Although I've voted "it's a bad thing and I wouldn't do it", I wouldn't say translating for free is good or bad. I believe it's harmful. I've translated for free only for a charity organization that is aimed at helping children in need but if it's a commercial site, I wouldn't do it unless I was given the possibility of advertising my services. In that case, it'd be a kind of bartering.

Marisa

Originally written by Jonathan Downie on December 5, 2008 5:14 AM I had never thought of that idea.  I agree with the idea of doing the odd bit of free work for charities but paid websites can go pay for it.

I agree some charities are deserving of assistance whether in monetary form or free services. Still, one has to be careful. Separating those that actually need assistance from those that pretend to need assistance is not always easy. I am by nature a distrusting so I look at things like how the executives of the charities live, what type of cars they drive, what the offices of the charities look like. In other words, if the ones running the charities are living better than I could ever hope to live they can pay full price. It is for this same reason that as a rule I don't, in general, help charities, churches, the police and fire fund raisers and on and on. Instead, I have found it more rewarding for me to quietly help an individual or family.

David