Poll: What's the most powerful tool for work while you're away from your home/office? Autor de la hebra: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What's the most powerful tool for work while you're away from your home/office?".
View the poll results »
| | | | Marjolein Snippe 
Países Bajos
Local time: 03:42
Miembro 2012
inglés al neerlandés
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| autoreply message | Apr 4, 2014 |
When I am away for an extended period of time (i.e. not just going to the supermarket) during 'office hours' (for me defined as roughly between 9 and 6, Monday to Friday), an automatic message informs anyone who tries to contact me that I am away.
When I am away, I don't work - I do other things.
From discussions here, I often get the impression I am one of the few with that attitude, so I was surprised to see such a high percentage of respondents agreeing with me!
| | | | neilmac
España
Local time: 03:42
español al inglés
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I usually leave an automatic email "holiday message" when I'm unavailable too, but when working away from my usual station I prefer a laptop with 17" screen, hands down.
I have 2 laptops primed and ready to use as necessary- in fact I'm supposed to go and pick one up today which has just been tweaked and debugged...
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Depends on how you define powerful, I guess. In terms of what device allows me to even leave that home/office, it would have to be the smartphone. Without it, I'm liable to miss out on work that I want, because, as we've all learned, the quickest way to get a job offer is to step away from the screen. In terms of working while away from the home/office, I only bring my laptop if I'm already working on a project and it can't be helped. Otherwise, being away is the best method I know for not takin... See more Depends on how you define powerful, I guess. In terms of what device allows me to even leave that home/office, it would have to be the smartphone. Without it, I'm liable to miss out on work that I want, because, as we've all learned, the quickest way to get a job offer is to step away from the screen. In terms of working while away from the home/office, I only bring my laptop if I'm already working on a project and it can't be helped. Otherwise, being away is the best method I know for not taking on new work. ▲ Collapse
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| I know what you mean. | Apr 4, 2014 |
Marjolein Snippe wrote:
From discussions here, I often get the impression I am one of the few with that attitude, so I was surprised to see such a high percentage of respondents agreeing with me!
Based on the responses I've seen over the years, I too get the impression that our colleagues think prospective clients are reading through these polls and gauging our work ethic.
| | | | DianeGM
Local time: 04:42
Miembro 2006
neerlandés al inglés
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I usually only work from my office.
The only work related thing I usually do when I am away answer mails is answering email via my iphone.
| | | | | | Simon Bruni
Reino Unido
Local time: 02:42
Miembro 2009
español al inglés
| Interesting how 'powerful' has come to mean 'useful' | Apr 4, 2014 |
Just an observation!
Any device that I can check email on is handy. I hate translating on laptops with their tiny screens and cramped typing position.
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It allows me to get direct emails as well as redirected messages from my website. I may or may not reply instantly, but at least I'm aware and alert.
Happy Friday!, -M
| | | | Alexandranow
Rumania
Local time: 04:42
rumano al inglés
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I work only as an interpreter when away from home. Otherwise clients will have to contact me either by phone or email.
| | | | gsloane
Canadá
Local time: 21:42
Miembro 2011
francés al inglés
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| Hybrid tablet/laptop | Apr 4, 2014 |
Part of the joys of being a freelance translator is, I believe, having flexible hours. I do not have set office hours as my clients are based in all different time zones. I invested in a hybrid tablet/laptop from Acer with a 4GB RAM providing more than adequate power under the hood to run my CAT tools. The length of my vacation dictates whether I take on new or large projects. I do, however, take on small-scale projects from my regular clients.
| | | | | Phone -> Laptop -> Tablet | Apr 4, 2014 |
I can only echo comments about my phone and laptop, but I would like to mention that I've been able to translate effectively using a normal tablet. I actually like it for quick/small jobs. I would shamelessly post a link to my amazing blog where I go into great detail about tablet-translation, but my blog isn't amazing nor is it very detailed
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 21:42
inglés al español
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| Cramped keyboards | Apr 4, 2014 |
Simon Bruni wrote:
Just an observation!
Any device that I can check email on is handy. I hate translating on laptops with their tiny screens and cramped typing position.
Well put, Simon.
Otherwise well designed laptops, such as those made by Apple, have never had an ergonomic keyboard.
A couple of decades ago, there was a Mac-friendly keyboard that splits at the middle, curving inwards (in front of the user) to match the natural position of the human hands.
Remember the Natural keyboard made by Microsoft? The first version cost about $100 (an insult for first adopters). Later versions have more bells and whistles, include a mouse, are Bluetooth compatible or Wi-Fi compatible.
Maybe laptops should include an inflatable keyboard tnat flattens when you close the lid.
| | | | inkweaver
Alemania
Local time: 03:42
francés al alemán
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When I'm not in the office I don't work.
As I don't have fixed office hours (if I wanted to have fixed office hours I would work as an employee incl. at least 24 days of paid holidays, paid sick days etc.) I find it very handy to have a smartphone so I can stay in touch with clients and answer requests reasonably quickly. Mind you, I'm not addicted to that device and I feel by no means compelled to check incoming emails all the time. It simply gives me the freedom to check my email... See more When I'm not in the office I don't work.
As I don't have fixed office hours (if I wanted to have fixed office hours I would work as an employee incl. at least 24 days of paid holidays, paid sick days etc.) I find it very handy to have a smartphone so I can stay in touch with clients and answer requests reasonably quickly. Mind you, I'm not addicted to that device and I feel by no means compelled to check incoming emails all the time. It simply gives me the freedom to check my emails whereever and whenever it suits me.
[Edited at 2014-04-05 05:36 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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