~---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 1995 00:40:17 4
From: Shawn Chang <shawn@enter.net>
Subject: EBS standards and CDs
Dear Dave,
Instead of writing a formal article and post it on the net, I think
it will be easier to just put it in e-mail explaining how EBS
processes the computerized files (sutras and what not) and why EBS
standards were developed that way.
After EBS members typed or scanned books into computer, be it plain
ASCII, *.WRI, *.SAM, *.DOC, etc., all files will be converted to
Chinese Word for Windows file format. Then printed out for
proofreading. The ~P for page number is to help correct typos or
errors found while proofreading. Once all typos or errors are
corrected, it will be then exported to database. EBS is developing
multimedia CD viewer that will access this database. The ~s and ~d
are for the program to export text to database.
So for one book, there will be 3 formats kept in EBS headquarters.
They are Word for Windows, plain ASCII text, and converted database.
Plain ASCII files will be available from internet, converted database
will be used in CD. As mentioned in previous e-mail, there will be
some changes made to EBS standards including the characters per line
for plain ASCII text. So that it will be readily usable on internet,
FGREAD, and other programs without extra effort. Tentative length is
32 characters per line. Stay tuned.
> 另外，上次沈老居士在台北的座談，表明了該片 CD
> 不會收取費用（或是頂多工本費）。
>
> 能否請您向 EBS 再次確定一下，以免如同泰國巴利藏 CD 般，
> 佛典再次變成 "貴" 族的專利。
>
> 我想這是所有網路上的朋友所特別關心的問題，
> 資源的共享絕對是佛典流傳的必要條件。
As mentioned in the very first article written by Dr. Shen, the CD
will be free to all EBS members (so if you are not a member, it's not
a bad idea to join today!) providing that there is sufficient fund.
If not, EBS will at most just charge the cost of it. CDs from EBS
will not be only for the rich and famous. They will be for people
like you and me as well. (No offense, I don't mean you will not be
rich and famous in the future. :b )
> BTW, 請問 EBS 有機器可以架站嗎? 否則我們將另外找管道囉 :)
We feel that Chinese BBS in US is a very good idea. And the best
location should be in California which is right between Taiwan (Asia)
and east coast US. I've contacted several people but not very
promising. I'll keep looking. In the meantime, if you can find one,
please go ahead, make it happen and set it up. We'll be more than
happy to see it established. Personally I like to see more
organizations or individuals participating in this Buddhism cyber
community. And if I may, 麵粉袋歲月 has long gone. Let bygones be
bygones. Today is our moment and right now is our story. Let's make
it a good one. :-)
Best Regards,
Shawn