Intersect and the State Library of NSW ran the first THATCamp Sydney on 30 – 31 October. Over 50 people attended THATCamp, attendees coming from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle. THATCamp stands for 'The Humanities and Technology Camp'; it focuses on the application of information and communication technology to the practice of research in the humanities.
Discussions at THATCamp Sydney touched on a number of themes of widespread interest. One of these was concerned with what to do with social media, especially that in response historical events, such as commentary on elections. Archiving it presents not only technical challenges, but also questions about ownership and about what to keep and what to discard. Another theme was related to how councils, cultural institutions, and other holders of information of interest to historians, could more effectively deliver these valuable collections.
Another Sydney THATCamp is mooted for six months time.