The author examines how specialist translators research terminology today, drawing parallels between current practices in terminology management and historical methods of solving terminology problems. While classical principles of word choice are clearly reflected in modern guidelines for standardizing terms, the notion of the “lone translator working in isolation with his books” has been replaced by co-operative models of working. Technology, of course, has changed the methods of terminology research; however, it is still common to consult subject experts and reference materials. Profiles of the modern translation profession are presented on the basis of three case studies showing how terminology is managed in a large translation company, a medium-sized translation company and by two freelancers. Only the large company made greater use of technologies such as term extraction and a fully elaborated termbase, as well as offering customer-specific specialized subject training, archive library facilities and an in-house subject consultant. Neither the medium-sized company nor the freelancers used electronic terminology management though both consulted electronic glossaries and documentation on the Internet.