Blog Post 2: Data and Digitization (Stephen Bentzlin)

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In digital modeling, more goes into the process then what readers are given, and there's complicated terms that go into making a website's presentation clean. In the course book for example, Drucker dives into the distinction between structured and unstructured data, saying, "The distinction between structured/unstructured data has ramifications for the ways that information can be used, analyzed, and displayed" (Drucker p.19). Structured data refers to the general structure of the website, whereas unstructured data is the aspects of the website like files, images, links. The use of both in a website is essential because it allows for adding new data and for the history of old data, and website creators can vary the format and features of their websites. 

Digitization is a bit different than digital modeling, and it refers to the basis of the website, whether it includes HTTPs, HTMLs, CSSs, and or JavaScripts. These are the main elements that structure the website to be able to perform different features and functions, which is essential towards the capability of the website.

In terms of my project, I chose a website that displays timelines of the 9/11 events, the 9/11 recovery, and the 1993 WTC Bombing and news lines throughout these days, and these aspects of digital humanities are essential towards this website because with each picture and video there's a link to it and a caption that describes the moment, emphasizing that the functionality of this website is great and consistent. Also, the website features a button that can automatically scroll the timelines for you, which is a big part of the digital modeling process. This is a great example of the structured data that takes place, allowing readers and viewers to fluently access different visuals from the website.

Because digital humanities has such a broad definition, these different aspects of digital processing further prove the broadness, but are also essential towards a functional working website that is satisfying for viewers/readers.

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  1. Alexa PrewittFebruary 4, 2024 at 2:12 PM

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    1. Alexa PrewittFebruary 4, 2024 at 2:17 PM

      I really liked the clear differentiation between digital modeling and digitization that you made. I think it's really important to understand the meaning of each and understand how they go hand in hand. Before reading the blog posts for today, I would've assumed that both terms generally meant the same thing. I would've defined them both as tools and strategies in order to represent digital data and information clearly. After reading, it seems like digitization is a broader term that can be defined as the conversion of text, pictures, or sound into a digital form. Whereas the book defines digital modeling as, "The basis of the website, whether it includes HTTPs, HTMLs, CSSs, and or JavaScripts." Digital modeling seems to be how you are representing your data digitally. What extensions are you using in order to represent your data in a way that is enticing to the viewer? This is extremely important because if there were no external links or add ons within a website, it would be similar to a regular document. This concept applies to my DH project because the website I chose has images of Time magazine covers from the year 1923 to 2009. It has a link to Flickr so you can view the collage of magazine covers up close.

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