I really like the suggestions about doing the rank spelling first and stripping headers last. That really would make the book more enjoyable to read from a validator's standpoint. Thanks. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Monica Willyard" <rhyami@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Bookshare Volunteers" <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:29 AM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] A Validater's Secret Weapon
Hi everybody. I have a secret weapon for validating books. I mentioned it to Linda Adams the other day, and she had no idea such a thing couldhelp her. I thought I'd mention it here in case it would help someone else.Several people have written in the past that they don't enjoy validating and having to sit at the computer all the time. I can't sit at the computer and type for longer than 15 to 20 minutes without pain due to a neck and back injury I got in a car accident 8 years ago. I needed a way to read and work while still being able to change positions. I bought a wireless keyboard that allows me to work on my computer from across the room, either in bed when I'm sick or in an easy chair when I feel well. A lot of times, I'll start Kurzweil reading a book and will curl up with some pillows and just listen till I need to correct something. With my wireless keyboard handy, I can quickly correct the scanno and start Kurzweil reading again. The keyboard has volume controls on it, so I can adjust how loudly Kurzweil is reading with the press of a button. Sometimes, when I take scans by people like Mayrie or Jim Baugh, I start Kurzweil reading and only have to touch the wireless keyboard once or twice during the whole book. If I take a rougher scan to validate, I do the rank spelling first and catch a lot of the obvious errors. I do this sitting at my desk for good posture. Then I start reading and go to a more comfortable chair or my bed to relax and enjoy the book. If I do it this way, I read the book and then go back and strip the headers at the end while I'm sitting at my desk. It lets me read the book comfortably, and that means I do a better job with validating it. Of course, all of this would work with Openbook or Microsoft Word too. I don't know if any of this would help any of you here. It's made a big difference for me and is how I'm able to validate several books a week without going crazy. A Wireless keyboard costs anywhere from $25 to $110 depending on how fancy you want to get and whether or not you get a wireless mouse too. Monica Willyard To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxput the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
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