ProZ.com Translation Forums

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Hijackers: please open your own thread

Zea_Mays — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:05:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: Hijackers: please open your own thread

A few posts are okay, hijacking a thread on a completely different topic sucks.

[Bearbeitet am 2026-08-01 17:08 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Best moderation in the industry

kd42 — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:07:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: kd42
Post title: Best moderation in the industry

[quote]Translatorscafe.com Server Status Check
=============================
Website Name: translatorscafe.com
Checked: no response
Response Time:
Down For: more than a week
DOWN
Translatorscafe.com is DOWN
It is not just you. The server is not responding...
[/quote]
It all began with superb moderation, culling was also part of the picture.

Russian professional forum, winner of over 9000 prizes, a lively community ages ago.

[quote]URL Checked: [url removed]
Response Time: 111.12 ms.
Last Down: More than a week ago
UP
Trworkshop.net is UP and reachable by us.[/quote]
But the things are not bright there too, there's nobody there, the latest "Henry's" blog post is dated 04 Oct 2025 (!), the recent forum ( [url removed] ) posts on the front page date back to 2025 - 2022, one new post today, which is many for them in their current state. They also did a lot of culling, and additionally the owner kept on ditching mods, usually with a scandal openly online, I despised most of them, because they routinely insulted most newbies and many older members in the forum threads, but they still brought some value to this resource, like they wrote very good how-to materials, however, at some point they became 'toxic' and were kicked out with a lot of screaming and roaring.

InDesign group on FB is open and useful, quite a bit of nice hooptedoodle there.

Wordfast (you are some prominent wordfaster?) group on FB is closed, I cannot see what is going on inside, only the stats, these are impressive
[quote]Activity
No posts today
1 in the last month
1,640 total members
No new members in the last week
Created
8 years ago[/quote]
Shall I quote that poem here, about the wind and the sun who completed in making the traveler take off his coat?

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Article I -- Definitions

kd42 — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:27:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: kd42
Post title: Article I -- Definitions

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote: [quote]kd42 wrote:
a) the aggressive majority insists that "we are professionals here!" and tries to chop off any manifestation of a member as a human, a parent, a bird lover, a creator of sick jokes, etc.; [/quote]
The demise of ProZ.com's forums is not caused by staff trying to root out toxicity but rather by staff NOT trying to root out toxicity.
The staff doesn't care that e.g. new users are treated poorly by old regulars and chased away, or that some old regulars treat the forums as a place to vent their frustrations with the world, but that is precisely the thing that has made these forums an unpleasant place to visit. It may be too late to save the forums, but I think Henry should give it one last try, at least, with a cull.[/quote]
Dear Samuel, please define
[quote]care
poorly
old regulars
vent
frustration
the world
unpleasant
to save
Henry
cull[/quote]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Too late

Lieven Malaise — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:18:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Lieven Malaise
Post title: Too late

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:
It may be too late to save the forums, but I think Henry should give it one last try, at least, with a cull.[/quote]

I think it has been too late for years now. Forums like these were popular in the second half of the Noughties. I was really surprised to see them half alive when I subscribed for the first time in the year 2020. I'm afraid they are going nowhere and will eventually be deleted.

[Bijgewerkt op 2026-07-31 11:19 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | The demise of ProZ.com forums

Samuel Murray — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:53:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: The demise of ProZ.com forums

[quote]kd42 wrote:
a) the aggressive majority insists that "we are professionals here!" and tries to chop off any manifestation of a member as a human, a parent, a bird lover, a creator of sick jokes, etc.; [/quote]
The demise of ProZ.com's forums is not caused by staff trying to root out toxicity but rather by staff NOT trying to root out toxicity.

The staff doesn't care that e.g. new users are treated poorly by old regulars and chased away, or that some old regulars treat the forums as a place to vent their frustrations with the world, but that is precisely the thing that has made these forums an unpleasant place to visit. It may be too late to save the forums, but I think Henry should give it one last try, at least, with a cull.

[Edited at 2026-07-31 10:54 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Thanks

kd42 — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:38:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: kd42
Post title: Thanks

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:
made-up story that was damaging the entire site.[/quote]
Thanks for the laugh. There's nothing to worry about. The doomed have nothing left to fear.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | All done

The Shredder — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:27:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: All done

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

Because, unlike you two, he has a sense of humour. I don’t condone everything Baran says, but he’s just poking/having fun, and for you two to report his Mervyn pastiche is just silly. I really don’t know why you can’t behave like grown adults, like the people who have not gone running to mummy when you made racist words.[/quote]

Delete "you 2" when quoting me over racist words and insulting words

[Edited at 2026-07-29 19:11 GMT] [/quote]

I love the way Gerard gave you an agree. He’s happy to stand by his racism and coarse insults. Fair play.

