The Need for a Transcription Assistant

Currently, transcribers of manuscripts have a copy of the manuscript and use a standard text editor to take the written word and put it into a new document. This method does not preserve the format or images included in the original text. Our software allows the transcribers to see a digital copy of the manuscript side by side with the final layout of the transcription.

The format of the original text is maintained by drawing boxes around words and images, and placing these boxes, in typed text, on the layout of the final markup. Earlier versions of our software required users to draw boxes by hand, which did not improve the job or transcribing. The current version of the Transcription Assistant draws boxes automatically and allows users to modify the computer rendered boxes, as needed.

Eventually, we want to develop OCR for the each of the boxes so that our software transcribes automatically, so that transcribers eventually will only have to proof read the generated manuscript.

Why an online system?

The eventual goals for the Transcription Assistant Initiative dictate that the software and data must be widely and concurrently available. Having researched the usage patterns of our potential users, we know that the average level of computer literacy may be low, and that the computers being used aren’t necessarily up-to-date. Due to these limiting factors, we determined that an online system would best serve our users. An online system eliminates the need to download or install any software, eliminates the need for any particular system configuration, and doesn’t rely on any specific operating environment. It relies only upon an internet connection, and access to a web browser.

The possibilities for collaboration are expanded as internet connectivity is required. As a manuscript is transcribed and updated, the updates are immediately visible to any other user, anywhere in the world. This immediate access will help lead to the collaborative environment that we are working toward.

The Emergent Transcriptions Initiative

Transcription Assistant (TA) - primary end-user application that allows transcription of scanned manuscripts. You can save your work locally or upload it to the system to be kept and improved upon by other transcribers.

Contribution Assistant (CA) - manages registered users and their reputation as transcribers.

Archive Assistant (AA) - stores transcriptions, allowing collaboration between transcribers.

Last Updated: April 9, 2008