ProZ.com Translation Article Knowledgebase - Articles about translation and interpreting

Published on 05/2/2023

This user manual contains all of the functions and features available at ProZ.com. The manual may be used guide for a new user and/or a reference for an experienced user.

Manual Overview

This user manual contains all of the functions and features available at ProZ.com. The manual may be used as a guide for a new user and/or a reference for an experienced user.

Note: There is a checklist that users may copy and paste in order to keep track of sections already read. (This checklist is located at the bottom of the user manual list.)

History of ProZ.com

ProZ.com was founded just over 17 years ago by former Japanese translator, Henry Dotterer. Through his experiences as a translator, Henry noticed a need for a global workplace for service providers and outsourcers to come together to help each other's business grow, do better work, and have more fun. Thus, ProZ.com was born. Since then, ProZ.com has become the leading directory of translation services, freelance language translators, agencies, and translation jobs.

To read a message from the founder, click here.

Today's ProZ.com

ProZ.com is a workplace used by translators, interpreters, translation agencies and their clients to meet and do work. As stated in our mission statement, ProZ.com provides tools and opportunities that translators, translation companies, and others in the language industry use to (1) network, (2) expand their businesses, (3) improve their work, and (4) have more fun.

With features such as KudoZ, browniZ, numerous forums, TGBs, hosting, the Blue Board, glossaries, and many other valuable features, ProZ.com has become and continues to be the web's leading translation site in the world.

ProZ.com comprises of three parts:

The community, which is a group of language professionals that includes translators, interpreters, translation agencies, teams and their clients.
The site, which is a marketplace and workplace: thousands of language pros exchange job and term information here every day.

The staff, which is a small group of programmers and language enthusiasts based in Syracuse, New York, and a brand new Support office. We are assisted by volunteer moderators around the world.

To begin using the number one translation site in the world, click here.

Don't have an account with ProZ.com, click here.

What's New?

If you want to keep up to date with the new development releases at ProZ.com, just click on the 'New at ProZ.com� display box on the top right of the home page. (You may also click on the "Home" menu bar and select "What's new".) Or, how about signing up to receive the ProZ.com monthy newsletter? All you have to do is click on your "email preference" link from your profile page, (or from your "settings tab"). Then click on the "other notification" tab and finally indicate you'd like to receive next months issue by clicking on the radio box. Remember, you can cancel your subscription at anytime.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Like to become a member? Join ProZ.com: http://www.proz.com/join

Important note: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your membership, you are entitled to a prorated refund of your purchase.

Full Membership

"Member" is the term given to ProZ.com's paying membership. A member "joins ProZ.com" by paying a fee to receive a higher level of service for a certain period of time, and remains a member until his/her membership renewal date. Discounts are available for those renewing current memberships, TGBs, and/or for those with a certain number of browniz points. Members get dozens of benefits and additional features in each area of the site.

When asked the main reasons they upgraded, members cite:

(1) Increased exposure to clients (and therefore more jobs)

(2) Full access to the "Blue Board" database of clients, and feedback on them

(3) A desire to "give something back" to the site

To view the Join ProZ.com page click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/join

Member-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Full Member Benefits

Your name appears on the first page of results when clients search the directory

Automatic Referrals - job posters are redirected to your profile when appropriate

Unlimited access to agency Blue Board (research over 3000 agencies with reviews)

Comprehensive web hosting services (Own your own domain -- keep your clients yourself!)

Send mail to 100 colleagues or service providers at once (handy for project managers)

Get featured on the ProZ.com home page

Guaranteed lowest rates on translation software (in cooperation with TranslatorGroupBuying.com)

Attend or organize "powwow" meetings among local ProZ.com members and users

Enhanced KudoZ functionality (access to asker details, etc.)

Ability to form teams and make joint bids on large jobs

Your forum postings appear instantly - get immediate feedback and support from

web's largest language community

Verification and posting of your ATA, ATIO, NAATI, IoL and other credentials

View aggregated rate data from over 6500 pros - know the market

Exclusive downloads/savings on word counting and other software
View a Visitor's Tab to keep track of who, what, and when someone visits your profile page

Full Membership Cost:

Upgrade to Full Membership (12 months)
Cost: 120.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (6 months)
Cost: 80.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (3 years)
Cost: 300.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (5 years)
Cost: 450.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (10 years)
Cost: 750.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Already Member?

There are six choices to renew Membership (all costs are EUR/USD):

Renew your membership (12 months) Cost: 100.00

Renew your membership (6 months) Cost: 70.00

Renew your membership (3 years) Cost: 300.00

Renew your membership (5 years) Cost: 450.00

Renew your membership (10 years) Cost: 750.00

Related links:

Like to become a member? Join ProZ.com: http://www.proz.com/join

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Important note: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your membership, you are entitled to a prorated refund of your purchase.

Payment Methods For Memberships

ProZ.com is discussing and entertaining other payment methods; however, presently here are the only payment types we accept for membership:

PayPal (Transaction fee will be added )
PayPal (Euros) (Transaction fee will be added )
Credit Card (Transaction fee will be added )
Check or Money Order (Transaction fee will be added )
Wire Transfer (Transaction fee will be added)
Wire Transfer (Euros) (Transaction fee: NONE )
ProZ.com Wallet (Transaction fee: NONE)

Note: If you are interested in paying for your membership by Western Union or Moneybookers, please submit a support request.

Member-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related links:

Like to become a member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Combo Sales

ProZ.com offers a TGB (Translator Group Buy) sale that combines a CAT tool and a platinum membership (usually six months). Most special promotions initially are advertised on the home page, but if you want to be able to see if ProZ.com is running a promotion, just click on the �Tools� menu bar and select �New TGB� to see if any combo sales are running on the site.

Related links:

Quick link to the the CAT Tools page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=cat/tools

Quick link to the TGB page: http://www.proz.com/tgb

Money Back Guarantee

If for any reason a member is not completely satisfied with their membership, he or she is entitled to a prorated refund of their purchase.

Related links:

Like to become a member? http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Need to send in a support ticket? Click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/support

Tax Deductible

In every jurisdiction we are aware of, ProZ.com membership can be written off against taxes as a business expense. When you upgrade, you will be issued an electronic invoice. You should print this invoice. If you require more than an electronic invoice, please submit a support request specifying the unique requirements of your invoice.

Related links:

Like to become a member? http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Need to contact support for an invoice? Click here: http://www.proz.com/support

Non-members

Of course there are many features of the site that non-paying members may use, but if you want to have full access to all of the resources and functions at ProZ.com!

Members-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related link:

Like to become a member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Because passwords are stored encrypted in the database, it is not possible to retrieve your existing password. However, you can change your password to a new value.

If you know your username or the email address you used when registering with ProZ.com, you may change your password at the site below:

http://www.proz.com/faq/login_problems#forgot_password

However, If you have forgotten your username and your email address, you will have to send in a support request for further assistance. Support can be found on the top right of the menu bar.

FYI: When a support request is sent in to add, change, or delete an email address, for security and privacy purposes, the asker will be screened before any changes are made to their email address(es).

Unsubscribe

Each member may unsubscribe and/or deactivate their account from the �Settings Tab�.

However, before an account is deactivated, the following information should be taken into consideration:

Remember after you deactivate:

You will no longer be able to log in.

Your profile page will not appear to prospective clients.

You will not receive any more email.

If you do not want to fully deactivate your profile, consider the following options:

Stop email notifications without losing profile: unsubscribe

Change email settings to reduce overall volume:email filter

Edit profile info (you can remove your name): personal data

Give yourself a new password: new password

FYI: Even after your profile has been deactivated, ProZ.com staff will still be able to reactivate your profile if you send in a support request and answer the proper security questions.

Membership Agreement Upon Registration

The following is a copy of the "Membership Agreement" that all registered members must agree to before using ProZ.com services.

NOTE: If you are presently registered on the site, you have agreed to these terms/conditions.

Membership Agreement

BY COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AND CLICKING THE "I ACCEPT" BUTTON, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT. READ IT CAREFULLY! If there is anything you don't understand, write to [email protected] for an explanation.

===General===

This agreement is the only agreement between ProZ.com (made by Netconomics, Inc. of Delaware) and users of the ProZ.com site. Any other agreement means nothing. We reserve the right to change this agreement at any time. If we do, we will indicate that on our front page, and by using the site after that, you agree to the new terms.

===Informal Rules of Usage===

There are several informal rules of usage at ProZ.com:
1--You may not misrepresent yourself or your firm.
2--Projects should be specified in detail. The more detailed a project description, the higher the chances of getting the right person, and completing the job smoothly.
3--Do your best work. As a freelancer, take pride in quality and deadlines. As an outsourcer, take pride in prompt payments. Do whatever you can to keep your promises.
4--Inform ProZ.com's staff if you see something improper taking place. (The staff may not be able to do anything about it, but inform them anyway.)

Those are the informal rules. As staff members, we will do all what we practically can to see that they are followed-that is, we exercise the right to kick out anyone who breaks the rules. But we can't actually guarantee that they will be followed. Use ProZ.com at your own risk, and exercise all the caution you would when working with people offline or elsewhere on the Internet.

As for work done, we make absolutely no claims as to the quality or timeliness of the work. We are just providing the tools for people to meet!

==Our Privacy Policy===

We won't give any of your personal information to anyone, now or ever. Unless, of course, we are obliged to by some legal authority, etc. We may, however, ask you if you would like us to give some of your personal information to someone (like an outsourcer or freelancer). We will only share your information when you specifically give us permission to do so.

===Eligibility===

Our service is available only to individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, our services are not available to minors. If you do not qualify, please do not use ProZ.com.

===ProZ.com is Only a Venue===

We'll say it again. ProZ.com is only a venue. We are not involved in the actual transaction between outsourcers and freelancers. As a result, we have no control over the quality or legality of the services, the truth or accuracy of information posted, the ability of service providers to perform services as represented or of service consumers to properly evaluate finished services. We cannot and do not control whether or not the parties to a transaction will perform as agreed. In addition, note that there are risks of dealing with foreign nationals who may not fall under the laws of your area, minors, and people acting under false pretense. Because user authentication on the Internet is difficult, Netconomics cannot and does not confirm that each user is who they claim to be.

It is up to you to communicate directly with anyone you meet at ProZ.com, with whom you are considering entering into a contract. Ask for any information you feel you may need to evaluate his or her trustworthiness.

