First 2009 web award -

[BAJR Host]

Looking at whats out there.. and with the increasing popularity of this, I decided to use my droit de'signor for 2009 ..

Lets see how the following websites square up to each other.

All about Community Archaeology - All looking to provide a service.

Community Archaeology Forum
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/caf/wikka.php?wakka=HomePage
We're here to provide help, information and guidance for anyone involved with community archaeology. (if you think thats true.. vote for them)

Community Archaeology Ltdhttp://www.communityarchaeology.co.uk/
Community Archaeology Ltd has developed from a passion to involve the public in archaeology and has led to the development of a unique approach to studying the past, inspiring groups and schools to record their heritage. (if you agree, then get voting)

Shorewatch
http://www.shorewatch.co.uk/
The Shorewatch Project is designed for people interested in the coastal archaeology of Scotland. The project brings together individuals and groups to save information about Scotland's precious archaeological sites before they are lost to erosion. (Do they hit the spot for you?.. if yes.. then vote away)

Finally
Greater York Community Archaeology Project
http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/involve...unity1.htm
Thanks to the project a Community Archaeologist is available to assist people across Greater York to explore their local heritage.
(if the answer is a big yes... this is the one that does much to help people.. vote YES)

So there you go... you choose... the closing date is February 1st - so get voting.. and tell folk about it! :face-approve:

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[BAJR Host]

this should be interesting... all to play for

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[BAJR Host]

Expect a leap in voting come the new week!

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[Wibblehead]

I'm perhaps too deeply involved in this subject to comment objectively, so feel free to tell me if i'm being far too biased.

The websites have different purposes and are being done by very different organisations.

CAF is great for everyone to get involved in and post the work of their groups. They can keep others updated and get advice from others. My main issue is the ease (or not) of filling things in. I'm not great with computers but am no wiz. And i can't figure out how to do it; hence none of our stuff is up there. So if i can't manage it, i'm certain the groups who we work with will largely not be able to manage it either. Plus it's more of a showcase than a site for advice. But still, very useful for making sure there is some publication of community based projects. And some groups are very good with this sort of thing.


Community Archaeology Ltd I am very curious of. The site could potentially provide a lot more information, but it essentially seems to be a lot of what i do for a living, but privately. I have thought about the scope for a thing like this, but couldnt figure out how it could pay for itself without, for example, the support i get from the rest of the teams in the County Council, or goverment funding such as the Nottinghamshire Building Better Communities fund. But still, the idea of a centralised website for advice on community archaeology appeals to me greatly.

Shorewatch i think is a great page for a community project. It's clear for a start, and not too wordy or difficult to navigate through. It also has standardised sheets available for download, so that all the groups are working to the same sets. And vitally important; it has reports available for download.

The York AT site is probably the closest to what i do, and i have to say i think our site is more comprehensive (i'm proud of what we do, so shoot me). A problem with sites like this is that often there is corporate design to think about. They can end up being fairly dry soulless things, which hardly reflect the enthusiasm, vibrancy, or professionalism. (Also we are having trouble getting approval for putting reports up on our site, which is a major issue.) I'm also rather suprised that the 'get involved' section says that they aren't taking on volunteers at the mo. ??!

Anyhoo...




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Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[Wibblehead]

And just in case anyone looks; our website is getting an overhaul this week. We're working on it as i type.

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Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

Though all four are very worthy groups, I had to go for number three. I like the idea of bringing together members of the public from different backgrounds,who have a shared interest of what we call 'rescue archaeology'-and some fantastic scenery.
Just hope I haven't jinxed them by voting and they now come last!!

[Wibblehead]

I have to agree. It's a great resource for the groups involved.

And if you haven't jinxed them, i may well have

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Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[BAJR Host]

Dirty Dave... the cursed voter! look what you did to the last lot!


and wibble... :0) once you are overhauled.. I am sure the website can wander onto the BAJR screen!

Thanks also for your thoughtful analysis.. of the sites.

I must admit, I went for Shorewatch... though my finger hovered over the York one... tough choice. I too found the CAF impossible to use... I wept with frustration.. (and I would say I am not a slouch with web technology) -- they WON an award for it.. but really there is an easier wiki system out there.. and perhaps it was not the appropriate technology for what they want to do... a CMS would have been better... imho

I was interested in com arch ltd too... :face-huh:



"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[Wibblehead]

It's good to know i wasnt the only one struggling with CAF. Feel slightly less dumb now.

[:o)]

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Thunder rolled. ... It rolled a six.

[Austin Ainsworth]

I think all the community archs on BAJR are taking a keen interest in this one. My vote went to YAT, they've been sector leaders for decades and for me still show the rest of us how it should be done.