I hope that nobody is offended by me participating in the discussions on this topic, as I am not an experienced transcriber. I would estimate that I am at the "shop-soiled" stage as opposed to the "new" transcriber, but perhaps my own viewpoint is relevent here, and I am sure that mine will not be unique. Most, if not all, transcribers will be aware of the importance of the project and the need for entries to be correct. My own induction process with Brian Smart's Syndicate was more than adequate without being over-complicated, and also stressed the TWYS issues with appropriate links. I would imagine that other syndicate coordinators offered a broadly similar induction. So I don't see this as being the root of the problem, as Mervyn suggests. I also sympathise with Dave Mayall having to repeatedly respond to the "same old question", and greatly admire his patience. His recent "sorry to sound terse" response asked why should he go to the bother of preparing a statement and for someone else to put it on the web ....etc. I have read the statement on several occasions and always finish with the same impression, - "Full-Stops are Insignificant, and it is too easy for a beginner to be confused and get it wrong". The first two paragraphs of the statement are fine but from then on he explains the checking processes and how unimportant missing full-stops are - "a full-stop is down at the VERY bottom of errors..." (Dave's words and emphasis, not mine!) After all of this there is a link to the Hints and Help for Beginners, for further guidance on transcribing full-stops. Oh dear, "Deviations from TWYS", occasions when we do NOT transcribe full-stops. Things are now starting to get a bit complicated, especially for those who can only spare a little time for transcribing, and might not be able to remember. After going through all of this I can see why new people constantly question the need to enter ANY full-stops. It is not a significant error to miss them, but what would happen if one was put in where it shouldn't have been? Perhaps a different statement might help Dave to keep his hair for a while longer, if he still has any! I think I would have pulled all mine out years ago if I had been doing his job. (Yes. I do browse through the old lists to broaden my knowledge.) Sorry to be a bit long-winded but we all have a common aim, and want to get it right, so I hope this helps. Colin Cruddace. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mervyn Wright" <mervyn.wright@talk21.com> To: <FREEBMD-DISCUSS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:27 PM Subject: Full Stops etc. > I fully sympathise with Dave Mayall on this recurring theme. I wonder if > it might not be a good idea for new transcribers to be sent a personal > e-mail, when they sign up, emphasising some of the basic concepts of > transcribing, particularly with regard to ‘Type What You See’ and > punctuation. I know the information is on the web page but how many new > transcribers actually read it through and absorb it all? I think most of > us only refer to the TKB when we have a problem. > > Perhaps, then, these themes would not recur on such a regular basis, > leaving us ‘old hands’ tearing our hair out (if we had any!) and > despairing at ‘oh no….here we go again’. > > Regards > > Mervyn Wright > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.560 / Virus Database: 352 - Release Date: 08/01/2004 > > > ______________________________