Because we do not and cannot be involved in user-to-user dealings, in the event that you have a dispute with one or more users, you release Netconomics (and our agents and employees) from claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes. If you are a California resident, you waive California Civil Code Sec. 1542, which says: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor."

Some people may post information that is offensive, harmful or inaccurate, and in some cases will be mislabeled or deceptively labeled. We expect that you will use caution--and common sense--when using ProZ.com.

=== Member account, password, and security ===

Once you become a member of the Service, you'll receive a password and an account. You are entirely responsible if you do not maintain the confidentiality of your password and account. Furthermore, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account. You may change your user name or password at any time by following instructions; however, you may not open up additional accounts under alternative names.

If you believe someone else has had access to or is using your password or username, you absolutely must tell us.

=== Message and file storage and other limitations ===

We assume no responsibility for the deletion or failure to store files, messages, job postings, bids, or any other form of communication made using the Service.

=== Member Conduct ===

Your use of the Service is subject to all applicable local, state, national and international laws and regulations. You must agree (1) to comply with US law regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United States through the Service, (2) not to use the Service for illegal purposes, (3) not to interfere or disrupt networks connected to the Service; and (4) to comply with all regulations, policies and procedures of networks connected to the Service.

Without limiting any other remedies, Netconomics may terminate your account if you are found (by conviction, settlement, insurance or escrow investigation, or otherwise) to have engaged in fraudulent activity in connection with our site. Member agrees not to transmit through the Service any unlawful, harassing, libelous, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene or otherwise objectionable material of any kind or nature. Member further agrees not to transmit any material that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law or regulation. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to our computer systems are prohibited.

Member shall not interfere with another Member's use and enjoyment of the Service or another entity's use and enjoyment of similar services.

Netconomics may, at its sole discretion, immediately terminate Member's membership if his or her conduct fails to conform with these terms and conditions of this agreement.

=== System integrity ===

You may not use any device, software or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of ProZ.com. You may not take any action which imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our infrastructure. You may not disclose or share your password to any third parties or use your password for any unauthorized purpose.

=== Disclaimer of Warranties ===

MEMBER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT MEMBER'S SOLE RISK. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. NETCONOMICS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

NETCONOMICS MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR FREE; NOR DOES NETCONOMICS MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICE OR AS TO THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED.

MEMBER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ANY MATERIAL AND/OR DATA DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICE IS DONE AT MEMBER'S OWN DISCRETION AND RISK AND THAT MEMBER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO MEMBER'S COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF SUCH MATERIAL AND/OR DATA.

NETCONOMICS MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY GOODS OR SERVICES PURCHASED OR OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ANY TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE SERVICE.

NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY MEMBER FROM NETCONOMICS OR THROUGH THE SERVICE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY MADE HEREIN.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

=== Limitation of Liability ===

NETCONOMICS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RESULTING FROM THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE OR FOR COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES OR RESULTING FROM ANY GOODS OR SERVICES PURCHASE OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE SERVICE OR RESULTING FROM UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF MEMBER'S TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE, EVEN IF NETCONOMICS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

=== Changes in the Service ===
Netconomics reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Service with or without notice to you or other members.

Netconomics shall not be liable to members or any third party should Netconomics exercise its right to modify or discontinue the Service.

=== Indemnification ==
You agree to indemnify and hold Netconomics, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Member's use of the Service, the violation of this Agreement by you, or the infringement by you, or other user of the Service using your computer, of any intellectual property or other right of any person or entity.

=== Termination ===
Netconomics may terminate your membership with or without cause at any time and effective immediately. Netconomics shall not be liable to you or any third party for termination of Service.

If you object to any terms and conditions of this agreement or any subsequent modifications or become dissatisfied with the Service in any way, your only recourse is to immediately discontinue use of the Service.

Upon termination of membership, your right to use the Service immediately ceases. You shall have no right and Netconomics will have no obligation thereafter to forward any unread or unsent messages to you or any third party.

=== Laws ===

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America and the state of Delaware. Any action related to this agreement must be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, and you irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. If any provision(s) of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such provision(s) shall be construed, as nearly as possible, to reflect the intentions of the parties with the other provisions remaining in full force and effect.

Netconomics's failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the PTS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by Netconomics in writing.

Member and Netconomics agree that any cause of action arising out of or related to this Service must commence within one (1) year after the cause of action arose; otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.

The section titles in this Agreement are solely used for the convenience of the parties and have no legal or contractual significance.

Creating an Effective Profile

A ProZ.com member account is required in order to use many features of the site. Creating an account at ProZ.com is known as "registration".

Review the login/registration FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/login_problems

Your Profile Page

Each ProZ.com member has a profile page. The profile is the central place to show information about a single member. Members can also edit most of their data by starting at their own profile page.

Most settings can be accessed from the "settings" profile tab (which is also reachable by selecting My ProZ.com->My Settings from the main menu). In many cases profile data can be edited by clicking a link next to the data where it is displayed in the profile page.

You can reach your own profile by clicking your name in the member info box, or by visiting this link: http://www.proz.com/pro

If you have a question regarding your profile page, please click the following profile FAQs link: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile

Controlling Your Name

A user may either have their 'username' or first and last name appear on their profile page. This name will be seen by the public. You may control your name by clicking on the "edit your profile" link from your profile page.

Choosing a Tagline

You may enter your tagline by clicking on the "edit your profile" link from your profile page. Enter one phrase (of up to 40 characters) that summarizes what makes you or your agency special. This line will appear in lists on the site. (Examples: "The fastest", "10 years in patents", "Also a lawyer") Don't enter language pairs and other basic information that appears elsewhere in your profile.

Uploading a Photo/Image

To upload your profile photo, start at your profile page. Click the link labeled "Edit your profile" in the center column. This will take you to your profile editing page. From the profile editing page, scroll down to the field labeled "Upload photo or image". Click the "browse" button next to this field, which will allow you to browse your computer's file system for the image you wish to upload.

After selecting the file you wish to upload, click the submit form at the bottom of your profile editing page to save your profile changes. In the future, if you decide to change your image/photo, all you have to do is repeat the instructions above and place your new photo/image link in the text box, and then click on submit, and you new image/photo will replace the old one. If you choose to delete a photo/image, and keep you profile blank. there is a delete check box on the "edit your profile" next to the "upload photo or image" textbox.

FYI: When you upload an image/photo, it may take between several minutes and a half hour for the files to be copied to all the web servers, and then seen on your profile page. Therefore, you may notice a blank where a photo should be, however, please give the upload at least thirty minutes, before submitting a support request.

Uploading a CV/Resume

To upload your CV/Resume, start at your profile page. Click the link labeled "Edit your profile" in the center column. This will take you to your profile editing page. From the profile editing page, scroll down to the field labeled "Upload Resume". Click the "browse" button next to this field, which will allow you to browse your computer's file system for the Resume/CV you wish to upload.

After selecting the file you wish to upload, click the submit form at the bottom of your profile editing page to save your profile changes. In the future, if you decide to change your CV/Resume, all you have to do is follow the instructions above and place your new CV/Resume in the box, and then click on submit. The new CV/Resume will replace the old one.

FYI: When you upload a CV/Resume, it may take between several minutes and a half hour for the files to be copied to all the web servers, and then seen on your profile page. Therefore, during this time, you may get a "page not found" when trying to view your new CV/Resume; however, please give it some time before submitting a support request. If you want to upload an updated version of your CV/Resume, just follow the same steps above and your new CV/Resume will replace the old one.

Declaring Your Working Language(s)

The site is organized according to language pairs. It is important that you indicate all of the language pairs you work in, carefully specifying the services and styles you offer in each. If you work in many pairs, it may take some time to enter all the data. However, this level of detail ensures that your experience will be best suited to your skills and interests.

Specifying Your Native Language(s)

You may declare your native language on the left side of your profile page. Once you declare a native language(s), they cannot be changed.

Your ProZ.com native language declaration, which looks like this will appear in various places throughout the site. The Native Speaker credential is a mark that signifies that a ProZ.com member is a native speaker of a given language.

A "capital-N" icon already appears on profile pages after you have declared your native language, and in a few months will appear throughout the site beside the names of members who have received the credential. It looks like this: ProZ.com Native Speaker: Russian

Mousing over the mark or clicking on it reveals additional information.

Platinum members with one native language are asked to simply declare that language. Go to your profile page, click on the link at the top to go into edit mode, and then click on "declare native language" from the middle of the right column.

FYI: Native language is only one factor that a client may consider when screening a translator or interpreter. It is usually not the most important factor.

Click here to view the Native Language FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/pns

Colored Icons

A blue and yellow ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that are reasonably certain to be accurate. This includes native languages that have been confirmed by ProZ.com, and native languages reported by Platinum members who have sworn that they only have one native language (a native language cannot be changed once it is declared).

A black and gray ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that have been reported, but not confirmed. This includes native languages reported by non-Platinum members, even when they only report a single native language. This is because it is possible that a non-Platinum member might create multiple profiles with a different single native language for each, to get around the requirement that multiple native languages must be confirmed.

Choosing Email Address(es)

In your profile, you are allowed to have a 'current' email address and a 'secondary' email address.

Your secondary email address is used to contact you if your primary address fails. If mail sent to your primary email address is returned by your mail provider, your primary address will be replaced with your secondary address, and your primary email will be disabled (will appear in red font).

In the future, if you'd like to change you primary or secondary email address, all you need to do is click on the "edit personal data" link and then paste your new email address in the desired email text box, and the new email address will replace the old one, after you have clicked "update" at the bottom of the page.

FYI: When a support request is sent in to add/change/get an email address, for security and privacy purposes, the asker will have to be cleared by some security questions.

Click on the following link to view the Email FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/mail

Determining Your Rates

Review the rates FAQs to understand completely why it is important to enter your rates: http://www.proz.com/faq/rates

Report your rates by clicking the "Enter your rates" link on your profile page, or by selecting "Rates" from the settings tab.

Note that you can only enter rates for your "working" languages (those show in your profile).

Edit the rates you have set for one language. (Note that this is only possible within a short grace period. Afterwards, your rate information cannot be changed for 3 months.)

Rates are entered from the profile page, which specify a rate range of a minimum charge per word, hour, instant job, and target

Filling in Your Background and Experience

Enter info about you or your agency's background and experience.

FYI: Areas IX and X on your profile page are where most of your profile information will be entered. If you hope to establish new relationships with clients and colleagues via ProZ.com, it is very important that you enter detailed information here. Also, use HTML to add appeal by using Gianfranco Manca's tutorial.

