[bksvol-discuss] Re: News on Files in the Volunteer Workflow the Originate from Publishers as PDF
- From: Chela Robles <cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:33:07 -0700
Scott I'd be willing to help with PDF files if you're up for
recruitment positions as of proofreading them.
On 8/20/10, Scott Rains <scottr@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Mike,
>
> Yes, now is a good time to be thinking of new potential volunteers that we
> all might be able to recruit
>
> Scott Rains
> Benetech Fellow, Bookshare Volunteer Department
> ________________________________________
> From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike and Lori Castner
> [mandlcastner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 1:12 PM
> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: News on Files in the Volunteer Workflow the
> Originate from Publishers as PDF
>
> Hi Scott, your message has lots of good news. It looks like we will need
> more proofers. It will be interesting to see all of this as it rolls out.
> Mike
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Rains" <scottr@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 11:14 AM
> 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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