Help
Member Help - English
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To save your scans in our group, you have to be registered with Yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com and be a member of the Yahoo Transcribe Group.
After registration has been approved, sign in with your username and password.
Before posting any scanned document, please be sure that the handwriting is clearly legible by using the contrast/brightness or other tools in your photo editing software. A set of instructions for this process can be found at "Simple Rules for Successfully Requesting Assistance".
You may save one image (only JPEG files are accepted. Please don't use the BMP file format) from your scan (limitation approx. 500,000 bytes) in your own folder (you have to create a folder) on the file page found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transcribe/files/ for the Transcribe Group. After work on your request is completed by the volunteers, please remember to delete images from your folder. Attachments to our group are not allowed.
Questions & Answers
How to save files and announce it to our list members?
Once you've signed on with your user name and password, you can go to the page for files. Create a folder on the file page. Next, scan your documents into a program such as IrfanView so you can crop and, possibly, adjust the contrast or brightness to ensure that only the portion of the page you wish to have transcribed is visible and readable.
Once you have your cropped and edited image saved to your desktop as a JPEG file (please don't any other file format) or designated file space on your computer, open your folder. Once it's opened, click on "Add File", then "Browse". That will pull up the section of your computer where your document was saved. Locate the specific scan you're seeking, then open that. It will transfer the file name to the top block. Rename the file as you wish it identified on the mail list. Then, click on "Upload File" and the image will be saved in your folder. At that point, return to the message portion of the list to post a message stating your needs. We ask that members provide any known details for the record, such as names, dates, places and type of event. Sometimes others have hints for specific areas in which they are experienced; the more information they have, the more effective they can be.
Once a document has been completely transcribed (sometimes it is a two-step process if the volunteer isn't comfortable with his English abilities) and/or translated, it is necessary to go back to your file and delete the scan. At that point, another scan can be posted to your folder. We ask that only one scan at a time be posted because of space limitations; the more members posting their scans, the more critical that is. Above all, it is our desire to provide the best service possible so that family research can move backward in time!
Why is no attachment allowed?
The possibility of virus contamination is the main reason attachments aren't allowed on our lists. A secondary reason would be that not every member will be looking at every record. We feel the list is configured to best serve the needs of all volunteers and members without challenging the resources allowed us by Yahoo Groups.
Why should I use a JPEG file instead a BMP, TIFF, WordDoc or other file type?
Saving your images as a JPEG can reduce the size of your file drastically. The space dedicated for saving files is restricted. Therefore, the space for each member is also restricted to make it possible for other members to save their files. Also, we cannot guarantee that all members can open all file types. An image saved as a JPEG will certainly be selected more quickly than any other file type.
I am ready to upload the scanned document, but my scanner will not let me choose JPEG format, it keeps saving it as BMP . What else can I do?
If you don't have a graphic program to convert (save in another format) your scan you can download a free program called IrfanView at http://www.irfanview.de/ IrfanView will automatically compress file size when an image is saved. This will often allow either a larger text size or an overall larger image to be uploaded without splitting into sections.
Why may I save only one image at a time?
As the list continues to grow in membership and more files are posted for transcription and/or translation, we realize that space will become a valuable item. For that reason, we feel it is necessary to limit the number of images posted to one at a time for each member. Once a posted file has been transcribed and/or translated, the member will delete that file prior to adding another. In this manner, we hope to be able to serve a greater number of members successfully as they pursue their heritage. We'd like to thank you, in advance, for your understanding and assistance in reaching that goal.
How can I find out the size of my image is within the limitation to 500,000 bytes allowed by the groups?
If you are uncertain about the size of your scan, you can right-click on the image (before posting to your folder) and then click on "properties". That will provide a box with the size in bytes.
Due to space limitations for our list, it is critical we keep these parameters in mind, especially as more members begin posting their files for transcription/translation.
What shall I do, I have another question but I didn't find an answer?
You can contact the group moderator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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