On Thu, 04 Oct 2001 21:20:10 +0100, you wrote: >I'm relieved to see that FreeBMD keeps copies of files that are deleted, >but what is done with them? Certainly when I started transcribing the >emphasis was on the data *belonging* to me and that I could remove it if >and when I wanted. I understand Dave's argument about the transcriber >having access to files to edit or update data. However I think many >people feel that once the data is uploaded it should be retained by >FreeBMD. The bottom line is that for so long as someone remains a transcriber, they retain responsibility for their files. Once they leave, the files belong to the project and we will assign them to somebody else to look after. >Do we really want someone who has contributed 20,000 entries to be able >to take them away because of a dispute on the list and for FreeBMD then >to have to retranscribe the data? Or do we want Dave and others to >recover the data from the deleted files bank? I know which I prefer. > >Furthermore, when the project gets to the point where uncertain data is >identified and checked manually I would like to see the verification >process able to correct the uploaded files rather than to add data as >being 'definitive' I realise that the latter is easier to perform, but >future searchers will ideally want one entry to come up in a search >rather than one (or more) uncertain entries and one definitive one. I fear that I haven't really explained fully. Firstly, in discussing this, people *really* need to forget what is in files. Files are not what are searched, the database is searched and we build the database from the files in such a way as to make fiddling with the original files unnecessary. Our corrections will be of 2 types; CORRECTION - A checker has decided that the original transcription is in error. The checker's transcription will be displayed in favour of the transcriber's. The original transcription will be hidden from the public view (but we will be able to see what we corrected) THEORY - The transcription is correct, but we think the index is wrong (we of course could be mistaken). These records will be found whether searching for the original index term or the correction, and will be displayed something like; SMITH Joseph London C 1c 123 {Record amended by FreeBMD from original SMITH Soseph London C 1c 123} -- Dave Mayall

Dave Mayall wrote: > The bottom line is that for so long as someone remains a transcriber, > they retain responsibility for their files. Once they leave, the files > belong to the project and we will assign them to somebody else to look > after. I'm relieved to read this and hope that it can be incorporated for new (and old!) transcribers somewhere on the site. > > Our corrections will be of 2 types; > > CORRECTION - A checker has decided that the original transcription is > in error. The checker's transcription will be displayed in favour of > the transcriber's. The original transcription will be hidden from the > public view (but we will be able to see what we corrected) This answers both the concern over apparent duplicates and 'authenticated' data. > THEORY - The transcription is correct, but we think the index is wrong > (we of course could be mistaken). These records will be found whether > searching for the original index term or the correction, and will be > displayed something like; > > SMITH Joseph London C 1c 123 > {Record amended by FreeBMD from original > SMITH Soseph London C 1c 123} > And a useful refinement even if it's a diversion from the 'type what you see credo. But it does depend on transcribers being aware of that possibility and being able to make suspect entries with the #THEORY flag. As far as I am aware this is not possible in Speed/Win/MacBMD. It has been a very useful discussion topic but one which has helped others in the project understand more of what is going in te steering group. Perhaps some form of occasional update on technical & organisational issues may help to keep the embership better informed? :-) Peter Hendy-Ibbs -- Researching: IBBS from Hunts/Beds and HENDY from Pembrokeshire Transcribing and reformatting for FreeBMD (http://freebmd.rootsweb.com)