Areas of Expertise/Specialization

On the bottom left of your profile page there is a link titled "edit expertise" under the title "Expertise". (Also, you can edit your specialties under the "setting tab" under the title "fields of expertise" from your profile page.) Click on "edit expertise", which will allow you to edit your working, interests, specialties, and general fields.

Enter info about you or your agency's areas of specialization.

FYI: You are only allowed to enter up to 10 specialties, 30 working fields, and for now, all of the general fields you like (however only up to 5 general fields will be appear on your profile page). Areas XI and X on your profile page are where most of your profile information will be entered. If you hope to establish new relationships with clients and colleagues via ProZ.com, it is very important that you enter detailed information here.

To view the Fields of Expertise FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/fields

Listing Your Credentials/Memberships

This section is where you may report any professional credentials, certifications or accreditations you have earned from recognized authorities. The accuracy of the information you provide may be confirmed by site staff.

FYI: By default, credentials are only listed, not verified.

Click here to learn how to get your credentials verified: http://www.proz.com/faq/credentials

Keywords

You may also enter keywords that relate to your expertise, capabilities, services, etc. (Clients are able to search by keyword.) The more keywords you enter, the better your chances of coming up in a search... but you may want to make sure that you don't appear to be spreading yourself too thin; clients will be able to view your entire list of keywords. Separate keywords with commas, and do not include spaces after commas. The keyword search will NOT be case-sensitive. Example: biology, pc, html, contract law, children's books, paris, copywriting, etc.

Software

Use this section to indicate the software needs you are capable of supporting.

Click here to view the Software FAQs: http://www.proz.com/?sp=cat/tools

Glossaries

Click on the "enter terms" link under the glossary heading left of your profile page to enter your personal glossaries.

Note: When you enter in your own glossary terms, you receive browniz points!

Click here to view the Glossary FAQ: http://www.proz.com/faq/glossaries

Wallet

When you add money to your ProZ.com Wallet, the money remains yours. You may withdraw any or all of your funds at any time. Note that transfer fees do apply to some methods of withdrawal.

Credit Card Online

Check Or Money Order
Wire Transfer
Wire Transfer Euro
Paypal

You need at least $25.00 to withdraw from your wallet.

FYI: Presently, you can't accept payments from outsourcers through your wallet.

Click here to view the Wallet FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/wallet

ID Verified

ProZ.com staff members, moderators and other volunteers have undertaken a program to confirm the identity of interested site users. A checkmark appearing in a member's profile signifies that the identity of the person may have been verified. Clicking on the checkmark will provide more information. Access to this information may prove useful in assessing risk when forming new online relationships.

Click here to learn how to get your ID Verfied: http://www.proz.com/faq/qa

Personal Page

The �Personal Tab� can be found on the "My ProZ.com" home page . This feature allows you to create a personal web page by entering free-form HTML. Use your personal page to showcase your artwork, hobbies, and other information that would be out of place on your professional profile page.

Click on the following link to view the Personal Page FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile#prof_personaltab

ProZ.com IM

You will be allowed to use the ProZ.com IM by clicking on the "edit instant message data" link on your profile page.

Features Available Only To Platinum Members

Plat-Facts

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members receive a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Availability Button (Platinum Members Only)

If you are immediately available for new projects, make sure your availability indicator shows that in the directory by reporting your availability regularly.

The availability indicator is a small icon that indicates whether a member is immediately available for new work. It appears in member profiles and directory listings. It displays one of three colors to indicate a member's availability:

Immediately available for new projects
Not immediately available for new projects
Availability not reported

Click the availability indicator icon in your member info box in the upper left of each page. A popup window will appear that allows you to set your availability.

Since the availability indicator shows immediate availability, it should be changed when your availability changes. To keep availability information current, the system generally only retains it for one day. You must refresh your availability indicator within that time or it will change back to a gray color (unreported). Refresh your availability indicator by setting it again.

For convenience, platinum members are only required to refresh their availability indicators once per week. However, all members are encouraged to update their availability indicator whenever their availability changes.

To view the Availability FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/availability

Related links:

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Freelancers

Most ProZ.com translators are independent professionals. They operate freelance, which necessitates that they engage in such non-translation activities as sales and marketing, quoting, invoicing, entering into legal agreements, performing risk management and more. They are also responsible for making purchasing decisions related to hardware and software, for preparing and filing their taxes, for establishing business and personal insurance, investment, retirement programs, etc. Translation work is often inter-related with technical work, so translators are frequently called upon to learn new technical skills not strictly related to translation.

ProZ.com frees translators up to translate by providing tools that help them to dispense with non-translation tasks as efficiently as possible.

Related links:

Thinking about setting up a team? Please click on the following Team FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/teams

If you would like to look at some jobs listed for freelance translators, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

Translation Agencies/Companies

Translation companies are organizations which market translation services. They may have the work done by staff translators or, more commonly, by subcontracting with individual translators whom they have located and checked.

Translation companies are usually focused on, and good at, both sales and marketing and internal production. But in addition to these core tasks, translation companies spend a significant amount of time in locating and qualifying external translators, checking their availability, negotiating prices, exchanging paperwork and making payments.

ProZ.com frees translation companies up to focus on sales and production by providing tools that assist them in locating, qualifying and working with independent translators.

Teams

ProZ.com translation teams are a group of translators who act as a single entity, taking job quotes, setting rates, collaborating on projects, and more. Any ProZ.com member can be part of a team. However, only Platinum members can create a new team, invite other translators, and have control over the team's settings.

Related links:

Thinking about setting up a team? Please click on the following Team FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/teams

If you would like to look at some jobs listed for freelance translators, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

Like to become a platinum member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the Platinum membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Search Members

If you prefer to contact a translator or interpreter for direct interaction, ProZ.com makes it easy to do so. Now it is possible to search by working languages, areas of expertise, country of residence, software tools, accreditations, keywords and more.

All ProZ.com professionals are available for work directly; no commission or introduction fees are charged.

Related links:

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Directory Text Ads

The ProZ.com search directory is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. The directory is searched daily by thousands of people--many of them outsourcers looking for translators and agencies with specific skills. ProZ.com Directory Text Ads provide a way for freelancers and agencies to stand out in their respective directories. Directory Text Ads are precisely targeted to specific language pairs and disciplines. When an outsourcer sees a text ad in the directory, it is because the advertiser's skills are a perfect match for the outsourcer's needs.

Note: Presently, there are no directory text ads on the new search directory, but once the new search directory becomes the default directory, text ads will be available.

How Text Ads Work

An advertiser first creates a text ad from the My Text Ads page under My ProZ.com. The text ad consists of a heading and up to two lines of body text, and it is targeted at a single language pair and discipline.

When an outsourcer searches the ProZ.com Directory using search criteria that match the Directory Text Ad, the ad is shown at the top of the search results page, next to the search form. When the outsourcer clicks on the ad, he is taken to the advertiser's profile page, where he can get more information as well as contact the advertiser directly.

If there are more Directory Text Ads matching a search than can be displayed, the ads are randomly rotated for those search criteria.

Pricing

Freelancer Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.05 USD per impression. Agency Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.25 USD per impression. An impression is defined as a single viewing of the text ad. A minimum purchase of $20.00 USD is required.

FYI: Platinum members may also trade BrowniZ for Directory Text Ad impressions, at a rate of 10 BrowniZ per impression in the Freelancer Directory, and 50 BrowniZ per impression in the Agency Directory. A minimum outlay of 4000 BrowniZ is required.

Related links:

Click here to view the directory text-ads page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=info/advert&ssp=advert&sssp=ad_directory

To view the new old search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=wi

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Glossaries

You may add and/or upload existing glossaries; however, only plain text, standard format glossary can be unloaded. Word documents, RTF files, or any format other than plain text will not work. The maximum allowed file size is 2MB. If you have a glossary file larger than 2MB, please break it up into smaller pieces.

Note: Glossaries should be in the form: source term target term NotesURL

(Notes and URL are optional.)
1. Go to your profile
2. Click on your name
3. Select "Enter Terms" under Glossary
4. Select "Upload your glossaries!" located at the bottom of the page

FYI: You may edit an existing term, however, these instructions apply only to terms in your personal glossaries. Terms in the site-wide KudoZ glossary can only be edited by a moderator. If you want to suggest a change to a term in the site-wide glossary, you can contact the appropriate moderator using the moderator list.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the Glossary FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/glossaries

Click on the following link to view Glosspost: http://www.proz.com/?sp=glosspost

Receiving Payments

You are able to declare what payment types you accept for your translation services on your profile page. If you would like to edit your received payment options, please either click on your "edit personal data" link from your profile page, or click on your "accepted payment edit" link from the top right of your profile page.

Note: ProZ.com will not advise members on received payment options and/or contracts made between outsourcers and service providers.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members receive a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Job Track Record

Presently, the �Job Track Record� is offline.

Instant Messaging

You may edit your IM nicknames under your "settings tab" and from the "edit instant messenger data" link on your profile page.

Use this page to enter your instant messenger nicknames / ids, such as AOL, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, etc.

Connection

The connection page can be found under your setting's tab on your profile page. Use this page to enter your Internet connection type, such as broadband or dial up.

Track Record

The track record page keeps a history and record of references you'd like others to see.

Personal Tab

The �Personal Tab� can be found on your profile page . This feature allows you to create a personal web page by entering free-form HTML. Use your personal page to showcase your artwork, hobbies, and other information that would be out of place on your professional profile page. The personal tab can be found on your profile page.

To view the profile FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile

Visitors Tab

The �Visitors" tab is for Platinum members only. The "Visitor" tab works like a hit counter, but does so much more than a traditional hit counter. The "Visitors" tab allows profile owners to keep track of how many hits they've received in the last 30 days, but it also provides information about who, what, where, and when their profile was visited.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Note: The "Visitors Page" does not indicate who exactly visited your page by username or entity ID, likewise, when you visit a user's profile, he or she will not be able to see your username or entity ID on their "Visitors Page", just the IP address is visible. In addition to the IP address, it signifies the viewer type, for example an agency or freelancer or both.

To view the Visitor's tab FAQs, click on the following link:
http://www.proz.com/faq/profile

Email Preferences/Settings

Users are able to control all email notifications by setting their email notifications' preferences radio boxes.

