Mukurtu is advertised as a “user-friendly” program for both the tech specialists among us as well as members of local communities (or rather, the general public). Used nationally and internationally, it is a program that allows one (or a group of someones) to design and share digital projects, with many functioning as online repositories.
An example of this can be seen in the Huna Heritage Foundation Digital Archives. Their site states: “The HHF Digital Archives is a collecting archives which gathers historical and cultural materials relating to the Xúna Kaawu for the purposes of education and enjoyment of current and future generations.” It functions as a safe space for the preservation of Xúna Kaawu history and culture. Along with preservation, access and education are the other two purposes of this digital archive.
The site itself is easy to use, with a clean design. There are tabs at the top of the main page that can direct the site user to browse their collections, examine the different categories of information and materials on the site, as well as a list of the collections available on the site and a more detailed description about the website.
Scrolling down the main page, one can explore the “Feature Content” section. Below that is a Browse by Category section (which is the same information that is listed in a tab at the top of the main page).
Overall, as a user, it is easy to navigate. As a creator, after exploration of the backend, it seems like utilizing the site might be a complex, and potentially frustrating, experience. However, the program is open to the greater community to use and create, which is definitely a few steps in the right direction.
Amber Sophia 