Aston University / WMG workshop on cloud-based CAT tools (15 Nov 2013)
As part of the ongoing efforts to boost collaboration
between ITI WMG and Aston University’s Translation Studies Department, the
university kindly agreed to run a free afternoon workshop on the basics of CAT
(Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, including Cloud-based programs (which
operate remotely over a network rather than directly on the user’s hard disk).
This way of working (also known as “Software as a Service” or SaaS), whereby
the user pays an annual fee for the software rather than an up-front purchase
price) is becoming increasingly common, and offers both benefits and drawbacks.
On the positive side, where projects are managed remotely by the client, the
translator is relieved of the responsibility of creating, managing and selecting
his/her own term bases and translation memories for individual projects.
However, this also means that the client remains in control of these databases,
and that in some cases, the translator no longer has access to them once the
project is finished or, importantly, access to the memories he/she has helped
to create/update.
Our thanks to Christina Schäffner and David
Pollard (of Aston University) for organising and delivering this practical and
enlightening workshop for the benefit of WMG members.
The
session was pitched at a level accessible to newcomers to the principles of TM
systems, who were able to complete hands-on, on-line learning exercises.
Moreover, users with previous experience of CAT tools had the opportunity both
to try out alternative “conventional” programs (Trados, memoQ) and to
experiment with cloud-based tools (MemSource Cloud, WordBee, XTM Cloud).