Some of your questions answered...

What is The Primary Source?

The Primary Source is an online magazine for researchers in the humanities and the social sciences. We aim to keep the research community informed of developments in our cultural repositories - archives, libraries and museums.

As well as providing a wealth of practical information, The Primary Source will investigate some fundamental questions relating to the documentation of Australian culture, encouraging researchers and cultural heritage professionals to discuss their shared concerns.

This is a magazine for anyone who likes to explore, who is prepared to get their hands dirty digging through layers of evidence - anyone who seeks the understanding that comes through pursuit of the primary source.

How often is it published?

Unlike conventional magazines, The Primary Source will not have dated issues or editions. Articles will be continually added as they come to hand.

As new articles are added, some will be retired to the archive. Others, such as reviews of WWW resources, will be regularly updated. Overall, the aim is to create something that provides current information, but which also evolves into a comprehensive research resource in its own right.

How will I know when there are new articles?

To help you keep track of changes, you'll notice that there is an UPDATED stamp at the top of the front page:


This will give you a quick indication as to whether there is anything new (you might want to hit "reload" on your browser to make sure you're not looking at an old, cached version). Similarly, each of the sections will be date stamped, and a list of the most recent additions will appear on the front page. If you want to be absolutely sure, you can also browse our Editors' Log which will list every addition or change chronologically.

Eventually, we will also offer a search facility that will allow you to view a list of articles added within any specified date range.

How do I find my way around?

You'll find all the navigation tools you need at the top of every page. The blue "Browse Bar" provides shortcuts to the main sections of Primary Source.

You'll notice that the Bar changes slightly as you move around the site, giving you an indication of where you are.

If you're lost, confused, or just can't find the information that you're after, then you might want to use the "Help" or "Navigation" buttons in the top right-hand corner of every page:

The HELP button will bring you back to this page.

The NAVIGATION button takes you to a page providing search and index facilities.

How can I contribute articles or comments to Primary Source?

Easy! Just send them to us at the address that appears on the bottom of every page. All contributions are welcome. If you have an idea for a story, feel free to contact us to discuss it.

Who publishes Primary Source?

Primary Source is published by discontents - purveyors of fine ideas. We currently receive no funding or sponsorship of any kind, and pay all the web-hosting and associated costs. Primary Source is our contribution to the overstrained and undervalued humanities. We may introduce some form of voluntary subscription in the future, however, the content will always remain free and open to all. If you want to help out, you can send us articles, or you might want to contract discontents for some web design, research or writing. Yep, we're for hire.
>>At home with discontents

Who are the Editors?

Tim Sherratt has been inhabiting the no-man's-land between archives and their public for many years, both as a historian, and as part of the Australian Science Archives Project. He has been particularly interested in using the WWW to improve access to archival information - leading to the creation of resources such as Bright Sparcs (which provides biographical and archival information on over 3,000 Australian scientists) and the WWW version of the Directory of Archives in Australia. Now working as a freelance historian and WWW consultant, Tim has created The Primary Source to eat up all his remaining spare time (oh yes... and to help researchers find their way around Australia's archival riches).
>>Tim's bio page

Anne-Marie Condé is a historian in the Historical Research Section of the Australian War Memorial. Anne-Marie has used, explored and documented our cultural collections as researcher, archivist, interpreter and curator. Currently completing her PhD in history, Anne-Marie is all too aware of both the excitement and frustration that comes when you venture into the realm of the primary source.

Please send us your contributions, or your comments!