I've moved this to the DISCUSS list as the topic is discussing the "what we should be doing" aspects of FreeBMD. Almost anything is possible regarding production of new progress graphs. I still think we are getting away from the main reasons for the existence of FreeBMD, one of these isn't the production of more graphs. Those transcribers who produce a small number of records shouldn't feel any pressure by checking to see how well they are doing compared to other transcribers. They should be allowed to go at their own speed (within reason) unhindered by thinking or knowing they are in the bottom x% of transcribers. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Colin Cruddace <c.cruddace@ntlworld.com> To: Allan Raymond <allan_raymond@btinternet.com>; FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Date: 24 January 2004 12:45 Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >Allan, > >I think David Jones has raised a valid point about producing some statistics >based on the latest update to the database. Would it not be possible to >produce a graph/chart based on individual uploads in particular bands? ie. >Numbers of transcribers submitting - (say) <10 records, 10 -99, 100-199, >etc. > >It would give an interesting picture of transcription resources without >reflecting on any particular individual, and would give us all an idea of >how we fitted into the overall scheme. It might also re-assure those not >able to contribute very much that they are not alone, and ALL contributions >are important. > >Perhaps something like this is already available, but I haven't seen it. >Not that I spend a lot of time browsing! > >Regards, >Colin >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Raymond" <allan_raymond@btinternet.com> >To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 11:07 AM >Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs > > >> Helen >> >> I hope you are not assuming I agree we should compare the output of one >> individual with another? >> >> I did say in my response "Personally, I think FreeBMD is in the business >of >> transcribing the index rather than statistic production" >> >> If there is anything in my previous response which indicate otherwise >please >> let me know? >> >> I answered a specific query about adding the the numerical total somewhere >> on the progress graph for individuals. This was the situation pre the >> automatic production of the graphs following the last update. >> >> Quality is far more important than quantity. >> >> I only use the progress graphs as part of my own administration functions >to >> establish if a volunteer is active or not , rather than how many records >> have been uploaded per se. >> >> I have copied my response across to the Discuss list as this is the >correct >> list should others have any follow up queries on how we present progress >> graphs. >> >> Allan Raymond >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Helen Verrall <hverrall@ihug.co.nz> >> To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >> Date: 24 January 2004 07:21 >> Subject: RE: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> >> >> >Alan >> > >> >This information being made available to all, concerns me, not all of us >> >are able to transcribe on a regular basis, as have other commitments in >> >transcription of records, but do what they when they can. If the amount >> >a transcriber has uploaded each upgrade, is going to be made available >> >for others, than your Syndicate Leader, I for one will pull out >> >entirely. I do what I can when I can, as have other commitments besides >> >BMD, and will not allow my work quantity to be judged by others . >> >Surely it is the quality rather than the quantity which more important. >> >Please note I have also sent a copy of this to my Syndicate Leader. >> > >> >Helen Verrall >> >New Zealand >> > >> > >> >-----Original Message----- >> >From: Allan Raymond [mailto:allan_raymond@btinternet.com] >> >Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 1:30 PM >> >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >> >Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> > >> >If I understand the first question, you would like to see the actual >> >number >> >of records uploaded by a volunteer to be shown on their progress graph? >> >At >> >present they have to read the total from the y-axis of their graph. >> > >> >I assume this can be done and I have put a task on the system to cover >> >this >> >requirement. >> > >> >Personally, I think FreeBMD is in the business of transcribing the index >> >rather than statistic production, although it is still important that we >> >have sight of statistical information to see how FreeBMD is progressing >> >. On >> >this basis the current progress graphs provide an indication of how well >> >a >> >volunteer is doing regarding their uploads and negates the need for >> >separate >> >information on the number of records transcribed since the last update. >> > >> >I think it is impossible to produce Syndicate graphs for a number of >> >reasons. The main reason which comes to mind is that some volunteers >> >belong >> >to more than one Syndicate and hence it wouldn't be possible to >> >attribute >> >their efforts to the correct Syndicate especially where the volunteer >> >belongs to the two Syndicates involved in double keying the same >> >event/period. >> > >> >Allan Raymond >> > >> >-----Original Message----- >> >From: David Jones <underowl@yahoo.co.uk> >> >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >> >Date: 23 January 2004 07:43 >> >Subject: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> > >> > >> >>Hi, >> >> Its a great site thanks to all your hard work but I >> >>noticed after the last update (Dec 2003) the total of >> >>number of records transcribed vanished from the >> >>submitters progress graph. Yes the upward line is >> >>positive reinforcement but for those with a large >> >>number of entries the scale does not enable one to >> >>compare monthly productivity. Yes I appreciate the >> >>individual total of records transcribed is available >> >>in the public area but time spent going to