How long do you keep your old translations... Thread poster: Nina Snoj
|
|---|
Nina Snoj
Slovenia
Spanish to Slovenian
+ ...
in the archives? Do you save them in a computer or on discs for future cases?
I have glossaries and contracts that I just don't want to lose because of further references, but on the other hand I have years old translations, some are from one-time collaborators, and I see no point in keeping them , since I have already recieved the payment and haven't heard from them again. I appreciate all your remarks.
Have a nice, easy Sunday!
| | | | | everything's useful | Sep 12, 2004 |
Hello "Alhambra Team",
Alhambra Team wrote:
and I see no point in keeping them
I keep everything on my working computer, a backup on another computer and backups on CD/DVD.
The reason is that you never know when a client and/or a similar subject comes back. Everything serves for concordance purposes.
At least it takes a lot less space than in the old times, keeping everything on paper!!
Cheers,
Grace.
| | | | Natalie 
Poland
Local time: 10:42
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...
MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER
As soon as you would throw away something you would need it
Just back up old files on CDs and put on the shelf.
| | | | | I still have things from 15 years ago! | Sep 12, 2004 |
Natalie wrote: As soon as you would throw away something you would need it Just back up old files on CDs and put on the shelf.
I agree with Natalie. However, anything that came in on paper I chuck after 2 years. Takes up too much space and usually they are either legal (confidential) or newspaper articles which require a certain style anyway.
| | |
|
|
|
Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 10:42
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Saved periodically onto CD ROM | Sep 12, 2004 |
I save onto CD ROM about every 3 to 6 months, and delete from my hard disk. I zip and identify each file by client/date. I have very rarely had to look something up, maybe a week or two later, but never months later.
I think I heard recently that in Spain you are obliged to keep data for 6 years.
| | | | Desi_vdb
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:42
Dutch to English
+ ...
| 3 to 6 months? | Sep 12, 2004 |
I don't trust any harddrive to survive that long. I make a backup on cd every month (so I will keep those), and in the meantime, email things to myself. If I think how much I could lose in 6 months!
| | | |
Ailish Maher wrote:
I think I heard recently that in Spain you are obliged to keep data for 6 years.
I was asked to keep the files of a project for six years too by a translation company in UK. But anyway, I don't throw away anything I do.
| | | | sandhya
Local time: 14:12
German to English
+ ...
Hi,
Archive your work first. You can save each year's work on one/two CDs and mention that on the CD, so it is easier to find for future reference.
cheers
sandhya
Nina Snoj wrote:
in the archives? Do you save them in a computer or on discs for future cases?
I have glossaries and contracts that I just don't want to lose because of further references, but on the other hand I have years old translations, some are from one-time collaborators, and I see no point in keeping them , since I have already recieved the payment and haven't heard from them again. I appreciate all your remarks.
Have a nice, easy Sunday!
| | |
|
|
|
Nina Snoj
Slovenia
Spanish to Slovenian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Got the CD's, got the shelf.. | Sep 13, 2004 |
You are right in not throwing away absolutely anything. I will copy the files to a CD and save them, just in case...
Thank you all!
| | | | | Forever...daily backup to external HD + yearly archive to Zip disk or CD | Sep 13, 2004 |
Absolutley...the minute you throw something away is just when you will find you need it!
I do a daily backup to an external HD, then once a year I archive to Zip disks (no longer, though since my Zip drive broke after falling on the floor one too many times and I found the external HD to be a better investment than a new Zip) or CD.
Once you find a good system, backing up and archiving are easy...and could save you lots of headaches in the future!
Regards,<... See more Absolutley...the minute you throw something away is just when you will find you need it!
I do a daily backup to an external HD, then once a year I archive to Zip disks (no longer, though since my Zip drive broke after falling on the floor one too many times and I found the external HD to be a better investment than a new Zip) or CD.
Once you find a good system, backing up and archiving are easy...and could save you lots of headaches in the future!
