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Message |
    
Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3204
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 8:45 pm: | 
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Hi everyone -
If you refer to Sugden's Complete History on a regular basis (and if you're reading these boards, its a good bet you do), you'll probably agree that the one major flaw of the book is its somewhat paltry index.
Well, we've launched a new tool on the site that should help fix that problem. Starting today, you can now run keyword and phrase searches on the full text of Sugden's Complete History right from the Casebook. The engine will then return all page numbers and locations where your search query is found, along with short contextual abstracts for each match. It'll even tell you whether to look for your keyword near the top, middle or bottom of that page.
(Page numbers returned are valid for all editions of Sugden, though pages 472-480 are found only in the 1995 paperback).
Note, you MUST have a copy of Sugden for this to be of any value. You can not read the full-text online. This is just a tool to be used in conjunction with a hard-copy of the book.
There are bound to be some bugs in the system, so please let me know if you experience any difficulties.
The engine can be found at:
http://casebook.org/ripper_media/book_reviews/non-fiction/jtrcomp.search.html
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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David O'Flaherty
Chief Inspector
Username: Oberlin
Post Number: 694
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 9:24 pm: |
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How'd you do that? I bet an awful lot of work went into making this valuable tool. I'll be using it a lot and was just thumbing through the index only this morning.
Thanks,
Dave |
Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3205
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 9:48 pm: |
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Hey Dave -
Actually all the "heavy lifting" was done a while back just by scanning the book digitally and running text-recognition software on it. I've used a home-made digital version of Sugden (for private use only) for about 2 years, running keyword searches whenever I needed to scan quickly for a fact or tidbit.
For obvious copyright reasons I couldn't post the full-text to the site, so I figured this would be the next best thing. I actually got the idea for the search from Amazon.com, which now allows users to run keyword searches on the content of many of their books, displaying short extracts when matches are found. Google is also planning on doing this on a grand scale in conjunction with several large American libraries (which I suppose will make this redundant very soon!)
Anyhow, if you want to know the technology behind it, it all runs on a database backend which stores the content and runs algorithms to figure out where a keyword/phrase is found on a particular page. Its actually a pretty simple script ... its the grunt work (scanning and text-recognition) that takes the most effort.
This is sort of a test-case... if it turns out that this is something people have a need for, I may turn it towards other books in the future. I figured Sugden was as logical a book to start with as any.
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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Glenn L Andersson
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Glenna
Post Number: 2853
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 9:57 pm: |
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A great idea, Stephen. No doubt that will come in handy. I applaud this effort.
All the best
G. Andersson, author
Sweden
The Swedes are the men That Will not be Blamed for Nothing
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Paul Jackson
Inspector
Username: Paulj
Post Number: 276
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 12:30 am: |
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Stephen,
So its kind of like a tour guide index. YOu know what the scary thing is.....If you gave me a topic or a name from that book, I could probably find it in less than 30 sec. Thats pretty scary! My Girlfriends thinks Im nuts....but its just such a good book that but its easy to remember where things are. But Im sure the new idea will be great for a lot of people. Thanks
Paul
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Sir Robert Anderson
Inspector
Username: Sirrobert
Post Number: 151
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:09 pm: |
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"(Page numbers returned are valid for all editions of Sugden, though pages 472-480 are found only in the 1995 paperback). "
Wow! What a wonderful tool! I've thought that something like that would be a great help in dealing with the Ripper letters, searching for common phrases or mispellings...
A question, as I have a later edition of The Sacred Text - what do p.472-480 in the '95 edition deal with?
Sir Robert
"I only thought I knew"
SirRobertAnderson@gmail.com
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Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3206
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:15 pm: |
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Hi Robert -
Pages 472-480 contain the "Addenda to the Second Edition". Obviously there wasn't such a thing in the 1st (1994) edition. In the 2002 paperback it was removed, and the "Introduction" was included (at the beginning of the book) instead.
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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Sir Robert Anderson
Inspector
Username: Sirrobert
Post Number: 152
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:31 pm: |
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Hey Stephen!
Another question, as I offered to scan D'Onston's Patristic Gospels for you...How the heck do you scan an old book without destroying it? It's an awfully fragile copy.
Sir Robert
"I only thought I knew"
SirRobertAnderson@gmail.com
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Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3207
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 4:45 pm: |
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Hi Robert -
Unfortunately, its damn near impossible to scan extremely old/fragile books without causing some degree of damage to the originals.
That said, you may want to check with a local University library. There are special copiers/scanners made specifically for rare book departments which don't require you to lay the book flat while copying/scanning. They may be willing to help.
