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Research inthe Internet Age
James D. Best
Author ofTempest at Dawn, The Shopkeeper, Leadville, The Shut Mouth Society, Murder at Thumb Butte & The Digital Organization
Finding The Past
2010
A wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.
Does it help or harm?
Research in the Internet Age
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Started writing fiction in 1998 Previously wrote non-fiction The Digital Organization Magazine columns Journal articles First novel written Tempest at Dawn Last novel published Tempest at Dawn
A Little Background
2010Wiley, 1997Decision in Philadelphia by Christopher CollierThe Great Rehearsal by Carl Clinton Van Doren
Working on a non-fiction book on the Founding PrinciplesHistorical Novels
2010
Tempest at Dawn Twelve year project Novelization of Constitutional Convention Inside ChamberTrue to Madisons notes Outside Chambermany events historical or based on circumstantial evidence Accurate character presentation Alternating Points of View
Dramatizing The Founding
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Turn of the century Read well over 100 books Constitutional Convention Biographies Lifestyle & Philadelphia Marked up books, then transcribed Built elaborate timelineResearching Tempest at Dawn
The Old Fashioned Way
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Downloaded source documents Madisons notes Drafts of constitution Federalist Papers, Anti Federalist Papers Locke and others No fact checking on the Internet Used Computer-based Encyclopedia Thesaurus DictionaryResearching Tempest at Dawn
Stuff From The Internet
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Historical Novels Non-Fiction Blog Contributor What Would the Founders Think?
Working in the Twenty-First Century
Finding the Past
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Source for Facts Hit & Miss Do I Trust the Source? Multiple Sites Not Meaningful Fact Checking Good Good Source for Names & Dates Great for Finding Reliable Primary Source Great for Coverage of Recent PastCornucopia or Avalanche?
Finding the Past
The Internet is the world's largest library. It's just that all the books are on the floor.John Allen Paulos
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Gouverneur Morris had one leg. He lost it in a carriage accident, but told everyone he lost it jumping from a ladys balcony. Wikipedia had it backwards.Finding the Past
Wikipedia
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Always Connected Use the Internet as First Source Historical Novels Plot Elements Historical Color & Details Fact Checking Non-Fiction Used to Find Primary Source Blogging Fact Checking? Article IdeasFinding the Past
My Work Habits Today
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Examples of Internet Research
Needed a Major Plot ElementProblem: a technology with huge potential in mining.
Year: 1880 Considered: lumber, security, transport, tools, supplies, lodging, entertainment, etc. 4-5 Hours on Internet to find solutionWe've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true. Robert Wilensky
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Examples of Internet Research
Thomas Edison demonstrated the light bulb in October 1879
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Examples of Internet Research
Historical Color and Detail Prescott in 1880 A.T. Cross stylographic pen & propel-repel mechanical pencil Lees Ferry Major John Wesley Powells journal Morris Goldwater & Goldwater Store Wickenburg Steamer TrunksSaratoga
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Examples of Internet Research
Fact Checkingin Mere Minutes Presidential appointment of Frmont Courthouse in 1880 Publication date for Roughing It by Mark Twain Value of Double Eagle Passenger list for Mayflower Correct name for game of jacksjackstones Name of Prescott newspaper in 1880 William Page, NYC artist in 1860s Owner of Palace Saloon in PrescottCould not verify Dr. Holliday & Virgil Earp in Prescott Spring of 1880Could not find physical description of Virgil Earp
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Finding the Past
The greatest research tool invented in last few years in not part of the Internet.Information on the Internet is subject to the same rules and regulations as conversation at a bar. George Lundberg
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
Finding the Past
Archive newspaper articlesSearchHighlightCommentsEmail drafts to coauthorsPublic domain books cheapeBook readersBest of all: I dont have to get out of my chair
2010Madison notes: over 230,000 words
The Internet is just a world passing around notes in a classroom. Jon Stewart Finding the Past
2010Thank You
2010