Tools, Tools and Tools (Unit 14)

For part of my class assignment, I had to create a timeline using a program or web program.

I decided to use TimeGlider because it was free. I looked at several other options, and some were pay and some incorporated the timeline into PowerPoint. I had to post at least ten events, and from what I could gather from the PowerPoint templates, I decided the templates did not fit the requirements easily. I looked at the programs, and because of my situation I could not download a program to run on the computer I am using. TimeGlider seemed to fit my requirements.

However, the interface was initally very confusing, and without help I was at a loss at how to work with the interface to get what I wanted. It still really does not have the flexibility and look that I wanted. I am posting it, and I am linking it to my UnintentionalTourist website under the Lost History section because many of the actual sites I have and will have in the future no longer exist.

User Participation Projects - Additional Thoughts (Unit 13)

Another User Participation Project is The Clio, which I think is one that should be included in the list.

According to the home webpage, "The Clio is your guide to the history and culture around you."  Entries can be added to the site by becoming a registered user, but The Clio can be used without becoming a user. It also can be used for classes, and the instructions are on the becoming a registered user, and then following the directions to find the class. Note: A student in a class does not have to become a user.

The project covers the United States; however, local areas can be searched by zip code or by name, so this particular project can focus on Virginia or local history.

See my next entry, Tools, Tools and Tools, What Exactly Are Tools? (Unit 14), for further information.

User Participation Projects (Unit 13)

It is a bit ironic that the User Participation Projects at the Smithsonian used to use paid employees to do the transcription of the actual artifacts rather than scanned images. I worked for the Smithsonian many years ago working in the National Herbarium transcribing the label contents into a database. This was when scanning technology was either non-existing or in its infancy.

One project I was involved in was transcribing the plant family that included the agave and the District of Columbia flora, and these projects were pretty straight forward. The major project I was involved in was the Caesalpinioideae, which was reorganized by a botanist into new and/or different genera.

Not only did I have to transcribe, I also had to research each specimen for genera and species to find out where it belonged in the new scheme. To do this, I had to reference several different volumes that listed the old and new genera and species. I don't remember how many specimens I did, but I had to go through at least twenty cases (think large lockers) to complete the project.

I looked over the Smithsonian Digital Volunteers: Transcription Center, and I looked through the various projects. I found many of the ones I was initially interested in were complete. I also looked at the projects available through Family Search, and I found transcription of the US, Michigan - Archives of Michigan, Naturalization Records, 1812–1985 was needed.

I am particularly interested in working on the Naturalization Records because I am working on my family genealogy, so I choose to do these records because I would love to find my great grandparents naturalization records.

Data Visualization (Unit 12)

For this unit, I decided to look at graphics and animated graphics on different historic related websites along with finding historical sites. I will need some public domain maps, images, or illustrations to develop my Unintentional Tourist (UT) website, especially the Lost History section. In addition, the historical sites furnish additional data and trivia to make my UT website interesting.

The Smithsonian Magazine has a number of static and animated maps in this article:
These Maps Reveal How Slavery Expanded Across the United States
The animations added to the understanding of how slavery and people in general moved across the United States; however, the animated graphics should be slower, so someone watching the images could see the detail.

The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection - Historical Map Websites on the University of Texas Libraries website is a collection of maps and images from all over the world, Library of Congress, and many of the states.

The Library of Congress Digital Collections is a comprehensive site that includes maps, images, and illustrations relating to the history of the United States.

Arlington Fire Journal is an excellent blog concerning the history of the Arlington Fire Department, and it is written by a journalist who considers this blog to be a hobby. However, the journalist's skills show throughout the blog, giving it a professional feeling.

Steam Locomotive Lists a database of the surviving steam engines by location, wheel types, steam types, builders and specs, virtual tours available, and countries beyond the United States.

To be continued....