Link: The Face of Text - Streaming Video Conference Archive
This archive contains more than eight hours of recorded keynote speeches and presentations from “The Face of Text” Conference held at McMaster University during November, 2004. The streaming video is being served from IRIS (Infrastructure for Research on Internet Streaming), also located at McMaster.
This project was […]
Geoffrey provided an overview of the theoretical challenges and different types of possible collaboration in the text analysis development community.
The challenge that developers face is one of transcription. This is a two-fold problem. The first issue we face is one of representation: how do we represent evidence in the Humanities? The other concern is one […]
This is a plan for a Text Analysis Challenge, worked out in the final session at Stéfan’s house on Wednesday afternoon.
The basic idea is to provide a stimulating challenge to text analysis scholars, but at the same time to demonstrate to the broader humanities community that text analysis can be an integral part of research […]
Ramsay began his presentation by saying that he feels that working together and engaging in collaboration between disciplines is a positive thing. At the moment there are several small text analysis projects, and collaboration between many different disciplines can be vastly beneficial.
Ramsay went on to discuss that traditional scholars in the humanities are not accustomed […]
Chartrand discussed his own experiences with software collaboration, emphasizing the role of the team leader or instigator to guide successful development projects. In the private sector, project managers are tasked with guiding collaboration, whereas in Academic circles, programming is often self-directed. Academics need managers too!
Project Manager’s established a process for development for an individual project, […]
click to enlargeBradford G. Nickerson – Towards a Text Analysis Language
Brad began with an analogy of image processing applications such as Photoshop. These applications represent a language of ‘how to do things,’ a set of many algorithms built up over years. He provided an example of an image that underwent a process of contrast stretching. […]
click to enlargeIn his presentation, Rueker is attempting to read what text analysis academics will be working on next in their research. He is recommending the creation of text analysis tools for wider use. He says that in addition to creating tools for academics we should also create tools for the larger public […]
click to enlargeGary Shawver – Some Thoughts on Interface Design
Shawver approaches interface design from the perspective of both user and developer. Interfaces present users with obstacles – an ‘intuitive’ interface is not possible, natural interfaces do not exist. Some interfaces are easier to learn that others, but none are natural to us. […]
click to enlargeIn his presentation, Hoover outlined the idea of software architecture, and how frameworks can help develop a text analysis tool by discovering the anomalies that arise out of commonalities in a variety of text analysis tools. Once you build many architecture models a pattern will develop, and a standard becomes apparent out […]
Geoffrey Rockwell, James Chartrand, and Stéfan Sinclair demonstrated various aspects of the TAPoR portal. Rockwell demonstrated the First Encounter interface, highlighting the centralized Try-It and Tools areas. Along with providing quick access to tools housed within the portal, the First Encounter interface also includes a News Channel to support community news and a Projects area […]
click to enlargeHolmes began by describing documents as programs, noting that the traditional distinction between documents and programs is quickly disappearing. Documents are becoming complex user interfaces and gateways to other resources. Olsen gave the example of a Larkin poem consisting of several widgets and a tabbed interface. Although the document is broken down […]
click to enlargeOlsen began by raising the question of how well suited is Humanities Computing for large scale collaborative projects and interoperability. He suggested that within Humanities Computing, there are problems with the organization of and complexity of data, as well as more fundamental differences in the way textual theory reflects very different views on […]
click to enlargeIt seems to me that I often spend my pre-first-session hours of most conferences concerned about finding a decent cup of coffee. This would certainly be the case at McMaster University in May, when some of the best spots are closed for the season or only really known to locals. Fortunately, the Summit […]
click to enlargeMatthew Jockers has noticed a trend of meta-analysis in the recent works of Humanities Computing researchers that focuses on methodologies rather than results. Much of the research and development in the text analysis community centres on the possibilities and future benefits of tools rather than how these tools have been applied to […]
click to enlargeMatthew Jockers has noticed a trend of meta-analysis in the recent works of Humanities Computing researchers that focuses on methodologies rather than results. Much of the research and development in the text analysis community centres on the possibilities and future benefits of tools rather than how these tools have been applied to […]
click to enlargeMatthew Jockers has noticed a trend of meta-analysis in the recent works of Humanities Computing researchers that focuses on methodologies rather than results. Much of the research and development in the text analysis community centres on the possibilities and future benefits of tools rather than how these tools have been applied to […]
In addition to the Summit notes to be posted here, Geoffrey Rockwell has begun some excellent wiki notes of the Text Analysis Summit. Given the nature of wikis, I suspect Geoffrey would be happy to see the entries edited or extended (contact him for an account).
click to enlargeThe Text Analysis Summit is underway.
This morning we had all participants (about 30) introduce themselves so as to get a better sense of our respective interests and activities.
Next, we had a discussion to refine the format and objectives of the Text Analysis Summit. One of the unresolved challenges that we faced was […]
McMaster University will be hosting a Text Analysis Summit from May 9th to
11th, 2005. The Summit will gather together many of the most active
designers and creators of text analysis tools in an attempt to examine
past failures and successes in text analysis development, formulate a
strategy for future development, and establish a network of scholars that
will provide […]