# Tags #OAN #RogueHistory/Notes #Tutorials --- >[!danger] Under Construction > This page is under construction and is incomplete. Completed material has been published to help you navigate the site as it evolves. Please excuse any grammatical and navigational inconsistencies or technical issues as I think through how provide tutorials on the sites functionality. --- # What is a Digital Open Access Notebook? An open access notebook (OAN) is a digital repository, for this case, a collection of plain text files (.txt or .md), freely available and accessible to anyone. The OAN is inspired by Dr. Caleb McDaniel *Open Notebook History* (2013). My intention is to explore the scholarly possibilities of a OAN's functionality to engage a broader audience. The OAN utilizes the proprietary software [Obsidian.md](https://obsidian.md/) to create and publish all research related to this dissertation. Though ObsidianMD is a closed-source proprietary software, it does promote community-based plugin development, allowing for a highly customizable and extensible program for your research and note taking needs. The goal is to shine light on what McDaniel calls [[Dark Data]] - "a black hole's worth of historical [research]" (2013) often unseen when a final academic product is published. This OAN is a small step toward research transparency and openness to promote generous and collaborative thinking in East Roman Studies and the public. # Navigating Rogue History Notes Rogue History Notes (RHN) operates through Obsidian Publish. RHN does not have the same functionality as Obsidian.md due to the community driven plugin development that can interfere with backend coding of the software and my limited coding experience. However, the core functions and principles are present. Linking notes via tags and [[Wiki]] links. Navigating the site can be performed in various manners depending on what [[Dark Data]] you are seeking. --- # How To Engage With The Site. ### Hypothes.is Does an idea in a note inspire you, or do you disagree with an observation? Would you like to contribute or make comments and suggestions to my notes? I suggest using Hypothes.is, a free and simple-to-install web browser plug-in that allows you to annotate web pages and collaborate with individuals around the world. Click here [[hypothes.is]] to learn more. --- ### Landing Page The landing page is where you first enter the site. The below image, which you will be somewhat familiar with since you had to navigate it to end up here, is broken into four sections running clockwise. The first section indicated by the blue square and number 1 is the central body of the page. The green number 2 is the interactive graph view; Orange number 3 is the table of contents for what is being displayed in the body, i.e., number 1; and red number 4 is the site directory where the entire OAN can be searched or navigated. ![[RHN Landing Page.png]] --- #### 1. Body In the main body you will see the title of a note, tags, central text and related notes. Quotes or important tidbits of information will be highlighted in a [callout](https://help.obsidian.md/Editing+and+formatting/Callouts) that vary in colour and image based on their function. The body can have images, videos and other features embedded into a note. For example, I am using [iframe HTML element](https://www.w3schools.com/tags/tag_iframe.ASP) to embed the below video of Overtime with Bill Mahr on Roman History into this note. See [[Maher 2024]] for note on video. <iframe width="560" height="315" style="display: flex; justify-content: center;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q44Y2jJMQks?si=PZRuc220cKPdsJkZ&amp;start=515" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> The template which is followed for notes is what I call [[zettel note]]. This derives from the concept of the [[zettelkasten system]] or slipbox. In short, a zettel note contains a singular idea that is attributed with a numerical [[identifier]] However, for the OAN, I am using named identifiers for a more user-friendly searchable database, as a numerical system is for a single user rather than a large public. On how to search notes, see number four, Site Directory. --- #### 2. Interactive Graph The interactive graph is a visualization tool that presents a visual representation of linked notes through nodes (dots representing notes) and edges (lines connecting linked notes) locally and globally. The local interactive graph, found in the upper right corner, refers to the note currently accessed and all notes associated with it. A global visualization shows all the notes within the OAN vault and how all these notes are linked together. You can zoom in and out in both local and global views. The benefit of the graph view is for visualizing how nows are cluster together based on their connections. The goal is to provide a function that allows colour coding "Groups" based on tags or other predetermined parameters. This is in my planned Road Map for the site but is not in active development. Furthermore, both local and global graph views are interactive. Simply zoom in on a node, hover your cursor on the node you wish to select (it will highlight) and then click. The selected note will appear in the main body of the OAN and the interactive graph will reset based on the links to the current note. >[!contact] Local Graph View >![[Local Graph.png#center|300]] >[!contact] Global Graph View > ![[Global Graph.png#center|600]] --- #### 3. On This Page This section, simply, is your table of contents for the main body/note displayed. Each header of a note appears on the right side as a hyper-linked element that can be used to navigate the page. Click on the element that you wish to read and the page will navigate to the parallel header. This is helpful for notes/pages that can be extensive. --- #### 4. Site Directory A table of contents for the entire site and operates in a similar manner as the "On This Page" section. The difference is the directory contains all folders and files contained on the site and when a file is selected, the page will populate in the body of the site. --- ### Links At the bottom of each note, just below the citation section, you will see the header **Related Links**. This section is where you will find related notes linked to the current note using a [[Wiki]] link; Hover your cursor over the wiki and the linked note will appear. Click on the link and you will be redirected to the page. >[!contact] Related Links > ![[RelatedLinks.png#center|500]] --- ### Tags #### 1. What is a TAG? A tag is a type of label, marker or identifier. For the OAN, using the # followed by an [identifier] creates an internal link/[[metadata]] for a note. Tags are used in two ways. The first is for linking notes, while the second is for in-text citations. Some tags will be a simple #[identifier], #OAN, while others will use a sub-tag; #Byzantine/Coins as demonstrated in the below image. These sub-tags allow for a more micro-metadata approach to notes. The first identifier *Byzantine* identifies the overarching theme while the second, *Coins*, provides a more specific category under the main theme. #### 2. Tags for Linking Notes Tags are not a completely objective identifier when attached to a note, but their ability to connect notes ambivalently is somewhat objective. Thus, I am applying tags in the OAN as an pseudo-objective method to connect notes. At the top of each note you will see the header TAGS with the notes associated tags below. When you click on a tag a window will pop up with all the notes with the same tag. Click on any of the notes listed and that note will be populated. >[!contact] TAGS Window ![[Tag Links.png#center|700]] #### 3. Tags for in-text Citations I will use in-text citations for the majority of the OAN unless otherwise specified. As with all citations, the objective for in-text citations is to credit where an idea, thought, or quote originated. Using a tag will allow the user to click on the tag and see all notes associated with the author cited. In this example, #Dean/2018 , *Dean* is the author's last name and *2018* is the year of publication. If a page number is needed, it will follow the tag with (12). >[!contact] In-Text Citations > ![[CitationTags.png#center|500]] --- ### Footnotes --- >[!Bug] BUGS/Technical Issues > Bugs are everywhere. They find their way into all sorts of nooks and crannies - even digital spaces. That is to say, digital things break, shutdown, and operate in weird and wacky ways from time to time. If you encounter a bug in the operation of the site, glitches in the OAN, or just general UI/UX issues please email me at scottcoleman AT cmail DOT carleton DOT ca ([email protected]). I will do my best to promptly reply and correct the issue. #### Creative Commons [Rogue History Notes](https://publish.obsidian.md/roguenotes/Rogue+History+Notes) © 2025 by [Scott Coleman](https://www.roguehistory.ca/about-rogue-history) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)  ![[CCBYNC.png]]