You haven't heard from us in awhile ... but there's a reason.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a totally new version of AwesomeStories. The site is now database-driven, with its own on-site search. Here are just a few of its new features:
SLIDE SHOWS. All links (both internal and external) are now color-coordinated, and every story has a slide show. The slide shows (which are described in the link) provide an entertaining way to see the images, graphics, maps, documents and audio-visual aids which are part of our hosted database.
IMAGES. To date, we have more than 15,000 images in our database. Every one has a title and will soon have a description. (Many have descriptions already.) The images are fully searchable - with their own search engine.
VIDEOS. Many schools block access to YouTube for lots of obvious reasons. Our new site allows viewing of videos without exposing anyone to the reasons why YouTube is blocked. All videos have a title, a description and are fully searchable - with their own search engine. Approximately 600 are already included in the database.
We still link to external videos - from the BBC, National Geographic, the History/Biography Channels, archives, etc. Direct pathways to hundreds of those are provided, in-context, within the stories.
AUDIO-CLIPS. Before television, people were entertained - and heard the news - by means of radio. When President Roosevelt described December 7, 1941 as a "date which will live in infamy," Americans heard him say those words on the radio. During the war, Winston Churchill employed his "psalm-style" delivery during BBC broadcasts. And ... Orson Welles (among others) created radio plays of great novels - such as
Les Miserables. Our plan is to include (and organize) hundreds of freely available broadcasts in our database. Many are already there - and they have their own search engine.
DOCUMENTS. What testimony have various individuals (such as
Jacqueline Kennedy) given to governmental commissions investigating significant events (like the assassination of JFK)? What do famous presidential speeches look like - after the
president has marked-up (or created) the manuscript? What reference books provide helpful background to learn more about stories featured at AwesomeStories?
Examine thousands of documents, books, maps and other such items - or simply search for them with their own search engine.
FEATURED STORIES. On the new site's home page, near the top, you'll see a section called "Featured Stories." If you'd like to see what's new, or featured, click there.
STORY SEARCH. We have developed a powerful, on-site story search. If AwesomeStories contains what you need, you will find it - very quickly.
NEW PASSWORDS. Because the new site uses the latest technology, you need to convert your existing access codes to a new username and password. It won't take long - just follow this link for uninterrupted service.
HAVE YOUR SAY. If you'd like to tell us what you think of the new site - or - have requests for stories, let us know.
WHAT'S COMING. More stories (and three additional, significant expansions) are in the works for this year. Meanwhile ... have fun with all the new features!