Toolbox
Bibliographic software
There are various bibliographic software programs suitabel for historians. THe most popualr seems to be Endnote but unless you have aquired a student edition, it is rather expensive. An alternative I have been using is Biblioscape
It is a very powerful and fleixible program. Styles can be customised in a bewildering array of formats.
Bibliographies can be keep in folders according to each project or task. It has provision for cataloguing all sorts of materials including websites etc.
One of the best features is as a library catalogue. Biblioscape has a capacity to capture data from websites and import into your database. So now whenever I purchase a new book I simply go to the National Libaries of Australia, type in keywords, select the book, and then within Biblioscape, select capture and all the relevant details are entered. It saves a lot of key strokes.
GIS software
GIS software has the potential to be a great tool for historians. Who hasn't had to prepare or include maps and diagrams for an article, book or report. The great drawback has been cost. The most well known and popular programs cost thousands and it is difficult to justity the cost. I've recently discovered a little known program called Manifold It is much much cheaper that the well known programs but very very powerful and comes with an impressive array of features.
My mapping needs are rather simple and Manifold is more than adequate.
Geocoding photographs - Where did I take that photo?
I take many photographs of historic buildings and sites. Sometimes it is not easy to remember where a certain place was - but there is an easy solution to recording exactly where you have taken a photograph.
All you need is a GPS unit and some software. I have Garmin ETrex unit and when Im out and about I simply turn on the GPS and it records exactly where I have been. I then download my photos and then open the software RoboGeo.
I select the photos and update the track log from my GPS and presto it records on the EXIF data, the latitude and longitude of where the image was taken. It does this by simply matchint the time the photo was taken to the GPS tracklog. Very simple but very useful. Never again will I have to think - where was that taken?
Queensland religious buildings database
An ongoing project of documenting religious buildings in Queensland. This database has been compiled for various sources including local histories, theses and fieldwork.
Queensland religious buildings database
How much is it worth
Historians are occasionally confronted with the question of the relative value of money. For example, how much was two pounds in 1990 worth or how does the average wage in 1920 compared with the present? THis is a calculator for use for Australian currency.