the customer is always right?

that doesn't always seem to coincide with the truth... there've been quite many cases where the original that we receive is in so bad shape that it's just embarassing to look at. unfortunately, there's not much we can do about it, so we just have to nod and smile. many times the translated copies that we produce are of higher quality, simply because we look it over and fix the small things. not much effort needed, but a great difference in the result.

unexpected consequences of work

I'm eating a lot more fruit! Since I don't have access to our fridge at home and all the other things we have there, I'm bringing fruit with me every day to work. It's a good thing, have never eaten this much fruit before... I could probably get used to this :)

diversity!

cbg is strictly client-driven, which means that we must use the exact same software versions on the same platforms as the clients use to produce their originals. this means that there are loads of different programs and versions and operating systems around on all the computers. during this past week I've used pagemaker 6.5 on both mac and pc, framemaker 6.5 and 7.0, indesign cs2, and a host of acrobat/distiller versions. there's a lot to learn from each and I get to practice my adaptability and learn new programs, but of course there is some frustration as well since some functions work somewhere but not in other places...

we even have a computer running windows 3.1 here...

cbg konsult

ever wondered how a manual or instruction book in multiple languages gets created? well, to tell you the truth, neither did I... however, that's what I've been working with these past two weeks. cbg konsult administrates, facilitates and coordinates the translation of these books and manuals into many, many languages, arranges the layout, and then delivers it back to the client. the clients are big companies, such as Volvo, SAAB (GM), Sony, etc etc...
the way it works is incredibly cool... the original is received from the client, and is then put into a database where it is analyzed and broken down into small segments. each segment is then matched against the others, and duplicates are stored so that only one gets translated and the others automatically copied. this whole thing is then sent out to the translators, who translate into their own native language, and then sent back again to be put back into the original file. most often, one unique copy is arranged for each language, which then gets layout-checked and delivered.
I've this past week been working on stuff from Sony, radios and walkmans and speakers and subwoofer for the car, checking and fixing the layout. it's mostly been danish and finnish, and some swedish... I'll try and write a list on what I've done, so if you buy any of it, be sure to read the manual! ;-)

wanna be startin' something...

so I got a job, two weeks ago... and will now turn this blog into telling about my career. will try and change the template around a bit as well...