Poll: Do you update the availability calendar in your profile? Vestluse postitaja: ProZ.com Staff
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| | | An important feature... | Aug 10, 2007 |
When I created my profile in Proz, I did not realise the importance of this feature. Now, I update my calendar every month and in accordance with the projects I am working on.
Regards!
Fernando
| | | | Elena Carbonell 
Madalmaad
Local time: 18:23
Liige (2007)
inglise - hispaania
+ ...
| I keep forgetting | Aug 10, 2007 |
I just have to do so many translator related things that I keep forgetting that. Top of my list is making a back up of all my files every week but there was already a forum about that so I won't go into that.
The last months have been so hectic that I just make myself unavailable, although the work load hasn't decreased. I wonder if the translation companies check the feature.
| | | | | Unless I have too much work, I am available! | Aug 10, 2007 |
In order to indicate that I am unavailable, I update my calendar when I am working on large projects that require a lot of time or their deadline is short. But if my work load is not heavy and I can handle other projects, the days in my calendar appears in green. I am also unavailable on Sundays, which is my resting day. I always check the box belonging to that day in red!
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I don't find this feature appealing so I just ignore it. I do see how it can be useful though, I just think it's information no one but myself needs to know. I decide if I'm available depending on the project. Naturally, sometimes you are not available and there's nothing you can do about it, but when you do have some flexibility, why limit yourself stating you're "not available" or "partially available"?
Also, there might be a misconception on the part o... See more I don't find this feature appealing so I just ignore it. I do see how it can be useful though, I just think it's information no one but myself needs to know. I decide if I'm available depending on the project. Naturally, sometimes you are not available and there's nothing you can do about it, but when you do have some flexibility, why limit yourself stating you're "not available" or "partially available"?
Also, there might be a misconception on the part of the clients as to how to interpret availability. I mean, if you are available quite often, they might think you're not experienced/good enough (rather than you hand-pick your projects), and if you're never or seldom available, they might think why bother, s/he won't have the time for my project... and maybe that was the one project you would have loved doing... so no, I don't use this feature
Fernanda. ▲ Collapse
| | | | David Earl
Ameerika Ühendriigid
Local time: 10:23
saksa - inglise
| I'm an every job updater | Aug 10, 2007 |
in fact, I found that I could provide a special link to job sources, so that they could check my availability.
proz.com/?sp=calendar&entity_id=xxxxxxx&float=1'
NOTE: replace the x's after entity_id= with the profile id number.
That provides a web page with just the calendar. The ProZ sidebars/menus/other profile info doesn't appear on the page. When I first started doing that, it showed 6 months at a shot, which was a neat feature IMO, without the productiv... See more in fact, I found that I could provide a special link to job sources, so that they could check my availability.
proz.com/?sp=calendar&entity_id=xxxxxxx&float=1'
NOTE: replace the x's after entity_id= with the profile id number.
That provides a web page with just the calendar. The ProZ sidebars/menus/other profile info doesn't appear on the page. When I first started doing that, it showed 6 months at a shot, which was a neat feature IMO, without the productivity info. Right now, it is showing the productivity box (and word rates, if you allow it to). 8/ My thinking was to avoid the question of "Do you have time for...?", particularly when I don't have time, & give job sources a chance to see if my available time might fit their deadlines. ▲ Collapse
| | | | David Earl
Ameerika Ühendriigid
Local time: 10:23
saksa - inglise
| Fernanda does have a point | Aug 10, 2007 |
To each their own, right? I agree there is a danger, particularly when every job is coming from a new source. If most of the jobs are coming from known sources, I think you can train their expectations and use it to build the client relationship. That's one example...or stereotype. Others will see other pros & cons (I hope).
FWIW, (and maybe I should make this a feature request), I don't like using %ages. I need to provide my job sources more a rough idea that Monday morning, Wed mo... See more To each their own, right? I agree there is a danger, particularly when every job is coming from a new source. If most of the jobs are coming from known sources, I think you can train their expectations and use it to build the client relationship. That's one example...or stereotype. Others will see other pros & cons (I hope).
