Organizing Thoughts

Well we have a big data set that’s due soon, and so I’ve spent a long time pondering and exploring what I could gather for this class.

Looking though my choices, I’m debating between doing a Tolkien database or a comic/manga database (if I can find one). Another set might be something along the lines of a database dedicated to classic science fiction or fantasy. In the past I’ve worked with a few items from a golden age sci collection from the Lilly Library.

I think that my first choice would be to work with the Tolkien collections out there, because between the databases, the scripts, the bios, the work itself, and the papers on the work, there are millions of words on the man and his writings. Another reason for this is I am very familiar with the subject matter, as Tolkien is an area I studied in my undergrad. Doing something with his work would mean a subject I am passionate about and fascinated with. The issues might arise from copyright however, as the estate is tight with the works themselves. The academic works, however would more than make up for this loss. Picture wise, between shots of the author himself, there are a bundle of photographs in regard to the movies produced from the book. New line Cinema even released thousands of photos and concept art on each extended edition DVD or Blu-ray, so these are fairly available.

On the other hand the science fiction and fantasy database could cover a huge area, but the issue with these databases is that they are enormous. Even limiting the search terms to a period of time or a certain subject matter will create a huge, if not overwhelming database for the set. So in order to do a data set properly with this subject matter, the limits must be fairly severe in order that the set is manageable for this project. Pictures could be of the authors or of the covers of the golden age books and magazines like Locus, Galaxy, and Fantasy and Science Fiction.

The comics database would be a great one for pictures and other visual tools, but in order to work with it, the copyright policies would get in the way severely. Comics are still heavily regulated and thus many of them are not available in digital formats. Indeed, many of them are not available outside their original print run either. One good approach to this issue might be to search through and use web comics, so the comics and materials already exist online. But this again runs into the issues with copyright, and owners of the comics might need to be contacted to properly use their materials.

 Many of the copy right issues will not be relevant for this course, as the professor has stated these projects fall under fair or academic use, but my issue with them is this: for copyrighted material, access is considerably harder, as the copyright often restricts digital use.

 So I ask my audience, which one would be the best? I am leaning toward the Tolkien one, but the most manageable one would be the fantasy and science fiction collection.

Engine Set Start

Welp, let's get this new blog started. Random musings and chaotic posts all around.