I have to agree that it is mush easier to do the research I want to do with the current technology. I think it may be unrealistic of me, however, to think that I can build this group I had envisioned when so many of those involved (especially the senior citizens, age 65+) are not as computer literate as I would have expected. In some cases, I think there may even be instances of technophobia where the internet can be seen as something negative, invasive and at the least, to be suspicious of.

I like Shirkey’s book because it speaks to me. I wonder if there is an assumption on his part, like mine, that ‘everybody is doing it’ when that would only mean people below the age of 65, who have means, a certain level of education, etc..

Tech question - is it possible to make the exhibit page with thumbnails of all the items in the archive
the first one seen (index page) when a user goes to the digital archive section of my site?

Response to collections post - I had the exact same questions when I started with omeka. I guess
 I'm leaning towards theme/subject over format, but I do have one collection that is all photos but of the chairmen of the
of the organization I'm researching. Most of my collections will be named after the types of documents in that collection.

I am also having trouble with loading files onto my exhibit. It would help if I had more examples to work with, but I am having a hard time with the exhibit.

-EJ

I do have a tech question that was not covered in the reading. How can I convert an .mov file into a .wmv file? Embedding .wmv files on a page is easier for me and would be easier to see on a PC.

I have also thought about using a universal youtube style video player but I’m not sure how to set one up. Is there a program that would allow you to do that?

-EJ

Is this an unrealistic thing to expect of the average historian or does it necessitate the discipline becoming some type of dual discipline? Would it perhaps be wiser to find a way for historians to instead work more with media people who would do the hands on tech work in terms of creating the website? Is this different than the relationship historians already have with print publishers? If the historian were to take almost an equal amount of classes in media and web production, would it take away from what they already have to do in order to become the best historians possible?

-ej

My main problem had to do with the ‘notes’ and how to get them included in the final bibliography.

I also want to build on her comment about ‘what’s the point?’. Sometimes there is just too much going on a webpage that it becomes distracting and NOT simple to follow. I’m surprised I’m not wearing glasses yet due to how much I have t o read on a computer screen in such small type.  But, that being said, I do think that most sites don’t fully take advantage of the all that is possible. “Interchange” makes a point about immersion and interactivity. This is where a site beats a book hands down and enhances the learning experience ( I especially like what Dan Cohen had to say about the use of maps). Is it so much a question of how to best use the new technologies or better organization?

http://www.refworks.com/refshare?site=010331135929600000/RWWS4A623177/core%20website

-EJ

Lessig uses the animation  “Steamboat Willie” to demonstrate how Disney based his animated features on works by other authors and/or material in the public domain.  “Steamboat Willie” , as well as other early Mickey Mouse features (”The Mad Doctor” ) are (supposedly) in the public domain. I have read that this is because the Disney people did not the renew the copyright for the cartoon properly.  If the “Mickey Mouse” character from one of  these early features is used for whatever purposes, however, it’s almost certain that Disney will come after the user.

On top of that is the issue of fair use… so the academic engaged in using such media in work that is educational and not for profit, what are the bottom line rules in such a scenario? Do they really have to ask for permission when they will most certainly be denied even if they do have the legal right to use it? Does the recognized ‘confusion’ over the copyright issue realistically work in the favor of the people trying to use the material? Does the original intent of copyright laws, “the promotion of learning” (”Owning the Past”) stand up in such situations by default?

-EJ

Spiro refers to the academy as being adversarial and in general, this has been my experience. I think it was Nicole in the last class (Univ. of Florida?) who mentioned some of the differences she experienced between being in a public and private university. I work at CUNY, mostly with grad students, and while I feel there may be a sense of elitism in general with graduate school, I  get the sense that the atmosphere is more suited for collaborative work at a public university as opposed to a private one.

Unsworth’s delivery mentions that almost all of the scholars he introduces on his panel are from public universities. I tried to scan the articles to see if any one mentioned whether or not they had researched this, but Unsworth’s introductions were all I could find.

-EJ

This research is a big part of my M.A. thesis and my future PhD work.

I have already started building the site – http://www.harlemcore.com

For now, it will have a general history of the organization and many of the documents (and photos) that I have been able to find over the last year and a half.

-EJ

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/19/google.books/index.html

… and again in the NY Times…

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/technology/internet/19google.html?_r=1&hpw

-EJ

I have personally witnessed the growth of niche markets in the music industry and success stories that would not have been possible before the year 2000.

Even though the music industry has found a way to make money through sales over the Internet,  sales are still way down from years prior, a trend happening well before the present economic crisis.

Does this mean that The “Long Tail” theory does not  necessarily work for  the music industry but it may for other media industries?  Have media industries that rely more on advertising than sales for profits do any better or worse since this article was written?

-EJ  (del.icio.us name – ejnyc)