This post is an example of how administrative-related questions might be directed towards Voyant, the “web-based reading and analysis environment for digital texts” co-developed by Stéfan Sinclair & Geoffrey Rockwell.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive history of Voyant or a critique of its creators or users. Instead, this example is provided to show how applying specific questions about administrative aspects of the tool can provide users with a more detailed understanding of it. All of the below information was gathered using basic web searches.
Costs:
• open-source
• code available on GitHub
• free to use
Funding:
• seems to have been largely funded by SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) grants.
Data collection:
• gathers data about tool use and parameters, users’ IP addresses
• uses Google Analytics (the Voyant “About” section suggest that users “see Google’s Privacy Policy and the Log Information section in particular,” but that section is no longer included in the Google Privacy Policy linked)
• retains the texts submitted (can request removal):
“Please note that texts submitted to Voyant Tools are stored in order to allow persistent access during a work session and between work sessions.”
Expectations/commitments:
• “About” page suggest that users cite Voyant.
Versions:
Originated from Stéfan Sinclair’s HyperPo; other precursors and versions include Taporware, TACT, Voyeur, and Voyant 1.0, Voyant 2.0, and Voyant 2.1. The current version (June 2023) is Voyant 2.2.
Discussion:
Voyant users might be interested to know that information such as IP addresses and settings are gathered and that the texts they submit are retained (though texts can be removed by request). There is some uncertainty about what data Google Analytics gathers through Voyant.
