[okfn-discuss] Fwd: CenturyShare

Mon Jan 19 22:58:21 UTC 2009

This is indeed an excellent initiative.

However, I need to stress out that CenturyShare is a "transparent" service, 
i.e. it is agnostic with respect to the content it aggregates: it is the 
original content provider that decides on the terms and conditions under 
which the content is made available. This licence could be an open content 
one but also an ARR one.

Therefore, it is important for us to participate in the Alpha testing and 
note the need to use this service as vehicle for supporting public domain 
and open licensed content.

Thanks
pRo

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Gray" <jonathan.gray at okfn.org>
To: "okfn-discuss" <okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 10:40 PM
Subject: [okfn-discuss] Fwd: CenturyShare

> 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
>
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