Greater than 2 minutes, my friend!
Pilot Version of SDL Online Translation Editor is Available for Testing
Online tools for translators are becoming more and more popular. Leading companies on the translation market create wonderful cloud solutions for translators like SmartCAT and MateCAT. SDL also does not want to trail behind. It has recently launched a pilot version of SDL Online Translation Editor – light-weighted easy-to-use tool to translate documents online.
Basically, you can speed up your translation rate by up to 30% with CAT tools. SDL Online Translation Editor, as any similar CAT tool, segments the text and displays the original and translated text side-by-side making it easier and faster to translate and review texts.
However, the Editor is not an online version of SDL Trados Studio. It offers a limited set of basic CAT functions that is enough for simple text processing (translation, editing, downloading translated files, etc.).
How to join the pilot?
To start using SDL Online Translation Editor, you should have a computer with internet connection and a browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox). Login with the existing SDL ID or register a new account. You will receive a confirmation letter with details.
Since this is not an official version there can be some glitches. For instance, I found that changing editor view from vertical to horizontal on a View tab messes up a visual representation of source and target text. You may report about your findings to SDL support from application home screen.
Prices
Apparently SDL Online Translation Editor will use a subscription pricing model. There will be several pricing packages on further stages of development. Currently, you may sign up for a month of a free trial period. Detailed information about pricing is not available yet.
Languages
The Editor supports document translation to and from 47 supported languages.
File Types
SDL Editor supports the following file types during the pilot period: .doc, .docx, .xlsx, .pdf, .txt, .ppt, .pptx, .odt, .xml, .htm, .html and .its.
Features
Currently, SDL Online Translation Editor offers a limited set of function.
With the Editor you will be able to:
- Upload documents for translation
- Use translation memory and automatically applied machine translation
- Carry out translation and post-editing in browser
- Download the translated documents at any time
Many features are not available yet but will be added in future releases. For instance, now you can neither upload your own TMs or term bases nor add glossary items or share projects with other users.
The Editor automatically saves your data on secure SDL servers so you will not lose your data. However, it is recommended to download all your documents closer to the end of the pilot period (you will be informed about that).
Time will show whether SDL Online Translation Editor can gain the same popularity as SDL desktop solutions or not. Visit FAQ page to learn more about Editor features or register for a free trial program to test this new tool today.
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Olesya Zaytseva 
The Open Mic Team 
I always wonder about confidentiality when I see a new online tool. I don’t want my files to be saved on SDL servers if we don’t have a contract stating they are encrypted and not shared with anyone, even with SDL.
Data security is already covered in FAQ section and I guess similar clause will be included in Terms of Use (that has binding force both for service provider and user). Anyway, if you’re still hesitating about security of your data, just don’t use cloud-based tools for translation of sensitive information. For instance, I use other online CATs regularly for public domain translation projects.
Also, you shall take care of typical security measures like setting a strong password, choosing a separate password for each online service, changing passwords for crucial resources on a regular basis and never sharing you access data with anyone.
And even with this precautions, you can never say that you are in a safe place. After an attack of a skillful hacker, you won’t even notice that you have been hacked. So who knows, maybe your confidential data are already stolen…
And the last thing – you shouldn’t enter a kitchen if you fear getting into the stew.