I won’t demand repeatedly that you correct the way you’ve misquoted me, Angie. It’s just not worth it. See, it’s that easy. 😉

[Edited at 2026-07-31 06:36 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | I understand what you mean, but

expressisverbis — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:35:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: I understand what you mean, but

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

What is there left to talk about? Advice to new entrants? There are none. How to win new clients? Like that’s going to happen. KudoZ? Dead in my pairs. How to use AI? Most of us wouldn’t contemplate it.

Negative, I know. But technology has won and we’re nearly all struggling or giving up and probably a little bitter.

And some people are just, well, you know.

[/quote]

I understand what you mean, but I don't want to be another voice saying that everything is doomed.
But your questions are perfectly valid, and perhaps they're the very questions the people running this site should be asking themselves.
Technology has certainly changed our profession (it's not the first time), but whether a professional community remains relevant depends on much more than technology.
It also depends on the quality of the discussions, the willingness to share knowledge, the ability to understand and interpret what others are actually saying (after all, that's what translators do 😊), and the atmosphere people encounter when they come here.
And yes... every community has its learning opportunities. Some teach us what to do and others teach us what to avoid.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Please correct this post

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:01:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Please correct this post

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

Because, unlike you two, he has a sense of humour. I don’t condone everything Baran says, but he’s just poking/having fun, and for you two to report his Mervyn pastiche is just silly. I really don’t know why you can’t behave like grown adults, like the people who have not gone running to mummy when you made racist words.[/quote]

Delete "you 2" when quoting me over racist words and insulting words

[Edited at 2026-07-29 19:11 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | The trouble

The Shredder — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:51:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: The trouble

[quote]expressisverbis wrote:

Although I haven't been very active on ProZ lately, I think it's worth sharing my perspective based on what little I've seen recently.
I think it's time for ProZ to rethink its approach, because the site is at risk in more ways than one. [/quote]

What is there left to talk about? Advice to new entrants? There are none. How to win new clients? Like that’s going to happen. KudoZ? Dead in my pairs. How to use AI? Most of us wouldn’t contemplate it.

Negative, I know. But technology has won and we’re nearly all struggling or giving up and probably a little bitter.

And some people are just, well, you know.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Verified

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:35:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Verified

[quote]Jennifer Levey wrote:

When I got verified it involved making a tiny credit-card payment to Proz (other routes were/are available, but not feasible in my circumstances).

JL [/quote]

Verified users have a black sign in their profile, you have it.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 17:38 GMT]

[Edited at 2026-07-29 17:41 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Verification

Jennifer Levey — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:23:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Jennifer Levey
Post title: Verification

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:
... Forum postings from ... users with verified identities appear immediately. ... [/quote]
As an non-paying user of the platform, I can confirm that getting 'verified' provides immediate visibility for forum posts.
When I got verified it involved making a tiny credit-card payment to Proz (other routes were/are available, but not feasible in my circumstances).
That said, one would think that anyone - like Sandra - who was a long-term paying member would automatically be given 'verified identity' status when they decide to let their paid membership lapse.
But, hey ho, this is Proz.com :(
JL

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | General information to whom it may concern

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:09:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: General information to whom it may concern

Just for information without quoting any post, like requested, here is FAQ No. 7
- Are forum postings vetted? [Direct link]

Forum postings from members and users with verified identities appear immediately.* Postings from all others are checked before being made visible. Most postings are approved within 12 hours.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 19:34 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | .

Gerard Barry — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:18:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Gerard Barry
Post title: .

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

I think I know what defaming post you are talking about, as I was the subject of it. If you reported it, thank you. [/quote]

I did [/quote]

Thanks again. That guy is outrageous in some of the things he writes here. He also gets plenty of likes for his obnoxious posts. [/quote]

Because, unlike you two, he has a sense of humour. I don’t condone everything Baran says, but he’s just poking/having fun, and for you two to report his Mervyn pastiche is just silly. I really don’t know why you can’t behave like grown adults, like the people who have not gone running to mummy when you made racist comments about them or called them four-letter words.

Why are free-speech advocates always so thin-skinned?

Anyway, thanks to your squealing, Baran is now unable to defend himself here, so it’s time to get off his case. You could usefully also give up your far-right trolling, as it hasn’t won you any friends here.

