Beware of TRADOS dongle eaters (or the like)
Thread poster: Detlef Eberwein
Detlef Eberwein
Detlef Eberwein  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 23:32
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

(dispuesto a traducirlo al castellano, por si acaso)

Collapse


 
Guiri
Guiri
Spain
Local time: 23:32
Spanish to English
Mar 22, 2002

I\'d recheck very carefully with an expert the small print of the insurance policy. A dongle, I presume can be considered as a necessary piece of hardware needed for a certain application. From what you are saying the insurers accept their liability under the policy for other losses suffered. It won\'t be the first time the trick has been tried. A letter from a lawyer might make them reconsider.

 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Beware of TRADOS dongle eaters (or the like)






TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »
Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »