[okfn-discuss] Local History Portal

Mon Jul 13 14:46:37 UTC 2009

2009/7/13 IAN ELSOM <ian.elsom at btinternet.com>:
[...]
> I don't know details but I think that any effort put into a registry of
> local history resources at OKF may be 'overtaken by events' before too long
> and therefore possibly wasted. There may, however, still be some value  in
> looking closely at the marketplace for "raw local history data". This may
> not be high on the agenda of the above mentioned organizations.

Absolutely. At the same time "raw" data would be very valuable,
perhaps more so than the "processed" material found on those portal
sites like those you have mentioned.

> My call to participation, suggested by Rufus, is therefore for a small team
> to consider the quality, quantity, types and whereabouts of datasets useful
> to local historians that can be freely downloaded now - and perhaps devise
> some sort of strategy for increasing the availibility as a means of
> inspiring local historians of all levels of ability to pursue new lines of
> inquiry. Oh, and to blog about datasets, standards, copyright and other
> relevant stuff.

I think this is fantastic CFP: you've identified a clear, valuable and
achievable activity that is unaddressed at present. I, personally,
would love to be involved in this and I think the OKF should be too.

Rufus