Embedded Files
This page covers:
- Pre-requisites for using Omeka
- The difference between Omeka.org and Omeka.net
- Registering for an account
- Creating a site and managing your dashboard
- Omeka Key Terms
1. Before diving in...
You will need to have a laptop or computer, a stable internet connection, and a basic level of familiarity with using the web. Thanks to Omeka's friendly user interface, you don't need any serious technical chops to get started. If you don't know anything about metadata, make sure you don't miss this site's guide to Dublin Core.
2. Which version of Omeka should I use?
You may have noticed that there are two Omeka sites: 'Omeka.org' and 'Omeka.net'. The first version is for users who have access to a private server from which they can host their own content. This version allows for the greatest level of customization and is often used by institutions such as universities and archives. The second version allows users to host content on Omeka's server, but offers limited customization and storage depending on which plan the user chooses. Omeka.net offers five plans. The screenshot below gives you an idea of the advantages and costs of each plan. This tutorial will demonstrate how to get started in Omeka with a free Basic plan:
3. Register for an account:
If you would like to follow along with this tutorial step-by-step, go ahead and register for a free omeka.net account after selecting the free Basic plan on this page: https://www.omeka.net/signup. Nothing special is required to register -- just a username, password, and a valid e-mail address.
4. Create your site and navigate to your dashboard:
The dashboard is your home base for uploading and making edits to your content. After you register, your dashboard will look rather bare. This is because you have yet to create a site. Whether you know the actual subject of the site you want to create, or you just want to experiment, go ahead and click "Add a Site" on the right. Don't worry about a practice site taking up space on your account: you can delete sites at any time.
Your dashboard will now list the site you created. Click "Manage Site" to see what the Omeka dashboard really looks like.
Your dashboard won't look identical to mine, but take note of the navigation at both the top and left-hand side of the page. The top navigation allows you to apply site-wide changes. At this point you may be inclined to decide the appearance of your site. Click "Appearance" and choose one of the four free templates Omeka.net provides for the Basic plan.
The navigation on the left allows you to upload items, create collections, view item types, and tags. This is also where any plugins you've activated will show up. Because I've already installed the "Exhibits" plugin, it appears at the bottom of the menu.
5. Omeka Key Terms
Before doing anything else in Omeka, it's important to understand a few terms that will appear in this tutorial and throughout your Omeka experience:
Item: A digital record of a piece of content. An item can be anything: a photograph, a work of art, a letter, a person, etc.
Collection: Items that are grouped together, typically by theme. Your Omeka site can have multiple collections, but an individual item can only belong to one collection at a time
Exhibit: A “tour” of a group of items organized thematically. Omeka allows for you to create multiple exhibits, and items can belong to multiple exhibits.
Item Type: An item can be many different things, like a photograph, a website, a book, or a person. An “item type” is the kind of thing the item is – still image, audio recording. You can choose from a built-in list of item types, or you can create your own.
Plugin: An “add-on” or “extension” that provides more functionality or customization to your Omeka site. A few Plugins new users will find helpful include Exhibit Builder, CSV Import, and Simple Pages. Browse free plugins by clicking "Plugins" in your top navigation.
Metadata: Basically, data about data. Omeka utilizes descriptive metadata about items and collections to enhance discoverability. By filling out several fields that ask for information about your sites’ items, you’re providing metadata.
Dublin Core: The schema Omeka uses to define and organize metadata terms. There are 15 classic metadata terms that you will encounter when asked to describe your item. For more information about Dublin Core and how to properly fill out these fields, see the section, “Understanding Dublin Core” on the “Creating Items and Collections” page.
Tags: Keywords you would use to describe the item or collection which will not only help users find your content, but also give you a birds eye view of the subjects and themes of your collections.
Report abuse