FWIW, (and maybe I should make this a feature request), I don't like using %ages. I need to provide my job sources more a rough idea that Monday morning, Wed morning, Thurs night, I'm not available, something like that. That's because I also teach ESL and those are times, when a job source will simply have to wait until I can answer my email/check my voice mail. For me, that's a feature, because then the job source can send a request and know, roughly, when to expect a response. ▲ Collapse
| | | | John Cutler
Hispaania
Local time: 18:23
hispaania - inglise
+ ...
| Doesn't matter | Aug 10, 2007 |
I update my availability when I remember or get around to it. Personally, I don’t think anyone who has offered me a job through Proz (and there have been many) have bothered to look at whether I’m available, partially available etc. This month, August, I’ve stated that I’m not available at all but that doesn’t seem to stop the offers from coming in and I’m convinced, whether I like it or not, that my regular clients ar... See more I update my availability when I remember or get around to it. Personally, I don’t think anyone who has offered me a job through Proz (and there have been many) have bothered to look at whether I’m available, partially available etc. This month, August, I’ve stated that I’m not available at all but that doesn’t seem to stop the offers from coming in and I’m convinced, whether I like it or not, that my regular clients are sure I’m ALWAYS available for them. ▲ Collapse
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| Mine seems to be permanently 100% red! | Aug 10, 2007 |
I update it several times a week. I rarely know for more than a few days at a time, but this is because most of the jobs I do are small.
It does give new clients a hint that I probably can't take on anything for delivery 'yesterday' or even tomorrow lunchtime... But it doesn't keep them all from trying!
I don't bother with % either - too complicated, and my regular clients have kept me something like 110% busy up to the summer holiday. I have to negotiate later deadline... See more I update it several times a week. I rarely know for more than a few days at a time, but this is because most of the jobs I do are small.
It does give new clients a hint that I probably can't take on anything for delivery 'yesterday' or even tomorrow lunchtime... But it doesn't keep them all from trying!
I don't bother with % either - too complicated, and my regular clients have kept me something like 110% busy up to the summer holiday. I have to negotiate later deadlines with them or turn down jobs!
I'm considering David's idea of giving clients a link. It would not suit them all, but it might fit some. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I said "What for?" | Aug 10, 2007 |
Whether I mark or not, job keeps coming in.
So I would not bother anymore.
Thank you ProZ, you are great (for keeping me so busy)!
| | | | Steven Capsuto
Ameerika Ühendriigid
Local time: 12:23
hispaania - inglise
+ ...
| I agree with Fernanda | Aug 10, 2007 |
This is one of Proz.com's features that doesn't appeal to me at all. My availability changes from day to day and hour to hour, and I can't think of any reason it needs to be updated constantly in a public forum, as if it were a weather report or a stock ticker.
| | | | | Good point, Fernanda. | Aug 10, 2007 |
Ma. Fernanda Blesa wrote:
I don't find this feature appealing so I just ignore it. I do see how it can be useful though, I just think it's information no one but myself needs to know. I decide if I'm available depending on the project. Naturally, sometimes you are not available and there's nothing you can do about it, but when you do have some flexibility, why limit yourself stating you're "not available" or "partially available"?
Also, there might be a misconception on the part of the clients as to how to interpret availability. I mean, if you are available quite often, they might think you're not experienced/good enough (rather than you hand-pick your projects), and if you're never or seldom available, they might think why bother, s/he won't have the time for my project... and maybe that was the one project you would have loved doing... so no, I don't use this feature
Fernanda.
Good point, Fernanda. I think I am going to disable that feature.
Regards,
Fernando
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Mark Nathan
Prantsusmaa
Local time: 18:23
Liige (2002)
prantsuse - inglise
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| Agree with Fernanda et al | Aug 10, 2007 |
I have been dutifully filling it in, but am now thinking that since I don't update it on a daily basis and actively use it as a tool like David - which is I guess what the proz team had in mind - then I might as well not bother.
| | | | | My feelings exactly .... | Aug 11, 2007 |
Ma. Fernanda Blesa wrote:
I don't find this feature appealing so I just ignore it. I do see how it can be useful though, I just think it's information no one but myself needs to know. I decide if I'm available depending on the project.
Fernanda.
... I decide what I'm available for in terms of time and, just as importantly, whether I'm interested in the job and have the required subject knowledge.
I only use the feature these days to indicate when I'm not available at all, i.e. Sundays or holidays. That said, I e-mail regulars in advance of holidays anyhow and leave a absent message on my server.
I may be fully booked for the requested deadline, but more often than not a new deadline can be negotiated, so it's actually not in my interests to use the feature from that perspective.
[Edited at 2007-08-11 18:02]
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