Text and content analysis tools.

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Alternative hardware or software paradigms of the interfaces—e.g., haptic, augmented, immersive, non-standard physical or screen navigation systems, etc. (Objects in this category may also be included in other categories related to individual hardware or software topics.)

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“Knowledge Base” here to refers to sites or projects which have employed some kind of innovation or collaborative approach to knowledge-shaping on the Internet.

Online text, multimedia, or social networking resources that allow users to annotate (“tag”) content with metadata (e.g.,category designations) in an open, flexible scheme for sharing with others.

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(See also Open Tagging Systems, which allow for a minimal level of community formation around shared metadata tags designating common categories of interest.)

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Technological innovations from the age of manuscripts through modern codex books and document forms.

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Where appropriate and useful, some art works related to the issues of the Transliteracies Project are also placed in other categories of “Objects for Study.” For example, a work might contribute equally to art and to research in text visualization or data mining. But cross-categorization is the exception rather than rule. Art works that seem intended primarily for an art context or are difficult to generalize are not placed in multiple categories. (Categories would otherwise become less useful, since contemporary art works may have a simultaneously mimetic, parodic, subversive, and/or transformative character that allows them in principle to be placed alongside any and all other objects for study.)

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See also contemporary Text Encoding (Markup)

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Contemporary text-encoding and text-markup approaches. (See also Historical Encoding & Formatting Inventions)

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Collective / group reading practices, both online and historical, distributed and on location (as in a classroom).

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Immersive, virtual-reality, or augmented-reality display environments for text, including both large-scale and “book”-scale devices.

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Search and data mining technology innovations with implications for the future of online reading.

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Recent developments in large-scale online text archiving.

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Included in this category of Objects for Study are foundational programming or coding innovations (as opposed to particular programs) that bear thinking about for their possible impact on online reading practices. (See also Text Encoding (Markup) | Historical Encoding & Formatting Inventions)

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Research into the nature, varieties, and social forms of literacy, past or present, print- or media-based.

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Included in this category of Objects for Study are hardware inventions or devices that bear thinking about for their possible impact on online reading practices. Also included for historical perspective are some hardware innovations of past media revolutions (e.g., vellum, the codex book).

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Interesting objects bearing on digital reading interfaces, especially where text is adapting (and vice versa) to networked and multimedia communication environments. Included are innovations in such fields as human factors inferface research (HFI), text-encoding, text visualization and art, etc.

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Objects of interest bearing on the relation between recent networked reading technologies/practices (e.g., email, blogging, text-messaging, instant-messaging, open tagging or editing, new portable digital devices) and the formation and conduct of social groups. Another way to phrase this topic is “collective reading” in the age of the network.

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Cumulative list of “objects for study” in the Transliteracies Research Clearinghouse, sorted chronologically by date of entry with the most recent first.

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Interesting historical objects that bear on the current exploration of online reading practices, where “objects” refers to the equivalents of hardware, software, protocol, media, design, and usage conventions of the past—with their attendant psychological, social, and cultural implications.

The “history of the book,” “history of print culture,” and history of “oral culture” fields have witnessed vigorous growth in recent years as a historical extension of the contemporary focus on media and technology.

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Between seasons two and three of the television show Lost, ABC launched “The Lost Experience,” an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) designed to maintain viewer interest in the show. “The Lost Experience,” like many ARGs, incorporated a variety of media into its implementation. Players were encouraged to watch commercials that aired during the last episodes of season two in order to be notified of relevant websites that would provide clues to the game. In addition to websites, users watched mini-movies, read advertisements, and a tie-in novel. They were also directed towards recordings and podcasts over the course of “The Lost Experience.”

Starter Links: Interview with creators | Wikipedia article | Lostpedia

Transliteracies Research Report By Renee Hudson

“Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle.

We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both “lefties” and “righties” can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read.

With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand.

And because we know you can’t judge a book by its cover, Kindle lets you download and read the beginning of books for free. This way, you can try it out—if you like it, simply buy and download with 1-Click, right from your Kindle, and continue reading. Want to try a newspaper as well? All newspaper subscriptions start with a risk-free two-week trial.

Kindle’s paperback size and expandable memory let you travel light with your library. With the freedom to download what you want, when you want, we hope you’ll never again find yourself stuck without a great read.” (Amazon.com)

Starter Links: The Kindle on Amazon.com | Wikipedia article on the Kindle

Transliteracies Research Report By Renee Hudson