The Scout Report -- Volume 26, Number 18

Launched in 2018, the American Music Creators Web Archive is an ongoing collection from the Library of Congress. The archive features web content published by "musicians, performers, and composers contributing to the American music scene." Both mainstream and independent musicians are included in the collection, as well as musicians from a variety of genres (such as jazz, hip hop, and EDM). While the collection is still a work in progress, readers can view dozens of current archived materials under the Collection Items tab. The panel on the left hand side allows visitors to narrow by contributor and subject, among other filters. Each record for an archived website has a detailed item annotation with a brief summary and information on the featured artist or group's genre and form. Users can explore an archived website by clicking on the image at the top of the record then selecting a date on the subsequently displayed calendar. Material acquisition is ongoing, so readers may want to check back routinely to browse new additions. If you enjoy this archive, you may want to check out the Library of Congress's similar collections, including American Choral Music and Early American Sheet Music. [SMH]

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For over 250 years, Irish poet Hester Pulter's work remained unread and underappreciated. Thanks to The Pulter Project: Poet in the Making (a project of Northwestern University), her poetry is finally gaining the acknowledgment and scholarly review it deserves. Designed for students and instructors of all levels and backgrounds, the project invites readers to dive into "the multiple 'identities' in the literary canon." Clicking the "Poems" button on the main page leads visitors to the more than 100 pieces included in the collection. Readers can browse, or use the subject tags that accompany the poems to filter by theme (such as friendship, astronomy, and afterlife). There is also a query bar in the upper right-hand corner where readers can search by keywords. Most poems feature multiple editions, offering different perspectives and levels of analysis. Newcomers to Pulter's work may enjoy the "elemental editions" (which use simplified text and annotations), while those revisiting the work may prefer "amplified editions" (providing in-depth annotations). Readers can view both editions after selecting a poem. Another way to spot differences between the versions is by clicking the parallel arrows icon located between the two editions' buttons to open the comparison tool. The collection also offers other opportunities to engage with the text. For example, the Explorations section (located at the bottom of the Poems page) provides additional analysis and commentary, "encourag[ing] readers to look beyond individual poems ... to matters of broader relevance to Pulter and her work." Under the Preface menu (accessible from the site's landing page), readers can learn more about Hester Pulter, as well as the inspiration and purpose for the project. [EMB]

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While Questacon, Australia's interactive National Science and Technology Centre, is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, readers from around the world can delight in their extensive online STEM Activities collection. The activities were curated with a variety of audiences in mind, from those seeking "simple science activities using inexpensive materials," to those in search of "projects that are more technologically challenging." The resources and websites included in their catalog have a little bit of everything: citizen science projects, computer science and coding exercises, and conceptual mathematics activities that involve dancing. Scrolling to the bottom of the page, readers can download the full list of activities in PDF or Word Document form. In addition to compiling STEM websites and activities, the collection also highlights MOOCS (Massive Online Open Courses), no-cost (or low-cost, as some courses suggest purchasing additional materials) courses that may be perfect for educators or parents looking for enriching web-based educational opportunities. Current courses include: "Tinkering Fundamentals: Circuits" and "Machine Learning." [EMB]

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For many people engaged in social distancing, more time at home means more time experimenting in the kitchen. The video tutorials from ChefSteps provide inspiration and instruction to get you started. This YouTube channel strives to "cook smarter," offering a collection of free, short videos designed to impart cooking school techniques to regular folks in the kitchen. Videos cover a mixture of cooking tips and recipe demonstrations, from nutritious meal prepping advice (see "Healthy, Delicious Meal Prepping with Jef Nelson of Shotgun Fitness") to indulgent desserts (such as "Double Chocolate Tart"). Readers may wish to begin by viewing the many playlists offered by the channel, which include: ChefSteps: Tips & Tricks (where viewers can learn skills such as how to pickle using sous vide), Baking Recipes, and <ChefSteps: Science Corner (which delves into the science behind cooking and food). The channel also offers a multitude of individual videos that help home cooks with meals ranging from tamales (see "Hot-to-Trot Tamales") to sushi (see "Simple, Party-Starting Sushi Rolls, With Taichi Kitamura"). Additional content and recipes can be found at ChefSteps.com, though much of the website content is only available with a paid subscription. [DS]