To edit your email notifications, select the "edit email preferences" link from your profile page, or click on your setting's tab to access your email preference page. Once you have arrived to your email preference page, you'll notice 4 tabs: Profile Mail, Jobs Notifications, KudoZ Notifications, and Other Notifications.

Profile Mail

All users are able to email you from your profile page, as long as you have allowed them under your "profile mail preferences" tab. Emails that are sent from your profile page go to your primary email address. Remember, you may also block ProZ.com members or IP addresses from your email preference page.

Job Notifications

All users are able to control their job notifications by the following parameters: posted/instant jobs, all categories, specific categories, language pair, etc., and you can always change them at anytime. (Please check the "language pair" link under the "Settings" tab also to edit your services and styles for your language pairs.)

Having problems receiving job notifications? Click on the following Jobs FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/jobs

KudoZ Notifications

You are also able to control your KudoZ notifications by difficulty level, language pairs, asker properties, and subject areas.

Having problems receiving KudoZ notifications? Click on the following KudoZ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Other Notifications

On this page, you'll be able to sign-up for the monthly newsletter, notifications for events near you, howtos, TGBs, and alert/summarized calls for the Blue Board.
Email Address(es)

In your profile, you are allowed to have a 'current' email address and a 'secondary' email address. To change or add an email address to you account, just click on the "edit personal data" link on your profile page.

Your secondary email address is used to contact you if your primary address fails. If an email sent to your primary email address is returned by your mail provider, your primary address will be replaced with your secondary address, and your primary email address will be disabled and highlighted in red. If you notice that your primary email address has been disabled (highlighted in red), please copy and paste the same email address into the text box, update your information, and then check to see if your primary email address has been repaired. If not, you may have to enter in a new email address or send a support request to the following link: http://www.proz.com/support

If you'd like to change your email address(es), just enter your new email address in the desired text box, and update your information, and your new email address should replace your old one.

Unsubscribe to All Emails

To unsubscribe to all emails please click on the setting's tab and select the unsubscribe link. This will prompt you to the next page which will allow you to stop all email notifications. (You may also deactivate your account on this page too, but if you decided to reactivate your account, ProZ.com support can help you do that.)

Note: Once you unsubscribe to email notifications, all of your preferences will be erased and you'll have to update once again.

Click on the following link to view the Email FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/mail

KudoZ

KudoZ is a structured network used by translators to collaborate on terms. The most helpful answerers amass points that call attention to their areas of expertise. More than one million translations having been delivered via KudoZ. The archives can be browsed or searched, as can external terminology resources.

A KudoZ 'transaction' involves three steps:

(1) A person in need of translation assistance posts a term or phrase, providing context and the desired target language.

Click here to view the KudoZ ask page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=k2

(2) Site members suggest a translation, optionally providing explanations and references.

(3) The asker reviews the suggestions and awards 1 to 4 points to the member who provided the translation deemed to be the most useful or the most accurate.

FYI KudoZ Rules

1.1 - All features of the the KudoZ system (asking, answering, peer comments and "asking the asker") are to be to be used for terms help only. Making announcements, using the forms for purposes different from their intended ones, or otherwise misusing the KudoZ platform is prohibited.

2.2 - Texts posted as KudoZ questions should be no longer than 10 words or so. Longer texts should be posted as jobs. (Jobs > Post a Job)

4.5 - Avoid answering in language pairs in which you are not capable, and in fields in which you are not knowledgeable.

To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Searching

There are two term search options available at ProZ.com: ProZ.com Term Search and Web Term Search.

The ProZ.com Term Search is a one-stop function for searching:
(1) The KOG (i.e. "KudoZ Open Glossary": the collection of KudoZ terms that have been categorized, marked PRO and explicitly entered into the KOG)
(2) The KudoZ archives (i.e. previous questions and answers not necessarily entered into the KOG)
(3) Member personal glossaries

When relevant, links to glossaries outside of ProZ.com (pulled from GlossPost) may also be provided in the results.

Features of the "ProZ.com term search" include:
- The ability to search for a whole word or for word "stems"
- The ability to search for multiple words or an exact phrase
- The ability to search by detailed fields
- The ability to search all language pairs at once (this is available to platinums only)
- A limited ability to transliterate accented characters on the fly (e.g. searching for "publica" will return results containing "p�blica" as well). To disable this feature, select the "match exact phrase" option

The Web Term Search is a one-stop location for simultaneously searching not only ProZ.com, but also various terminology resources on the web. Among the resources searched are:
(1) Reference sites such as Ectaco, WordReference, Leo, Pons, etc.,
(2) Machine translation sites
(3) Search engines such as Google, MSN, Altavista, Lycos, etc.

Other services such as this exist on the web. However, the distinguishing feature of this service is that the searches are performed simultaneously to maximize research efficiency.

Please make a point of checking these term search resources before submitting a term as a KudoZ question.

KudoZ Asking

A person in need of translation assistance posts a term or phrase, providing context and the desired target language. You can not edit a question, but you can add notes. A form appears in the question page. (If you lose track of a question, check the email confirmation for the link.)

Note: All askers may want to search the KudoZ glossaries first for their term before submitting a live KudoZ question.

Non-Pro or Pro

Each KudoZ question is classified in one of two categories: PRO and Non-PRO (formerly called "easy").

PRO questions are those that are asked by OR that are suitable for professional translators.

Non-PRO (formally called "easy") questions are those that are asked by people who are not professional translators, and that can be answered by any bilingual person without the aid of a dictionary.

Please click on the following Howto link to learn more about classifying your KudoZ question: http://proz.com/translation-articles/articles/95/

KudoZ Categories

KudoZ questions can be categorized using a field list with about 100 entries. The list, which was created statistically from subject areas entered in free text by ProZ.com users, is somewhat fuzzy on purpose. For example, because one member might think "auto" while another thinks "cars", both category names are made available in the list.

Note that although "twin" categories such as these appear separately in the list of fields, they get entered into the database in the same way. So it does not matter which you select--just pick the first category that fits your term.

A tip: in most browsers, once you are in the select list, you can simply hit the letter of the category you have in mind ("c" for "cars") until you get the category you want.

FYI KudoZ Rules

2.1 - Use KudoZ to ask for a translation only after you have consulted the KudoZ archives (KudoZ > KudoZ Search from the main menu), dictionaries, search engines and any other commonly available resources that might be helpful. If you find translations elsewhere and still wish to post a KudoZ question, include the information you have found and explain what further information you seek.

2.4 - In general, askers should refrain from posting a large number of questions in a short period of time. Bear in mind that a question may be sent to several thousand people, and use your judgment.

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ Rules, click on the link below found under "Related links".

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Answering

In KudoZ answering, site members suggest a translation, optionally providing explanations and references. In your answer, you will be able to enter your translated term, submit a confidence level (which is required), explain your reasoning for your translation, attach web references, and prefer whether or not to receive peer comments on your answer.

FYI: KudoZ Rules

4.2 If you answer KudoZ questions, be prepared for colleagues to comment both positively and negatively on your terminology. Do not take it personally.

4.4 - Commenting on an asker�s profile, his/her decision to post a certain question, to grade a certain way, or to make a certain glossary entry, is strictly forbidden. (Glossary entries can be edited after a question is closed without the involvement of an asker. Point decisions can be undone only by joint request to a moderator from both the asker and the person who was awarded the points.)

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Ask the Asker

KudoZ "Ask the asker" allows members to request additional context or other clarification from a KudoZ asker. The function is available to members who have earned 20 or more KudoZ points.

FYI KudoZ Rule

4.7 - The �Ask the Asker� feature's only purpose is to ask for clarifications about the question or its context. No other use of the function is permitted.

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Agreeing

You are encouraged to agree with as many answers as you consider correct, and disagree with as many answers as you consider incorrect.

FYI KudoZ Rules

5.1 - Agrees and disagrees should be based solely on linguistic evaluation of answers provided.
5.3 - To disagree, one must enter linguistic justification. Personal comments are strictly prohibited.
5.4 - Encouraging others to agree with your answers or disagree with answers provided by others, is prohibited.

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Comment/Respond

To prevent KudoZ threads from running off on a tangent, multiple exchanges are not allowed around each answer. A peer may comment and the answerer may respond--but the exchange ends there.

Make sure to make your point clearly and concisely; you get only one chance.

FYI KudoZ Rules

5.2 - Backing up peer comments with references is encouraged.

5.5 - Avoid entering peer comments in language pairs in which you are not capable, and in fields in which you are not knowledgeable.

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Points

The asker reviews the suggestions and awards 1 to 4 points to the member who provided the translation deemed to be the most useful or the most accurate.

Some clients use KudoZ points to flag translators for further qualification. The logic is that if you require the services of a translator with understanding of medicine, a person who has earned 300 points from medical questions may be a good place to start looking.

Note: KudoZ and BrowniZ point totals shown in some places throughout the site are updated once daily, whereas those in other places are updated in real time. So there can be temporary discrepancies, but correction is made when all points are counted once per day. Also, if errors were to occur, they should be corrected within a day.

FYI KudoZ Rules

3.1 - Askers are required to provide feedback to answerers by selecting the answer they find most helpful. This is called "grading." (It is also possible to decline all answers.)

3.2 - It is recommended that askers allow 24 hours to pass before grading. This gives professionals in various time zones an opportunity to prepare well-researched answers.

Note: To view the rest of the KudoZ rules, click on the the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Correction

As you amass KudoZ points, new features become available to you.

When you amass 20 KudoZ points, you may:

Vote Non-Pro/Pro (to read more about this function please see http://www.proz.com/faq/2905#2905)

When you amass 500 KudoZ points, you may:

Reverse Pair

Edit Language Pair/Fields/Etc.

The option to post a discussion entry and therefore Ask the Asker is available for all users.

The feature to track a certain KudoZ question is provided only to paying members. For additional information please check: http://www.proz.com/faq/5198#5198

Note: If you have reached a certain amount of KudoZ points and do not have access to one of the options above, please send in a support request: http://www.proz.com/support

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Robot

If a question has received answers but not been closed within three days, an email is sent to the asker reminding him or her to grade the answers and issue points. If the question remains open after four such reminders have been sent (over 2 weeks), an attempt is made to select the best answer automatically. An 'auto-grading robot' makes its selection based on the net number of peer 'agrees' received by each answer, according to the following rules:

- To be considered, an answer must have at least two "net agrees" (agrees-disagrees).

- The answer with the highest number of net agrees is selected.

