FREEBMD-DISCUSS-L Archives

Archiver > FREEBMD-DISCUSS > 2003-09 > 1062856988


From: "Mervyn Wright" <>
Subject: RE: fullstops.
Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2003 15:03:08 +0100
In-Reply-To: <000c01c37468$01c64e20$8b221dc3@LocalHost>


I for one am getting totally ........ off with this continuous and
recurring discussion on the subject of FULL STOPS, and so, I am sure,
are the leaders of this project.

Dave Mayall has set out, concisely and cogently, the reason why we
transcribe full stops in Christian names. If we could all now get on
with transcribing and stop bickering, then perhaps the project will get
completed.

Just to re-iterate for those who may have missed it and are
transcribing from typed source, the following applies -

Smith John.......Aston,6d 999
Smith John J.....Aston,6d 999
These assume NO full stop and none should be transcribed

Smith John. .....Aston,6d 999
Smith John J. ...Aston,6d 999
These assume full stop and should be transcribed.

Regards
Mervyn Wright

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Gaunt [mailto:]
Sent: 06 September 2003 12:03
To:
Subject: re: fullstops.

The only reasons for putting the fullstops as far as I know are:
1. Something to do with consistancy in transcribing and the software at
FreeBMD and double keying.
2. A promise to transcribe the data as is.

If the software is based an the accurate transcription of every
fullstop, comma, etc, then there is the need to transcribe as is, though
I am told that double keying would involve different source, which may
not even carry the full stop, though I may have that wrong (David,
refresh my memory)
Other than the two reasons stated above, there is no reason at all to
transcribe full stops. The original handwritten scans didn't carry them;
they were put there in later versions.
So:
perhaps the software can be "rewired" so that full stops have no
significance? Then it wouldn't matter if they were transcribed or not.

As for the second reason, I doubt if whoever the promise was made to
would care in the slightest about full stops. Perhaps they should be
approached? We have already broken from the promise to reproduce as is
by the insertion of surnames where duplicate surnames are indicated by a
line.
Perhaps also the software can be "rewired" so that full stops have no
significance? Then it wouldn't matter if they were transcribed or not.
It would also stop these discussions popping up every six month or so.
Steve Gaunt





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