Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 10:11 PM - Response #3
I'm assuming by "Memory Book" you are referring to a print out of the profile information from the website (as opposed to creating a "Directory" with the contact information only.) It is possible to use Excel and Word to mail-merge the contents of all or selected fields from the profile download. I've tried it and it is do-able. However, it takes a lot of set-up and editing to make things consistent. This is especially true of setting up the merge document with a lot of 'if-then-else' logic to by-pass unanswered questions and to display the question and answers for those that were answered. The other problem is consistency of punctuation, spelling, grammar and capitalization as it was entered by each of the members. Finally, there is the question of privacy. Members entered this information at the website with the assurance that it would be only visible to other class members who registered and logged in to the website. Does that implicit notice also cover producing a printed copy of that information and distributing it to others who are not online? Creating a "Directory" of contact information only using the downloaded class mate information is somewhat easier using the mail merge function of Excel and Word. Same privacy question applies IMO. BRUCE: After posting this response, I visited your website and noticed that you are using a survey rather than the profile to collect information intended for the Memory Book. You've clearly disclosed your intended use of this information and how it will be used and distributed, so ignore my privacy concerns.
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