If two answers have the same number of net agrees, the first* one entered is selected. (* Note: starting June 17, 2004, the robot was changed so that the *last* among answers with equal net agrees is selected. The idea is that if two answers gather the same number of net agrees, the one that did so in a a shorter period of time may be better.

If no answer has at least 2 net agrees, it remains open.

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

Most Recent KudoZ

On the ProZ.com homepage there is a list of the 10 most recent asked KudoZ questions. You can also click on the �Your Pairs� tab to view KudoZ questions in your language pairs from the homepage.

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Leaders

The new KudoZ leader board hereas the old KudoZ leader board links to the profile pages of both platinum and non-platinum answerers; moreover, the new leader board will link to popup summaries of the KudoZ profiles of platinum members only (and even then, only when those platinum members are shown in their working pairs). Likewise, in KudoZ question pages, only the names of platinum answerers will be clickable by colleagues.

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Popups

The new KudoZ popup summaries call attention to the areas in which a member has earned his/her most KudoZ points. The popups load quickly, so it is expected that they will be used even more frequently than the profile links that are currently in place. Because the popups can be customized by the owner, the popups will provide a useful networking and marketing tool for KudoZ answerers who are platinum.

Related links:

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ Glossaries

Site users have joined forces to build a multilingual terminology database we call the KudoZ Open Glossary (KOG). Built from a combination of post-edited KudoZ questions, direct entries, and donations of personal glossaries, KOG is growing rapidly. Because many KudoZ questions involve terms too specialized or too new to be found in dictionaries, KOG is rich in current, hard-to-find terms. And because credit is given to KOG contributors, KOG provides yet another means for networking and client generation.

All ProZ members are able to search the KOG. Premium and Platinum members have access to additional KOG functionality, including the ability to export field- and language-specific glossaries, take field-specific tests, etc.

Note: In the new KudoZ design, you can edit glossary entries by clicking the "gloss" button. However, if you are using the old KudoZ design and don't see that button, please switch to the new standard design by clicking "Switch to Standard KudoZ Design" at the top of the KudoZ page, then click the "gloss" button to edit the glossary. You can then switch back to the old design if you wish by clicking "Use Old KudoZ Design" at the top of the page.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the KudoZ glossary page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=kog

To search the kudoZ archive, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=search_kudoz

To search personal, edited and unedited kudoZ questions, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=mt

To view the KudoZ FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/kudoz

To view the KudoZ rules, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/kudozrules

Click here to view the most recent KudoZ questions asked: http://www.proz.com/kudoz

Check the KudoZ leaderboard: http://www.proz.com/?sp=leaders_new

KudoZ.net

KudoZ.net is a free distributed version of KudoZ. A downloadable tool allows you to ask and answer questions in bunches without leaving your desktop. The result is a faster, more convenient KudoZ experience. You can use it by downloading it and enter your username and password. For more info, go to: http://www.proz.com/?sp=kudoz/info

Job Posting/Quoting

Translation, interpretation, localization and other jobs requiring the services of multilingual professionals or companies may be posted. More translation jobs are passed via ProZ.com than any other venue, and the job flow is growing.

There are three distinct ways in which jobs are passed at ProZ.com:
(1) Posting / quoting
(2) Direct contact (outsourcer contacts single pro)
(3) InstantJobs: outsourcer posts text, prequalified pros are invited automatically

Method (1) is the only visible method of job matching; jobs of the other form are passed privately. Method (2) accounts for about half of all jobs passed.

Click on the following link to view the new jobs page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

No Commissions

There are no fees for posting jobs at ProZ.com. There are also no commissions. This is possible because ProZ.com charges a yearly subscription fee to the service providers.

Using Directories

This directory offers commission-free, direct access to freelance translators and interpreters worldwide. It is sorted and searchable by language pair and detailed fields of expertise, as well as a variety of other criteria.

Posting Jobs

When posting a job, it is important to be as descriptive as possible with regard to the nature of the work, as well as your requirements for service providers. In addition, it is very important that you supply complete information about yourself and/or your company. The best service providers are in high demand, and will generally not pursue jobs with questionable clients. Complete contact details, and perhaps a brief history of your company, may help you to kick off mutually beneficial relationships with top professionals.

Jobs posted should respect the principle of equal opportunity.

Please note that the contact details marked as mandatory/required on the Job Posting Form must be completed in each case (first and last name, representation, email address, address, etc.). Job postings with incomplete details will be removed by ProZ.com staff or moderators.

Where possible, jobs involving multiple language combinations should be aggregated using the corresponding function available on the Job Posting Form.

When a job is posted and approved by moderators or site staff, email notification is sent to each professional whose profile matches the requirements of your job. Depending on how unique or general your job requirements are, you may expect to begin hearing from service providers within minutes.

If your job is in a common language pair -- European languages, Arabic, Chinese, etc. -- you are encouraged to be very specific in your demands related to subject area expertise, etc. This will help to ensure you get the most suitable quotes from a manageable number of service providers.

Click on the following link to view the new job forms: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs&sp_mode=post

Editing Job Listing

Job posting forms can be edited before a job has actually been vetted, but once a job has been posted to the public, it cannot be edited by the outsourcer again. However, outsourcers will still have the option to make an addendum to their job posting if needed.

Browsing Jobs

You are able to browse jobs by type (translation, potential, and interpreting), language pairs, and key words.

Click on the following link to browse jobs: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

Quoting on Jobs

You should follow the clients' direction. When none is given, use the quoting form, which is located on the bottom and top of the job posting. Click on it and fill out the job quoting form.

Note: Posted jobs: Posting a job is free. Answering and posting a quote is free and unlimited for Platinum members. Non-paying members are charged a fee of $1 (or, alternatively, 100 browniz) for each quote posted.
On InstantJobs, a commission on the overall value of a job is taken by ProZ.com. The payment shown for InstantJobs is the payment available to the service provider; the commission has already been subtracted.

You should never contact a client directly, or call, if the client asks that you do not. Doing so reflects poorly on you, on the ProZ.com community, and results in an inconvenience that almost certainly ensures you *will not* get the job. If ProZ.com staff receives complaints of a member contacting an outsourcer directly, against that clients' instructions, the members' profile may be limited or removed.

Job quoting is a pay for quote system. There are many ways in which you can pay:

You can use BrowniZ points (100 points per quote). All new ProZ.com members receive 300 BrowniZ points upon registration.
You can deposit money in your ProZ.com Wallet and each quote will be charged against it. It costs $1 per quote.
Platinum members (120.00 EUR/USD per year) can quote on an unlimited number of jobs.

Frequently quote on jobs? Check out our Partial Jobs Platinum membership: http://www.proz.com/?sp=info/prem&inquire=1&viewPage=partial_benefits

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members receive a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Automatic Referrals

Automatic Referrals appear to an outsourcer after they have posted a job. The ProZ.com system automatically selects the top five Platinum members that best match the criteria for the specific job. The outsourcer is presented with the list of these translators and a direct link to contact them. Outsourcers save time and hassle, Platinum translators receive more exposure that turns into more job offers.

Rates

Rates are entered from the profile page, which specify a rate range of a minimum charge per word, hour, instant job, and target.

By specifying the range in which you are willing to work, you supply valuable information that will be used in educating clients. For example, if a client wants to post a job at 0.001 cents/word (a very low rate), he or she will be presented with data showing the percentage of pros who are not willing to work at that rate. This helps to head off unreasonable offers.

When entering an offer to complete a posted job, the rate offered must be within the range shown in the profile. Therefore, it is not possible to quote on jobs that are posted with a rate outside of your range (lower than your minimum or higher than your maximum).

To read the Rate FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/rates

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the new Jobs Page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

To view the Jobs Posting/Listing FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/jobs_posting

To view the Jobs FAQs, click here: http://www.proz.com/faq/jobs

Click on the following link to view the latest job listings/postings: http://www.proz.com/translation-jobs?show_mode=all

Blue Board

What is the Blue Board?

We'll explain in a roundabout way. First of all, any ProZ.com member can enter a number from 1 to 5 corresponding to his or her likelihood of working again with a given outsourcer (ie. client or translation company/agency). By way of explanation, the member can also enter a line of text along with the number. In response, the outsourcer may enter a line of text of his/her/its own. The Blue Board is the complete, searchable database of the records containing entries and replies, along with outsourcer coordinates.

Over time, records have been collected for many outsourcers (4567 of them, half with entries.) In fact, the Blue Board is the largest built-from-scratch database of translation outsourcers in the world. What makes it most unique are the "likelihood of working again" entries from ProZ.com members--and the fact that you may know those members, or can contact them easily.

What does this mean to you?

If you are a translator/interpreter, you can use the Blue Board to help manage risk whenever you evaluate new clients. If you are an outsourcer, and your translators tend to work with you on an ongoing basis, this fact will be reflected in the Blue Board. The greatest beneficiaries of the Blue Board are popular outsourcers. Many members have commented on just how valuable a resource the Blue Board has been. To make a habit of using it, just remember the URL! http://proz.com/bb

To get to the Blue Board, click on "Jobs" in the menu at the top of the site, and then "Blue Board". [Jobs > Blue Board] You can also access the Blue Board using this URL: http://proz.com/bb (It is easy to remember!)

Note: What you enter is not anonymous, and you may be held personally responsible for any false or libelous comments. The outsourcer will be able to publicly reply to your comment as well. Furthermore, once an outsourcer has commented on your response, you cannot delete or edit the entry. (However, if both parties decide on having an entry removed, site staff will be more than happy to hide both entries.)

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related links:

The blue board can be reached by selecting Jobs->Blue board from the main menu, or directly from this link: http://www.proz.com/blueboard

Learn more about the Blue Board, by clicking on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=faq

To view the most recent job postings, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/

Blue Board Browsing/Searching

The new BB browsing/searching page now makes it easier to view the database of member's entries. Also, you are able to subscribe to receive daily notifications of "Call for Inquiry" requests by freelancers for outsourcers.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the Blue Board FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/blue_board_agency

To view the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb

Learn more about the Blue Board, by clicking in the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=faq

To view the most recent job postings, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/pro

Blue Board Entries and Fees

Any member may use the Blue Board to make, request or review entries:
Platinum members have unlimited access to all records, and non-platinum members can buy temporary access to records one at a time, at a cost of 50 browniz or 50 US cents. (All members start with 300 BrowniZ, so you can buy access to 6 records without doing a thing. You also earn 50 BrowniZ for making an entry for an outsourcer for which you have worked--so if you contribute actively, you may effectively enjoy free access.)