locate it >> >>could be better used transcribing. >> >> >> >>As new transcribers are daunted by others totals a >> >>list of individual total records transcribed since the >> >>last update might encourage them to complete that >> >>extra page. >> >> >> >>Also an update on the progress of the new syndicates >> >>would inspire their members. Possibly syndicate graphs >> >>to encourage group identity. >> >> >> >>BW's >> >>Julie2 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>_______________________________________________________________________ >> >_ >> >>Yahoo! Messenger - Communicate instantly..."Ping" >> >>your friends today! Download Messenger Now >> >>http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/download/index.html >> >> >> >> >> >>==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe instructions and Archives >> >>http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/FreeUK/FreeBMD-Admins.html >> >> >> >>============================== >> >>Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >>Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >>http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > >> > >> > >> >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> >http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> > >> >============================== >> >Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> >http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> > >> >============================== >> >Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> >> >> >> ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> >> ============================== >> Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > >

FreeBMD is a BIG project and as such, some transcribers may wane from time to time, as even the largest of contributions can be lost in the sheer size of the task. I am not therefore surprised that some transcribers may look for ways to give themselves incentives, and league tables of who did what each month, may appear on the surface, to be one such incentive method. But as has been seen on the list, this method is likely to dis-incentivise as many as it would incentivise others, and should therefore NOT be adopted. Anyone who wants to make a league from the data currently available, and then compare this months to last months, to see who is active and how much so, can do it if they want for themselves. But FreeBMD should NOT do it centrally. But I do believe that the central management should consider incentive systems. All projects, whether it is constructing the channel tunnel, or putting landers on Mars, have targets set and time-scales to meet other than the final one of project completion. Why not have a target to get Marriage years 18xx to 18yy done by a certain month? Then ANY contribution, however small, that helps towards this goal, may be done with an incentive to achieve that goal. Doing all years, all events, and first and second keying - all at the same time, means there is currently only one target - project completion - so far in the future - that this is not a target that serves any incentive purposes at all for most day to day subscribers. Secondly ANY transcriber can set their own goal of how many records they want to transcribe each month. For some, it may be tens of thousands of records, for others a challenging incentive may be just a few dozen records. I see no problem in that. The latter is a valuable contribution. Even though the project is moving forward fast, and everyone is doing brilliantly, I still fell the oil of incentive can (and should) be applied from time to time, in the RIGHT way. John Fairlie Mail us at ..... john@fairlie.plus.com john.fairlie@blueyonder.co.uk Home page... http://www.fairlie.plus.com -----Original Message----- From: Allan Raymond [mailto:allan_raymond@btinternet.com] Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 7:57 PM To: FREEBMD-DISCUSS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs I've moved this to the DISCUSS list as the topic is discussing the "what we should be doing" aspects of FreeBMD. Almost anything is possible regarding production of new progress graphs. I still think we are getting away from the main reasons for the existence of FreeBMD, one of these isn't the production of more graphs. Those transcribers who produce a small number of records shouldn't feel any pressure by checking to see how well they are doing compared to other transcribers. They should be allowed to go at their own speed (within reason) unhindered by thinking or knowing they are in the bottom x% of transcribers. Allan Raymond -----Original Message----- From: Colin Cruddace <c.cruddace@ntlworld.com> To: Allan Raymond <allan_raymond@btinternet.com>; FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> Date: 24 January 2004 12:45 Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >Allan, > >I think David Jones has raised a valid point about producing some statistics >based on the latest update to the database. Would it not be possible to >produce a graph/chart based on individual uploads in particular bands? ie. >Numbers of transcribers submitting - (say) <10 records, 10 -99, 100-199, >etc. > >It would give an interesting picture of transcription resources without >reflecting on any particular individual, and would give us all an idea of >how we fitted into the overall scheme. It might also re-assure those not >able to contribute very much that they are not alone, and ALL contributions >are important. > >Perhaps something like this is already available, but I haven't seen it. >Not that I spend a lot of time browsing! > >Regards, >Colin >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Allan Raymond" <allan_raymond@btinternet.com> >To: <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 11:07 AM >Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs > > >> Helen >> >> I hope you are not assuming I agree we should compare the output of one >> individual with another? >> >> I did say in my response "Personally, I think FreeBMD is in the business >of >> transcribing the index rather than statistic production" >> >> If there is anything in