About the Project

Non-profit orientation. The authors, who have produced the Students' Guide to Italian Renaissance Architecture at their own expense, plan to make it available on the Internet as a free download after it has been vetted and the conversion to HTML has been completed.

Origin of the project. The project originated with classroom efforts to improve student understanding and stimulate interest by creating pictorial explanations of information about architecture. Computerization made it possible to create a complete cultural context in which all references are explained by hypertext links. The resulting work combines qualities of both a chronological survey and a series of reference books.

Authors. This ebook was developed over the past decade through a collaboration between an art historian, Margaret Herke, and a computer programmer, John Herke, who are married to each other. Margaret studied in the interrelated Humanities program at Florida State University, where she completed an M.A. and the course work for an art history centered Ph.D. She taught art history and humanities at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (Residential-College program) and the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

Compatibility. Currently, the program is only compatible with Microsoft Windows (v3.1 and above), but conversion to HTML, which will run on almost all browsers, has begun.

Present delivery format. The current ebook format can be run directly from a single DVD or installed on the hard drive from two CDs. The program, which now contains roughly 5000 images and over 300,000 words, will take up 1.2 GB. of space. A full "uninstall" is provided. Remember, this version is compatible with a Microsoft Windows Operating System that supports 16bit executables ONLY.

Future format. The target for the next release of this ebook is a modern cross-platform, browser-independent version of HTML. The conversion is based on the standard defined by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as "HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0". This standard will allow compliant browsers to display the ebook properly. Delivery will be the same as the present delivery format of DVD or CD-ROMs.

Specialists wanted. We are seeking specialists to consult on this project. To receive a pre-release version of the ebook to determine if you are interested, send your name, postal address, and media preference (one DVD or two CD-ROMs) to this address.

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