I have really had a streak of bad luck these past two modules, as I broke my Omeka account this past class! If you didn’t catch the reference in class, I accidently turned my group’s item type classification into “Zeus the Poodle” which was supposed to just be the title for my individual item documenting my poodle named Zeus. Rather than denying my meme-able mistake, I have embraced it as you will see in my new Omeka site.
Like the phoenix emerging from the fiery flames, my Omeka site has been reborn: https://allydeldonna.omeka.net/collections/browse
With the help of Dr. Otis and the Omeka support center, I was able to get back into my Omeka account and create a cute little website. For the sake of my pride and to demonstrate that I am not entirely technologically challenged I created a website with a collection of images from this past summer. (Please go visit it so I feel vindicated lol).
Remaking my site got me excited about the potential of digital exhibits. As we discussed in class, there are both pros and cons to digital exhibits. Digital sites provide greater access to exhibits and serve as a forever archive on the Internet. Yet despite the potential of unlimited preservation, at the end of the day these exhibits need to be updated. Probably the most striking digital exhibit out of the examples provided to us was The September 11 Digital Archive. The diverse array of media included in this archive documenting the attacks is incredibly moving. I feel that these vast collections of art, video, and written testimonies capture the array of people who were impacted by the horrors of 9/11 (https://911digitalarchive.org/).
In addition to learning about the how digital exhibits are created and maintained, we also learned about copyright. In its simplest definition, copyright ensures that creators have ownership over their creation (https://publishing.gmu.edu/communication/copyright/copyright-basics/).
At the bottom of the “About” page on the 9/11 digital archive, there is a section clarifying that the original creators of the various forms of media maintain copyright of their works, while the Rosenzweig Center maintains copyright over the website (https://911digitalarchive.org/about).
While looking through the collections, it was clear that some of the formatting and image quality is slightly dated. Despite this minor inconvenience, the digital archive itself is a testament to how history is being recorded in the digital age. The MSNBC clip from the Vivek Sud collection ran a story about The September 11 Digital Archive and how digital media was used to document the 9/11 attacks- a major historical event of the digital age. History was recorded in a digital format through the emails, voicemails, pictures, and videos capturing the varying experiences of people on 9/11. Digital tools and media, such as email, allowed people to stay connected in a moment of crisis, but at the same time, tools such as cellphones failed. Each anniversary of 9/11 my parents talk to me about how they could not reach each other after the attacks and how this hindrance scared them both as my mother was working in DC while my father was working in Harrisonburg. My dad had no way to reach my mom and was separated from her via space and media. (https://911digitalarchive.org/collections/show/299).
My biggest take away from this week’s module was that digital tools can connect us like never before, but at the same time they can also fail us. A digital exhibit/archive like The September 11 Digital Archive not only demonstrates the impact of 9/11 but also the creation of community and the recording of history through digital media. People directly and indirectly involved contributed to this archive and this testifies to the need to keep digital sources like this open to the public. By restricting access to educational resources, the public is denied full and fair access to knowledge and education. Learning about how different publication companies and journals have restricted access to their materials with the help of expensive paywalls was truly sickening and frustrating (“The War to Free Science” 1-12; http://legacy.openaccessweek.org/video/open-access-explained-1).
Digital tools are meant to provide greater access to information and break down the barriers of money, time, and space. As digital historians I believe we must be mindful of this mission and set the example of how to provide access to knowledge for all.
Loved your blog post, Ally. I think you’re incredibly right in your final paragraph; breaking down the “barriers of money, time, and space” is an incredible way to phrase that. I think DH people work together in ways that other types of historical scholars do not, and I find that fascinating for the field. Zues the poodle was a VERY welcome part of our Omeka website. I’m so glad you accidentally changed the “type” of “still image” to Zeus the poodle; it will always be on our website as such.
Zeus the poodle! Great post Ally, I really enjoyed your exploration of the virtues of digital exhibits. I agree that accessibility was a key theme this week and I think the 9/11 exhibit you highlighted is a great example of a digital exhibit making history more easily accessible. It was particularly noteworthy to me that you framed digital exhibits as being forever preservable, while also noting how they can become outdated which limits their effectiveness. It is an interesting duality where they are in a way timeless and simultaneously not at all.
Also, your site looks great! Thanks for sharing it.
Hey Ally! As a fellow dog lover, if you are going to have technical issues, why not include some promotion of a furry friend. Glad to hear your site and account with OMEKA are back online. I had a similar take away from the week regarding how digital exhibits and archives can be employed to document major events and create community. I also explored the 9/11 archive and was incredibly moved at the space of remembrance that has been created. After seeing the accessibility these digital tools can grant, I agree that the maze of barriers to access some makes no sense.
Hi Ally! Your point about the 9/11 site is interesting. The individuals who created the content continue to own the content. But the Center owns the site itself. This strikes me as similar to a citation in a written text. If a quote from a source that is protected appears in a book, the quote does not give the new author rights to the work. Interesting item to point out!
Hi Ally! I loved getting to see your new and improved Omeka site! The layout is clear and organized, and of course the pictures of Zeus the poodle are adorable. I appreciate your discussion of digital exhibits as well. The archive you linked is not the kind of website which immediately comes to mind for me when I think of digital exhibits, however I do agree that it is one and it’s helpful for me to continue to expand my definition of what exactly a digital exhibit is. I also agree with your word of caution about how technology can both help and hinder us. That’s definitely been a key takeaway of this course for me.