FYI Blue Board Rule:

You may only make entries for clients with whom you have worked on a project and to whom you have delivered work on time and without complaints related to quality. You may not make entries solely on the basis of negotations or other preliminary interactions.

If you have worked on a project with a client but were late or otherwise negligent in delivering work, you may not make an entry for that client. The Blue Board should also not be used to threaten outsourcers.

'Self-entries' by outsourcers (or by members representing an outsourcer) are not permitted.

To view the rest of the BB rules, please click on the BB FAQs link below.

Related links:

To make an entry on the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=entry

Click on the following link to view the Blue Board FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/blue_board_agency

To view the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb

Learn more about the Blue Board, by clicking on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=faq

To view the most recent job postings, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/

Making Blue Board Inquiries

If the outsourcer is already listed, click "Call for entries" from the outsourcer's record page. This will cause a request for entries to be published on the ProZ.com home page. In addition, an email will be sent to all those who have subscribed to such requests. You may add an outsourcer whether or not you are a platinum member.

Related links:

To make an entry on the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=entry

Click on the following link to view the Blue Board FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/blue_board_agency

To view the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb

Learn more about the Blue Board, by clicking on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=faq

To view the most recent job postings, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/

Responding to a Service Provider's Entry

When a service provider posts an entry, the particular outsourcer will receive an email at the time the entry was made. If you did not, or you can not find it and would like to enter a response, send your response to the jobs coordinators noting the service provider to whom you are responding.
Please contact a the jobs coordinators if you believe the conditions for making an entry have not been met (for example, if a person who has not worked for you has made an entry.)

If there seems to have been a misunderstanding, outsourcers are encouraged to communicate directly with those making entries. However, making threats or exerting pressure on a ProZ.com member to cause him or her to change his or her "likelihood of working again" with your business is prohibited, and may result in your right to use ProZ.com being restricted.

Like service provider comments, your responses must be restricted to the work relationship and likelihood of working again. Personal remarks from service providers and outsourcers are not acceptable and will be removed by the site staff upon request.

Related links:

To make an entry on the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=entry

Click on the following link to view the Blue Board FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/blue_board_agency

To view the Blue Board, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb

Learn more about the Blue Board, by clicking on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=bb&viewPage=faq

To view the most recent job postings, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/

Forums

The ProZ.com discussion forums are a private service provided to ProZ.com users as a community focal point, for the purpose of discussing topics related to translation or the translation industry, and topics otherwise of general interest to members of this site in their capacity as translation professionals. In general, there are categorized public and private forums located on the site, which provide valuable information for users.

FYI Forum Rules:

8. No attacks
Personal attacks on groups or individuals, discussing the personal behavior of other members or inhibiting any person in any way from enjoying the service, is prohibited.

9. No harassing side messages
Sending offensive or harassing messages to members "offline"--via the email option in profile pages or other means--is prohibited. (If you receive such a message, you should forward it to the forum moderator, or post it to site staff using the support request form.)

10. No politics
Posting content that is political, religious, or otherwise controversial in nature, or that may be considered offensive by other members, is not allowed. Such postings will be removed without regard to the views expressed.

To view the forum rules, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/forumrules/

To view the Scope of Forums webpage, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/scope

Scope of Forums

The definition of ProZ.com's scope is intended to ensure that site activities remain focused on the site's goals, as outlined in the ProZ.com mission statement. Site users are expected to limit their site activities, postings and communications to the site's scope as defined herein. Those who use ProZ.com for other purposes will be denied access to the service, without regard to their status as paying or non-paying members.

To view the Scope of Forums webpage, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/scope

Related links:

To view the Powwow FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/powwows

Organizer of Powwow

The powwow organizer assumes primary responsibility for selecting a suitable venue and time, and primary responsibility for reporting on powwow attendance. Though it is not required, most powwow organizers will also say a few words to start or finish a powwow, and many see to it that a report and/or photos are entered after the event.

Some powwow organizers do more: some create agendas or even invite speakers. Others host at their houses, preparing food, etc. But this is not required; it is enough to make sure that everyone is clear regarding the venue and time.

Proposing a Powwow

The first step in the process of holding a powwow is proposing it. Any ProZ.com member with a verified identity or a platinum membership can propose a powwow by going to the main powwow page [ http://www.proz.com/powwow/ ] and clicking the tab that says "Propose New Powwow". When this form has been submitted, site staff will be notified, and will confirm or deny the powwow within a few days.

Because the powwow notification process is a gradual one (people notice powwow ads as they browse the site), powwows should be proposed 2 to 3 months in advance of the planned date. There is no reason you can not propose a powwow just a few days in advance... just don't expect many people to notice!

Attendance and a Venue

The two most common venues for powwows are restaurants and organizers' homes. Powwows have also been held at parks, libraries and other public places.

When selecting a venue, it is important to select a place that is quiet enough for a comfortable conversation. If the venue is a restaurant, try to get a private room so that members will be able, for example, to stand and introduce themselves. Alternatively, select a day or time when there will be few other patrons.

One important factor in selecting a venue is the number of people who will participate. It is hard to know exactly how many people will attend a powwow, but there are several ways to estimate. Powwow attendance varies with location, so one way to get an idea of how many people may attend is to look at the pages of past powwows in your area.

As the date of the powwow approaches, it becomes easier to estimate attendance. Interested members will have added their names to the powwow page. In order to accurately estimate how many of these will attend, an organizer can encourage interested parties to confirm attendance. A group mailing function is providing for this purpose (it can also be used to notify members regarding updates to information, etc.)

When closer estimates of attendance have been obtained, the organizer should let the venue know.

Editing Page

Organizers are given a means of editing the powwow information box on powwow pages, including the date, theme and other information related to the event. To edit this information, click on "Edit powwow info" to the upper right of the powwow box on the page for that powwow.

Promoting the Powwow

The best way to promote a powwow is to invite local colleagues you know personally (no ProZ.com function is yet provided for this purpose). Encourage colleagues in turn to invite others or bring friends (and family, if appropriate).

Powwows are also a place to meet new colleagues, so you will want to notify people in the area who you do not yet know. Consider announcing the powwow in the ProZ.com powwow organizers forum: http://www.proz.com/forum/32 You may make an announcement there when a powwow is first accepted, and then an announcement again (as a reminder) a week or two before the date the powwow is to be held. not more than two postings should be made in this forum for a single powwow.

To attract new members, ProZ.com banner advertisements will also appear automatically (randomly), to those who have entered the relevant country into their profiles. As a result, it is likely that people you do not know will express interest in your powwow. Organizers are encouraged to make new guests feel welcome, and respond to any questions they ask directly or in the powwow page.

Upcoming powwows are also announced in each of ProZ.com's monthly newsletters.

Communicating

A group mailing function is provided to help organizers communicate efficiently with members interested in a powwow. To use it, login and visit the page of your powwow. A series of checkboxes will appear beside the names of those interested. Check the boxes of the members you want to contact and then click "Send message to checked members". On the next page, you will indicate the type of message, and then write/edit the note you would like to send to each member.

The group mail function can be used to inform members regarding updates to powwow information, to request that they confirm attendance, to announce that a powwow report has been posted, etc.

To test the group mail function, just check your own name and send yourself a message.

Confirming attendance / receiving payments

In order to get a good estimate of the number of members who will attend a powwow, organizers are encouraged to send a "confirm attendance" request, using the group mail function, a week or two before the event. Members are given a way of either clicking a link in the "please confirm" email, or of indicating via the powwow page how likely they are to attend (yes, no or maybe). In addition, the organizer is able to change the attendance status for each member--this allows the organizer to update the page when members confirm personally via email, etc. Organizers are encouraged to keep status up to date using this function so that miscommunication will be avoided (members will change their status if they notice it is wrong.)

Most powwows are either free or "pay-your-own-way", ex. each member pays for the food she/he eats. In some cases, however, particularly if 50 or more attendees are expected, advanced payment may be advisable. In these cases, permission must be requested from ProZ.com for the powwow to require advanced payment. A ProZ.com staff member will review the proposal, and if advanced payment is deemed advisable, the format of the powwow page will be modified so that instead of confirmation status, payment status will be shown.

Advanced payments can be received in one of two ways: locally (with payment handled by the powwow organizer) or via ProZ.com (with payment online). When payment is made via ProZ.com (a business), an electronic invoice will be issued. When payment is made locally to you as organizer (not organizing a powwow as a commercial activity), no invoice should be expected by members.

Note: Organizers are required to record the names and IDs of members in attendance. To facilitate this, members are asked to bring their ProZ.com IDs. Members who attend should receive browniz, but that can only happen if they bring their membership numbers, and the organizer enters them into the online attendance sheet afterwards.

Browniz Points

After the powwow date, each member that attended the powwow receives 200 browniz points as long as the organizer has entered in their username or entity ID in the attendance sheet.

Related links:

To view the upcoming powwow page, please click on the following link: http://proz.com/powwows

To view the past powwow list, please click on the following link:
http://www.proz.com/powwow

To view the Powwow FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/powwows

The Powwow Event

Powwows provide an opportunity for networking and informal socializing among language professionals--a chance to meet the people behind the profiles.

As an organizer, you may want to facilitate networking. Most organizers offer attendees an opportunity to introduce themselves and make announcements. One common technique is to go around the room, with each attendee mentioning their languages and areas of specialization, as well as one hobby not related to translation.

Sometimes, a theme is selected by an organizer; examples include: 'CAT tools', 'Literature', 'Free-lancing', 'New Translators'. Sometimes a member volunteers to speak on a topic, and provided there is sufficient interest expressed by others, the organizer may permit this.

Some organizers have invited representatives from large clients, or CAT tools vendors, to speak or give demonstrations. This has generally been well-received. It is important, however, that the tone of such meetings be informative rather than commercial.

Some powwows have no agenda and no theme, and that is fine, too. Basically, if you are the organizer, it is your event to create!

Verifying identities

Some ProZ.com functions require that the identities of members have been verified and having your identity verified is intended as a benefit to members. Powwows provide an opportunity to verify the identities of ProZ.com members without charging a fee. Powwow organizers who are interested in offering this service, and who have themselves had their identities verified, may request that ProZ.com staff assign to them the right to verify the identities of powwow attendees. This request should be entered using the online support system at: http://www.proz.com/support

If the request for the right to verify identities is granted, the organizer will receive instructions on how to verify identities. Basically, the process involves announcing to members in advance (via the powwow page) that identities will be verified, checking photo IDs at the event, and then entering the verified identity data after the event. The process takes about a minute per identity verified.

