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It's been a long day...
I knew a guy once whose understanding of computers began and ended with Lotus 1-2-3. He did everything in Lotus. He used it as a spreadsheet, as a database, and as a word processor.
I mention this only because he apparently sowed his seed over a rather wide swath that included the old Soviet Union, because there is a fairly consistent stream of text documents arriving for translation at my client's office, with said text embedded in Excel files.
(Yes, I know, I've covered this kind of atrocity before. Let me vent.)
An additional "gotcha" about spreadsheet files - besides the usual collection of complaints - is that the idiots who compile them tend to spread the information contained therein among multiple sheets, so that besides the inability to do, say, something completely off-the-wall such as a "global search-and-replace," you'll also find (if you're not careful) that you'll miss the fact that what seems to be the work of a half hour is actually a 5-hour job because there are 10 pages just like the one you're looking at hiding in the background.
In any event, the extent of my day today seemed to reach no further than my computer keyboard and screen. Whereas yesterday's request for me to be temporarily reassigned was met with rejection, today's wild request for immediate service (as in: a translation request from Moscow, for immediate turnaround) was granted, so I spent nearly 5 hours translating, another 4 hours editing, and then another 2-1/2 hours translating once I got home. I am clearly a nut case, but today's efforts will make for a nice payday down the line.
* * * Natalie watched The Legend of Suriyothai, a film in Thai about a 16th century princess. I really did not pay attention, owing to the imminent translation, but I probably would have lost track of who was who anyway, as the various players were being killed off left and right like nobody's business. In any event, that emptied the queue of unwatched DVDs, methinks.
I went to the local Barnes & Noble again, to look over some books by Dean King recommended by LJ friend![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bandicoot. The place is really starting to reek of the holiday season, let me tell you. Although the computer indicates there are some King books in stock, I could find none on the shelves. After a little more browsing, I again left without buying anything (consider it a diet of the wallet). I really am impressed with my self-control.
Time to hit the hay. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, I feel.
Cheers...
I mention this only because he apparently sowed his seed over a rather wide swath that included the old Soviet Union, because there is a fairly consistent stream of text documents arriving for translation at my client's office, with said text embedded in Excel files.
(Yes, I know, I've covered this kind of atrocity before. Let me vent.)
An additional "gotcha" about spreadsheet files - besides the usual collection of complaints - is that the idiots who compile them tend to spread the information contained therein among multiple sheets, so that besides the inability to do, say, something completely off-the-wall such as a "global search-and-replace," you'll also find (if you're not careful) that you'll miss the fact that what seems to be the work of a half hour is actually a 5-hour job because there are 10 pages just like the one you're looking at hiding in the background.
In any event, the extent of my day today seemed to reach no further than my computer keyboard and screen. Whereas yesterday's request for me to be temporarily reassigned was met with rejection, today's wild request for immediate service (as in: a translation request from Moscow, for immediate turnaround) was granted, so I spent nearly 5 hours translating, another 4 hours editing, and then another 2-1/2 hours translating once I got home. I am clearly a nut case, but today's efforts will make for a nice payday down the line.
I went to the local Barnes & Noble again, to look over some books by Dean King recommended by LJ friend
bandicoot. The place is really starting to reek of the holiday season, let me tell you. Although the computer indicates there are some King books in stock, I could find none on the shelves. After a little more browsing, I again left without buying anything (consider it a diet of the wallet). I really am impressed with my self-control.Time to hit the hay. It's going to be a long day tomorrow, I feel.
Cheers...