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Which are the most recommended CAT Tools?
Thread poster: Imran Haq
Dan Lucas
Dan Lucas  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:59
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
Yes, really Oct 10, 2016

Dr Howard Camm wrote:
" Worth the investment" - Would this be the same SDL TRADOS which completely ignores all Apple Mac users in not offering a Mac version?

For the 90% of people who use Windows on the desktop, how does the absence of an Apple version make SDL Studio not, as you imply, "worth the investment"? OSX and other Apple systems have a 10% share of the market and probably half of those licenses are used in graphics/publishing or education. It's a business decision on SDL's part, and a smart one.

I encourage SDL to put their development efforts into improving Studio - e.g. more intelligent autosuggest, more adaptable interface, an aligner that actually works, more accessible scripting/macros - rather than diverting resources to the creation of an Apple version. After all, OSX users can buy Parallels.

Dan


 
Jeff Whittaker
Jeff Whittaker  Identity Verified
United States
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Member (2002)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Most recommended CAT tool Oct 10, 2016



[Edited at 2016-10-10 15:03 GMT]


 
Lingua 5B
Lingua 5B  Identity Verified
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 19:59
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English to Croatian
+ ...
CPU. Oct 10, 2016

LegalTransform wrote:



[Edited at 2016-10-10 15:03 GMT]


What a lovely CPU. What brand is it?


 
CafeTran Training (X)
CafeTran Training (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 19:59
Parallels Oct 10, 2016

Dan Lucas wrote:

I encourage SDL to put their development efforts into improving Studio - e.g. more intelligent autosuggest, more adaptable interface, an aligner that actually works, more accessible scripting/macros - rather than diverting resources to the creation of an Apple version. After all, OSX users can buy Parallels.

Dan


That's a very good suggestion, Dan! Thank you for that.

Indeed, users of a Mac can install Parallels to run Windows programs. Alternatively, they can use VMware Fusion or Virtual Box (free) to do the same. Some Windows programs will even run on Wine/CrossOver*).

As you know, there are some very good CAT tools that run on Java and can be used on OS X. They are fully**) compatible with the famous CAT tools and some of them can even create return packages for these tools.

So why would any very experienced professional translator use another CAT tool than the market dominating ones? Isn't that an interesting question?

*) CrossOver is a Microsoft Windows compatibility layer available for macOS and Linux. This compatibility layer enables many Windows-based applications to run on macOS or Linux operating systems. CrossOver is developed by CodeWeavers and based on Wine.

**) Except for tracked changes .


 
MamaG
MamaG  Identity Verified
United States
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Member (2013)
French to English
+ ...
Nothing lost and a lot gained Oct 10, 2016

Max Luo wrote:

In my opinion, SmartCAT is the best choice for you. As opposed to Trados and MemoQ, SmartCAT is free, it is easy to use, it supports SDL's filese and it has it's own marketplace. It's not just a CAT tool, it is a platform, where clients from all over the world can choose between the 70k+ translators and find the most suitable one. So you not only have a chance to use an advanced CAT tool for free, you can also get a job from one of the SmartCAT client's. You can follow the link below:
https://www.smartcat.ai/?utm_source=f_2093677&utm_medium=f_


I am testing out SmartCAT right now (nothing lost - it's free - and so far, a lot gained!).

What I like so far:
Easy to get started
Very intuitive for a user with a lower-tech preference who does not need or want as many confusing bells and whistles as Trados has
Mostly easy to find the features you want (so you do not become lost in “exotic” and mysterious features most of us would never use) and the icons are very universal, so it is easy to “guess” where to find how to do something usually, and it does not take long to find things.
Free for freelancers at basic level but extra features that CAN be bought are very reasonable $-wise
Support is fantastic, responsive, personal
Networking/helper group is getting started https://forum.smartcat.ai/topic/27-what-is-smartcat-friends/#comment-42
and there is a Facebook group, in addition to customer support (for which, again, you are not charged!)
Online backup is quick on translated segments
Everything “stayed put” on my screen as if my network connection had not just died (like it does periodically, as-yet-unsolved problem), so I was not losing my translation or having software problems due to my own network or Windows problems.
Does not gobble up chunks of my hard disk drive (everything is in the cloud), leaving space on my computer for other things and allowing my computer to run faster
Can use MT in conjunction if you want (disclaimer: if simple, boring, small-phrases repetitive text where client does not mind [re: security issues!] and you can benefit from a pretranslation “draft”) for very low $
Sizes of all the windows can be adjusted easily to maximize the space you spend the most time on.
Many small unobtrusive help signs that float over features and seem to “know what you are trying to do” but appear just long enough to inform without your having to actually “worry about how to get rid of them” – helpful but not intrusive, which is great
Search and replace is easy, so if you change your mind about what term to use, you can go back and check previous instances of it…the system then goes back and picks up where you left off before you went search-and-replacing.
You can do global search and replaces, as well. And you can UN-do it.

