Modernizing the Documentation of Historical Weapons Collections

dana_w · 23rd December 2024, 04:55 PM

Here is an example of using Claude AI to help create a Sword Resource Template, built upon my earlier Dagger Resource Template. This work would clearly benefit from having a group of knowledgeable contributors.

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Name: Screenshot 2024-12-23 105102.jpg
Views: 3211
Size: 84.0 KB

DaveA · 22nd September 2025, 10:52 PM

Dana,

Thanks for including the machine readable format. You sound like an expert in semantic data systems. Surely you must know of an eager grad student who will take the task further? It’s worth at least a Master’s to get a published ontology. (IMHO). I’m qualified and will gladly serve on their committee

Dave A.

werecow · 22nd September 2025, 11:05 PM

It would be good to include full sword dynamics info a la Vincent Le Chevalier where possible. A bit laborious to compute and not always possible but provides a lot of interesting information.

Also, the components of the sword can of course be sourced from different times and/or places; i.e. you might find an 18th c Solingen blade on a 19th c Aceh peudeueng.

Also, document any cleaning, repairs, or damage.

dana_w · 22nd September 2025, 11:34 PM

Hi DaveA,

I've just had a look at your https://atkinson-swords.com/ website. My current site is https://weaponscollector.com/.

I have a prototype Omeka S site, but I'm not ready to share it publicly yet. I'll try sending you a private message.

Omeka S seems like a much better platform to go forward with than Omeka Classic, but it requires a level of familiarity with the Dublin Core that few "muggles" have. I've yet to find an eager grad student to help, but I'm looking.

I hope to get back to developing the new website soon and will keep your requirements in mind.

Best regards,
Dana

DaveA · 24th September 2025, 05:56 PM

Thanks very much. I'm interested in helping out with the ontology. There is a huge treasure trove of expertise here in the forum and especially in the archives. The quality of semantic classification of edged weapons on Wikipedia is spotty, but there are some good resources on specialized topics. I've discovered that using Wikipedia in other languages is especially useful for weapons that exist within the cultural environment of that language, e.g., Javanese. Google translate is fairly helpful in this regard.

I'm investigating tools such as Protege to help build the OWL ontology.

Dave A

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana_w

Hi DaveA,

I've just had a look at your https://atkinson-swords.com/ website. My current site is https://weaponscollector.com/.

I have a prototype Omeka S site, but I'm not ready to share it publicly yet. I'll try sending you a private message.

Omeka S seems like a much better platform to go forward with than Omeka Classic, but it requires a level of familiarity with the Dublin Core that few "muggles" have. I've yet to find an eager grad student to help, but I'm looking.

I hope to get back to developing the new website soon and will keep your requirements in mind.

Best regards,
Dana

22nd September 2025, 10:52 PM	#2
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 432	Terrific! Now who else can help? Dana, Thanks for including the machine readable format. You sound like an expert in semantic data systems. Surely you must know of an eager grad student who will take the task further? It’s worth at least a Master’s to get a published ontology. (IMHO). I’m qualified and will gladly serve on their committee Dave A.

23rd December 2024, 04:55 PM	#1
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 437	Here is an example of using Claude AI to help create a Sword Resource Template, built upon my earlier Dagger Resource Template. This work would clearly benefit from having a group of knowledgeable contributors.

22nd September 2025, 11:05 PM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 617	It would be good to include full sword dynamics info a la Vincent Le Chevalier where possible. A bit laborious to compute and not always possible but provides a lot of interesting information. Also, the components of the sword can of course be sourced from different times and/or places; i.e. you might find an 18th c Solingen blade on a 19th c Aceh peudeueng. Also, document any cleaning, repairs, or damage.

22nd September 2025, 11:34 PM	#4
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 437	Hi DaveA, I've just had a look at your https://atkinson-swords.com/ website. My current site is https://weaponscollector.com/. I have a prototype Omeka S site, but I'm not ready to share it publicly yet. I'll try sending you a private message. Omeka S seems like a much better platform to go forward with than Omeka Classic, but it requires a level of familiarity with the Dublin Core that few "muggles" have. I've yet to find an eager grad student to help, but I'm looking. I hope to get back to developing the new website soon and will keep your requirements in mind. Best regards, Dana