Digital exhibits can be used in many ways and can range in complexity. Some tools (like Scalar) can be used to create complex, in-depth projects like websites or digital book-like content, and others, such as Omeka, can be used to create exhibits similar to what you would see in a physical space, like a gallery or museum. Many of these tools can be found via our Digital Sandbox platform, which hosts short term projects created with these tools.
UCI Libraries’ Digital Sandbox Service is a fully hosted platform that researchers can use to explore specialized software applications for digital projects. The Digital Sandbox is ideal for UCI researchers (including faculty, students and staff) who want to:
Digital Exhibit Software (Free)
Omeka Classic is a digital exhibit platform best used for a single site/exhibit centering around one, central theme or research question. Omeka Classic can be found for free online with limited features, or on the Digital Sandbox (for those with a UCINetID) with full features. Omeka Classic uses the Dublin Core controlled vocabulary for cataloging and tagging data uploaded to it.
Like Omeka Classic, Omeka S is a digital exhibit platform. However, Omeka S is best suited for larger, more complex projects, or projects aiming to share a resource pool across multiple sites or exhibits, such as for use by a class where each student would make a site based on a set of resources shared by an instructor. Omeka S is available for free online or on the Digital Sandbox (for those with a UCINetID). Omeka S implements multiple types of data vocabulary for cataloging and tagging and better facilitates linked data.
"Scalar is a free, open source authoring and publishing platform that’s designed to make it easy for authors to write long-form, born-digital scholarship online. Scalar enables users to assemble media from multiple sources and juxtapose them with their own writing in a variety of ways, with minimal technical expertise required." Scalar is available online and via the Digital Sandbox (for those with a UCINetID).
"Mukurtu is a grassroots project aiming to empower communities to manage, share, narrate, and exchange their digital heritage in culturally relevant and ethically-minded ways." Mukurtu allows for Traditional Knowledge Labels, multiple levels of access (from completely open to restricted), multiple records per item, and exportable metadata. Mukurtu is available for free online.
Google Sites is part of the Google Suite of tools (like Google Docs), that allows users to create a wiki or web page. Google Sites can be public or private, and personal or collaborative. Google Sites is available online, and needs a Google account for access.
"CollectionBuilder is an open source framework for creating digital collection and exhibit websites that are driven by metadata and powered by modern static web technology."
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