1718tricentennial
About the process of writing and e-publishing a popular history book and web site and all attendant digital paraphenalia
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07/12/10
Here We GO !
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 6:54 am

You know, I’ve been around technology and IT since the 70’s. I’ve been an Internet geek since 1994. Yet, I could never figure out what to do with a blog. In lots of ways I’m still a very traditional guy. Now in the closing decade of a career that was built on History and the Macintosh computing platform, I have arrived at the moment of convergence. Here and now, all the important things and concepts of my professional life have become one.

Now that I have figured out what to do with a blog, this one will be used to chronicle the creation of and the continued existence of a long awaited project. This past May, as the current phase of my academic life was closing, I decided to use the time granted to me this summer (and beyond ???) to write a book that had been in the back of my mind for several years. In 8 years, my native city will be 300 years old. To prepare for, and - frankly - take advantage of, that upcoming event I began research on a book about the founding of the New Orleans. That research became the genesis of ever growing project that has the potential to overcome everything else I will do for the next decade.

The book and research, which I have tentatively titled, “1718: A TriCentennial Memorandum”, has spooled out into various grant applications, potential educational and schoolteacher workshops, a specialized travel service, as well as a new website, incipient Facebook marketing and presence, e-publishing, and - to date - this blog.

(One nice thing about a blog that I just noticed is that I do not have to say everything I want to say now, as I see this blog becoming part of my morning routine).

I want to close this entry with some gratitude to everyone who was instrumental in the founding of this new lifestyle. First to Beth, my ever-loving wife and partner, who has never doubted and always encouraged my hare-brained follies, foibles, and most importantly my successes, including this one. Next, thanks must go to my extended family. I grew up in a large family group of aunts, uncles, and cousins where, at Bar-B-Q’s, reunions, and holiday gatherings, at weddings and funerals, we were more inclined to sit around with a Dixie in hand and discuss family history, local and US history, and beyond as likely as any discussion of business and sports. You could say I absorbed more history and local lore in Daddy’s barroom and these family events than any academic course I ever took. Next, my students over these past many years, for listening to me - mostly - ramble and rant on all matters historical and technological. Especially I want to thank the ACHS Class of 2012, who challenged me to get on Facebook - to keep in touch - and further converged the more modern aspects of Internet life into my old fashioned ideas of books and websites.

See you next time.

2 Responses to “Here We GO !”

  1. Sidney Vega Says:
    Sounds like it’s going to be good, Good luck with it!
  2. Jessica Says:
    Very interesting. Good luck with ur book. :)

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