The material for today's readings was essentially based around online archiving and some of the issues that come with it, but also some potential success that exists because of it. As many of us know, the internet isn't one thing or another, it is whatever each individual user decides it should be. There is no basis, no rules, no limits... it is limitless. This makes it overwhelming in a way, but where some are overwhelmed, others are exploring the possibilities. By this time in the semester, and with the amount of material we've read, it is no secret that the internet holds possibilities and opportunities for historians. The question is, why are historians over thinking the internet? Many set out analyzing and studying ways to utilize the internet, but in the end really nothing comes of it. Archiving is simple, acquiring the necessary equipment is the hard part. Once the equipment is purchased and set up the archiving should happen with no problem. Yet there are individuals that explore the ways to set up searches and think of ways to store and separate it. They dread over the possibilities of not being able to acquire the information when it is needed. One should realize what the end goal of this archiving process is, is it for personal use or public?
Once you've quit freaking out about archiving, you can start to present and communicate the information that you have found. The way that you will communicate this information will be based on the desired impact you want to make. When it comes to presenting hard information, I think the best way is through data... however, if an emotional impact is what you are going for, the use of media is second to none. There have been many projects that have collected media from tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. It would be hard to mimic the effect that media has in these types of situations if you were to present it through data. So the points I'm trying to make are this, instead of putting too much time into figuring out archiving, put that time into figuring out how to best present the material that you have researched so hard to find. In the military we have an acronym for executing any type of mission: KISS, keep it simple stupid. Some projects have gotten so complicated that they have failed. Its important to learn new things, but working within your intelligence and comfortability is also essential to a successful project.
**PROJECT UPDATE**
My partner and I are in the midst of acquiring information for our project, and hope to be working with the people at Sol Legare in setting up a virtual exhibit on some of their more valuable pieces in the Seashore Farmer's Lodge Museum.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Project Update
**PROJECT UPDATE**
We seem to have run into a few snags in regards to our original plan. At first we were going to set up an interactive website for Fort Hill Plantation on Clemson's campus, however, we received feedback from the University. To keep things clean and civil, there were attempts to control what would be on the website, so my partner Matthew and I decided it would be best if we cut ties with the project and continue with another project.
We will be continuing on with a website for the "Seashore Farmers Lodge Museum" on the Sol Legare community off of James Island down in Charleston. This is a fairly new museum that needs help getting established. My partner and I have the goal of stream lining the website and instituting technology in order to allow them to educate the community on their history. I feel that our time and effort will be much more appreciated on this project.
Acquiring photos, information, and access to the website is in the works and will hopefully begin to be sorted by this weekend.
We seem to have run into a few snags in regards to our original plan. At first we were going to set up an interactive website for Fort Hill Plantation on Clemson's campus, however, we received feedback from the University. To keep things clean and civil, there were attempts to control what would be on the website, so my partner Matthew and I decided it would be best if we cut ties with the project and continue with another project.
We will be continuing on with a website for the "Seashore Farmers Lodge Museum" on the Sol Legare community off of James Island down in Charleston. This is a fairly new museum that needs help getting established. My partner and I have the goal of stream lining the website and instituting technology in order to allow them to educate the community on their history. I feel that our time and effort will be much more appreciated on this project.
Acquiring photos, information, and access to the website is in the works and will hopefully begin to be sorted by this weekend.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The Importance of Oral History
Throughout the history of the world, many cultures have relied on oral history as a means of continuing heritage. The first, and main culture, that pops out to me are the American Indians. This is not to say that oral history is mainly prevalent in this culture, but as an American it is the culture that I am most familiar with. Prior to the availability of paper, oral traditions were the only way that a culture could teach its history and traditions to a new generation. But even as paper became more prevalent to these cultures, the oral history continues to reign supreme in importance. Traditionally, this creates a bond between the teacher and the student, and it allows emphasis to be placed on certain stories. While reading books are important, it is hard to identify with its author on a personal basis, however when someone is teaching you the past orally it is easier to interact and fully grasp the morals.
