Digital lives : oral histories, community building, and experimental multimedia

The increasing use of digital media means that oral histories are now reaching far greater audiences. In fact the oral history field has come to be a central focus for digital history researchers. This is because oral histories lend themselves to digital forms of delivery much more readily than text-based representations of history. This article reflects on how oral history is being transformed in the digital domain and presents a research-in-progress report on two major Australian oral history projects. Both include the production of experimental multimedia works. The discussion deals with practical issues including collaboration, funding, design, user interface, navigation, narrative frameworks, and public access. Multimedia has the capacity to change the concept of history in the public imagination to something that is accessible, multiple, variable, infinitely open to renewal, and above all, something that any individuals in the community can contribute to through their personal stories