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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Christopher T George
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chrisg
Post Number: 1276
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 7:32 pm: |
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Hi Stephen
Thank you for making this wonderful resource available to us. Most appreciated!
All the best
Chris
Christopher T. George
North American Editor
Ripperologist
http://www.ripperologist.info
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Monty
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Monty
Post Number: 1508
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:13 pm: |
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Stephen,
Again, top move.
Just a query. Sugdens book is a fine book and I understand the reasons behind this move.....but....
...Would it be possible to do similar job on the Ultimate Sourcebook?
Or is Monty asking for Milk AND Honey?
Monty
"I tell you I didnt do it cos I wasnt there, so dont blame me it just isnt fair....now pass the blame and dont blame me..."- John Pizer
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Jennifer D. Pegg
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Jdpegg
Post Number: 1662
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:28 pm: |
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Stephen,
it is great!
Monty,
give the bloke a chance!
Jenni
"All You Need Is Positivity"
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Monty
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Monty
Post Number: 1510
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:38 pm: |
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Jenn,
Spry wouldnt want to rest on his laurels.....look what happened to Mr Banston. Pickle, sweet pickle, spicy Pickle, smooth pickle, rich and fruity (a bit like me).
Thats why nobodys heard of Mr Piccalilly anymore. One dimensional. This is because he didnt have anyone to drive him on..anyone to say "well done Tony, thats top stuff that...but why dont you progress onto other sauce/vegetables/fruit/vinegar based relishes and or condiments?, If you do you'll be rich I say....RICH !!!!!"
You gotta keep movin.
Here endith Montys lesson for today.
Monty
PS Besides, I was just asking !!!
"I thought we'd agreed, I thought we'd talked it out, Now when I try to speak, She says that I don't care, She says I'm unaware, And now she says I'm weak ."- Joe Barnett
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Jennifer D. Pegg
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Jdpegg
Post Number: 1663
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:44 pm: |
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Monty,
I wasn't saying he should rest on his laurels, did i say that. nah! i just said give him a chance!
I mean Spry he said he would like to do it in the future, right?
I think the book you suggested is an excellent choice.
I guess there are also many ways to have pickle!
I wasn't having a go really - sorry
Jenni
"All You Need Is Positivity"
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Sir Robert Anderson
Inspector
Username: Sirrobert
Post Number: 154
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 12:46 pm: |
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Monty,
I think finding useful work for others is an under appreciated managerial art form.
Personally, I'd love the ability to search all the alleged Ripper letters for common phrases, etc. I assume the letters are in the public domain now, no?
Sir Robert
"I only thought I knew"
SirRobertAnderson@gmail.com
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Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3208
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 1:37 pm: |
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Actually, before I extend this functionality anywhere else I first need to make sure there are no copyright laws being broken. At first I thought it would be kosher but the more I think about it the more I wonder if this sort of thing might be frowned upon for books still under copyright.
Anyone happen to be a copyright attorney?
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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David O'Flaherty
Chief Inspector
Username: Oberlin
Post Number: 704
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 2:12 pm: |
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Hi Stephen,
I wish I was an attorney I suggest you check with Mr. Sugden directly--I'm sure you know a few people who are in contact with him; maybe they would be willing to forward a message for you.
Cheers,
Dave
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Stephen P. Ryder
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 3209
Registered: 10-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - 10:04 pm: |
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To be on the safe side, I've temporarily removed this feature from the site. Sorry guys... didn't mean to be a tease. :-/
I'll check with the author/publisher to make sure this won't infringe on any copyrights, and with any luck I'll be able to put it back up once we've got confirmation.
As a sidenote, its actually pretty simple to digitize an entire book (as long as you're willing to tear it to shreds in the process). I would estimate a 500 page book would take about 4 hours to enter into this system - and most of that "work" is just waiting for the OCR to process. Which means, assuming I can nail down the proper permissions with the copyright holders, its quite feasible to expand this system to 5, 10 or even 100 Ripper books (not to mention Ripper magazines), all searchable at the same time from the same database. Now, that would be something!
So, the technology is there, and its reasonably simple to execute... its just a matter of securing the proper rights to release something along these lines, and making sure we don't step on any toes along the way.
Stephen P. Ryder, Exec. Editor
Casebook: Jack the Ripper
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MTR
Detective Sergeant
Username: Rigby
Post Number: 64
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2005 - 12:42 pm: |
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Was this project killed then ?
Mike. |