There are not too many things I don't like, and these are minor interface-related things, and I have brought them up with support. As I said above, they are responsive. Something that is really important when you have to get a quality job out by a deadline and you run into some kind of CAT problem...hope this helps.


 
Michael Beijer
Michael Beijer  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:59
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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at your service! Oct 10, 2016

Michael Wetzel wrote:

I half agree with Dan: Try out Trados and then try out everything else if you are unsatisfied or curious.

On the other hand, there are also very different KINDS of tools:
I got started with Wordfast Classic (one of the Word add-on examples listed by DZiW) and think it is great. I also own Wordfast Pro (a Trados-type CAT tool), but have never gotten around to trying it out, even though I paid one or two hundred euros to get both licenses at the same time.
There are also online tools and company-specific tools as well as task-specific tools for translating certain types of source material (websites, for example).

So, if you want to get an overview, then start with DZiW's list. (And Michael Beijer recently compiled a list of online tools somewhere in the forums.) If you already know that you are going to be working for agencies and are looking to save time, then just try out the industry standard (Trados) and stick with it until you have a good reason not to.



see my post titled: "updated list of ALL online/web-based CAT tools currently available!" @ http://www.proz.com/forum/cat_tools_technical_help/306817-making_a_comprehensive_list_of_all_online_cat_tools_currently_available_pls_help-page2.html

Michael

PS: I currently prefer SDL Studio, and am currently testing the 2017 beta, which is great. memoQ and CafeTran (cheaper) are also nice.

PPS:

Here's the updated list:

– amigoCAT: http://www.amigocat.com
– crossWeb: see e.g. http://www.across.net/online-help/v60/across/data/acrossHaupt685.htm
– Google Translator Toolkit: https://translate.google.com/toolkit/
– GULP: http://gulp.twins96.com/
– Lilt (w/ adaptive MT; its adaptive MT implementation is cool, but its MT engine isn't as good as Google Translate)
– Lionbridge Translation Workspace: https://geoworkz.com/Products/AboutTranslationWorkspace.aspx
– MateCat: https://www.matecat.com + https://www.matecat.com/features/
– MemoQ WebTrans
– Memsource Cloud: https://www.memsource.com/en/features
– OmegaT: supports team projects via Git or SVN
– SDL Online Translation Editor: http://www.sdl.com/languagecloud/online-editor/ (from $9.99/month)
– SmartCAT (by ABBYY): http://www.smartcat.pro (currently sponsoring "Translators On Air", a creation of new platform "The Open Mic")
– TM-Town: https://www.tm-town.com (not a CAT tool, but has interesting online features)
– transdraft: https://www.transdraft.com (from the guy who made TM-Town)
– Transifex: https://www.transifex.com/signup/
– translate5: http://www.translate5.net/
– ultraRAY™ platform: https://www.strakertranslations.com/our-translation-technology/ (internal tool developed by Straker Translations)
– WebTransit see e.g. ftp://ftp.star-group.net/LTS/WebTransit/TecDoc/WebTransit_Usage_ENG.pdf
– wordbee: http://www.wordbee.com
– Wordfast Anywhere: https://www.freetm.com + https://www.wordfast.net/wiki/Wordfast_Anywhere
– XTM Cloud: http://xtm-intl.com

[Edited at 2016-10-11 10:18 GMT]


 
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 19:59
Member (2007)
Dutch to German
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Still Deja Vu Oct 11, 2016

I tested both major CAT tools (memoQ and Studio 2015) and I still stick to DV with its much more easier term, alignment and TM handling, with still an "AutoSuggest" resp. "Muse" function, which works amazingly (AutoWrite) and which moreover works on-the-fly (no training, no limits).
Atril seems to be dead and when DV reaches a point where it won´t be compatible to Studio at all, I´ll have to rethink my work strategy (perhaps with CafeTran).

[Edited at 2016-10-11 08:46 GMT]


 
Merab Dekano
Merab Dekano  Identity Verified
Spain
Member (2014)
English to Spanish
+ ...
DVX Oct 11, 2016

Matthias Brombach wrote:

I tested both major CAT tools (memoQ and Studio 2015) and I still stick to DV with its much more easier term and TM handling, with still an "AutoSuggest" resp. "Muse" function, which works (AutoWrite) and which moreover works on-the-fly (no training, no limits).
Atril seems to be dead and when DV reaches a point where it won´t be compatible to Studio at all, I have to rethink my work strategy (perhaps with CafeTran).


