Fwd: WAC Digital Heritage Working Group - call for help

[Leif Isaksen]

Hi all

Whilst at the World Achaeological Congress in Dublin, a Digital Heritage Working Group was set up.

http://worldarchaeologicalcongress.org/site/wacpress_07.php

Its principal roles are both to help the WAC organisation (in dissemination etc), but also to think through and support digital and communication infrastructure for archaeologists at a global level. Naturally there are some limits to what we can take on (eg we'll leave computer training to the experts ;-) ) but focuses are likely to be on awareness-raising and guidance on global archaeology communication issues. (For example, how accessible is a project's output to archaeologists in developing nations? How do digital approaches mitigate/exacerbate such problems?)

If anyone is interested, please contact Michael Ashley at the address below. There is no need to be a WAC member to join (although that would be good too) and, as you can see, any help would be gladly received.

Best

Leif

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Ashley <archa...@mac.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Subject: WAC Digital Heritage Working Group - call for help
To: Michael Ashley <archa...@mac.com>


Dear All -

Thank you again for your interest in the DHWG for WAC. I am back now and refocusing on getting the group formulated and WAC digital on track. In case you didn't see it, the press release went out for the Digital resolution, see

http://worldarchaeologicalcongress.org/site/wacpress_07.php

so you should all be congratulated.

Immediately, the WAC web team needs help trying to get up the Members section of the site. Specifically, the functions around the members database, conducting surveys and security.

Most urgent, we have needs on ballots and on membership management. Currently, we are using Joomla - an open source content management system - and specific modules to build out the capabilities. Underlying this platform are MySQL databases.

Instead of going into the gory details now and here, if you have interest, skill or know people who do in this domain, can you send me a note asap and I will send you the report and we can see how you may help. We have some budget to get this done, so I am looking to leverage our working group and hire in the techno-skills where needed.

We need a quick win for Claire, and for Paul/Ines/Timo who worked hard to get this section up and running.

The greater issues of a new CMS for the WAC site will be taken up later. For now, Claire is drowning in requests for action post WAC-6, and this is the key to that relief.

Taking a look at the modules and the immediate requirements, things don't look too bad or challenging, but we need help from people who have experience in (any)

php
mySQL
joomla
CMS
Filemaker

Again, this is just for this immediate project. Once I can get them some relief and Claire can announce that we have these things functioning, we can go on to all the fun bits we discussed in Dublin!

Cheers, and thanks in advance,

Michael


-

highlights of Paul Saeki's report on the members section for the WAC site.


Key areas for implementation were identified for thus increasing organizational capacity based on the
following areas of need WAC faced as an organization;

1. A centralised database.  Prior to February 2008, WAC's member database was organized on a
single database, however, this was located on the Treasurer's computer using the software
application 'File Maker Pro'.  A need to have a centralized online database was considered
necessary as this would allow multiple users to access the database, and also allow members to
view their own personal information regarding their WAC membership and update changes to their
address and contact details.  The Membership Secretary would then not need to spend time on
corresponding with members on changes to contact details, etc; and also ensure the safety of the
database by having it located centrally rather than on an individual's computer.

2. The establishment of a communication forum to enhance discussion and communication between all
WAC Members.  Currently, the WAC mailing list is used to communicate amongst WAC members by
email.  While it is not suggested the forum replace the WAC mailing list, the WAC online forum has
the potential to alleviate much of the traffic on the WAC mailing list, and also provides the capability
to search themes and topics, which the WAC mailing list cannot do.  The forum also provides an
area where members can post documents and pictures that can be searched and referenced for
statistical purposes, with the ability to rate most popular and commonly accessed themes and topics.

3. The need to create a centralized document storage system.  This would allow WAC to maintain an
organizational memory, where reports, documents relating to activities and minutes from meetings
can be stored and accessed.  Prior to February, WAC documents were held by a number of different
members from the Executive and Council and very rarely were these documents passed on when
there was a change of Office Bearers.  A centralized document management system facilitates a
centralized place for document storage which can be accessed by multiple users which creates a
reference point to past activities and creates an organizational history for future reference.

4. A key issue was the need to discriminate between different types of WAC membership.  Prior to
February 2008, members who opted for access to the WAC journal electronically, had difficulty in
accessing electronic copies of the Archaeologies Journal.  With the establishment of the Members
Area and the database, WAC members can access the electronic copies of the WAC journal.

5. The ability to conduct surveys or online ballots of members.  An application facilitating this has been
included in the WAC Members Area.