1 - My lists

1.1 - What are "My Lists" of members, and what can I do with them?

As you search and browse through the freelancer directory, you can select members from the directory and add them to "lists". Every member has at least two lists by default: an "IN" list (intended for favorite members) and an "OUT" list (a list of members to avoid). Additional lists can also be created, such as "Good ESL-ENG interpreters in Argentina".

Lists can show availability and your comments about each member. ProZ.com members can send group messages to entire lists or to selected members of a list, via email or ProZ.com messaging.

Manage your lists by selecting My ProZ.com -> My Lists from the main menu.

1.2 - How can I send email or a ProZ.com message to members of my lists?

ProZ.com members can send a group message to lists of up to 100 members. Tick the checkboxes next to the list members you want to contact, and then click the "mail selected" button. To toggle all checkboxes for a list, click the checkbox at the top of the column.

On the subsequent page, enter your message, and choose whether you want your message sent by email or via ProZ.com messaging.

1.3 - Are there any restrictions on the content of list messages?

List messages may not contain advertising of any product or service (including your own services) or offensive or personal remarks. ProZ.com messaging and profile mailing features are provided to allow members to receive messages without disclosing their email address, for outsourcers to contact translators, and other types of communication, but NOT FOR ADVERTISING. Writing to offer your services, sending CVs or generally looking for translation work is NOT ALLOWED.

2 - Translation teams

2.1 - What is a ProZ.com translation team?

ProZ.com translation teams allow a group of translators to act as a single entity, taking job quotes, setting rates, collaborating on projects, and more. Teams also get a short URL in the form of http://www.proz.com/team/.

2.2 - Who can be a part of a ProZ.com translation team?

Any ProZ.com user can be part of a team. However, only ProZ.com members can create a new team, invite other translators, and have control over the team's settings.

2.3 - What collaboration tools are available to team members?

A team workspace is provided in which team members can communicate in a private forum, share files with other team members, and ask and answer KudoZ questions privately among the team.

2.4 - How can I create a team?

Only site members can create a team. To create a translation team, select My ProZ.com->My teams from the main menu, and then select "Create team". You will be asked to fill out a simple form with information about your team, including the name, slogan, logo, and contact email address. Most information is optional, and all information can be modified at any later time.

After completing and submitting the form, your team will be created. You will be presented with links to specify the team's language pairs, pricing, and most importantly, invite others to join your team. The link to your team(s) will appear on your profile page.

2.5 - Can I toggle the visibility of my translation team?

No, you cannot set the visibility for your translation team.

2.6 - How can I invite other translators to join my team?

On the "Edit team members" page, either type the person's name into the "Invite by name" field, and select from a list of matching users, or enter the person's ProZ.com user ID.

Those invited will be notified by email and asked to accept or decline the invitation.

2.7 - I have received an invitation to join a team. What should I do?

To learn more about the team and accept or decline the invitation, please click on the URL included in the invitation email message. Once you decide you wish to join the team click on the Accept button in the team page.

To see a list of your teams, mouse over your profile name at the top of any site page and click on My teams.

2.8 - How can a job quote be made on behalf of a team?

Team leaders can always quote on behalf of their team. Team members (as opposed to team leaders) can also quote on behalf of the team. By default, however, team members aren't presented with the option. Team leaders must grant each user access using the "Edit team members" link on the team page, and checking the "Can quote" option under the member's name.

Those team members who are allowed to quote for the team will be presented with a new option when quoting:

This quote is on behalf of:

2.9 - I want to leave the team, what should I do?

If you want to leave your team, you need to contact the team leader and ask him/her to remove your name from the team page. If the team owner doesn't reply to your request, please submit a support ticket and ProZ.com staff will ensure you are removed from the team.

2.10 - How do I remove a team?

Only team leaders can remove teams. To do so, click on "Remove this team" in the 'Actions' menu available to the right of the "Team info" page.

3 - ProZ.com mentoring program

3.1 - What is the ProZ.com mentoring program?

The ProZ.com mentoring program is an initiative intended to provide a means for full members to meet other members who are well-established enough to take on an apprentice.

The program is particularly useful for members who, for example, have completed formal training in translation or who have acquired translation knowledge, but have a lack of practical experience. Site members seeking advice on translation business-related topics are also welcomed.

For mentors, the program represents a useful means not only of sharing their experience, but also of finding new partners for growing translation teams (the program may prove similar to the "internship" programs that often lead to full-time employment in other industries).

3.2 - Who can participate in the ProZ.com mentoring program?

Participation in this program is open to members, with members of the Certified PRO Network fulfilling the role of mentor.

3.3 - What are the responsibilities of Certified PRO mentors?

Certified PRO mentors are expected to:

1. When possible, provide commercial work to the apprentice (in a volume and at a rate to be agreed upon mutually, taking full responsibility for timely payment to the apprentice).
   
2. Check every word of the apprentice's work, editing as necessary, and providing an explanation of the edits to the apprentice.
   
3. Advise and assist the apprentice as necessary in the use of required tools, marketing, site usage, etc.
   
4. Report on the apprentice's performance at the close of the defined mentoring period.
   

3.4 - What are the responsibilities of apprentices?

Apprentices are expected to:

1. Complete agreed upon work on time and to a high standard of quality.
   
2. Familiarize themselves with required tools.
   
3. Register the relationship at the start of the defined mentoring period, and then report on your experience with the mentor at the end.
   

3.5 - What are the benefits of participating in the ProZ.com mentoring program?

Members participating in the program as apprentices enjoy the following benefits:

• The possibility to acquire practical translation experience.
  