For me too it’s DVX. Great total cost of ownership, easy and intuitive interface, lovely TM handling.

They usually do upgrades every three/four years or so. If they stick to this schedule, fine by me. If they are effectively “dead” and therefore aren’t working on a new version, I agree; we will have to drop it at some point.

Why on earth isn’t an Atril employee jumping in on these forums and telling us a couple of encouraging words?


 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 19:59
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
@Emma Oct 11, 2016

Emma Goldsmith wrote:
You can nearly always find a special offer for CAT tools.


Nearly never, at the precise moment you decide to take the plunge (-: but I acknowledge your point: the prices mentioned on the CAT tools' web sites are non-discounted prices, and there are often special offers available, if you know where to look and if you look at the right point in time. The special offers seldom relate to upgrade fees, however (except shortly before or after a new release).


 
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 19:59
Member (2007)
Dutch to German
+ ...
I will quote a link into the DV branch ... Oct 11, 2016

... perhaps then they will wake up
Merab Dekano wrote:
Why on earth isn’t an Atril employee jumping in on these forums and telling us a couple of encouraging words?


 
Michael Beijer
Michael Beijer  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:59
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
Because they only speak French ;-) Oct 11, 2016

Merab Dekano wrote:

[…] If they stick to this schedule, fine by me. If they are effectively “dead” and therefore aren’t working on a new version, I agree; we will have to drop it at some point.

Why on earth isn’t an Atril employee jumping in on these forums and telling us a couple of encouraging words?


All joking aside though, someone from Atril told me (on Twitter) they were going to add some important new features (which I've been asking them to add for years now) sometime … soonish. Termbase match highlighting + proper synonym handling.

Michael


 
Rosanna Lenci Murcia
Rosanna Lenci Murcia  Identity Verified
Ireland
Local time: 18:59
Spanish to Italian
+ ...
Smart CAT Oct 11, 2016

I have been invited to use SmartCAT and I was really impressed by the easy way to get around with it!
You can have all in one screen: Original Document, Translation, Glossaries, Notes on the side, Proofreading, etc.
Working with a Team was really easy since the tool itself allows you to see the progress in the project and the lines you have translated! .
Also SmartCAT team is amazing! My project manager was great at making us be on time and solving our problems while executing
... See more
I have been invited to use SmartCAT and I was really impressed by the easy way to get around with it!
You can have all in one screen: Original Document, Translation, Glossaries, Notes on the side, Proofreading, etc.
Working with a Team was really easy since the tool itself allows you to see the progress in the project and the lines you have translated! .
Also SmartCAT team is amazing! My project manager was great at making us be on time and solving our problems while executing work! (Vladimir Zkaharov)!
Collapse


 
Michael Beijer
Michael Beijer  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:59
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
You maybe should have mentioned that you work for them... Oct 11, 2016

Max Luo wrote:

In my opinion, SmartCAT is the best choice for you. As opposed to Trados and MemoQ, SmartCAT is free, it is easy to use, it supports SDL's filese and it has it's own marketplace. It's not just a CAT tool, it is a platform, where clients from all over the world can choose between the 70k+ translators and find the most suitable one. So you not only have a chance to use an advanced CAT tool for free, you can also get a job from one of the SmartCAT client's. You can follow the link below and get an additional $5 bonus for signing up on my invitation:
http://snip.ly/pix9c


[Edited at 2016-10-11 05:50 GMT]


Michael


 
Vladimir Zakharov
Vladimir Zakharov
Russian Federation
Local time: 21:59
Russian to English
+ ...
Brand ambassadors are not employees Oct 11, 2016

Michael Joseph Wdowiak Beijer wrote:

Max Luo wrote:

In my opinion, SmartCAT is the best choice for you. As opposed to Trados and MemoQ, SmartCAT is free, it is easy to use, it supports SDL's filese and it has it's own marketplace. It's not just a CAT tool, it is a platform, where clients from all over the world can choose between the 70k+ translators and find the most suitable one. So you not only have a chance to use an advanced CAT tool for free, you can also get a job from one of the SmartCAT client's. You can follow the link below and get an additional $5 bonus for signing up on my invitation:
http://snip.ly/pix9c


[Edited at 2016-10-11 05:50 GMT]


Michael
Max is our brand ambassador but not employee. Brand ambassadors are by definition people who enjoy the product to the point where they decide to advocate it in the public space. I see nothing wrong with it, do you?
-Vova, Head of Community.


 
Yolanda Broad
Yolanda Broad  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 14:59
Member (2000)
French to English
+ ...

MODERATOR
DVX3 for me Oct 11, 2016

I've been using DéjàVu since waaay back. I tried some others, but kept going back to DV, because it didn't keep switching around completely. And it handles my data reliably.

 
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