Submitting Attendance and BrowniZ

Members are awarded browniz for organizing, and for attending, powwows. Therefore, one of the responsibilities of the organizer is to see to it that attendance is recorded. (After the powwow is over, the organizer wll have access to the "enter attendance" link at the top of the powwow page. The organizer will not be rewarded their browniZ points until the powwow attendance form has been filled in.)

Note that in order for browniz to be awarded to attendees, either their member ID or the email address that matches their ProZ.com profile must be entered into the attendance form.

Within a day after the names are entered here, the browniz will be credited

Publishing Powwow Reports/Photos

After a powwow has been held, a link will appear at the top of the powwow page, allowing the organizer to enter an attendance sheet and a report on the event. It is important that this be done, because attendees (and you as organizer) will not receive browniz points until it is.

Once a report has been published, you may want to use the batch mail function to notify attendees so that they can see the report for themselves!

Principles and Rules

There are some basis principles and rules for powwows that ProZ.com asks organizers to know and follow. They are:

(1) Powwows are open and informal.
(2) Guests and families are welcome.
(3) Powwows are not commercial.

Information

For more information related to powwows, see the powwow faq by going to the powwow list page and clicking on the FAQ tab: http://www.proz.com/powwow

A forum is also provided for discussions related to powwows or the organization of powwows. To access that forum, go to: http://www.proz.com/forum/32
This forum is also accessible by navigating from the menu tabs as follows: Community > Forums > Forums about ProZ.com > Powwow Organizers.

Related links:

To view the upcoming powwow page, please click on the following link: http://proz.com/powwows

To view the past powwow list, please click on the following link:
http://www.proz.com/powwow

To view the Powwow FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/powwows

Articles

The old Howto section of ProZ.com has been upgraded,
expanded, redesigned and renamed, to form a new "Articles
Knowledgebase". In the revised format, a collection of
translation-related articles (235 to start) can be read,
searched, recommended and--in unique ways--enhanced and
expanded over time by the community.

Over the next several years the Articles Knowledgebase will
become a key area of our workplace, providing not only a
rich source of industry reference for translators and
translation clients, but also a powerful means of promotion
for those ProZ.com members who take the time to share their
expertise with others. (A few special benefits have and will
be built in for platinum members, too.)

We ask for your help in making this the best resource
possible. For more information, see:

Announcement: http://proz.com/topic/33732
FAQ: http://proz.com/faq/articles
Articles home: http://proz.com/translation-articles

Terminology Resources (KudoZ, Internet search, Glosspost )

Each member may enter terms in their personal glossary by clicking on the �Enter Terms� link on the bottom left of the profile page.

Editing Personal Glossaries

Note that these instructions apply only to terms in your personal glossaries. Terms in the site-wide KudoZ glossary can only be edited by a moderator. If you want to suggest a change to a term in the site-wide glossary, you can contact the appropriate moderator using the moderator list.

1. Go to your Profile page
2. Click the name of the glossary where the term is
3. Click the term in question
4. Click the 'Edit or add info to this term' at the bottom of the page.
5. Edit the existing information or add new information, and click the "Enter" button to save your changes

KudoZ Archives Searching

To search the glossaries for KudoZ questions, you must select at least a source or a target language.

Further, KudoZ search results will be returned for each KudoZ question or answer that begins with the term you search for. For technical reasons, this is much, much faster than searching for your term anywhere within the KudoZ question. If the first results are not sufficient, click "Search for KudoZ containing your term" at the bottom of the page. A second, slower search will be performed that will match your term anywhere within a KudoZ question or answer.

Internet Term Search

The �Internet Term Search� makes it possible to enter a term at ProZ.com, and search Internet resources like Eurodicautom, Leo, Wordreference, KudoZ, Ectaco, Systran, Intertran and others all at once? The ProZ.com "Internet Search" is made for just this purpose. Consider bookmarking this time-saver...

http://www.proz.com/wts

How to use it:

(1) Enter the term to search

(2) Enter the languages

(3) Select the resources to search

(4) Click "Search"

The search function will be contacting each of your selected resources at once. To view each result, click the tabs at the top of the page.

Note: Because the sites being accessed may send popup windows, this function is recommended only if you have a popup blocker (ProZ.com does not host popup ads.)

Glosspost

There is no such thing as "too much reference material." That is why ProZ.com is proud to sponsor GlossPost, the web's largest collection of glossary links. Need to brush up on your Polish fishing terminology? Arabic finance lingo? Icelandic Internet jargon? Glosspost is a member-built list of glossaries on the Internet.

GlossPost is a specialized discussion group for the dissemination of glossary, dictionary and terminology database URLs among translators. The list was founded by Brazilian translator and conference interpreter Maria Eug�nia Farr� at Yahoogroups in February 2000. You can read here an interview with more information on the list's history. What distinguished GlossPost from other mailing lists and may explain its success was a very well defined set of rules, establishing English as the official language for posting, recommendations for writing subject lines, the adoption of standardized ISO-based language codes and a strictly no-chat policy.

Three years down the road, GlossPost at Yahoogroups continues to grow. With a vast membership, GlossPost is today one of the largest mailing lists for translators, interpreters and terminologists worldwide. But as the number of subscribers grows, so does the URL database. Even though it's considered one of the best glossary URL repositories, with an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 glossary URLs, annotated and commented by translators, the searching capabilities at Yahoogroups are far from satisfactory. Let alone the rumors about Yahoogroups being shutdown and other threats. For this reason, GlossPost and ProZ.com have joined forces to make the glossary database more robust and widely available.

What are the goals driving GlossPost at Proz.com?

We have three main goals:

� To create an online terminology resource with searching capabilities specifically designed for the needs of translators.

� To enlarge the database by benefiting from the collaborative spirit of ProZ.com users

� To ensure the accessibility of GlossPost and honor the commitment of providing a free and useful resource for translators across the globe

To view the Glosspost webpage, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=glosspost

To view the Glosspost FAQs, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=glosspost&show_mode=faq

Tools (CAT tools, TGBs)

The �Tools� menu bar provides a list of CAT tools and software for all users to look over when interested in purchasing or comparing various products. CAT Tools

CAT stands for "Computer Aided Translation". The terms "Translation Memory" and "TM" are sometimes used to refer to the same type of tool. A CAT tool is a computer program that helps a translator to work efficiently.

This is achieved through three main functions:

* A CAT tool breaks texts into segments (sentences or sentence fragments) and presents the segments in a convenient way, to make translating easier and faster. In some tools, for example MetaTexis, each segment is presented in a special box, and the translation can be entered in another box right below the source text.

* The translation of each segment is saved together with the source text. Source text and translation will always be treated and presented as a translation units (TU). You can return to a segment at any time to check the translation. There are special functions which help to navigate through the text and to find segments which need to be translated or revised (quality control).

* The main function of a CAT tool is to save the translation units in a database, called translation memory (TM), so that they can be re-used for any other text, or even in the same text. Through special "fuzzy search" features the search functions of CAT tools can also find segments which do not match 100%. This saves time and effort and helps the translator to use consistent terminology.

Besides these main functions many other functions may be included in CAT tools, to make translating easier and increase productivity.

Introduction provided by Hermann Bruns.

Related links:

To view the TGB page, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/tgb

To view the CAT Tool page, please click on the following link:
http://www.proz.com/?sp=cat/tools

Hosting

ProZ.com provides comprehensive web hosting services to full platinum members. The hosting service is based on the popular web hosting control panel cPanel, and offers a highly competitive feature set comparable to packages offered by other hosting companies.

ProZ.com is also an authorized domain reseller for OpenSRS/Tucows, one of the most reliable and open domain registrars on the Internet. This allows members to have complete control over their own domain names using a web-based domain management interface at ProZ.com.

If you are a platinum member interested in signing up for the new hosting system, see the hosting info page to get started. More information can be found in the Getting Started Guide and the hosting forum.

Platinum Hosting

Hosting service is provided only to full platinum members; it is not for sale to non-platinum members. The main focus of all web sites hosted by ProZ.com must be language-related. ProZ.com is not attempting to run a profitable hosting business in the low-margin web hosting industry. ProZ.com has identified that having a professional web site, reliable email service, an FTP server, and other hosting features are important components of a successful language business, and we have found that many of our members are under served in this area. ProZ.com hosting is intended to serve this need for our platinum members.

Cost of Hosting

The standard hosting package is available for free to all full platinum members. An advanced hosting upgrade is available with additional features for a small fee.

Domain registration and management is not free, however. To own your own domain name, you must pay an annual domain registration fee to a domain registrar. That fee can be paid through ProZ.com, or to a third-party registrar or domain reseller.

As an alternative to owning your own domain name, it is possible to host your web site using a subdomain of proz.com (yourname.my.proz.com). This service is free to full platinum members.

See the hosting info page for more feature and pricing information.

Hosting and Domain Registration

Hosting and domain registration are two distinct services. You register your domain name with a domain registrar, giving you unique ownership of that name. You tell your domain registrar where to find the nameservers authoritative for your domain. Your hosting service provides nameservers for your domain, and handles your web site, email, etc. Often, domain registration service is provided through your hosting provider, but not always. One of the advantages to owning a domain name is that you are not tied to any one hosting provider.

ProZ.com provides domain registration services for some top-level domains (currently .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .co.uk, and .org.uk). We can also provide hosting services for domains that use a different domain registrar.

You are the owner of any domain you register at or transfer to ProZ.com. Your contact information will be shown as the owner, admin, and billing contact in your domain's whois record. By default, ProZ.com will be listed as the technical contact and registration service provider in your domain's whois record.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related links:

Hosting FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/hosting

Hosting info page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=host/info

Hosting Forum: http://www.proz.com/forum/79

Hosting terms and services: http://www.proz.com/?sp=host/tos

Getting started: http://www.proz.com/?sp=host/getting_started

Moderators

ProZ.com activities are moderated and steered by a group of approximately 100 volunteer moderators living around the world. There are four types of moderator: KudoZ, forum, jobs and abuse. Moderators of all four types participate in a private discussion list. Major decisions related to ProZ.com are often discussed and refined in the private discussion's list before the release isrolled out to the broader community.

Moderators help to ensure a positive working environment at ProZ.com by encouraging new members, answering member questions and otherwise helping people to get the most out of ProZ.com. Moderators also field complaints and intervene when necessary to ensure that site rules are followed.

