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Poll: When translating/proofing a .pdf or other image file, I arrange the source and target
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Oct 2, 2009

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When translating/proofing a .pdf or other image file, I arrange the source and target".

This poll was originally submitted by Kathryn Litherland

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, s
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When translating/proofing a .pdf or other image file, I arrange the source and target".

This poll was originally submitted by Kathryn Litherland

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 21:23
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Oct 2, 2009

I tell prospective clients with PDF files and images to find another monkey.
I don't consider formatting and image adjustment etc part of my translator's brief at basic rates. Here is a sample format reminder I send to clients.
Sorry, this time it's only in Spanish:
Estimado Cliente:
Quisiera recordarle que los documentos en formato PDF y los demás formatos protegidos impiden la modificación de los mismos con agilidad, y por ello, le rogamos que, siempre que sea posib
... See more
I tell prospective clients with PDF files and images to find another monkey.
I don't consider formatting and image adjustment etc part of my translator's brief at basic rates. Here is a sample format reminder I send to clients.
Sorry, this time it's only in Spanish:
Estimado Cliente:
Quisiera recordarle que los documentos en formato PDF y los demás formatos protegidos impiden la modificación de los mismos con agilidad, y por ello, le rogamos que, siempre que sea posible, nos entregue los documentos a traducir/revisar en formato Word o compatible, sin proteger, a fin de poder ofrecer un servicio más rápido y eficaz.
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keelin feeney
keelin feeney  Identity Verified
Ireland
Local time: 20:23
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
A mix of 2 Oct 2, 2009

With all files that I translate, I have a copy of the source file on my laptop on the right side of my PC, while I translate on the PC.

If I get a pdf. file, I make sure that it is not protected (and if it is, requested an unprotected copy) and then use the Zamzar tool on the internet to convert it to an rtf. which is just like a Word file. Then I start translating directing onto the rtf. and have a copy of the pdf. source to my right on the laptop.


 
Tamás Donát
Tamás Donát  Identity Verified
Hungary
Local time: 21:23
English to Hungarian
Dual monitor Oct 2, 2009

I prefer using another monitor, usually attached to a notebook computer. Then you have 2 full screens for working. It might be very practical.

 
Rachael Alexander
Rachael Alexander
Italy
Local time: 21:23
Italian to English
+ ...
both Oct 2, 2009

I sometimes use the dual screen method (especially for lengthy docs) but I always print a copy of the source text anyway. I just find it easier to read than on the monitor. It comes in handy too for any tricky parts; I can just sit back and re-read the paragraph until I'm sure.

 
Tim Drayton
Tim Drayton  Identity Verified
Cyprus
Local time: 22:23
Turkish to English
+ ...
printout Oct 2, 2009

I always work from printouts unless I am dealing with very simple texts like e-mails or short diplomas (in which case I arrange one text above the other, in either order). I do not use CAT software and like to make notes and annotations on the printout as I am working.

 
Ricardo Pereira
Ricardo Pereira  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 20:23
Member (2006)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Print Oct 2, 2009

I print both the source and target texts. I tend to get my eyes tired from staring at the monitor and when that happens sometimes some errors can pass unseen... I feel more comfortable working with paper.

 
Angela Dickson (X)
Angela Dickson (X)  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:23
French to English
+ ...
Hybrid Oct 2, 2009

I use two monitors, and have the PDF source on the right-hand monitor in portrait mode (my secondary monitor has a swivel function, which is very useful!).

If the PDF is amenable to the task, I will convert it to .doc format using Abbyy PDF Transformer, but I keep the original PDF in view on the right because the conversion is never 100% perfect.

I do consider basic formatting to be part of my task, though I leave complex DTP to the experts. I know my clients well enoug
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I use two monitors, and have the PDF source on the right-hand monitor in portrait mode (my secondary monitor has a swivel function, which is very useful!).

If the PDF is amenable to the task, I will convert it to .doc format using Abbyy PDF Transformer, but I keep the original PDF in view on the right because the conversion is never 100% perfect.

I do consider basic formatting to be part of my task, though I leave complex DTP to the experts. I know my clients well enough to be sure that if an editable version were available they would send it to me. Conversion/formatting takes a little time but this is more than compensated for by the time I can save by using a CAT tool on the converted text.
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Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:23
Member (2004)
English to Italian
?? Oct 2, 2009

This must be the most boring poll ever...

 
Latin_Hellas (X)
Latin_Hellas (X)
United States
Local time: 21:23
Italian to English
+ ...
Other - Conversion Oct 2, 2009

There are some pretty powerful conversion tools nowadays that can convert just about anything to Word or other editable programs.

I try to use as little paper as possible.


 
jacana54 (X)
jacana54 (X)  Identity Verified
Uruguay
English to Spanish
+ ...
Not boring Oct 2, 2009

I am always amazed by how different other people's desktops look and how we all train or adapt our computers to suit our tastes.

In this particular case, our different CAT tools probably have different default arrangements, but it's fun to see the results anyway.

I usually have the source text on top for translation, but sometimes I use a second monitor. Printing would be way too expensive and I hate to think of all those trees being cut down.

Have a goo
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I am always amazed by how different other people's desktops look and how we all train or adapt our computers to suit our tastes.

In this particular case, our different CAT tools probably have different default arrangements, but it's fun to see the results anyway.

I usually have the source text on top for translation, but sometimes I use a second monitor. Printing would be way too expensive and I hate to think of all those trees being cut down.

Have a good day, everyone!

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Interlangue (X)
Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 21:23
English to French
+ ...
??? Names Oct 2, 2009

Latin_Hellas wrote:

There are some pretty powerful conversion tools nowadays that can convert just about anything to Word or other editable programs.

I try to use as little paper as possible.


Do they even convert scans made up in .pdf image files? In any language? For "security reasons" those "images" are the only format I get from one major client and, for 150 page tables of 19 colums, most of them filled with numbers and other references, such a tool would come in handy. My converter is no use there.
If you know of such a converter, please, spread the good news (with name(s))!

[Modifié le 2009-10-02 12:35 GMT]

[Modifié le 2009-10-02 12:35 GMT]


 
Rustam Shafikov
Rustam Shafikov  Identity Verified
Kazakhstan
Local time: 01:23
Member (2009)
English to Russian
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
Recognition software? Oct 2, 2009

Well - why don't you just use image recognition software? That's the most convenient way to translate such files.

 
Amy Duncan (X)
Amy Duncan (X)  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 16:23
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Actually, I find it fascinating! Oct 2, 2009

Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL wrote:

This must be the most boring poll ever...


I say this because so far no one does this the way I do, and I am in the lowest percentile. I never would have dreamed of checking my work in the way people have suggested so far.

Here is what I do and have always done:

I put up the PDF original on my screen, and open my Word translation on top of it (I reduce its size, of course), and away I go...


 
Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 21:23
French to English
+ ...
Dual-monitor configuration works best... Oct 2, 2009

...but there is one interesting trick to it. I put the big secondary monitor about 0.5 m behind my laptop, slightly higher. This way, you get to re-focus your eyes back and forth while editing, which is an excellent exercise for your eyes, resulting in much less eye fatigue.


[Edited at 2009-10-02 14:06 GMT]


 
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Poll: When translating/proofing a .pdf or other image file, I arrange the source and target






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