The “Future of Preserving the Past” essentially stated what was found in chapter 6 of the Digital History. Dan Cohen made additional insightful comments, but in general it was a rehash of the reading assignment.
The name Institutional Review Boards, for history within living memory, sounds fairly intense and fear-provoking. I understand that there should be some type of controls on the telling of history and that the IRB is a legitimate vetting institution. My realization of its need does not make it any less intimidating.
The AHA has asked that oral histories be relieved of the IRB vetting and expresses concern about a proposed change to the guidelines that removes the exemption for “Research involving materials (data, documents, records, or specimens) that … will be collected solely for nonresearch purposes.” This change could potentially further extends IRB purview over gathering, archiving, and future use of oral histories and similar materials.” (AHA 2008)
Chapter six informs the reader of the possible downside to online collecting: it will not be accessible to the less educated, older or those without the financial ability to purchase the technology. I do not share these worries. The technology is available to anyone who would like to use it in such places as internet cafes, libraries, community centers etc… The less educated, not to sound condescending, probably do not know of the collections stored in brick and mortar. The internet provides a platform for the inconsequential, the important, the good, the bad and the ugly. This platform gives anyone who wants a voice, a chance to be heard.
Chapter 6 also touches on how to draw people to your site. One way is the name of your site. The article also touches on how to set up your contribution page, informed consent and ethical guidelines. Because people see the internet as ephemeral, it is a good idea to associate the site with a reputable institution. This gives the visitor the feeling that the site is tangible.
mckinleyalbert said
I agree. Just because there may be some people who “cannot” use digital technologies, such as using online collecting tools, does not mean they should not be used. Yes, there are people who may not know how to utilizing online database, or may not have ht etechnology, but there are plenty of people who can! I mean, should I not be able to pay my bills online, order stuff on the internet, etc because there are some people who cannot? There are downsides to every single thing! Some people just don’t get that. This is the same nonsense that is happening in the schools. Teachers are dumbing down their classes because they do not want students who don’t quite get it to “feel bad.” That is an injustice to anyone wants to learn.