Babylon 8.0 r38 User Reviews

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CNET Editors' Rating 5.0 stars

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out of 315 user reviews

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Horrible translations and customer service! A rip off!"

    March 23, 2013  |   By Harmonie2

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    None that I can see.

    Cons

    Absolutely horrible translations
    Pathetic customer service
    Ruins spell checking in Word
    Nothing good about this program

    Summary

    I downloaded the free program. Shortly afterward I realized it wasn't free. I decided to go ahead and buy the program and spent $100 for a lifetime subscription. I bought the program based on reviews I had read (lies!). The translations are simply awful! I speak French but bought it for the occasional help. Bing's free online translation program is better than this. The translations are so bad they make NO sense and are downright laughable. Since I do speak French I know what I'm looking at. I pity anyone buying this program, using it, and thinking that they're getting a good translation.

    Of course, what do I expect? I've never received the backup disk I paid an extra $18 for and in the two email conversations I have had with the company their English is atrocious! Their emails were full of grammatical and orthographic errors - and this from a Translation software company?! Their emails are as bad as their translations. Oh, and I purchased the program in $, but when I got my Visa bill, it shows an exchange rate fee. I brought that up to Babylon as well and they never responded.

    The Babylon program also interferes with the spell checking tool in Word, especially if I am trying to write in both languages.

    I should have mentioned at the beginning that their search program really is a pain. When you download it becomes your default search engine. I corrected that straight away, but you'll have to go online to figure out how to stop that.

    I am so deceived I am uninstalling it from my computer. Please don't buy this software! Save your money, get a better translation and use the TRULY free online programs instead.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Don't Buy Babylon!!!"

    February 19, 2013  |   By rabedo

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    None (if you pay for that)

    Cons

    I tried to transfer my life time license to my new notebook. Here is a summary of my conversation with Babylon rep.

    Summary

    Please wait for a site operator to respond. Thanks.
    You are now chatting with 'Tania'
    Tania: Hello and welcome to Babylon's Online Store Service . How May I Assist You Please ?
    you: I try to transfer Babylon to my notebook. I have an old version. Whet I have to do to get it on y new notebook?
    Tania: what is your email address please?
    you:
    Please wait while I transfer the chat to 'Anna'.
    You are now chatting with 'Anna'
    Anna: hi
    you: Hi
    Anna: Please hold for a moment
    Anna: Registered to:
    Anna: E-mail:
    Anna: Phone:
    you: Correct
    Anna: babylon 10 will not work on windows 8
    Anna: unfortunetly
    you: So, what I can do?
    Anna: you need to buy babylon 10
    Anna: with a discount of course
    Anna: take the classic package for life time
    Anna: including the oxford dictionary and the human voice for english
    Anna: back up cd an insurance on me
    Anna: and of course everything is for life time
    you: I bought a license for life time. Why to buy it again? The "life time" is not yet over.
    Anna: babylon 4 is not compatible with windows 8 ...
    Anna: you can of course keep your babylon 4 on your old computer forever
    you: In the past I got a patch to let me continue using Babylon on new versions of Windows
    Anna: not any more im afraid..
    you: It does not make sense. Actually we can call it a fraud.
    Anna: your call sir

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  • 1.0 stars

    "ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE"

    July 27, 2012  |   By heheyjeye

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    there are absolutely NONE. I don't understand why you are trying to compete with mozilla and google and other much better search engines. QUIT.

    Cons

    This thing inserted itself onto my computer. i was downloading a free youtube downloader and i was clicking through the install and got this. i tried to cancel but it wouldn't allow me to. Then it inserted itself into all of my web browsers, making babylon my homepage.

    Summary

    It copies google so I didn't even realize it was on my computer for a few days.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Worst crapware program on the internet"

    July 8, 2012  |   By Exavia

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    Absolutely NONE

    Cons

    I didn't even install this! The search engine showed up in one of my installers and even though I clicked NO to the offer it forced install anyways! Then, even AFTER I uninstalled it-- it had hijacked my browser settings causing me to force reset on all of my settings. This company should be ashamed.

