Getting closer to the end...

Our group met via Collaborate this evening to talk about our progress and assign tasks for the final stages of the project. Tara researched our options for batch-loading the image files and corresponding metadata. Via appshare, we previewed the site in edit mode. Tara and Jami are going to work together to link the chosen metadata fields with the corresponding csv file. Once this is complete, the entire group will preview and edit five files--paying particular attention to language and format (this will divide the work evenly between each of us as well as provide each of us with a hands-on experience with creating and editing metadata).

We assigned the tasks as follows:

• Cassie will post her final technical guidelines to the blog
• Tara will create a shared doc on Google so we may all participate in the creation and editing of the metadata
• Jami will post the metadata fields and instructions for using Thesaurus for Graphic Materials to describe the images to the blog
• Joon will provide additional descriptions and info as needed for the images
• Clayton will finalize the site design
• All group members will create powerpoint slides detailing their responsibilites/work for the class presentation
• All group members will post individual reflections about the project to the blog

The group will reconvene on Wednesday, April 11th, at 8:00 pm on Collaborate to discuss progress and rehearse the class presentation

Digital Breakthrough

During class on 2/28/12, our guest speaker was Bridger Dyson-Smith from the Hodges Library Digital Library Initiative.  He spoke about options for digital platforms for online digital libraries.  I'm sure not coincidentally, this is was our biggest hurdle for our project.

Although our syllabus recommended using Omeka, everything we found on the www.Omeka.com site led us to believe that we had to use a Linux operating system in order to utilize the software.  Given that we all work on Macs and Windows, this presented itself as a pretty significant challenge.  Clayton emailed Melanie and Bridger on 2/21/12.  Bridger's initial response was that we needed to download a program called MAMP.  Although my knowledge of anything related to website construction is pretty limited, from what I found on the MAMP website, it looked as though it was a sort of patch for a server issue, not a patch for using Mac instead of Linux.  Bridger explained during his presentation to our class, however, that MAMP would help us with the Linux issue.  I was willing to try it.

Thankfully, while Bridger was discussing our platform options, Troy Valos typed in our text chat that Omeka offered 500MB of free storage if you signed up for their basic package on www.Omeka.net.  I immediately visited the site and found that is not only solved our Linux struggle but that the site would host our content on their own servers, allowing us to forego the issue we would have to face trying to find server space through UT to host the site.  Later in the class, Elizabeth gave a presentation on Omeka, further clarifying that the free basic version would allow for small prototype collections such as our own.  I signed up for a site and within a few minutes, facesoftenncare.omeka.net was born!

Our digital collection and all of the metadata exists in a word document.  Our next step now is to figure out how to get it to live accurately on the website.  I did a quick test run and uploaded a personal photo and found it to be extremely simple.  Although we could upload each file individually with its own corresponding metadata, I know we want to try to utilize Omeka's ability to upload a .csv file of everything all at once.  I am going to attempt to create that spreadsheet this weekend to see if that process really as simple as it presents itself to be.

Long story short: we have a site!!!

-Tara-

Drafting the Proposal & Battling Technical Demons

Today our group met at the Nashville Public Library again. Now we are at the stage where we can combine our drafted proposal efforts so they can become a cohesive whole.

On the technical front, we are still researching possible software we can use to create the Faces of TennCare library. We are struggling to find a user-friendly open source digital asset management software which works on an operating system we have. Those are a lot of qualifiers! We remain hopeful though as we are corresponding with several helpful knowledgeable individuals.

In other news, the files have been prepared and disseminated. Metadata is being gathered. Everyone has contributed. We have a clear vision for how we will move forward! For readers contextual information, here is a link to a website where a selection of the work is viewable: www.joonpowell.com/tenncare/

Second Group Meeting 02-19-12

SIS 565 DLP - Second Group Meeting - Notes


Group members each shared how their portion of the project was progressing.  It was then decided that the proposal should also be broken down and delegated to group members.


Project Proposal Tasks

Part 1: Joon & other contributors

• What is our digital library & why are we doing this?
• Who asked Joon to take the photos and why?
• Who can use these photos and for what purpose?
• What is the significance of the photos?
• Historical, political, regionally
• Goal(s) of our DL: “access and discovery”

Part 2: Part 2 (3-4 pages) will outline what you propose to do - Everyone contributing

- This section is a high-level narrative of the project you are working on,in your case building a digital collection. So this could include:collection description

• collection description
• target audience (What is the primary audience of the photos? - Communication
• tool for non-profits rather than for historical significance)
• Scope
• Material types
• Metadata format (JamiPart3)
• Software platforms being considered (TaraPart4).

Part 3: Each group member discusses (1-2 pages total / 1+ paragraph per person) their assigned role (#) for the final project

The group discussed the digital asset management software Omeka and whether or not it will be a viable option for us given its limitations. Other platforms were mentioned as well (ContentDM and Drupal) and the group discussed reasons why we may or may not use each platform. Clayton will be emailing Melanie to ask about installation of Omeka w/o Lenox.

Next meeting scheduled for Sunday 02/26/12 at 2:00 p.m. at NPL

First Group Meeting 02-05-12

SIS 565 DLP - First Group Meeting - Notes

Content: Photographic portraits of Medicaid recipients who lost coverage in 2005 & 2006.

Task Assignments:

1. Joon: Define target community
2. Cassie: Develop collection guidelines
3. Jami: Metadata recommendations
4. Tara: Technological Infrastructure
5. Clayton: Implement prototype DL

Other tasks:
Joon: Choose sample of 25 portraits to use and submit the "pitch" on the discussion board.
Jami: Email professor our list of questions and create the Google doc for collaboration.
Cassie: Create blog and type up first meeting's notes.
All: Begin research on assigned tasks.

Next meeting scheduled for Sunday 2/12/12 in the same study room (children's section, 2nd floor) at the Nashville Public Library.