[bksvol-discuss] Re: News on Files in the Volunteer Workflow the Originate from Publishers as PDF
- From: Scott Rains <scottr@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:58:22 -0700
Eventually, yes.
Scott Rains
Benetech Fellow, Bookshare Volunteer Department
________________________________________
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Roger Loran Bailey [rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 11:51 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: News on Files in the Volunteer Workflow the
Originate from Publishers as PDF
Do I understand correctly that these PDF to RTF conversions will appear in
the checkout list?
_ _ _
"Those who produce should have, but we know that those who produce the
most - that is, those who work hardest, and at the most difficult and most
menial tasks, have the least." - Eugene V. Debs
The Militant:
http://www.themilitant.com
Pathfinder Press:
http://www.pathfinderpress.com
Granma International:
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Rains" <scottr@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 2:14 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] News on Files in the Volunteer Workflow the
Originate from Publishers as PDF
Volunteers,
Yesterday staff from various departments met about volunteers proofing the
PDF files mentioned by Jim Fruchterman and Betsy Beaumon in their letter to
the list. Afterward Pavi Mehta, a volunteer consultant (Christine Lu), and I
met to continue data gathering and analysis for the Volunteer Department
strategic planning process. Following this Rick Costa and I touched base on
the details of converting the files and preparing documentation for you.
The first meeting established the workflow steps involved. The second
meeting reminded us how important it is to collect data as we change or
develop new processes. The third moved us from talk to action. This email is
to anticipate a few questions you may have while you wait for these files to
appear in the queue:
1) Bookshare will convert the PDF files to RTF before you receive them.
After PDF to RTF conversion Rick will do some cleanup using macros he has
written before the files are placed in the queue to be proofed. Files that
originate as PDF will be tagged in the filename for ease of identification
in the queue. Since the files will flow through the existing queue and come
to you as RTF your workflow will be similar to working with books that
originated as scans of physical books.
2) Documentation will be prepared to answer technical or workflow questions.
You will come to recognize clusters of errors that are typical of PDF to RTF
conversion. These will be slightly different than print to RTF via OCR
errors. We are developing a tip sheet to alert you to what we have learned
about typical PDF to RTF scannos. As always your further observations and
solutions will be valuable as additions to training materials. Keep in mind
our new file-sharing policy as you work out for yourselves how to take on
new volunteer tasks. Your innovations involving teaming will be of interest
to us all.
3) New data gathering practices are evolving
As we roll out new ways to address the bullet points in Jim and Betsy's
letter such as this task, textbooks, BSO of Fair and Good quality books, and
adding metadata we will be asking volunteers to participate in various forms
of feedback, including inviting specific volunteers to test processes.
Details will follow as available.
4) We want to combine automation with transparency
In general we are moving toward a system where it is easier to identify who
touched a piece of work at each stage. For example, it is sometimes helpful
for a proofer to ask a question directly to a book's scanner. To help with
our transparency goal please adopt the practice of checking to see your
email address is available and including notes to the next person in the
process where appropriate. As we automate some procedures so we can break
tasks down into smaller bits or move larger volumes more quickly we are
working to be certain that automated communications are clear while real
humans remain within easy reach for unexpected situations.
5) Response time to questions on PDF files will vary
The addition into the volunteer workflow of files that originate as PDF is
not one of the automated processes. In fact, it will be a manual process
falling largely on Rick at every stage. Since you will receive RTF files but
not the PDF or a TIFF your questions referring back to the original PDF will
be one more step requiring Rick's time. We are aware that this is a design
bottleneck. As we test this workflow we may find that the best solution
involves reserving these files for a limited number of volunteers who accept
them on assignment. This option is under discussion but not decided upon
yet.
6) It is too early to announce a date when converted PDF files will flow
into the queue.
A safe projection on when would be to vaguely say, "in September."
Finally, everyone on the list has noted the high volume of posts. I think
everyone appreciates the discipline it takes to try to keep up with that
flow and to limit some of the more fun posts that are part of
community-building. Thank you.
Here, to remind us why we have been so focussed lately I recap the bullet
points from the letter on seven newer volunteer-related items we are working
on simultaneously:
· Determining safe books to scan with our new PQ influx
· Proofing PDF files
· Working with new international titles, publishers, languages and new
communities of Bookshare volunteers
· Proofing textbooks
· Metadata
· Quality improvements
· Image description
Thanks for all the work you do!
Scott Rains
Benetech Fellow, Bookshare Volunteer Department
________________________________________
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