user_3042476 wrote:
About 6 months ago one of my customer started using Memsource (I had not been aware of CAT tools until then). I don't know exactly why but Memsource leaves me underwhelmed - I end up exporting the document into word and upload it back when done.
It can take some time to get used to CAT tools when you're used to not using them, especially when you're used to being productive without them. It's almost like learning to use a different keyboard layout.
I like my work to be focused on the text rather than be confused with a myriad of options, tools, widgets and a busy screen.
Some CAT tools try to put "everything" on the screen, just in case you might need it. (-:
I would like whatever CAT Tool I choose to have a very robust term and glossary feature. In some industries, one term may have 2 or more definition depending on its application/context etc... Therefore, I'd like to store and manage multiple definitions to one term if possible.
99% of CAT tools that have a glossary feature give you the option of at least adding a comment to the term, which you can use for the definition or anything else that you might want to write about the term.
Wordfast: Watched some Youtube videos. Correct me if I'm wrong but it feels like a Win95 application
Wordfast Classic's UI is quite old, but the latest versions kept up with the latest features that other CAT tools have. The developer focuses his energies on making sure the product is stable and feature rich, and not in ensuring that the product looks nice and modern.
Wordfast Pro 3 has a menus-and-toolbars UI, and Wordfast Pro 5 has a ribbon UI (but they're also two different products). Trust me, the ribbon interface is often less productive in a CAT tool.
SDL: Looks very strong in TM but has a steep price and learning curve it seems.
The TM format of all major CAT tools are all more or less of the same strength. I don't think Trados' learning curve is any worse than other CAT tools.
I want a clean UI / Interface with a strong set of tools.
Although some CAT tools allow you to minimize the various panes, I'm afraid this is just something you're going to get used to. It's like being fond of the clean UI in Microsoft Paint and then not liking the confused look of Adobe Photoshop, or hearkening back to the clean UI of Notepad when you first start using Microsoft Word. With more power comes more clutter.
You don't seem to have any special requirements for a CAT tool, and you're willing to pay. So my suggestion would be either Trados or MemoQ. MemoQ is more useful but it is also more confusing. With both products it's a good idea to watch several introductory videos.
user_3042476 wrote:
Just wondering if there are CAT add-on tools that can be used "within" Mircosoft Word or Excel instead of a stand alone version?
Wordfast Classic (WFC), Metatexis and Felix CAT do that. WFC is actively developed, and there is no time-limit on its demo version.
[Edited at 2020-09-13 10:30 GMT]