• The opportunity to receive WWA feedback from mentors (as well as project feedback in the Project history section).
  
• The chance to add mentors as referrals.
  

• The possibility to distinguish themselves as experts while possibly finding new partners for growing their translation team.
  
• Name and business promotion throughout the site (in the future, there will be a designated page for all mentors with a brief bio-section).
  
• A special "Professional mentor" tag in the "About me" section of their profile (this tag will eventually show under your profile name as well).
  
• The possibility to enter projects they work on with apprentices into their Project history and to display corroboration feedback posted by the apprentice.
  
• Two months of membership (to be activated once they complete the defined mentoring period with each apprentice).
  

3.6 - Is there a required amount of time and work I need to commit to weekly to participate in the program?

Each pairing will be able to exercise a degree of discretion regarding the amount of time and work that is taken up. So, in that sense, a mentor or apprentice (the actual pairing) would ideally be working, participating, etc., the amount of time each has agreed upon at the beginning of the commitment.

3.7 - Am I allowed to have more than one mentor/apprentice?

If you have the time to participate in more than one pairing (and your other mentor/apprentice does not object), then you may have more than one actual pairing.

3.8 - Where can I sign up to participate in ProZ.com mentoring program?

To sign up for participation in the mentoring program as an apprentice, start by posting a "Mentor request" in the Exchange section (or check the list of active Certified PRO mentors).

If you are a member of the Certified PRO Network and you would like to volunteer as a mentor, simply post a "Mentor offer" in the Exchange section and contact site staff to have your name added to the current list of active Certified PRO mentors.

Note that both, mentor and apprentice, will be asked to agree to a disclaimer before being able to participate in the program.

3.9 - I found a mentor/apprentice that has agreed to work with me, who do I need to notify?

Mentors and apprentices are required to register their pairing to site staff through the support system.

3.10 - I cannot continue working with my mentor/apprentice. What should I do?

If, for any reason, you cannot continue working with your mentor/apprentice, notify your mentor/apprentice by making a post in the private forum site staff created for you and notify site staff through the support system.

3.11 - The mentor/apprentice I have agreed to work with is not replying to my emails/private forum posts. What should I do?

If your mentor/apprentice does not respond to your messages, notify site staff through the support system.

3.12 - My mentor/apprentice is not meeting the Mentoring program conditions. What should I do?

If your mentor/apprentice is not undertaking his/her responsibilities (as outlined 1.3 or 1.4 above), notify site staff through the support system.

4 - Social Networking

4.1 - What is Social Networking?

Social networking refers to the use of a social network service to communicate with people who share interests and/or activities. These services often provide a profile, links and messages to others within your network (contacts within the network) and/or the public. Examples of social networking services include Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+.

4.2 - How does ProZ.com help me integrate with my existing social networks?

There are several ways to interact with your social networks from ProZ.com. For example, you can post links to ProZ.com content using "ShareThis" buttons found around the site; you can share your ProZ.com forum posts (using the "share" option in the discussion form); and you can display your public Twitter updates in your profile (configure that in your social network settings).
If you'd like ProZ.com to interact with your social networks in other ways, please suggest it in the social networking forum.

4.3 - How can I use social networking to promote my business?

Some examples include highlighting your participation in an industry specific discussion, sharing links to jobs or interesting articles, finding clients and peers, and providing information on services you provide.

4.4 - Where can I discuss social networks on ProZ.com?

Visit the ProZ.com social networking forum »

4.5 - Where can I manage my social network preferences?

From your social network settings page.

4.6 - Can I follow ProZ.com on Twitter and join ProZ.com's groups in social networks?

Of course! Follow ProZ.com on Twitter, and join ProZ.com's groups on LinkedIn and on Facebook. You can also follow ProZ.com's company page on Linkedin.

4.7 - I'm not interested in using social networking features at ProZ.com. Can I disable them?

Yes. Select "disable social networking features" in your social network settings. Most social networking features will no longer appear to you.

5 - Twitter

5.1 - How can I display my public Twitter feed in my profile?

You can set your Twitter profile preferences in your personalization settings »

5.2 - What are the privacy implications of displaying my Twitter feed in my profile?

ProZ.com does not send any personally identifiable information to Twitter. The Twitter privacy policy is available at http://twitter.com/privacy

6 - ShareThis

6.1 - What is ShareThis?

ShareThis is a button that helps you to "tell a friend" about something you find interesting on ProZ.com by sharing a link to a public forum or public page through your existing social networks.

6.2 - How do I use ShareThis?

When you find a public page on ProZ.com that features the icon and "Share link to this ***", click the icon to choose one of your existing social networks, and it will provide you with a form to submit a link to the page. Currently, ShareThis is available in KudoZ, public forums, quick polls, upcoming conferences and powwows.

6.3 - Are replies to links shared using ShareThis on social networks automatically re-posted at ProZ.com?

No; activity on your social networks is not available through ProZ.com.

6.4 - Does ShareThis share links to private forums on ProZ.com?

ShareThis is only available on public forums; it is not available on any private forums.

6.5 - Does ProZ.com or ShareThis automatically link my profile to social networks?

Neither ProZ.com or ShareThis will link your profile to social networks, and personally identifiable information is not sent from ProZ.com to ShareThis. The ShareThis privacy policy is available at http://sharethis.com/privacy.

6.6 - I do not wish to use any social networking features on ProZ.com; what should I do?

Both the optional Twitter profile integration and ShareThis link sharing only work if you are already participating in a social networking service. If you do not wish to participate, do nothing.

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