What Are You Waiting For? (A Poem)

August 1, 2023

Are you enthralled with challenges that exercise the mind?
And do you feel some comfort with the literary kind?

Then let me tell you ‘bout this place where you’ll feel right at home.
Come join us for this worthy cause; there’s no more need to roam.

This place is called DP for short because the name is long,
And if I could, I’d add some notes and sing it like a song.

The worthy cause will bring some books to many folks indeed,
And you could play a key role in providing what they need.

If you’ve been told or know yourself that you’ve got special skills,
Then don’t wait ‘round; put them to use and reap in all the thrills.

Please take a seat so I may share the features of DP;
I think you’ll see your time spent here is better than TV.

There’s lots to put your brain to work while feeling so sublime,
Plus knowing all the good it does makes worthy all your time.

Have you been told that you excel at picking out details?
Then proofing might be just the thing to open up your sails.

Sail free and wide through punctuation, noting scanned mistakes.
Your bounty comes with knowing that your brain is all it takes!

Then share the funny, weird, inspired phrases that you find
On the friendly, helpful, worldwide forum where great minds are aligned.

Our forums are a gathering place for questions and support,
But socializing does take place, I’m happy to report!

Your questions are most welcome so feel free to post your plea;
We do not want you feeling you’re completely lost at sea.

Take one step more and join a team; there’re many you can choose.
So find a team that makes you smile and complements your views.

I have to say without a doubt, Team Diehards is my fave.
Those hard, forgotten projects are the ones we try to save.

If you like organizing things displayed all nice and square,
Your joy may be to format books, come try it if you dare.

You’ll use a nice assortment of some very nifty tags
To mark the words and wordy parts so well you’ll want to brag.

Our managers and processors pull everything together.
This type of work may suit you fine no matter what the weather.

Come rain or shine, this type of work is certainly rewarding,
Enough to make you jump from bed all fresh to start your morning.

And last, not least, there is a space where folks enjoy Smooth Reading.
Please sit right down and read a book; it’s key to us succeeding!

So if you love a challenge for your literary mind
And working with an online group whose goals are quite aligned,

Please join us at DP today; there’s so much to explore.
The final question without doubt: What are you waiting for?

This poem was contributed by Susan E., a Distributed Proofreaders volunteer.

2 Comments | DP Workflow, Just for Fun | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by LCantoni

The Life of a P3 Diehard

January 1, 2023

Note for those who don’t yet know the e-book creation workflow at Distributed Proofreaders: After a scanned book is turned into editable text, it goes through three rounds of proofreading. The third, P3, is the most challenging, as it requires the most expertise and the closest attention, so sometimes a project has to wait awhile until P3-qualified proofreaders can get to it. The P3 Diehards team has dedicated itself to rescuing projects that are languishing in that round.

I woke up this morning with a minor headache,
So the first line of business: There’s coffee to make!

The headache was due to some major proofreading,
But I wanted to help move some books to smooth reading.

I found my new passion at DP last year
‘Cause there’s so much to do plus there’s fellowship here.

The challenge was huge, but my spirit was keen,
And each day I leaned on my good friend: Caffeine.

Each day I made progress, but slow in my mind.
The goal seemed beyond reach; I felt so behind.

This goal was to help in the most needed place
Where projects sat languished, forgotten, misplaced.

But one thing that kept me on path to my goal
Was seeking that something that feeds mind and soul.

So, first was the hurdle of gaining the level
Where trust must be earned and to demonstrate mettle.

I thought I was hopeless to learn any more,
But my mentors worked wonders with guidance galore!

Then one day my inbox had news I had hoped for:
Clear access to P3; it made my heart soar!

Team Diehards is where I went skipping so quickly
To help with those projects abandoned and prickly.

Some projects are tricky or boring or fun,
And sharing with teammates is second to none.

The visions from Surgery of so many leeches
Are far from the thought of a bowl full of peaches!

The sad Roll of Honour brought tears to my eyes,
But the story of bravery and valor survives.

My headache is gone; I give thanks with “Amen.”
And tomorrow I can’t wait to do it again!

This poem was contributed by Susan E., a Distributed Proofreaders volunteer. Hot off the Press wishes all its readers a happy and book-filled New Year!

5 Comments | DP Workflow, Just for Fun, Volunteers' Stories | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by LCantoni

A Whimsical Tour of Distributed Proofreaders

October 1, 2022

Distributed Proofreaders is 22 years old today, and we’re celebrating our anniversary with a bit of poetry. Congratulations to all the volunteers who have helped in “preserving history one page at a time” all these years!

DP = Distributed Proofreaders
PM = Project Manager
PP = Post-Processor
PG = Project Gutenberg

Calliope by Meynier

Welcome to DP; please step right on in.
The tour I shall give is about to begin.

The goal of DP is to save the old books
Where some have sat gathered in dusty ole nooks.

We find them and scan them to bring back to life;
So you can view free on your electric device.

Now let’s take a tour to observe what goes on
And capture the secrets of change undergone.

The PMs are wise folks who manage our projects.
They keep the work tidy for steps that come up next.

The next step is proofing to check for mistakes
That optical scanners leave lying in wait.

Our Proofers have keen eyes that don’t miss a beat.
Our books are proofed three times; it’s really a feat!

The Formatters labor to put things in line
So reading is easy and feels so refined.

They use special coding to line up the text.
This work is what keeps their big brain muscles flexed.

Some covers are damaged and look really ratty,
But DP has Wizards to make them look natty.

These Wizards are clever with mysterious notions
Who wave their wands deftly in all sorts of motions.

When all of the proofing and formatting’s done,
The job of the PP has only begun.

They gather and sort and they move things about
Till it’s pretty and perfect and ready, no doubt.

But wait, one more step comes before a book’s ready;
Our Smooth Readers check with their eyes fixed and steady.

Some issues crop up that we’ve not seen before,
But there’s always a Mentor with guidance galore.

The talent in all teams just boggles the mind,
Plus count on support from a Mentor who’s kind.

Believe it or not we have Squirrels running ‘round,
But they aren’t the same type in the woods to be found.

Our Squirrels are equipped with knowledge all-round,
Technicians who keep this place all safe and sound.

When DP transforms these old writings anew,
They’re sent to PG as enjoyment for you.

I think you will probably all quite agree
What a gift these books are to be offered for free!

At DP you know you will always be welcome–
Whatever your interests; wherever you’re from.

This tour is concluded but not without wishing
That you will come back, and not just go fishing.

And, if you come back, you might volunteer;
You’ll be welcomed with sentiments truly sincere.

By Susan E., a DP volunteer, with special thanks to all the DP volunteers for their inspiration.

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Posted by LCantoni