Historical Research in Europe: A Guide to Archives and Libraries
http://webcat.library.wisc.edu:3200/HistResEur/
Long known for their fine online digital projects and initiatives, the University of Wisconsin Digital Content Group has developed this Web site to assist researchers seeking to use European libraries and archives. With a focus on Western Europe, the prime function of the interactive database is "to unite both Web-based and printed resources which provide information about European libraries and archives." The project itself is supported by a grant from the US Department of Education and the University of Wisconsin General Library System. The database can be searched by keyword or subject headings, which include Science, Audio-Video, Church Archives, and Foreign Relations. Within these subjects, individual records are returned that include the title, subject, creator, and in many cases, an URL. Without a doubt, this database will be a great research tool for those persons traveling to Europe to perform research in a host of disciplinary traditions. [KMG]
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Washington State Library: Digital Best Practices
http://digitalwa.statelib.wa.gov/newsite/best.htm
In recent years, more attention has been paid to the planning and creation of online digital projects. This type of information is perhaps more helpful now that ever; particularly given recent budget cutbacks and belt-tightening throughout a broad range of institutions, such as public libraries, universities, and colleges. With that in mind, the Washington State Library has assembled this site devoted to Digital Best Practices. Users can begin by working their way through a scenario that will help delineate and define a community-based collaborative digital project, or by browsing through a list of topics. The topics covered within the site include project management, technology, funding, and collection preparation. Additionally, users can read about the experiences of five libraries in Washington state as they set out to test digital methods and procedures. [KMG]
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Two on Electronic Voting
Study: E-Voting Flaws Risk Ballot Fraud
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/07/25/evoting.flaw.ap/index.html
Analysis of an Electronic Voting System [pdf]
http://www.avirubin.com/vote.pdf
A July 25, 2003 news article from CNN makes note of a potential flaw in a kind of electronic voting machine used in several U.S. states. The flaw was discovered and publicized by researchers from Johns Hopkins and Rice Universities, and it purportedly can make the machine vulnerable to security breaches that would allow a single individual to cast multiple votes. The conclusions of the researchers are outlined in a 24-page study. After providing an overview of the voting system in question, which requires users to insert a smart card to cast a vote, the report suggests that homemade smart cards could be used to gain an unacceptable level of access. Examples of violations include, as was mentioned above, the ability to submit multiple ballots, as well as "viewing partial results and terminating the election early." This site is also reviewed in the August 1, 2003 NSDL MET Report. [CL]
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Smithsonian Education [pdf. Macromedia Flash Reader, RealOne Player]
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/
The diverse buildings that front directly onto the Mall in Washington, D.C. comprise the Smithsonian Institution, one of the world's most celebrated museums. It is with little surprise that this Web site is such an excellent source of information about the educational delights offered by this august American institution. The site is divided simply into three main categories: Educators, Families, and Students. The Educators section contains hundreds of lesson plans for a variety of age groups -- all dealing with a number of topics, such as language arts, science, and history. Equally helpful is the customized search engine that allows educators to look for educational resources (some of which are designed to be in situ with different exhibits) by document type, keyword, subject, and grade. The Families section is specifically designed to function as a guide to visiting the Smithsonian museums, and features information about special presentations and other local sites. Finally, the Students section allows students the opportunity to go behind the scenes in the interactive feature "Secrets of the Smithsonian" and to learn about the art and science of collecting as embodied by the special collections (and collectors) profiled in the section titled "Amazing Collections." [KMG]
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Speech Accent Archive [QuickTime Player]
http://classweb.gmu.edu/accent/
Developed by a team of researchers at George Mason University, this rather fascinating site contains speech samples of 259 individuals from different language backgrounds reading the same paragraph. Some of the languages included on the site include Portuguese, Sardinian, Polish, and Urdu. Clicking on any one of the languages will take users to an individualized page that contains a sound bar, some basic demographic information, a phonetic transcription of the sample reading, and a link to the speaker's phonological generalizations. In many cases, there will be examples of several different speakers for each linguistic tradition from different regions. The site avoids excessive technical jargon and provides basic descriptions of such linguistic phenomena ranging from vowel raising, consonant deletion, and voicing change. Finally, the site provides information on how to make an effective voice recording and links to additional resources. [KMG]
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America's Most Literate Cities [pdf]
http://www.uww.edu/cities/
The last several decades have seen an exponential growth in studies and reports devoted to the question of "quality of life" issues surrounding different regions and metropolitan areas around the United States. This recent study, authored by University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Chancellor Jack Miller, looks at the relative literacy rankings of America's 64 largest cities. Drawing on U.S. Census data, newspaper circulation rates, library resources, and other public documents, Miller has determined (based on the criteria outlined in the report) that Minneapolis is America's most literate city, followed by Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Along with viewing overall city literacy rankings, visitors can look at categorical rankings, such as educational attainment, newspaper circulation, and number of retail booksellers. In addition, the site also contains a full-text version of the 11-page paper that details the methodology and findings of Chancellor Miller's research. [KMG]
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Art of the First World War
http://www.art-ww1.com/gb/index2.html
While many of the literary accomplishments that arose out of the trauma and desolation wrought by the experiences of World War I remain at the forefront of literary and philosophical explorations, the paintings from this period are at times overlooked. This thoughtful exhibit, supported by UNESCO (working in tandem with partner museums throughout Europe) brings to the Web approximately 110 paintings from 54 painters. The exhibit begins with an introductory essay by art historian and exhibition curator Philippe Dagen. Visitors can elect to continue through the exhibit thematically through areas devoted to the declaration of war, the use of artillery, the battlefield, and suffering. Some of the works profiled here including William Roberts' "The First German Gas Attack at Ypres" (which gives dramatic representation to the use of toxic gases by the German artillery) and Felix Vallotton's "Le plateau de Bolante", which depicts the war-swept landscape of the Artois region of France. [KMG]
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