Members of this list might find the message below, forwarded by Roy
Weintraub, of interest.
Humberto Barreto
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Craig Howes* <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Date: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Subject: Introducing Stories Matter: Open Source, Database Building Software
To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Dear List Members
I found this a very interesting development, if only because of the
speculation here that such software might provide an alternative to
transcriptions for oral historians.
Craig Howes
From: Erin Jessee
Subject: Introducing Stories Matter: Open Source, Database Building Software
Introducing Stories Matter: Open Source Database Building Software
After nearly a year of interdisciplinary collaboration among affiliates of
the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling at Concordia
University in Montreal, the first phase of Stories Matter is complete. In
its current state, Stories Matter is free, open source software that is
compatible with Macintosh and PC operating systems. It allows for the
archiving of digital video and audio materials, enabling users to
annotate, analyze, evaluate and export materials, as well as tag, index,
search, and browse within interviews, sessions, and clips or across entire
collections.
We have been successful in creating what we believe is an extremely
convenient and intuitive software that will inspire oral historians to
continue listening to their interviews long after the interviews
themselves are completed. While Stories Matter may not replace
transcription for many oral historians, it will undoubtedly compliment it
due to its ability to allow users to create convenient video and audio
clips for research purposes and integrate them into such presentation
software as PowerPoint. Furthermore, we believe users will be impressed by
the software's ability to preserve important forms of communication
typically lost in transcription, including changes in tone, volume,
rhythm, and body language, allowing for more nuanced analysis.
Thus, we invite you to visit the new Stories Matter website at
www.stories-matter.com <http://www.stories-matter.com> where you can
download the software and begin
using it locally to build a database or series of databases from your
personal collection of interviews. The Stories Matter Instructional Manual
is embedded the software, and can be downloaded to your desktop by
selecting the appropriate option from the Help Menu.
And continue following the Stories Matter blog
(http://storytelling.concordia.ca/storiesmatter/) for updates on the
development of Phase II of Stories Matter, which will begin on July 15th.
Its purpose is to enable increased collaboration among oral historians by
providing an intuitive online database tool that can assist group projects
and encourage public engagement. Phase II of Stories Matter is scheduled
to be completed in December of 2009, with a public launch to follow
shortly thereafter.
--
Erin Jessee, PhD Candidate
Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling
Concordia University
Montreal QC
--
Humberto Barreto
Elizabeth P. Allen Distinguished University Professor
Dept. of Economics & Management
Harrison 206
7 E. Larabee St.
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN 46135
www.depauw.edu/learn/microexcel
www.wabash.edu/econometrics
Office: 765-658-4531
Cell: 765-225-9591
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