Sensitive locations and \rem tags in Paratext resources

Question

Currently, \rem tags in Paratext projects are not stripped when uploaded to DBL. Private information was being stored in \rem tags for one project, and this information was not stripped out.

If \rem tags were always stripped out when uploading content to DBL, would that cause problems? Is there a checklist for people in sensitive locations to use before they upload to DBL?

Jonathan+Robie

Answer 1

Always stripping out \rem tags risks losing potentially important information for translators and typesetters. However, I always strip them out on eBible.org for security reasons on any format that I post publicly.

Comments

I am surprised that this would be considered. I totally support anon854042’s comment on important information being lost. This may be true with comments for Bible text but if you look at the extra biblical material for any project there will (or should) be important/critical comments for transitioning the project to a product.

I am attaching a couple of GNT examples. Obviously the blue text shows the comments.

remarks in GNT front matter book

rem_FRT988×1491 127 KB

remarks in GNT INT

rem_INT865×1191 189 KB

remark count for GNT in non-biblical books == 117

rem_count411×593 49.9 KB

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I could have or should have added… initially with Paratext 8 extra biblical material was not included with resource delivery in Paratext – that was a problem because projects had no model to follow when working on their extra biblical material. Having extra biblical material from models like the GNT (or any other resource) has given everyone a view into what it takes to transition a project to an actual product.

I imagine that any typesetter would confirm that inconsistency (or lack of clarity) of the extra biblical content coming their way is one of their biggest challenges.

Answer 2

Thanks, these examples are helpful. It’s pretty clear that we can’t just strip \rem tags.

I think the archivists just need to be aware to check for confidential information in \rem tags when uploading sensitive projects to DBL.