[/quote]

Did you read the stupid story he made up about me? It was defamation of character, slanderous and libellous. Shcoking how you and your buddies here can minimise such behaviour?

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | My perspective as a former paying member

expressisverbis — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: My perspective as a former paying member

Although I haven't been very active on ProZ lately, I think it's worth sharing my perspective based on what little I've seen recently.
I think it's time for ProZ to rethink its approach, because the site is at risk in more ways than one.
The growing number of conflicts among members, in addition to other issues, in these forums certainly doesn't help.
Instead of encouraging professional exchange, they create an atmosphere that many experienced translators no longer find welcoming or particularly professional.
I'm sorry, but that's how I genuinely feel. I no longer recognize the community I once enjoyed being part of.
I've even come across comments in other communities from people expressing similar concerns.
That's one of the reasons many long-standing members, myself included, have chosen not to renew their memberships.
If nothing changes, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before the site loses even more of what once made it such a valuable community.
And since I'm no longer a paying member, any edits I make to correct my English remain pending approval for hours or even days.
I don't know whether this applies to all non-paying members or whether my posts are being singled out. If it's the latter, I'd appreciate an explanation from the mods.
As a former paying member, I find this rather disappointing.
But... "c'est la vie", I suppose. Good things don't last forever... unless we're willing to make them better.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | You quoted also my post and write you two 2 times

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:33:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: You quoted also my post and write you two 2 times

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:.

P.S. Don't use the plural when talking about racist comments or far-right trolling or vulgar offensive words which I never dreamed of writing.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 10:01 GMT] [/quote]

Sorry, I wasn’t very clear. That wasn’t aimed at you.

[/quote]
Then please correct

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Vetting

The Shredder — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:18:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: Vetting

[quote]expressisverbis wrote:

I don't know what happened, but... please don't tell me the moderators have done to Baran what they did to Mervyn years ago.
[/quote]

I think his posts now need to be vetted before they appear, which will presumably take some time these days.

Although maybe he also can’t be bothered to post more anyway.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Apology

The Shredder — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:14:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: Apology

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:.

P.S. Don't use the plural when talking about racist comments or far-right trolling or vulgar offensive words which I never dreamed of writing.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 10:01 GMT] [/quote]

Sorry, I wasn’t very clear. That wasn’t aimed at you.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Quote deleted

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:37:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Quote deleted

Quote to your post deleted.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 10:47 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Thank you, but...

expressisverbis — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:31:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: Thank you, but...

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

[quote]expressisverbis wrote:

Chris,

I don't know what happened, but... please don't tell me the moderators have done to Baran what they did to Mervyn years ago.
[/quote]
No, but believe me, that FAKE story about a member with their full name arrested for terrorism (according to the FAKE story) couldn't remain, especially since this isn't a closed forum, but rather an indexed one.
Just please note that I didn't do it for the so-called humor against me, but for that made-up story that was damaging the entire site. I did not report his humor agaist me. That post was madness, not humor. It contained targeted harassment, hate speech, and named a real colleague in a fake terrorist plot. In 23 years at proz.com I never read something like that.
That said, I won't justify myself and I won't discuss the topic again.
Best wishes to you.
PS. probably my post is against the rules.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 09:53 GMT] [/quote]

I think you've misunderstood my comment.
I wasn't referring to your report or inviting an explanation.
My comment was addressed to Chris (The Shredder) and concerned only whether the moderators had taken similar action to what happened to Mervyn years ago.
With all due respect, please don't use my post(s) as an opportunity to address issues that have nothing to do with the point I was making.
And I think we're already drifting away from the topic of this thread, myself included.
My apologies to the OP.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Hey baby

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:46:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Hey baby

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

Why are free-speech advocates always so thin-skinned?

Anyway, thanks to your squealing, Baran is now unable to defend himself here, so it’s time to get off his case. You could usefully also give up your far-right trolling, as it hasn’t won you any friends here.

[/quote]
Did you read that FAKE story? Was it sense of humor? That post contained targeted harassment, hate speech, and named a real colleague in a fake terrorist plot.

P.S. Don't use the plural when talking about racist comments or far-right trolling or vulgar offensive words which I never dreamed of writing.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 10:01 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Just to clarify for everyone

Angie Garbarino — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:43:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Just to clarify for everyone

That FAKE story about a member with their full name arrested for terrorism (according to the FAKE story) couldn't remain, especially since this isn't a closed forum, but rather an indexed one.
Just please note that I didn't do it for the so-called humor against me, but for that made-up story that was damaging the entire site. I did not report his humor against me. That post was madness, not humor. It contained targeted harassment, hate speech, and named a real colleague in a fake terrorist plot. In 23 years at proz.com I never read something like that.
That said, I won't justify myself and I won't discuss the topic again.
Best wishes to alll.
PS. probably my post is against the rules.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 11:31 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Chris,

expressisverbis — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:49:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: Chris,

[quote]The Shredder wrote:

Anyway, thanks to your squealing, Baran is now unable to defend himself here, so it’s time to get off his case.

