corrections to the DT

Subject: corrections to the DT
From: Pete M
Date: 23 Aug 98 - 09:46 PM

Dick and Max,

from time to time when browsing, we Mudact officianados sometimes come across an error in the database and post a correction, or a modified set of lyrics. The latest is Joe's post of the words to Gaudete. Given that a lot of the lyrics posted are the result of someone transcribing what they hear from a recording of some kind, these errors are inevitable, particularly if the listener is not familiar with the dialect or setting of the song, and sometmes the song as given in the DT just doesn't make sense.

We are all eternally grateful for what you do, and know that if we want you to continue to provide the Mudcat and to expand its capabilities, proof reading and updating lyrics can't be a high priority.

What all this preamble is leading up to is this. Is there a way in which we can help? For example, if there was some way of recording who was doing what, we could perhaps create files of updated lyrics in an appropriate format, pass them to another reviewer for sanity checking and peer review and then back to yourselves for bulk loading / update. Anyone else like to help, or got any better ideas?

Pete M

Subject: RE: corrections to the DT
From: Susan of DT
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 07:14 PM

Thanx Pete - Max runs the web site and Dick maintains the digital tradition. You can post corrections here or e-mail them to Dick at [e-mail] or to the e-mail to members here.

Subject: RE: corrections to the DT
From: Pete M
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 08:31 PM

Hi Susan,

yes I know that we can post corrections to you (plural); my point was that there is a potentially a great deal of work involved in updating the database, and that through lack of time and clones Dick cannot do it all. I know as I sent in corrections over a year ago that have not been actioned. Clearly it would be unsatisfactory to allow on-line updating, but a batch update could be run say monthly, with little extra effort. Where we could help is in creating that file, and through a peer review system ensure no corruption sneaks in.

Pete M