In the 1960s and 70s, oral tradition came into its own. Affordable and portable tape recorders came on the marketplace and allowed for stories to be recorded. This had a huge impact on history because stories from people such as the Black Panthers, Vietnam veterans, and Civil Rights activists were able to be recorded. Some historians discredit the value of these recordings claiming that they are biased and unable to tell a full story, but when these recordings are combined I believe that they tell a complete story of what was happening during those decades. History is often written by those that win, and I don't believe that any amount of book research can hold its own against the verbal testament of those that experienced things first hand.
In recent years, importance has begun to be placed on the "average citizen." While many history books circle their main subject around someone of high value or stature, this is hardly an accurate representation of the times in which these individuals lived. Many Civil War books based in the South describe sprawling plantations with a multitude of slaves, but much of the South consisted of poor white farmers that couldn't even afford one slave. Many statistics are put out that vilify the South as bunch of slave owners, when in fact there were very few. I wonder how these statistics would've been shown had the South won its independence from the North.
The 1960s and 70s were not the first time that first hand accounts were recorded. Some anthropologists in the late 19th century began collecting oral stories of American Indians and those that experienced the Civil War and slavery on phonograph cylinders. These stories are of high value to us as a people because it adds validity and emotion to a time that is often seen in black and white, both in words on a paper and pictures.
**Project Update**
Dr. Shockley approached Matthew and I on a different project that could have a huge impact on a historic black farmers market on James Island in Charleston, SC. We are currently reviewing the material to see if the completion of a website for the historic site could be of more value to the historic community. I think that it would also give us more freedom to do things as we see fit.
-Jason
In the 1960s and 70s, oral tradition came into its own. Affordable and portable tape recorders came on the marketplace and allowed for stories to be recorded. This had a huge impact on history because stories from people such as the Black Panthers, Vietnam veterans, and Civil Rights activists were able to be recorded. Some historians discredit the value of these recordings claiming that they are biased and unable to tell a full story, but when these recordings are combined I believe that they tell a complete story of what was happening during those decades. History is often written by those that win, and I don't believe that any amount of book research can hold its own against the verbal testament of those that experienced things first hand.
In recent years, importance has begun to be placed on the "average citizen." While many history books circle their main subject around someone of high value or stature, this is hardly an accurate representation of the times in which these individuals lived. Many Civil War books based in the South describe sprawling plantations with a multitude of slaves, but much of the South consisted of poor white farmers that couldn't even afford one slave. Many statistics are put out that vilify the South as bunch of slave owners, when in fact there were very few. I wonder how these statistics would've been shown had the South won its independence from the North.
The 1960s and 70s were not the first time that first hand accounts were recorded. Some anthropologists in the late 19th century began collecting oral stories of American Indians and those that experienced the Civil War and slavery on phonograph cylinders. These stories are of high value to us as a people because it adds validity and emotion to a time that is often seen in black and white, both in words on a paper and pictures.
**Project Update**
Dr. Shockley approached Matthew and I on a different project that could have a huge impact on a historic black farmers market on James Island in Charleston, SC. We are currently reviewing the material to see if the completion of a website for the historic site could be of more value to the historic community. I think that it would also give us more freedom to do things as we see fit.
-Jason
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Creating a Web Presence You're Proud Of
These days, who we are is reflected in different shades on the internet. Our vacation photos, favorite recipes, and our sports game picks can all be brought up via the web. In this new age of information, it is important that we present to the world the way that we want to be seen. When new employers are doing a check on you as a potential new employee, the last thing you want them to see is photos from a spring break trip to Cancun when you were 21. So we must monitor and edit our virtual lives so that it doesn't come back to bite us when applying for a job that will better your situation. On the same note, we don't want potential employers to google our name and be met with a blank search result. With technology advancing, it is important that we pad our virtual resume to reflect the potential that we as historians have. While history is often related to books and dozens of pads of paper that combine to present an even bigger book, it is time that we realize that heavy research and writing books is not the only way to make an impact on our field.
