[okfn-discuss] Fwd: CenturyShare

[Jonathan Gray]

Looks like the Strategic Content Alliance are alpha testing a project
called 'CenturyShare', "a prototype service that aims to analyse,
aggregate and augment a wide range of content from various trusted
public sector sources to present them 'through time'."

It would be great if the public sector content were in the public
domain or under an open license!

J.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Dear all,

We are pleased to announce that the first 'alpha' version of the Strategic
Content Alliance BBC UK CenturyShare prototype is now ready.  We would like
to invite you, as practitioners and policy-makers from the Strategic Content
Alliance's key audiences for a user-testing workshop of this innovative
resource.  The outcomes of this workshop will inform the final version of this
prototype and any future developments.

The workshop will be intensive, but hopefully fun; will involve putting you in
the position of a user of CenturyShare, so that we can collect general
impressions and specific usability problems. This will help improve the design
and make it more effective, efficient and enjoyable to use.

INTRODUCTION - about the BBC UK CenturyShare project

Connecting up disparate content is a key element of the Strategic Content
Alliance's vision. But how to organise that content in a way that is intuitive
and engaging for the user? One solution being tested by the SCA and its
partners is to use the notion of 'time'.

It is the concept underpinning BBC UK CenturyShare, a prototype service that
aims to analyse, aggregate and augment a wide range of content from various
trusted public sector sources to present them 'through time'.

The project builds on the BBC Memoryshare web service, which is a living
archive of memories from 1900 to the present day. Members of the public can
contribute, share and browse memories of life experiences, which are
displayed on a timeline or can be found through a keyword search.

While Memoryshare is based primarily on user-generated content,
CenturyShare will draw together resources from a whole variety of public
sector collections, bringing them together in the same place for the first time.
As well as BBC Archive material, it will also include content from the cultural
sector's pilot Discover service. This is a repository and search service of more
than half a million records from over 20 collections of national, regional and
local scope, including the Museum of London's Exploring 20th-Century London
collection and The British Library's Collect Britain.

The diversity of the content also sets CenturyShare apart. Memoryshare is
predominantly text-based but CenturyShare will provide access to all kinds of
media, from text and pictures to sound and moving images. In addition to
the 'time' concept, it is envisaged that users will be able to search and browse
the service against other criteria such as subject. Six themes were chosen to
highlight content through time: specific date (1960); people (Elizabeth Garrett
Anderson); places (Liverpool; the coast); and activities (photography); and
national events (1908 & 1948 Olympics).



WORKSHOP - 19th February 12-3.45pm

This workshop will take place on the 19th February from 12 till 3.45pm.  A
buffet lunch will  be provided.  This workshop will take place in the King's
College London computer labs on the Strand.  Further details will be circulated
to delegates.

Schedule:

12.00-12.30     Lunch

12.30-12.45     Introduction (David Jennings and Seb Schmoller, CenturyShare
project team)

12.45-1.30      Session One - working in pairs for the 'Think Aloud' session

1.30-1.45        coffee

1.45-2.30        Session Two - working in pairs again, swap user/observer roles

2.30-3.00        working in pairs, list the 3-5 critical issues

3.00 -3.30       Group Discussion and coffee - Share issues and reflect on
experience of sessions

3.30-3.45        Closing remarks



Please indicate your attendance at your earliest opportunity as places are
strictly limited.  Economy-class travel and subsistence will be reimbursed
where needed.  Please email me in this regard.

Please pass on this invitation to interested colleagues.



Warm wishes,



Emma Beer