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This Dan Cohen blog discusses the weird relationship between the databases purchased by organizations and libraries and how they are utilized in the academic world. Many of these purchases are unwarranted. These buyers are over buying accumulating multiple software programs for more than one 'category". The main problem discussed is that since the buyer is not the user, ignored functional issues arise.

This article explains New York Public Library's project called "What's on the Menu?" This database is created for users across the nation, so easily accessible that no application needs to be downloaded and can be used with a simple click of a button titled "transcribe" on their website.Over 865,660 dishes and 13,440 menus have been transcribed for free access. Already within a year more than three million page views have been recorded. Its use is more than handy for culinary students, but those studying graphic design, history, and health issues.

Peter Gatkouth an immigration specialist working with the work relief in high point North Carolina helps legal immigrants stay connected with their families. This particular project was sponsored by the Wake Forest University and funded in part by the Humanities council. The Humanities council uses digital material to encourage a new approach to understanding of immigration, with a renewed focus on the lives and experiences of those who are already here. The site includes an interactive world map, which gives a geographic lens to the issue of immigration. It also incorporates a crowd sourcing component where users can upload their own content, their own stories of movement and migration.