First, one must get rid of those nasty little secrets that will haunt our future employment if they aren't properly stowed away. Brian Croxall of ProfHacker gives us some tips on cleaning up that Facebook account that you and your friends might find amusing, but ultimately will prevent you from getting that nice corner office with a view. To successfully accomplish this visit:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/six-steps-for-checking-your-facebook-privacy/30402
Now that we have that nasty Facebook account cleaned up and hidden, now it is time to start padding the online resume. Some historians really dig their heels into the ground when it comes to moving away from intense research and book writing to do an online article. Push that out of your mind, like it or not, this is what the times calls for. There will be those individuals that continue to disagree and feel that we are losing touch with our true calling when it comes to history. I tend to disagree with these people, for me, history is a way of showing were we came from in order for us to learn from it. I love showing people how history has impacted our everyday life, and these people aren't going to want to sit down and go into drone mode over a 600 page book. The world has become a much more concise place with the invention of social media and the ability to do very specific searches that recall very specific information. So, when you someone types in your name, it is important that your Facebook account not be the only thing that pops up. Some sites that one should sign up for and fill out properly are:
www.academia.edu
www.linkedin.com
Take some time and fill out profiles for these sights. This gives employers and other people seeking out your professional aspirations an opportunity to know you on a professional level rather than at a personal level.
The key to the internet is making a resource for yourself. It is a great opportunity to be able to get research off of your bookshelves and stored electronically. This is great for easy recall but also gives you an ability to share information easily. Large databases of easily attainable information is crucial to allowing yourself the ability to quickly and effectively produce quality historical information, but at the same time, it gives an individual the opportunity to publish themselves and to become a resource without jumping through the hoops that a publishing agency requires. So get your name out there, make it professional, and reap the rewards that technology has to offer.
**PROJECT UPDATE**
The website design has been laid out and now comes the time for web design. I've done this in high school, lets just hope that I can recall everything I learned... it's only been 11 years.
First, one must get rid of those nasty little secrets that will haunt our future employment if they aren't properly stowed away. Brian Croxall of ProfHacker gives us some tips on cleaning up that Facebook account that you and your friends might find amusing, but ultimately will prevent you from getting that nice corner office with a view. To successfully accomplish this visit:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/six-steps-for-checking-your-facebook-privacy/30402
Now that we have that nasty Facebook account cleaned up and hidden, now it is time to start padding the online resume. Some historians really dig their heels into the ground when it comes to moving away from intense research and book writing to do an online article. Push that out of your mind, like it or not, this is what the times calls for. There will be those individuals that continue to disagree and feel that we are losing touch with our true calling when it comes to history. I tend to disagree with these people, for me, history is a way of showing were we came from in order for us to learn from it. I love showing people how history has impacted our everyday life, and these people aren't going to want to sit down and go into drone mode over a 600 page book. The world has become a much more concise place with the invention of social media and the ability to do very specific searches that recall very specific information. So, when you someone types in your name, it is important that your Facebook account not be the only thing that pops up. Some sites that one should sign up for and fill out properly are:
www.academia.edu
www.linkedin.com
Take some time and fill out profiles for these sights. This gives employers and other people seeking out your professional aspirations an opportunity to know you on a professional level rather than at a personal level.
The key to the internet is making a resource for yourself. It is a great opportunity to be able to get research off of your bookshelves and stored electronically. This is great for easy recall but also gives you an ability to share information easily. Large databases of easily attainable information is crucial to allowing yourself the ability to quickly and effectively produce quality historical information, but at the same time, it gives an individual the opportunity to publish themselves and to become a resource without jumping through the hoops that a publishing agency requires. So get your name out there, make it professional, and reap the rewards that technology has to offer.
**PROJECT UPDATE**
The website design has been laid out and now comes the time for web design. I've done this in high school, lets just hope that I can recall everything I learned... it's only been 11 years.
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