The new server is being cantankerous, so we’ve decided to continue updating the site on the old server until we can get it to cooperate. We’ll keep you posted as to how things are going, but for now, new material is being added again.
August 25, 2009
August 22, 2009
Why No New Entries?
History Commons hasn’t added a new entry in three days. What gives?
We haven’t all gone on vacation. Instead, we’re in the process of moving the entire site to a new server. Hopefully, the move will save us some much-needed bucks (more of your contributions can go to bettering the site and less to simply hosting it). As with all things of this nature, there have been some holdups getting it up and running, so the site is on “hold” while we solve the problems.
It won’t be long before the site is publishing new and vibrant material. Keep checking back!
July 17, 2009
Conceptual Summary for the History Commons
We’ve written a new conceptual summation for the Commons: you can read it here (there’s also a link in the sidebar).
We welcome your comments and feedback. Thanks.
December 1, 2008
MiniGrants: We Have Winners!
Quite a few of them, actually. Later on, we’ll trumpet the names of the winners (or their monikers at least) in the pages of this blog (EDIT: actually the other blog), but for now we’re e-mailing the applicants personal e-mails to let them know of the final decision.
Again, the quality of applications was beyond outstanding. The committee had its toughest time deciding how best to split the (quite limited) funds to ensure that the most qualified applicants receive a grant, and the most qualified applicants receive substantial amounts equal to the depth and breadth of their proposal. As we should have anticipated, there were a couple of applicants who didn’t make the last and final cut, but should have. We hated to cut them. It was a painful decision.
To everyone who applied: thank you. We are humbled and gratified at the tremendous response.
November 24, 2008
Final Decision on MiniGrants
The final decision for the History Commons mini-grants will be made on or before December 1. We are doing an initial sort of the applicants now. I am not at liberty to say anything specific, but I will note two things:
- The roster of applicants is VERY strong.
- If you feel you ought to submit supplementary sample entries (not generic writing samples) to strengthen your application, then by all means do so NOW. We may ask individual applicants to submit further sample entries as well.
We will inform each applicant as soon as a decision is reached. Thanks for everyone’s patience!
November 16, 2008
MiniGrant Application Deadline
The deadline for the mini-grant applications has now passed. Thanks to everyone who applied. We have some tremendous submissions, and it will take us some time to sort everything out and make some decisions. If you’re waiting to find out whether or not you’ve been approved, just hang loose, we will inform each of you as to the status of your application. Thanks again!
October 23, 2008
Mini-Grants–Apply NOW!
Okay, researchers, writers, and citizen journalists. The History Commons is offering you money on the barrelhead to write for us.
The deadline is November 15. If you’re going to apply, do it now!
You can go to this page for all the information about the History Commons Mini-Grant program. An application for a grant is available here, as is all the technical and legal stuff that you need to know before signing on. But here’s the basics: we are looking to expand our coverage of events and issues beyond what we are currently presenting. We need you to write it up. Simple!
If you’re interested, either fill out the application or post a comment below. We’ll get back to you fast.
It’s not the easiest task in the world–it requires some commitment of time and effort, and a willingness to learn the ropes. But that’s what the money’s for…. We can help you get into the flow, so don’t let the seeming difficulty of submitting entries (style manual, I’m looking at you) daunt you. It’s not as hard as it seems.
You can receive between $800 and $2500 for your hard work and laudable efforts. The deadline for applying is November 15, which by my count is about three weeks from the day I write this, so get on the ball before the deadline comes or the grant money dries up, whichever comes first.
What to write about? Well, we have a long and extensive list on the Mini-Grant page under the heading “New Topics for Investigation,” so go check it out. The headings for the various groups of suggested topics are, in no particular order: Economic Issues, Executive Branch Power, Civil Liberties, The US-led war in Afghanistan and Pakistan, The US-led war in Iraq, The Energy Industry, The Environment, US Electoral Politics, Health and Well-being, US Foreign Policy, and US Domestic Issues. And if you have a burning desire to write about something else that isn’t listed, put in an application or post a comment below, and we’ll consider it.
Step up and go for it!
September 13, 2008
Vote for Redesign Features
We’ve created a simple, multiple-choice poll for you to let us know what you’d like to see in the new site. Just click on the link below to visit the Micropoll site and vote! Multiple-choice means just what it says…you can vote for more than one thing.
Don’t see what you want to vote for? Post a comment and let us know what we didn’t think of.
July 12, 2008
Fundraising Outreach–You Can Help
We’re in line for a $10,000 grant at Ideablob:
Save an Active Grassroots Investigation Project
(that’s us). How can you help? Easy. Click the link, register (it doesn’t take a minute, and you can skip the address and other such info page), and vote for us.
Ideablob seems like a great way for deserving little guys like ourselves (and some of the other worthy proposals) to get some much-needed lucre. After we win 
maybe you can put together a proposal for your own organization or idea.
July 10, 2008
Nieman Watchdog Feature
Wow. I’m still a little overwhelmed. For the last few weeks, I’ve been working with Barry Sussman of the Nieman Watchdog project in preparing an article about the military analysts expose. Yesterday it went live:
Showcase: The History Commons: an online tool for journalists
When I first proposed the article to Barry, I didn’t realize the caliber of people previously showcased. The entire section is here, see for yourself:
