ELRA offers a new service in order to further enhance the quality of the databases available in its catalogue : the bug report service. Imperfections observed in a database available from ELRA can be reported here. The bug report service is hosted by ELRA’s Validation Centres for Language Resources, i.e. SPEX for SLR, and CST for WLR (available soon).
You may win an attractive prize if you use this new service !
What is the idea ?
No database is perfect, as can be observed by the people who use them.
Actual users of a database are the best test persons to discover and report any remaining imperfections in a database. ELRA, being the intermediate between data providers and data users, considers quality maintenance of the databases in its catalogue as one of its key objectives. Therefore, ELRA is very keen in knowing and correcting any imperfections in the databases that it distributes. By offering a service where users can report bugs that they found in ELRA’s databases, all can benefit. ELRA can patch databases with still better quality ; users can obtain better results with the database.
How does it work ?
Anybody who found bugs in one of ELRA’s databases is kindly invited and stimulated to go to the bug report. The errors detected should be reported as precise as possible. Reported errors enter the following protocol :
- Acknowledgement of receipt of your bug report (by Validation Centre) ;
- Reported errors are verified (by Validation Centre) ;
- The ’verified error list’ for the database is updated (by validation Centre) ;
- The updated formal error lists are distributed to ELRA members (by ELDA) ;
- After compilation of a substantial amount of errors, a patch file is created and distributed (by ELDA, ELRA’s distribution agency).
What does it bring ?
This joint effort of users, producers and ELRA will improve the quality of databases. Those reporting the errors should be rewarded for that. One prize (a PDA, DVD-player, etc. in the range of 600 - 800 Euros) will be given away. The next prize draw for the best bug reporter is in March 2003. So, this is your chance to get rid of your bugs and get hold of a surprise !
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