Why are there still misspellings today in mezuzos and Tefillin passing "computer checkings"?
I am aware of quite a few cases where there was misspelled sta"M that had previously officially passed a "computer checking".
One assumption I had of the reason to this problem was since some programs offer way too many "hearos", the person going over the computer screen gets too used to clicking "ok" that some serious issues get overlooked unfortunately. (Keep in mind, that some people consider computer checking a cheap service, therefore it is done very quickly, with alot of clicking.)
(Not a problem by the Mishmerit Stam computer system, nor by anyone that does the checking slowly and very carefully.)
I think that a possible solution to this problem, is for the program to be designed in a way that it only leaves "hearos" on the most serious problems which is the actual misspellings, and leaves out anything which is not 'way off' for the magiah who does a manual checking (Bedikas Gavra) to go over. I.e. for the programs not to leave hearos on the tzuros haosios.
One assumption I had of the reason to this problem was since some programs offer way too many "hearos", the person going over the computer screen gets too used to clicking "ok" that some serious issues get overlooked unfortunately. (Keep in mind, that some people consider computer checking a cheap service, therefore it is done very quickly, with alot of clicking.)
(Not a problem by the Mishmerit Stam computer system, nor by anyone that does the checking slowly and very carefully.)
I think that a possible solution to this problem, is for the program to be designed in a way that it only leaves "hearos" on the most serious problems which is the actual misspellings, and leaves out anything which is not 'way off' for the magiah who does a manual checking (Bedikas Gavra) to go over. I.e. for the programs not to leave hearos on the tzuros haosios.
Before clicking to next page, go through the heoros twice. I got into the habit of looking at the page from top to bottom and then a second time back up to the top. I also recommend avoiding conversations when viewing the summaries.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I recommend that the computer program should give no heoros at all, unless it catches something which is grossly wrong, thus avoiding the need of possibly someone overlooking a complete misspelling.
ReplyDeleteI.e. the computer programs are too sensitive to any little deviation and they need to make them so it will not be so sensitive.
How about getting a printout of all Hearos and supplying it to the owner? (Unless you're already doing that . . ?)
ReplyDeleteWhen we got some new mezuzot in Yerushalayim over the summer, I checked all of the totafot and mezuzot, despite the hashgacha from Mishmeret Sta"m. I should probably have looked at the whole of each mezuzah, but all of their paperwork was attached.
ReplyDeleteCutting down on a lot of the he'arot related to tzuros os would certainly make it easier to focus on the textual errors. It would also take pressure of the person doing the computer checking making it easier for him to slow down. Also, sometimes the program puts a he'ara in the wrong category so a missing letter or mixed up letters could end up in the categories related to tzuros os, which many glance over.
ReplyDeleteAlso, some people charge or receive very little for checking so it comes as little surprise that they don't review the results with sufficient care.
The fact is that things are overlooked by everyone and every program as human error is inevitable. The above suggestions in addition to reviewing results with greater care would considerably limit the oversights.
Providing a print out of all the hearot is not practical unless people will pay more for the time and cost to print out a page or multiple pages for each mezuzah or parsha.
I make a point of printing out all of the hearos, then going through each one - both on the printout and on the klaf - and either crossing out non-problems or highlighting things that need fixing. I then manually review the klaf and (in addition to making pencil markings on the klaf itself) write, on the hearos, lists of all problems greater than a minor negiyah that require fixing. Theoretically, a missing/extra letter could sneak by me, but I feel that this provides a higher level of assurance that all detected problems have been caught.
ReplyDelete(Of course, programs are only as good as their coders, and no coder is perfect. There always exists the chance for random errors to sneak through, even with perfect conduct by the sofer/ba'al magia.)
Bottom line: check it yourself properly when you do the manual exam...don't rely on the computer, it is not perfect.
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about for chaser veyater.
DeleteWhile coders are human as well, the program is close to perfect in revealing textual errors. Human error by the reviewer is basically responsible for all oversights.
ReplyDeleteAs a former IT person, I have a much dimmer view of software and programmers, I guess!
DeleteAs a former and probably future programmer I concur. Maybe we should write a new one!
DeleteI'm just speaking from the facts based on mistakes caught after computer checking and when rechecked, it's almost exclusively been due to error by the reviewer. I don't disagree that programmers are no less prone to error.
DeleteThere's no need for another program.
As far as I remember, the Rabbanim permitted computer checking ONLY, again ONLY, for spelling mistakes. Nothing else. All the other comments given by various programs are prohibited. If the programs focus ONLY on spelling mistakes, there will be no distractions. Everything else is the job of the human Magiha.
ReplyDeleteYou can use the computer program to check anything you want as long as a magia checks as well. No one assured computer checking for negios, nifsakim, missing tagin, spacing, etc. All the programs have Rabbinic support and have the bracha of gedolei Yisroel so clearly what they are doing is not prohibited.
ReplyDeleteIt is embarressing that nobody even mentioned VAAD MISHMERES STAM AS THE SOLUTION
ReplyDelete