https://www.proz.com/forum/translator_resources/1884-beware_of_trados_dongle_eaters_or_the_like.html

Beware of TRADOS dongle eaters (or the like)
Thread poster: Detlef Eberwein
Detlef Eberwein
Detlef Eberwein  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 08:13
Spanish to German
+ ...
Mar 21, 2002

I wanted to share an experience. I’ve been a freelance translator for more than twenty years. And I used a computer quite early, I think [if there is anybody who remembers, my first machine was a Commodore 8032 – 32 kB RAM, imagine! -, software something like WordPro 4+ or so (nothing to do with Lotus, as far as I know)]. I always used to pay for my software despite of the “Aren’t you crazy” questions of my friends (I’ve known people who didn’t even bother to pay for [Win]Zip which... See more
I wanted to share an experience. I’ve been a freelance translator for more than twenty years. And I used a computer quite early, I think [if there is anybody who remembers, my first machine was a Commodore 8032 – 32 kB RAM, imagine! -, software something like WordPro 4+ or so (nothing to do with Lotus, as far as I know)]. I always used to pay for my software despite of the “Aren’t you crazy” questions of my friends (I’ve known people who didn’t even bother to pay for [Win]Zip which they used every day), including the corresponding updates (somewhat later, I think, when I changed to IBM [or compatible] my first version of Word was 1.x or so, wasn’t that the Middle Ages?). And I can’t recall the number of updates I paid for just for this program.

But you’re never that safe. I acquired Trados a while ago, plus, later, an update to the latest version 5, if my memory doesn’t deceive me (should be about 1,300 Euros altogether). I’m not quite sure of that because I delayed its installation – until there was the fire. I mean, I real fire that destroyed about everything there was in my office. I won’t talk about true losses, that’s a few books in the first place, of course (something like a first edition of Borrow’s “Bible in Spain” among others), but there also was a Trados dongle melted down to I don’t know what.

My insurance say they won’t pay for a license because a license is a right which can’t burn, and I can understand their point of view. Trados, however, have another point of view – they say: no dongle, no license. The dongle is the license. Leave out some hours of telephone conversations to Stuttgart or Madrid, I just did it ‘cause I had to. I acquired a second full license, again for almost 1,000 Euros. Any hints at what I’ve done wrong? Just for the next time, I mean (which, of course, I hope will never happen – what’s more, I sincerely hope it will never happen to any of you).

Detlef

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Katalin Horváth McClure
Katalin Horváth McClure  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 02:13
Member (2002)
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Dongle exchange impossible? Mar 28, 2002

I was just wondering what would Trados say if you offered to send them the melted dongle and asked for an exchange. The dongle is a piece of hardware which can get damaged for a number of reasons, including simple malfunctioning without your misuse. I think their technical support should include a free exchange of the dongle in case something like this happens.

They should not be worried about you pirating their software (which is the idea behind the whole dongle-business), as you are
... See more
I was just wondering what would Trados say if you offered to send them the melted dongle and asked for an exchange. The dongle is a piece of hardware which can get damaged for a number of reasons, including simple malfunctioning without your misuse. I think their technical support should include a free exchange of the dongle in case something like this happens.

They should not be worried about you pirating their software (which is the idea behind the whole dongle-business), as you are not asking for a SECOND dongle that you would use in addition to your original - your original is useless.

If you have the melted artifact, I suggest you to try again, and get an exchange, so you would have the 2 useful copies of Trados.

Please let me know what happens - I am about to purchase Trados, I would like to know how they react!

Thanks

Katalin H. McClure

[email protected]
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jccantrell
jccantrell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 23:13
Member (2005)
German to English
go back to the insurance Mar 28, 2002

I am in the USA, so it might not apply where you are.



I would try to make a case that your insurance company should replace the hardware item (i.e., the dongle) that came with the program. As that costs as much as the program, problem solved. Forget about licences, go for what the insurance company understands, something they can touch. Find that bit of melted plastic and circuitry and put in a claim on that.



Hope this works. I know I would claim the max
... See more
I am in the USA, so it might not apply where you are.



I would try to make a case that your insurance company should replace the hardware item (i.e., the dongle) that came with the program. As that costs as much as the program, problem solved. Forget about licences, go for what the insurance company understands, something they can touch. Find that bit of melted plastic and circuitry and put in a claim on that.



Hope this works. I know I would claim the maximum and would not put up with crap about licences with hot plastic in MY hand.



Good luck.
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Beware of TRADOS dongle eaters (or the like)


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