What is it?
Omeka ( Oh-mehk-ah) is a free, open-source web publishing system for online digital archives. This web-based tool allows users to manage digital exhibits. Omeka can be customized through plugins and themes. The main purpose of Omeka is to display and organize digital images.
Key Features
- Free and open-source
- Download and use the software with no contract or annual fees
- Extensible with plugins and themes
How does it work?
Omeka runs on a Linux web server. See the Omeka website for system requirements. Once the system requirements are met, you can download and install Omeka. There is a six step process to install Omeka. Once installation is completed the user can begin adding items, creating collections and exhibits.
Things to consider
There can be a bit of a learning curve to managing your Omeka installation. While the installation of Omeka is relatively simple, administering an installation. There are tutorials and user forums available to help a user manage their Omeka installation.
Uses as an Instructional Technology
Use Omeka to publish an essay or digital dissertation, share primary source collections, and collaborate with others in the creation of digital scholarship.
Resources at Wooster
If you have questions about Omeka feel free to contact your Instructional Technology liaison.
Omeka Screencasts This link will take to to a page with various tutorial screencasts for different Omeka topics like: “What is Omeka?”, managing items, managing collections, exhibit builder and plugins.
Dublin Core Metadata User Guide This link will take you to a guide to help you document your items’ metadata effectively.
Portions of this article were adapted from the Omeka article found in Wikipedia and from documentation on the Omeka website