Moderators contribute to the leadership of ProZ.com by making proposals and providing feedback on proposals in a dedicated moderator forum. This forum acts as a sounding board for new site development and policies.

Also, off line meetings have periodically been held among moderators to discuss site issues in a concentrated manner.

Moderators are volunteers; they are not compensated in any way. Those who are platinum members have purchased platinum membership (but platinum membership is not required of moderators.) Moderators who attend moderator meetings pay their own way.

There is no set frequency at which moderators are expected to contribute. It is understood that each moderator has other priorities (work, family, hobbies, etc.), which will take precedence over moderator tasks. Moderators are therefore free to contribute as much or as little as they like, whenever they can.

KudoZ Moderators

Moderators are given a means to remove KudoZ postings that violate site rules. Misplaced KudoZ questions and postings can also be reclassified.

Forums' Moderators

Some site members have, on a volunteer basis, accepted the role of moderating specific forums. If you have a question about a particular forum, you may contact the moderator of that forum, or any other person among the list of forum moderators.

Postings by platinum members and VID (verified identity) members appear immediately. Postings from non-platinum and non-VID members are vetted. Therefore, there may be a delay between the time a posting is made and the time it becomes visible.

Moderators are given a means, and have the right--at their own discretion--to:

edit posting titles, for purposes of clarity and organization of the archives

move postings to the most pertinent sections of the forums

remove/hide postings that violate these Rules

contact members regarding infractions of these Rules

issue warnings to members who have violated these Rules

suspend the right to post of members who are deemed to have violated these Rules, in letter or in spirit

Moderators are given a means to remove forum postings that violate site rules

Jobs' Moderators

Moderators also vet job and forum posting from visitors who are not platinum or do not have verified identities.

Abuse Teams

When there is reason to believe that someone has attempted to use the site in a way that was not intended, moderators may investigate and take steps to prevent further abuse.

To view the moderator list, please click on the following link:
http://www.proz.com/?sp=mod/list

BrowniZ

BrowniZ are points earned by contributing something to the community or the site, such as site translations, introduction of new members, organization or attendance of powwows, etc. BrowniZ measure of 'helpfulness' or 'activity level', as opposed to KudoZ points, which relate to 'expertise'.

Unlike KudoZ points, BrowniZ points can be spent. Having BrowniZ points means you have done something for the community, and the community "owes you one".

Earning Points

To see how you can earn BrowniZ points, visit your BrowniZ history page by clicking the number of BrowniZ points under your name. Your BrowniZ history page contains a breakdown of where your current number of BrowniZ come from, with links to "Get more" of each category. If a category doesn't have a "Get more" link, then it is either depreciated (old, replaced, not used anymore), or is undergoing renovation.

FYI: KudoZ and BrowniZ point totals shown in some places throughout the site are updated once daily, whereas those in other places are updated in real time. So there can be temporary discrepancies, but correction is made when all points are counted once per day. Also, if errors were to occur, they should be corrected within a day.

Redeeming Points for Discounts

ProZ.com wants to give benefits to, and retain, the more active contributors. Browniz provide a rough way to track contributions.

If a member's BrowniZ total rises to 4000, that member is entitled to a discount on a future purchase of platinum membership. New platinum memberships can be purchased for 80 dollars/euros + 4000 BrowniZ; platinum renewals are available for 70 dollars/euros + 4000 BrowniZ.

BrowniZ points can also be used to pay for access to entries on the outsourcer Blue Board, directory text ads, and more in the future.

BrowniZ also contribute to a member's standing in the directory--if two members have the same number of KudoZ points, the one with more BrowniZ is shown first.

To review the browniz points you have earned, and to learn ways to earn more browniz points, click here.

Member Exchange

The ProZ.com Exchange is a board for members to use in swapping books, language training, CAT tool training, travel advice and more. Request or offers are posted, and interested counterparts can contact the poster.

Use of the Exchange is limited to platinum members with verified identities.

At the time you enter a request or offer, you will have the option of showing your name or remaining anonymous. If you remain anonymous, people who wish to take you up on your offer will need to tell you who they are first.

You can sell, too. When posting an offer or request, you will have the option of indicating an interest in selling or trading. All details of transactions must be worked out directly among members.

To view the Member Exchange page, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=exchange

Advertising

ProZ.com has earned the respect and trust of its members by featuring advertising from only the most relevant and professional sources, showing it in limited amounts, and avoiding the use of annoying advertising formats. The result is a platform for product advertisement that is more effective than any other channel. Facts:

ProZ.com is the most visited site in the translation industry* (Up to 250,000 page views/day)

Three times more people visit ProZ.com in a single day (Up to 5000) than attend the leading off line translation event

No online or off line publication reaches more translators than the ProZ.com newsletter

ProZ.com has been used more than any other translation product or service (101026+ registrations)

ProZ.com's reach is not only remote; face-to-face meetings are held in more than 30 countries.

Since ProZ.com's promotional efforts have never been focused on one region over another, ProZ.com's demographic reflects the global translation industry.

ProZ.com advertising has resulted in product sales of up to $10,000/day.

ProZ.com has been used by almost every major translation software vendor, including TRADOS, SDL, Atril, Cypresoft, MultiCorpora, MetaTexis, PractiCount and more.

To learn more about the advertising packages now available at ProZ.com, click on the "package deals" link below:

http://www.proz.com/?sp=info/advert&ssp=advert&sssp=packages

Featured Pro

The "featured pro" image/photo advertisement on the top right of the home page changes every 15 minutes and only displays full Platinum members.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

To become a featured pro, Go Platinum: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Member-to-Member Communication

Platinum members have the benefit of ProZ.com Instant Messaging other platinum members by clicking the on the profile page. The will either be green or red. The green �P� represents that the user is online, and the red �P� represents the user of off line.

Note: ProZ.com Instant Messaging is limited to 250 characters per entry.

Profile Mail

Anyone is able to email you from your profile page, as long as you have allowed them to. Emails that are sent from your profile page go to your primary email address that you entered in your personal data form. All members are able to edit their profile email preferences by clicking on their �edit email preference� link on their profile page.

Note: ProZ.com members or IP addresses specified in your block lists will not be allowed to send mail to you through your profile page. Your block lists override the general profile mail preferences above. Note that because a great many Internet users have dynamic IP addresses, IP addresses will expire from your block list after a few days.

Instant Messaging

You may edit your IM nicknames under your "settings tab" and from the "edit instant messenger data" link on your profile page.

Use this page to enter your instant messenger nicknames

Sending a Support Ticket

Before you send in a support ticket, please check all of the FAQs and the user manual to see if the answer is already accessible. If you're still in need of assistance after you have checked the user manual and FAQs, please feel free to send in an online support ticket.

When you send in a online support ticket, please provide as much information as possible to help the support staff fix the problem. For example, if you are not receiving KudoZ /job notifications, please send in URLs (links) of notifications you feel you should have received based on your email preferences, but didn't. This will save a step in the support process if you provide support staff with URLs in the initial ticket compared to the third response.

Note: It is extremely important that you are logged in when submitting a support request, so please double check to make sure you are logged in when submitting your ticket.

Related Links:

To view the FAQs, click here.

To send in a support ticket, click here.

Quick Polls

In addition to the Articles Knowledgebase, in June a second
tool for knowledge-sharing was released: "Quick Polls".
Visible periodically on the home page, these polls provide a
quick and easy way for members to compare notes with
colleagues. When you answer the single-question poll, the
results available from others will be displayed in the same
place with a link to a forum topic reserved for discussion.

All members can vote in these polls. Platinum members can
suggest polls and view the results of previous polls. For
more information, see:

Announcement: http://proz.com/topic/33629
FAQ: http://proz.com/faq/polls
Quick Polls home: http://proz.com/polls

Lists

As you search and browse through the directory, you can select members from the directory and add them to "lists". Every member has at least two lists by default: an "IN" list (intended for favorite members) and an "OUT" list (a list of members to avoid). Additional lists can also be created, such as "Good ESL-ENG interpreters in Argentina".

Lists can show availability and your comments about each member. Platinum members can send group messages to entire lists or to selected members of a list, via email or ProZ.com messaging.

Manage your lists by selecting My ProZ.com -> My Lists from the main menu.

User Manual Checklist

Use this checklist to keep track of sections that you have already read.

(You may cut an paste the checklist in wordpad/notepad/office/word, etc., and then just print out a copy.)

[ ] Manual Overview

[ ] History of ProZ.com

[ ] Today's ProZ.com

[ ] What's New?

[ ] ProZ.com Memberships (Full/Partial)

[ ] Payment Methods

[ ] Combo Sales

[ ] Money Back Guarantee

[ ] Tax Deductible

[ ] Non-Paying Members

[ ] Login/Registration

[ ] Create an Effective Profile

[ ] Directory

[ ] Open Approach

[ ] Freelancers

[ ] Translation Agencies/Companies

[ ] Teams

[ ] Search Members

[ ] Directory Text Ads

[ ] Glossaries

[ ] Receiving Payments

[ ] Job Track Records

[ ] Instant Messaging

[ ] Connection

[ ] Track Records

[ ] Personal Tab

[ ] Visitors Tab

[ ] Email Preferences/Settings

[ ] KudoZ

[ ] KudoZ Searching

[ ] KudoZ Asking

[ ] KudoZ Answering

[ ] KudoZ Ask the Asker

[ ] KudoZ Agreeing

[ ] KudoZ Comment/Respond

[ ] KudoZ Points

[ ] KudoZ Robot

[ ] Most Recent KudoZ

[ ] KudoZ Leaders

[ ] KudoZ Popups

[ ] KudoZ Glossaries

[ ] KudoZ.net

[ ] Job Posting/Quoting

[ ] Blue Board

[ ] Blue Board Browsing/Searching

[ ] Blue Board Entries and Fees

[ ] Making Blue Board Inquiries

[ ] Responding to a Service Provider's Entry

[ ] Forums

[ ] Scope of Forums

[ ] Events

[ ] Powwows

[ ] Organizer of Powwow

[ ] The Powwow Event

[ ] Articles

[ ] Terminology Resources (KudoZ, Internet search, Glosspost)

[ ] Tools (CAT tools, TGBs)

[ ] Hosting

[ ] Moderators

[ ] Browniz

[ ] Member Exchange

[ ] Advertising

[ ] Featured Pro

[ ] Member-to-Member Communication

[ ] Sending a Support Ticket

[ ] Quick Polls

[ ] Lists

Outsourcer Center

WWA feedback

Project History


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