Sunday, June 28, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
24liveblog: New Platform for Scanfest!
The last two Scanfest sessions have been a bust. We've had technical issues with Blyve, the liveblogging platform we've been using for several years. So I went in search of another free liveblogging platform and discovered 24liveblog.
Like other liveblogging platforms we've used in the past, 24liveblog has the ability to be archived on my blog for those readers who missed Scanfest and want to read about what happened, or for those participants who may wish to look up some information that was shared during Scanfest.
However, one difference is that 24liveblog does not have any kind of set up for participants to have their own behind-the-scenes dashboard. Only the liveblogging host has that option. I'm not sure that we'll be able to share media, either. But the reliability and cost-free factors are well-worth it. We'll be giving it a spin tomorrow for the June 2015 Scanfest.
To participate, simply go to http://tinyurl.com/Scanfest any time between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Pacific Standard Time. You'll see the June 2015 Scanfest post with the 24liveblog event embedded in the post. You'll be able to post your comments at any time.
If our trial event goes well tomorrow, I'll be updating future "Scanfest is Coming!" posts to include the new platform and more detailed information on how to participate.
Looking forward to "seeing" you soon!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Scanfest is Coming!
What is Scanfest? It's a time when geneabloggers, family historians, and family archivists meet online here at this blog to chat while they scan their precious family documents and photos. Why? Because, quite honestly, scanning is time-consuming and boring!
Scanfest is a great time to "meet" other genealogists, ask questions about scanning and preservation, and get the kick in the pants we all need on starting those massive scanning projects that just seem too overwhelming to begin.
To get started, you need to know the basics about scanning:
1. Don't use commercial glass cleaners (i.e. Windex) or paper towels to clean your scanner's glass plate. Use a soft, clean cloth, preferably microfiber. If you must use a liquid, use water sprayed directly onto the cloth and make sure to let the plate dry thoroughly before placing photos or documents on it.
2. Wear cotton gloves (available at many art and/or photography supply shops) when handling photos and old documents.
3. Don't slide the photos around on the glass plate. Place them exactly where you want them. Photos should NEVER be scanned by a scanner that feeds the document through the machine, but ALWAYS on a flat-bed scanner.
4. Set your scanner to scan at no smaller than 300 dpi (dots per inch). Many experts recommend 600 dpi for photographs.
5. Photographs should ALWAYS be scanned and saved as .tif files. Use "Save As" to reformat the .tif file to a .jpg file for restoration and touchups, emailing, or uploading to an online photo album. ALWAYS retain the original scan as a .tif file.
6. Documents can be scanned as .pdf files or .tif files.
7. When you are done scanning your photos, don't put them back in those nasty "magnetic" photo albums. Place them in archival safe albums or boxes found at websites such as Archival Products or Archival Suppliers. Do NOT store any newsprint (articles, obituaries, etc.) with the photos. The acid from the newspaper will eventually destroy the photograph.
Now about the chatting part of Scanfest:
We will be using Blyve, a live blogging platform that you access right here at AnceStories. On Sunday at 11 AM, PDT, come right here to AnceStories and you'll see the Blyve live blog/forum in the top post. It's not really a "chat room," per se, it's more like a live forum and anyone visiting this site can read and see what is happening in the forum.
You will not need to download any software.
We look forward to having you participate with us!
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