[bksvol-discuss] Re: Creating a Process for Creating Guidelines
- From: Chanelle Hill <chanellemh@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:46:56 -0500
Hi Mayrie,
I have valued this list for the answers I receive to my questions and
for what I learn from others. I appreciate that more experienced
volunteers like you take the time and effort to share your wisdom and
advise newer volunteers like me.
It makes perfect sense for new volunteers to delete messages that
don't apply to them. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to read
every message on this list either.
Chanelle
On 6/10/09, Mayrie ReNae <mayrierenae@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Chanelle,
>
> The kind of thing that you suggest starting a new list to achieve is
> exactly why the current volunteer list exists. I think that starting a
> second list would only complicate things. I do agree that having all new
> volunteers join the volunteer list is a great idea. And if folks don't like
> the amount of mail, they can always look at subject lines and delete what
> doesn't apply to them. I joined the list as soon as I started volunteering
> and feel that the list saved my bacon more times than I can count.
>
> Mayrie
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chanelle Hill
> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 8:36 AM
> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Creating a Process for Creating Guidelines
>
> I agree that instructions for Word, Openbook, and Kurzweil would be helpful.
> When new volunteers begin proofing and scanning, they frequently have
> questions about validating and scanning with the devices and programs they
> have. At least, I had questions and I have seen several posts to this list
> asking for help proofreading. To make the volunteer manual less
> intimidating, there could be a separate document detailing how to use each
> program. It would be helpful to have a section on proofing with the
> BrailleNote, Pacmate, and/or other devices volunteers use for editing
> documents as well. Alternatively, instructions could also be appended to the
> end of the manual with different headings for each program. The volunteer
> manual could give Bookshare's proofreading requirements and reference the
> document or sections containing more specific instructions for those who
> want them. A separate document or appendices would help those who want to
> submit the very best book they possibly can. The manual and Bookshare's
> requirements--especially pertaining to pagination and numbering--were a
> little confusing for me at first, so having instructions for how to do
> common proofreading tasks might clarify things for others.
> Maybe there could be an email list for new volunteers that specifically
> discusses proofreading and scanning. We could still keep this list for
> announcing wish list requests, items that are being scanned, newly submitted
> books, and asking one another for help with issues that come up with
> specific books. Maybe two lists might be time-consuming or too much;
> however, new volunteers could join the proofreading and scanning list, which
> would probably have fewer emails, so that they would not need to be
> bombarded with tons of messages. Some of the people on the advisory
> committee could join the list to facilitate discussion and assist new
> volunteers. New volunteers could be automatically signed up for the scanning
> and proofing list to ensure that the situation with NW will not be repeated.
> I am sorry for my verbose email and for bringing up two different topics. By
> the way, I never received the email or newsletter detailing font
> requirements for submissions.
> I would be interested in joining the volunteer advisory committee.
>
> Chanelle
>
> On 6/10/09, Rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx <Rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>> I can see a definite value to having these suggestions incorporated
>> into the manual. However, thinking back to almost a year ago when I
>> first became a volunteer, if I had read a manual that long an
>> complicated I think I might have been intimidated into backing out. If
>> I saw a lot of instructions dealing with programs and equipment I did
>> not have I might have decided that I was unable to volunteer at all.
>>
>> "I find
>> capitalism repugnant. It is filthy, it is gross, it is alienating...
>> because it causes war, hypocrisy and competition." Fidel Castro
>>
>> The Militant: http://www.themilitant.com/txtindex.shtml Pathfinder Press:
>> http://www.pathfinderpress.com
>> Granma International: http://granma.cu/ingles/index.html
>> _
>>
>> table with 2 columns and 6 rows
>> Subj:
>> [bksvol-discuss] Re: Creating a Process for Creating Guidelines
>> Date:
>> 6/10/2009 9:42:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time
>> From:
>> rpet@xxxxxxx
>> Reply-to:
>> bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> To:
>> bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Sent from the Internet
>> (Details)
>> table end
>>
>> As an Openbook user, and someone who has had four books rejected, I
> concur.
>> Robert
>>
>> Attention: The information contained in this message and/or
>> attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is
>> addressed and may contain confidential and/or nonpublic material. Any
>> review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of
>> any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities
>> other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this
>> in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any
>> system and destroy any copies.
>>
>>>>> "Nancy Martin" <nancyam@xxxxxxxxxxx> 6/9/2009 10:03 PM >>>
>> Hi Pavi and list,
>> One presumably change which should be made in the manual is that books
>> are initially checked for fourteen days and not 30 as the manual states.
>>
>> I personally would like to see program-specific sections in the manual.
>> For example, a section on using MS Word to proof books. The section
>> might include a checklist type approach with instructions for
>> accomplishing those tasks.
>> For example, 1. check and fix fonts with appropriate instructions. 2.
>> taking
>> out paragraph breaks with Word instructions. This would help proofers
>> make sure they remembered to do all these things before submitting a book.
