I’d like to draw attention to a resource probably known to some of our readers but not all: the CSA Newsletter. According to the CSA website, “the Center for the Study of Architecture … is devoted to advancing the use of computers, computer technologies, and digital information technologies in the service of architectural history, archaeology, and related disciplines that explore our common heritage.” The triannual newsletter offers a wealth of thoughts, reviews and information. A few examples of interesting articles in the latest issue, XXIII, 1 (April 2010):
- Tony Austin, “ADS+ and Fedora Commons“: ADS+ stands for Enhancing and Sustaining the Archaeology Data Service Digital Repository (see the ADS review in this blog);
- Harrison Eiteljorg, II, “Designing Scholarly Web Sites“: “Should we try to look more au courant, or does that matter?”;
- Harrison Eiteljorg, II, “The Scholarly Apparatus: When Should It Be There?“: “Looking about on the web I have found plentiful examples of signed and unsigned material. There seems to be no standard, and often the difference is between a web item that has a paper counterpart (and therefore a defined author?) and one that does not. Does that reflect the kinds of materials now available or a new sensibility? Indeed, it has been suggested that I am simply betraying my age by expecting the web to continue a tradition tied to print.”
Besides the customary keyword search, there is also an index of articles from the newsletter since 1995 grouped by broad theme, e.g., use of electronic media in the humanities.
Thank you Francis for bringing this to my attention. Mr. (Dr.?) Eiteljorg’s commentary was timely as I am in the middle of designing a “scholarly website” where issues of both layout and aesthetics have come into play. While I contend most academic websites are deadly dull, if you cannot navigate through a flashy site then the goal of the entire endeavor is lost! There has to be a happy medium between form and function.
I couldn’t agree more. That balance is often difficult to find as it varies according to the audience targeted as well as the content, both of which are apt to change over time. Good luck on your project!