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Researchers and historians may be particularly fond of the Canadian National Digital Heritage Index (CNDHI), a catalog of media from Canada's university and library systems. Sponsored by Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, the resource includes more than 1,500 materials from a range of sources (such as provincial and territorial libraries, universities, and archives). The collection might feel overwhelming at first, but the site's easy-to-use search filters allow users to sift and sort. For example, results can be narrowed by media type (e.g. publication or manuscript), language (English or French), keyword, or collection. When browsing the materials, visitors will notice that items are tagged with keywords (e.g. "education" or "transportation") and list a brief synopsis. See a material of interest? Click the "Details" button in the lower right corner of that item's search listing to pull up its CNDHI record and a collection URL (where the item is housed). Additions to CNDHI are ongoing, and visitors can suggest additions to the compilation of resources via the "new collection form" link at the top of the site. Prior to doing so, you may want to read the FAQ section (also linked at the top of the site) to ensure the suggested material complies with collection criteria. [EMB]

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As the title suggests, On the Brink (a series of short films) invites its audience to "get to know some of Earth's most incredible and threatened species - before it's too late." Each episode highlights a different creature, and though most episodes are just over a minute in length, they are packed with information (including each animal's unique attributes and threats). Video footage may make you smile (check out the clouded leopard cubs featured in "These Playful Leopard Cubs Are A Rare Sight In The Wild") and squirm (arachnophobes should avoid the red-kneed tarantula in "A Hairy Situation: This Tarantula Is No Pet"). Quick and quick-witted, the full 71 episodes take under two hours to binge. Along the way, you will discover snakes, sloths, seahorses, and superior strength. Which bird is strong enough to break a human arm with its talon? Watch and find out! On the Brink is one of many series produced by Great Big Story, an award-winning cinematic platform dedicated to telling global stories surrounding "travel, food, culture, and more," since it was founded in 2015. [EMB]

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Fewer than 7,000 snow leopards are alive today. The world has fewer than 2,000 Yangtze Finless Porpoises. Only 60 Javan Rhinos remain. These statistics from Animal Planet's Endangered Species section are jarring, but not without hope. For each of the more than 40 species listed, the site curates a How You Can Help section, inviting action in a variety of forms, from supporting conservation organizations to educating yourself on reducing threats and harm to species. The site also provides general education on endangered species. Clicking on an animal of interest from the list, readers will locate information such as the animal's scientific name and endangered status, as well as video footage and related news stories. Many of the profiles also link to additional endangered species lists, including the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, where readers can learn even more about animals facing threats and how they can help. Launched in 1996, Animal Planet is a television network aptly named for its coverage of animals and wildlife. [EMB]

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Equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking, Species in Pieces is an interactive exhibition that showcases some of the world's "most interesting but unfortunately endangered species." Launched with the goal of informing and inspiring action on genetic diversity, the resource uses creative CSS formatting to display 30 fragmented pieces that represent and come together to visually form 30 species, symbolic of a "common struggle for survival." Clicking the "All Pieces" button in the top left corner of the site leads visitors to a rotating ring of all 30 animals included in the exhibit. Visitors may self-select a species to investigate or click the "Select a piece randomly" button, which surprises users with an automated pick. For each creature exhibited, ranging from red pandas (number 21) to knysna seahorses (number 9), visitors will find background information on that animal's statistics, video footage, information on the unique threats it faces, and additional resources by clicking the "What's the Threat?" button on the right side of the site. Visitors can also choose to "cycle through" the complete list of 30 species using the middle button on the left side. Designer and coder Bryan James created the site in 2015. To learn more about James's inspiration and research, click the "Causes and Sources" link at the bottom of the webpage. [EMB]

