Michal Dadan wrote:
I'm going to buy myself a serious localization tool to offer localization services directly to the end clients. Please help me choose between SDL Passolo Professional and Alchemy Catalyst Localizer Edition.
Approx. two years ago, I faced the same question (I was implementing this kind of tool with my one of my major customers).
So, I tested the most important visual localization tools on the market.
The reason why I selected Passolo are:
- they have a damn good parser able to parse huge (1 MB) rc files (e.g. Multilizer hung or was unable to display the file, I don't remember exactly)
- the licensing is flexible (you may ask a dongle, you can't do it for Catalyst neither for RC-WinTrans)
- the multilingual localization simply works (see below).
Please, note, it was some time ago and I may be inexact now...
The price is no issue.
You're wrong
For the Catalyst Localize price, you may have Passolo Team (5 bundles) with some essential plugins you really need.
It may be interesting if you want to send bundles for outsourcers.
If not, Passolo will be cheaper.
So you can afford another tool like Multilizer/Sisulizer
Which would you rather buy and why? What are their strong and weak sides?
The most stupid thing in Catalyst is they use system fonts to display the localized GUI.
I.e., if you want to localize to Polish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese, you're f!#$%d.
Royally.
Which one allows you to work faster?
Probably Catalyst.
Passolo is slow on large projects but you can easily export the texts as CSV or Trados XML, translate in an external CAT (e.g. DVX, it works like a Gatling gun...), then import back to Passolo and proofread.
Would it be in any way beneficial to have both of these tools if I can afford it?
Generally, it doesn't make sense to have two tools like this unless you are a middle size or (damn) big translation office.
They're VERY expensive.
I can afford it 'cause one of my important customers works with Passolo.
Otherwise, you really need a good marketing
BTW.
Take a look on RC-WinTrans and/or Multilizer/Sisulizer too.
PS.
My second choice would have been RC-WinTrans.
E.g. the SDL Trados integration works better than in SDL Passolo...
Unfortunately, no dongles
Cheers
GG
[Edited at 2009-03-13 20:07 GMT]