine is overkill for a translator, leave it to software developers.

Are you a Linux Translator? | The problem is MS Word compatibility

opolt — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:45:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: opolt
Post title: The problem is MS Word compatibility

Hi Milos, if you're serious about jumping on the bandwagon :-), sadly you'll have to live with some MS Word and Trados incompatibility, which is the main problem when becoming a "Linux translator", I believe (though there's always the possibility to get the best of both worlds by running a Windows installation inside a virtual machine on top of Linux).

WRT your specific points, at least officially the first three are not a problem -- at least according to the claims of the makers of Swordfish and Heartsome, which are AFAIK the only two serious, native commercial CAT offerings on Linux. But personally I can't claim that I have tested these features, I only had a rather brief look at them during the test period of each (one month).

My recommendation would always be to stick to Windows first, via double booting or some kind of emulation/virtualization, and install/test things on the go; if you jump right in, it's likely there will be some disruption to your workflow.

Just my 2 €cents, good luck!

Are you a Linux Translator? | Swordfish is compatible with Trados

Rodolfo Raya — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:34:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Rodolfo Raya
Post title: Swordfish is compatible with Trados

[quote]Milos Prudek wrote:

What Linux CAT will give me:
- ability to read and write TTX seamlessly
- ability to read and write TMX
- integrated glossary
- Longest Substring Concordance (displaying longer or frequently appearing expressions as a translation result)

[/quote]

Swordfish supports all you are asking for.

Regards,
Rodolfo

Are you a Linux Translator? | About to dive into Linux

Milos Prudek — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:09:00 +0000

Forum: Linux OS / Free software
Topic: Are you a Linux Translator?
Poster: Milos Prudek
Post title: About to dive into Linux

Hi,

I am about to ditch Trados and dive into translating with CAT in Linux. I have a very strong Linux experience but I was afraid to use Linux for translating, mainly due to Trados compatility issues. What Linux CAT will give me:
- ability to read and write TTX seamlessly
- ability to read and write TMX
- integrated glossary
- Longest Substring Concordance (displaying longer or frequently appearing expressions as a translation result)