my previous response which indicate otherwise >please >> let me know? >> >> I answered a specific query about adding the the numerical total somewhere >> on the progress graph for individuals. This was the situation pre the >> automatic production of the graphs following the last update. >> >> Quality is far more important than quantity. >> >> I only use the progress graphs as part of my own administration functions >to >> establish if a volunteer is active or not , rather than how many records >> have been uploaded per se. >> >> I have copied my response across to the Discuss list as this is the >correct >> list should others have any follow up queries on how we present progress >> graphs. >> >> Allan Raymond >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Helen Verrall <hverrall@ihug.co.nz> >> To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >> Date: 24 January 2004 07:21 >> Subject: RE: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> >> >> >Alan >> > >> >This information being made available to all, concerns me, not all of us >> >are able to transcribe on a regular basis, as have other commitments in >> >transcription of records, but do what they when they can. If the amount >> >a transcriber has uploaded each upgrade, is going to be made available >> >for others, than your Syndicate Leader, I for one will pull out >> >entirely. I do what I can when I can, as have other commitments besides >> >BMD, and will not allow my work quantity to be judged by others . >> >Surely it is the quality rather than the quantity which more important. >> >Please note I have also sent a copy of this to my Syndicate Leader. >> > >> >Helen Verrall >> >New Zealand >> > >> > >> >-----Original Message----- >> >From: Allan Raymond [mailto:allan_raymond@btinternet.com] >> >Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 1:30 PM >> >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com >> >Subject: Re: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> > >> >If I understand the first question, you would like to see the actual >> >number >> >of records uploaded by a volunteer to be shown on their progress graph? >> >At >> >present they have to read the total from the y-axis of their graph. >> > >> >I assume this can be done and I have put a task on the system to cover >> >this >> >requirement. >> > >> >Personally, I think FreeBMD is in the business of transcribing the index >> >rather than statistic production, although it is still important that we >> >have sight of statistical information to see how FreeBMD is progressing >> >. On >> >this basis the current progress graphs provide an indication of how well >> >a >> >volunteer is doing regarding their uploads and negates the need for >> >separate >> >information on the number of records transcribed since the last update. >> > >> >I think it is impossible to produce Syndicate graphs for a number of >> >reasons. The main reason which comes to mind is that some volunteers >> >belong >> >to more than one Syndicate and hence it wouldn't be possible to >> >attribute >> >their efforts to the correct Syndicate especially where the volunteer >> >belongs to the two Syndicates involved in double keying the same >> >event/period. >> > >> >Allan Raymond >> > >> >-----Original Message----- >> >From: David Jones <underowl@yahoo.co.uk> >> >To: FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com <FreeBMD-Admins-L@rootsweb.com> >> >Date: 23 January 2004 07:43 >> >Subject: comment re changes to submitters progress graphs >> > >> > >> >>Hi, >> >> Its a great site thanks to all your hard work but I >> >>noticed after the last update (Dec 2003) the total of >> >>number of records transcribed vanished from the >> >>submitters progress graph. Yes the upward line is >> >>positive reinforcement but for those with a large >> >>number of entries the scale does not enable one to >> >>compare monthly productivity. Yes I appreciate the >> >>individual total of records transcribed is available >> >>in the public area but time spent going to locate it >> >>could be better used transcribing. >> >> >> >>As new transcribers are daunted by others totals a >> >>list of individual total records transcribed since the >> >>last update might encourage them to complete that >> >>extra page. >> >> >> >>Also an update on the progress of the new syndicates >> >>would inspire their members. Possibly syndicate graphs >> >>to encourage group identity. >> >> >> >>BW's >> >>Julie2 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>_______________________________________________________________________ >> >_ >> >>Yahoo! Messenger - Communicate instantly..."Ping" >> >>your friends today! Download Messenger Now >> >>http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/download/index.html >> >> >> >> >> >>==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >>Subscribe/Unsubscribe instructions and Archives >> >>http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/FreeUK/FreeBMD-Admins.html >> >> >> >>============================== >> >>Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >>Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >>http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > >> > >> > >> >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> >http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> > >> >============================== >> >Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> >FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> >http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> > >> >============================== >> >Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> >Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> >> >> >> ==== FreeBMD-Admins Mailing List ==== >> FreeBMD Transcribers homepage >> http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/vindex.shtml >> >> ============================== >> Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration >> Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. >> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >> > > ============================== Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237