    Summary

    NEVER give money to these people, they basically create a browser hijacker and distribute it openly with their label on it.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "major consumer fraud!!!"

    March 4, 2012  |   By traduno

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    works really well .. for about 6 months

    Cons

    this company is a major rip-off. their "lifetime" licenses work for about 6 months. They will take your money and run - unless you are willing to constantly fork out funds on an ongoing basis to subscribe to their updated versions.

    Summary

    This company is extremely fraudulent - they sell lifetime licenses to dictionaries, that last about 6 months.

    After that, the nightmare begins. Support is circular and you will never be able to get your licenses working. All the company cares about is ensuring an ongoing stream of profits to its pocket. All of the sales people are sleazy too!!

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Forces it's search engine on you"

    June 12, 2011  |   By chezjuan

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    None at all

    Cons

    Forces itself to be the search engine of choice, and then is next to impossible to reset without editing the registry and FireFox config files.

    Summary

    Just don't do it. You'll be sorry.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT BABYLON AND LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES"

    May 7, 2010  |   By vae1

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    Good software

    Cons

    Very bad customer service and unfair customer handling to try to make more money in a dishonest manner. It is the first time that I am treated that way by a supplier. I never use copied software. Babylon seems to play the pirate.

    Summary

    I purchased Babylon 8 + Britannica + Extended License Service + Backup CD on 31 August 2009 (order 1672334). My computer crashed. I purchased a new computer and installed Babylon on the new one. Almost immediately arrived the license overused message and the discontinuation of services. I discussed with the support service, they told me that they would reset my license, but they did not.
    Moreover they modified my search engine and installed lots of bad things on my new computer.
    Let us communicate to all our relationships how we are treated by Babylon.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Beware for buying from Babylon Com LTD."

    May 7, 2010  |   By ojoxo

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    none, rien, nada, niks

    Cons

    You pay twice for one, and get nothing

    Summary

    I have ordered a "Babylon MAC + Van"Dale" on their dutch-version website. Babylon Com Ltd charged me once 97 ? and again 159,88 $ for this order, so twice for one licence. What you got back for your payment is a phone call on a sunday morning at 7 am! with the promise that they will send the software and key. You get also an email with the poor and only information "DAVE,Sales Representative.Babylon LTD." And that's it.

    If you try to get in contact to complain that you haven't received anything (even no confirmation e-mail of the payment or an invoice), it's simply a waste of time because they just reply to confirm your e-mail but don't give an answer on the problem. I hope to get my money back by the help of the credit-card company.

    My conclusion is that perhaps the software is a 5 star worth , but the company Babylon Com LTD deserves a big 5 minus.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "What a waste of money"

    April 13, 2010  |   By wolfordt

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    Yes, it will translate a single work, sometimes

    Cons

    I live in Korea and have tried to use this software for three months. I have yet translated a pdf file or a group of words.

    Summary

    Don't waster your money on this software. Use google translator for single words or webpages. It's free. This software is fustrating and does not have a tutorial or instructions on how to use it to get the most out it.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Don't give them money ... you WILL lose it."

    April 4, 2010  |   By d444n

    Version: Babylon 8.0 r38

    Pros

    Software is OK and does it's job.

    Cons

    You will get your license revoked the moment you try to upgrade your PC / OS / anything else perfectly legitimate. You will receive no support when this happens.

    Summary

    I like many, many people who have used Babylon (read the other reviews and search a bit online) have fallen victim to their draconian licensing policy. I merely upgraded my PC to Windows 7 at which point they decided that I was running their software on two PC's and revoked my license.

    When contacted they simply sent me a link to buy a new license: so, pay again for software I've already paid for. They then ignored any further emails I sent them.

    Their company is almost run as if it was some kind of scam. You might get to use their software, but for how long?

    Avoid at all costs.

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Results 1-10 of 43

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