Please make outsourcers specify the subject matter Thread poster: Trudy Peters
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Trudy Peters 
United States
Local time: 15:28
German to English
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Please make outsourcers specify the subject matter of the translations the need to have done!! See below, for instance:
http://www.proz.com/job/52353
Trudy
| | | | | Project-related information | Mar 25, 2004 |
Trudy, I am fully with you on this point. The outsourcers should provide at least the following details about their projects:
1) Formats (for source and target files)
2) Subject matter (eg. "a centrifugal pump unit" rather than just "technical", since "technical" may range from "vacuum cleaners" to "VoIP applications", and further to "nuclear stations" ...
3) Volume (by the way, you can fit 1... See more Trudy, I am fully with you on this point. The outsourcers should provide at least the following details about their projects:
1) Formats (for source and target files)
2) Subject matter (eg. "a centrifugal pump unit" rather than just "technical", since "technical" may range from "vacuum cleaners" to "VoIP applications", and further to "nuclear stations" ...
3) Volume (by the way, you can fit 1,000 words onto a page using small fonts)
4) Required/desired deadline (it can make all the difference when making a decision whether to bid for a project) ▲ Collapse
| | | | RHELLER
United States
Local time: 13:28
French to English
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| Agree with Trudy | Mar 25, 2004 |
It is helpful to know (before applying) if the field falls under one's specializations.
Last week an agency called me and said they didn't know what it was about - the fellow couldn't read French. He sent me a sample and I had to tell him!
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Trudy Peters wrote:
Please make outsourcers specify the subject matter of the translations
I agree with this suggestion.
Could our new improved list of specialisms be the basis for a drop-down menu on the job posting form, maybe?
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Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 20:28
English to German
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| On the Job Posting Form already | Mar 25, 2004 |
Hi Trudy,
I agree with the point you're making. However, this is already pointed out very clearly on the Job Posting Form - obviously, there are those who read the hints before posting, and those who don't.
You may want to note that we're in the process of revamping the jobs process (including the form(s) used); one of the things we're looking at is a checklist for job posters.
Having said that, I don't think there's any way to fully avoid postings from someone wh... See more Hi Trudy,
I agree with the point you're making. However, this is already pointed out very clearly on the Job Posting Form - obviously, there are those who read the hints before posting, and those who don't.
You may want to note that we're in the process of revamping the jobs process (including the form(s) used); one of the things we're looking at is a checklist for job posters.
Having said that, I don't think there's any way to fully avoid postings from someone who urgently needs a translator, but doesn't know what kind of text it's about... (sigh)
Best regards, Ralf ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ralf Lemster
Germany
Local time: 20:28
English to German
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| ...added note... | Mar 25, 2004 |
Deborah Shannon wrote:
Could our new improved list of specialisms be the basis for a drop-down menu on the job posting form, maybe?
That's one of the things we've suggested, and Jason will be working on.
Best, Ralf
| | | | NGK
United States
Local time: 14:28
| Why not generate job titles automatically? | Mar 25, 2004 |
Ralf Lemster wrote:
Hi Trudy,
I agree with the point you're making. However, this is already pointed out very clearly on the Job Posting Form - obviously, there are those who read the hints before posting, and those who don't.
You may want to note that we're in the process of revamping the jobs process (including the form(s) used); one of the things we're looking at is a checklist for job posters.
I would suggest that the job title be generated automatically from certain information that the posters fill into specified fields (menus and/or text boxes).
For example, the poster would provide the following info:
Document Type: Manual
Field: Energy/Power Generation
Topic: Nuclear Power Station
The title could then read:
Manual - Energy/Power Generation - Nuclear Power Station
Where this method wouldn't work is open calls by outsourcers who want to expand their freelancer roster. Maybe there should be a separate section for that?
Having said that, I don't think there's any way to fully avoid postings from someone who urgently needs a translator, but doesn't know what kind of text it's about... (sigh)
I'm not sure that ProZ needs to support outsourcers who want to get paid for not knowing what they're doing. In many cases, the only actual service that an agency provides to the end client is matching a job with a translator. If an agency doesn't even bother to find out what kind of job it is, what good are they?
| | | | | Amen to all that was said above! | Mar 25, 2004 |
It sure is difficult to figure out sometimes what outsourcers want.
I sometimes end up not bidding for things that are unclear - which may not be the smartest thing because I am losing out that way.
Lucinda
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