[/quote]

I don't know what happened, but... please don't tell me the moderators have done to Baran what they did to Mervyn years ago.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Qualified for the next round

Lieven Malaise — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:10:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Lieven Malaise
Post title: Qualified for the next round

[quote]The Shredder wrote:
Because, unlike you two, he has a sense of humour.[/quote]

Game...

[quote]The Shredder wrote:
I really don’t know why you can’t behave like grown adults [/quote]

set...

[quote]The Shredder wrote:
like the people who have not gone running to mummy when you made racist comments about them or called them four-letter words. Why are free-speech advocates always so thin-skinned? [/quote]

and match with an ace.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Babies

The Shredder — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:35:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: The Shredder
Post title: Babies

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

I think I know what defaming post you are talking about, as I was the subject of it. If you reported it, thank you. [/quote]

I did [/quote]

Thanks again. That guy is outrageous in some of the things he writes here. He also gets plenty of likes for his obnoxious posts. [/quote]

Because, unlike you two, he has a sense of humour. I don’t condone everything Baran says, but he’s just poking/having fun, and for you two to report his Mervyn pastiche is just silly. I really don’t know why you can’t behave like grown adults, like the people who have not gone running to mummy when you Gerard made racist comments about them or called them four-letter words, or when you Angie couldn’t let things lie.

Why are free-speech advocates always so thin-skinned?

Anyway, thanks to your squealing, Baran is now unable to defend himself here, so it’s time to get off his case. You could usefully also give up your far-right trolling, as it hasn’t won you any friends here.

[Edited at 2026-07-29 20:24 GMT]

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | .

Gerard Barry — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:23:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Gerard Barry
Post title: .

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

I think I know what defaming post you are talking about, as I was the subject of it. If you reported it, thank you. [/quote]

I did [/quote]

Thanks again. That guy is outrageous in some of the things he writes here. He also gets plenty of likes for his obnoxious posts.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Yes I did

Angie Garbarino — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:09:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Yes I did

[quote]Gerard Barry wrote:

I think I know what defaming post you are talking about, as I was the subject of it. If you reported it, thank you. [/quote]

I did

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Yes

Angie Garbarino — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:06:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Angie Garbarino
Post title: Yes

[quote]expressisverbis wrote:

We all come across wonderful people as well as difficult ones, wherever we go, but I find that real-life interactions tend to be far more human.
Online, things can sometimes turn into unnecessary drama, and I no longer have the time, the energy or the health for that.
In any case, thank you for letting me know. [/quote]

Right, real life is often better :)

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | Thank you for clarifying!

expressisverbis — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:32:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: Thank you for clarifying!

[quote]Angie Garbarino wrote:

The defamating post was an invented story with name ad surname, not about me, another member. I cannot explain here, but it was neither you nor me. Nothing to do with you.

[Edited at 2026-07-28 11:12 GMT]

[/quote]

I'm relieved to hear that.
Fortunately, I don't spend nearly as much time on ProZ as I used to.
There are many other places, both online and offline, where professional discussions are more constructive and respectful.
We all come across wonderful people as well as difficult ones, wherever we go, but I find that real-life interactions tend to be far more human.
Online, things can sometimes turn into unnecessary drama, and I no longer have the time, the energy or the health for that.
In any case, thank you for letting me know.

@Mods Where are you? Forums at risk | @Samuel

Jennifer Levey — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:48:00 +0000

Forum: Site forums
Topic: @Mods Where are you? Forums at risk
Poster: Jennifer Levey
Post title: @Samuel

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

[quote]Jennifer Levey wrote:
When we non-payers submit a support ticket, it lands at the tail end of a veeeery long queue (often behind a hundred or more earlier tickets), and all 'paying member' tickets have absolute priority. [/quote]
...
When you submitted a support request about Rita's posts, what did the auto-reply from ProZ.com say -- how many requests were in the queue before yours? [/quote]

I don't know where you got the idea that I have submitted a ticket about Rita's posts. I have not - for the reasons set out in the subsequent paragraphs of the post you have quoted.

That said, I note that Rita's profile has at last been removed, and all her forum threads too.
JL