Database Instructions

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The "Idea Line" is a diagram of net artworks created over the past six years -- visualizing a "history" of net art in terms of the ideas and concepts the works are based upon. A crucial aspect of the project is the idea of context and visualization of relations/thematic connections between net artworks. The map is a visualization of a database that has been created for this project.

We're appealing to the net art community to help us maintain and nurture our database. We've set up an open page on Quickbase, an online data center, which you can use to add information about yourself and your art.

Important note #1: We have simplified the structure of the database considerably since the first call for participation. In particular, we no longer require that you enter "contexts" for your work. You may do this--and we may use the information at a later date--but currently we do not include context data in the map.

Important note #2: For security reasons, we don't allow the general public to modify records. If you wish to update your information, please e-mail us at idealine@whitney.org with your reuqest.

Here are step-by-step instructions for adding to the database:
[Instructions always make it look complicated but this is a pretty easy process, which you probably would figure out without any help. Nevertheless, PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS WHOLE PAGE in order to avoid possible confusion]



1. Log on to Quickbase.

a. Go to http://www.quickbase.com

b. Click the large button that says "sign in and register".

c. Sign in with "idealine-entry" as username and "netart" as password.

d. Click on the "My Favorites" tab at the upper right.



2. Add yourself to the Artist database.

a. Click on "Artist" in center gray listing table.

b. Click "Artist list, with ID numbers" from menu at left.

(Are you on the list already? If so, skip to Step 3.)

c. If not, click "Add record" in the top gray menu.

d. Enter your information and click the "save" button.



3. Add your artwork to the Artwork database.

a. To return to the main page, click on "My Quickbase" at top right menu.

(You may want to do this in a new browser window, because it's useful to see the artist list later -- you might need the artists' ID#s)

b. Click on "Artwork" in center gray listing table.

c. Click "Artwork list, with ID numbers" from menu at left.

(Is your work on the list? If so, skip to Step 4.)

d. If not, click "Add record" in the top gray menu.

e. For the "artist" fields, use the ID number of the artist from the artist listing.

f. Enter your information (fields are self-explanatory).

g. Click the "save" button. You're done!



Some of you might have a website that functions as a portal to your works (such as potatoland.org). While you can add an entry for the whole site, it would be extremely helpful if you could provide separate entries for all of your works! We realize that this is time-consuming but it would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks very much! We really appreciate your effort and advice!

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