Footnote.com launched today. This new service, created by Hypergene — a great source for those interested in the future of journalism — enables citizens to view public documents online and offer annotations and discussions. They are partnering with the National Archives to make 4.5 million documents available, but the service is not limited to existing public documents — upload your grandfather’s journals, for example:
Footnote began with two simple ideas:
First, what if any document, photograph or image could be the catalyst for conversations and linked to anything?
On the web, there is plenty of conjecture but often scant evidence. Footnote hopes to encourage exploration, discovery and, of course, discussions by providing the tools to access real documents. That way people can begin to engage in more interesting and productive debates.
Comments
@ 19:21
I think this massive figure will change the way internet Search Engine datas.
@ 15:36
This might not be such a good thing, as the digitization service will put the National Archives’ documents behind a paywall – although the deal is non-exclusive – so Google can come and still make these available for free.
Ben Vershbow at if:book argues “Digitization should not become synonymous with privatization.”
Dan Cohen asks “Couldn’t the National Archives have at least added a provision to the agreement with Footnote to allow students free access to these documents?”