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Welcome to the World Wildlife Fund's Wild Classroom, where you will find a Lesson Library of toolkits and resources that bring conservation ideology and the natural world to your learning space (even if it is remote). Toolkits are curated by theme, such as a specific animal (e.g. elephant or dolphin) or more general topic (e.g. biodiversity or food waste). Kits include teaching guides and comprehensive activities that span multiple subject areas, from STEM to art. Readers should note they will need to create a free account to access many of the materials. Additionally, in response to school closures, the site launched a "day-by-day activity plan to help keep kids learning, thinking, and having fun," (and to provide a respite for caregivers, too). These Wild Classroom Daily Activity Plans (accessible by clicking the link in the Weekly Activities Plans to Do at Home box near the top of the page) include articles, activities, games, and videos designed for "higher elementary to middle school grade levels." The Conservation in the Classroom section of the Educational Resources page also highlights livestream events and related tools of interest to educators. Looking for more information about the World Wildlife Fund? The site in its entirety has a wealth of resources related to their mission to "develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities [and] wildlife." [EMB]

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Do you have a wildlife conservation idea but feel unsure of how to turn it into a reality? Projects for Wildlife may provide the guidance you seek. Hosted by Alicia Amerson, a marine biologist, entrepreneur, and animal aficionado, the podcast takes listeners "around the world to talk with conservation project leaders," inviting audiences to learn about these projects and the processes that brought such projects into existence. With approximately 75 episodes released as of this write-up, the show has featured a variety of guests, including animal sanctuary executives and wildlife photographers. The show also includes some "solo episodes," where Amerson provides "seeds of advice to shape your experiences and values into a vision ... [to] help you realize your biggest environmental goals." Want a more immersive experience? The In the Field page features upcoming events and opportunities that may be of interest. Or, perhaps you have a "wildlife project story," of your own to share. Click on the Pitch a Story tab to make your case! Projects for Wildlife is available to stream at the link above and on most popular streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play, to name a few). [EMB]

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OpenElement is a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) web authoring platform. It presents an interface similar to desktop publishing platforms such as Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher. Using modern web standards (e.g. HTML5 and CSS3), OpenElement generates responsive, mobile-friendly sites that work consistently across all major browsers. If necessary, users can edit the generated HTML and CSS directly to fine-tune and customize the look of their generated pages. OpenElement includes a local web server and embedded copy of PHP for working and locally testing dynamically generated websites. On the OpenElement Wiki, visitors will find detailed usage documentation and video tutorials. OpenElement is available for Windows computers. [CRH]

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Joplin is a note taking and to-do list application similar to Evernote. It is designed to handle large numbers of notes organized into notebooks. Notes are stored in Markdown format and can be modified using either Joplin itself or with the text editor of your choice. Similarly, all of Joplin's metadata is stored in plain text formats that can be easily inspected and modified with standard text editing tools. Joplin is able to import Evernote's .enex export files. The application also supports synchronizing notebooks across devices, using a number of cloud services including: Nextcloud, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Joplin is available for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Joplin is free software, distributed under the MIT license, with source code available via GitHub. [CRH]

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Endangered species are not confined to the animal kingdom, as the BitList of Digitally Endangered Species reminds us. Since its feature in the 12-07-2018 Scout Report, the resource's Digital Preservation Coalition has released a second edition, "The BitList 2019."

Have you ever wondered about the life expectancy of various forms of digital media? The Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) curates a list of digitally endangered species, which is reviewed on an annual basis and is made public via this website. The BitList Jury, which is composed of members from the "worldwide digital preservation community," assesses digital materials and formats of concern and includes their findings in varying categories listed here. The most recent revision was completed in November 2019. At the page linked above, readers can download the full report or browse summaries of its findings. Risk classifications are broken down into lower risk (currently containing no digital materials), vulnerable (cloud storage and published research papers, to name a few), endangered (for example, "digital materials in museums and galleries,"), critically endangered (look out for Adobe Flash and Family Records), and practically extinct (pre-WWW data and bulletin board services makes the list for the second year in a row). There is also a category for digital materials of concern that the BitList Jury will review in the future. Each risk classification category includes examples of the concerned digital media and reasoning for being concerned. For more detailed information about each of these risk classifications, readers should peruse the detailed BitList report mentioned previously. Readers wishing to delve further into digital preservation (particularly if concerned about their organization's current digital preservation plan) should check out the materials listed on the Knowledge Base page of the DPC's full website.

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