The Other View

A Tool for Learning

By Michael Atcheson

After speaking to Marty Melarky of ‘The Nerve Centre’ Londonderry/Derry about their new educational CD-Rom which Marty explains as "explaining the rich variety of symbols through which Unionist and Nationalists express their culture and identity today", I was eager to obtain a copy.

On installing the CD-Rom the user is introduced to a crossroads with two signposts – one pointing to ‘The Somme’ and the other pointing to ‘The Easter Rising’. Haunting music accompanies this visual experience. If the user moves the cursor to either side ghost figures appear honouring fallen comrades. It is strange to see this visual experience; it certainly brings home to me the respect both sides have for their dead. It is true when they say that, "one man’s enemy is another man’s hero". It is also bizarre to think that out of both of these episodes in our history, that on Irish soil these men were enemies but in the Fields of France they were comrades.

It is time for the user to choose the direction, which he/she wishes to follow. A simple click on either signpost takes the user into the symbols menu, which is the same for both subjects, battles, Icons, memory and identity. Once into any selection an easy to use menu gives the user access into several categories, which are complimented with both visual archive material and audio comments from well-known public figures, politicians and historians.

I have only spent a short time at the crossroads of these two important events in our history and I am certainly learning as I journey in my direction. There is a wealth of information within the CD-Rom, even debates, which are relevant today, such as the ‘Flags issue’. The team from the Nerve Centre have not only designed the CD-Rom in such a way that it is easier for the user to navigate through all the material thereby importantly gaining full access to all the information. They have also treated with equality and respect the culture and identity of both our communities in relation to both of these historical events. Enjoy the journey!

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