>> Another
>> set of instructions would be written for OpenBook, Kurzweil 1000, etc.
>>
>> I hope I'm making some sense.
>> Just my two cents worth,
>> Nancy Martin
>> Oklahoma
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Pavi Mehta
>> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 4:06 PM
>> Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Creating a Process for Creating
>> Guidelines
>>
>> That's great to hear Christina! It's definitely possible to have you
>> be on the team. Judy S. has also volunteered to be a part of it. As
>> more feedback comes in we will keep everyone posted.
>>
>>
>> All good things,
>>
>> Pavi
>>
>>
>> From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christina
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 2:03 PM
>> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Creating a Process for Creating
>> Guidelines
>>
>>
>> Hi, Pavi.
>>
>> This guideline shapers group is a wonderful idea.
>>
>> I'd like to be included on this team if that's possible.
>>
>> Christina
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: Pavi Mehta
>>
>> To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> Cc: carrie.k@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2009 4:26 PM
>>
>> Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Creating a Process for Creating
>> Guidelines
>>
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>>
>> As you know the recent guidelines that went out on Page Numbering
>> have generated some understandable concern and confusion among the
> volunteers.
>> Some
>> of you have written in to staff with detailed emails articulating
>> those areas of concern and where the guidelines appear more
>> inconvenient than helpful.
>> Others have expressed their opinions on the list. Carrie and I have
>> had several discussions recently on how best to address these concerns
>> and modify the guidelines so that they serve as a tool and not a
>> hindrance. As hands-on volunteers all of your input is valuable and we
>> want the guidelines to reflect the best practices and collective
>> wisdom of the volunteer community.
>>
>>
>> Regarding page numbers Carrie will send out a note shortly to
>> clarify some of the areas of confusion and concern and explain how the
>> guidelines for this will be implemented. Bottom line is that we do
>> understand the wide variety of challenges volunteers face with
>> including page numbers in books, and we're glad to have had your
>> feedback. We intend hereon for this guideline to be implemented with a
>> large degree of flexibility - and will be rewriting the guidelines to
>> clearly reflect the difference between page number requirements for
>> educational books and other submissions.
>>
>>
>> Moving forward though, for us one of the overarching questions
>> that the Page Number issue brings up is:
>>
>>
>> What is the most efficient and effective way for Bookshare to do
>> the
>> following:
>>
>>
>> 1. Identify volunteer areas that need guidelines
>>
>> 2. Draft guidelines and have them reviewed by a small pool
>> of volunteers(in a sort of beta phase)
>>
>> 3. Finalize and share these guidelines among the greater
>> volunteer community
>>
>>
>> Ideally, Carrie and I feel that volunteers should have a leading
>> and more transparent role to play in steps 1 and 2 above.
>>
>> Here is a suggested approach, that it would be great to get your
>> input
>> on:
>>
>>
>> 1. Form a self-selected team of "Bookshare Guideline
>> Shapers" (we can think of a better name down the line- smile). The
>> Guideline Shapers are Bookshare volunteers who step forward to help
>> identify, draft and sound out missing guidelines. Even if something is
>> brought to staff attention regarding a missing guideline, we would
>> turn it over initially to this group with our suggestions if any.
>>
>>
>> 2. The Guideline Shapers would decide on areas that need
>> guidelines, work on an initial draft of these guidelines and then send
>> them over to Carrie/me for review from the Bookshare staff
>> perspective. The Guideline Shapers would go over any edits from us and
>> come up with a revised guideline.
>> They would then solicit feedback on the guideline from the volunteer
>> list before making any final tweaks to it.
>>
>>
>> 3. Once the guideline has been finalized, I will incorporate
>> it in the Volunteer Manual, and ensure that it is announced on the
>> volunteer blog as well as on the volunteer discussion list. (We will
>> create a separate section of the manual for Updates to the Manual so
>> that it is easy for people to keep up with the changes).
>>
>>
>>
>> Participation from the volunteer community while shaping policy, we
>> feel is key and we think this approach could be a really invigorating way
> of
>> facilitating
>> the creation of useful guidelines from the inside-out. Of course we would
>> be more than glad to help with the logistics of setting up a group alias
> and
>> other etcs for Guideline Shapers, and to provide assistance wherever we
>> can. We would love your feedback on this approach as well as to know if
> any
>> of
>> you are interested in being part of such a team.
>>
>>
>> Warm regards,
>>
>>
>> Pavi & Carrie
>>
>>
>> Pavi Mehta
>>
>> Volunteer Coordinator, Bookshare
>>
>>
>> Benetech
>>
>> 480 S. California Ave., Suite 201
>>
>> Palo Alto, CA 94306-1609 USA
>>
>> Phone: +1 650 644-3459
>>
>>
>> pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>>
>> www.benetech.org
>>
>>
>> The Benetech Initiative - Technology Serving Humanity
>>
>> A Nonprofit Organization
>>
>>
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