What those of us who support mother tongue translators in the Pacific are trying to say is that having PT7 and PT8 open at the same time, so that the old PT7 resources can be used, is not a workable solution for many of the PT users we work with.
In this part of the world, with a great number of relatively small language groups, the people who are able to become translators for their own people are those who have not left their home communities for the many years it takes to obtain tertiary education. Most of the people with higher degrees and experience using computers and reading from digital screens, do not know the finer points of their language well enough (by their own admission) to translate the Bible. These people, as well, are expected to get good jobs after graduating to support their families and communities, in return for family assistance with education.
Thus most of the translators in these parts have a high school education or less. Many have had no previous computer experience, and likely no “smart phone” experience either (although phone use is much different than managing multiple programs on a desktop). In the multi-language group we work with, a good TW (Folio) workshop was held a few years ago. Of the 15 or so attendees only two of them have actually used TW since the workshop: the two translation consultant trainees (who are now full consultants in PNG).
The others depend on the Translator’s Handbooks and Trans. Notes in Paratext, and on “real” paper reference books, which are easier to use and can be open beside the computer for quick reference. They are extremely sharp and learn well. But their energy is focused on learning to translate well; it’s hard to learn complex computer tasks when more familiar tools are available (TN is not readily available here, or transportable, in paper form).
So there is a very real need to get Translators’ Notes into Paratext 8, in this part of the world with its many small languages and difficult travel conditions.
KimB