Regards,
Sara ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Save to CD and file | Sep 13, 2004 |
Dear Nina.
I save my work to CD and file, usually several years work at a time to make space on my hard disk. I print out all the translation projects I have worked on and usually only bin them when I have been paid (!) or when the pile gets too large. I would never discard electronic copies of your work. As others have said, a past file might come in use someday, you never know.
Best
Jason
Nina Snoj wrote:
in the archives? Do you save them in a computer or on discs for future cases?
I have glossaries and contracts that I just don't want to lose because of further references, but on the other hand I have years old translations, some are from one-time collaborators, and I see no point in keeping them , since I have already recieved the payment and haven't heard from them again. I appreciate all your remarks.
Have a nice, easy Sunday!
| | | | | Two years on paper, 'forever' on CD | Sep 13, 2004 |
I have about a shelf-metre where I keep 'rolling files' of the print-outs I make for proofreading for about two years. When the latest binder is full, I empty the oldest one into the shredder or paper recycling bin after a quick sort. I do occasionally keep jobs longer in my permanent archives for reference - certain public authority reports or good examples of the client's special terminology. Paper is sometimes easier to work with than electronic files if there are graphics or if you are not s... See more I have about a shelf-metre where I keep 'rolling files' of the print-outs I make for proofreading for about two years. When the latest binder is full, I empty the oldest one into the shredder or paper recycling bin after a quick sort. I do occasionally keep jobs longer in my permanent archives for reference - certain public authority reports or good examples of the client's special terminology. Paper is sometimes easier to work with than electronic files if there are graphics or if you are not sure of the spelling!
I often have 'ongoing sagas', and it's good to recap on previous chapters. Not all my source files are electronic, and one regular client even sends me handwritten letters by fax! I have to keep those carefully to keep track of his partners and correspondents, each with specific terminology. Not a goldmine, but fun...
Or the end-client "likes my style" and wants a repeat a year later, and then it's good to know exactly what they liked - I am pretty chameleon-coloured, and sometimes can't remember a word of what I wrote!
Lots of jobs are never referred to again, but it is hard to tell in advance which ones. So they all go in the archives... searching electronically is easy enough!
Occasionally they are worth hours of trawling the Net and other information sources.
[Edited at 2004-09-13 14:00] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
Pablo Roufogalis (X)
Colombia
Local time: 03:42
English to Spanish
| Partial and Full Backups | Sep 13, 2004 |
I keep partial backups (ongoing job backups) and keep them for about three weeks after the final job is delivered. Sometimes I have 20+ backups of a single job.
I then erase the partials and keep a copy of the full job in the server and another in my workstation.
| | | | ACEIT
Local time: 03:42
English to Chinese
+ ...
| Always keep them | Sep 15, 2004 |
Unless my client requested the files to be deleted. Especially when the translation is related to business matters (contracts, patents, etc.). Just in case you have to appear in a court of law... 
I thought about using 128-bit encryption to encrypt the files but I might lose the decryption key which renders the files useless.
| | | |
A few years ago I was considering getting rid of the oldest files, but was deterred from the idea by summons from a Public Prosecutor's office. What they said was "We're investigating the business of XYZ plc. Could you please deliver all the invoices you've ever translated for them?" When I complied, I was told they wondered if some of the translations were fake or actually done from the originals claimed lost.
How could I testify if I didn't have my precious files, including scans of the... See more A few years ago I was considering getting rid of the oldest files, but was deterred from the idea by summons from a Public Prosecutor's office. What they said was "We're investigating the business of XYZ plc. Could you please deliver all the invoices you've ever translated for them?" When I complied, I was told they wondered if some of the translations were fake or actually done from the originals claimed lost.
How could I testify if I didn't have my precious files, including scans of the originals? And translating invoices is definitely not a thrilling experience you tell your grandchildren about. At worst, I could have been accused of assisting the directors in forgery.
So... keep everything archived, just in case. ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » How long do you keep your old translations... | Trados Studio 2022 Freelance | The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.
Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop
and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
