Abstract: On July 10, 2024, Alexey Anatolyevich Frolov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, President of the Association "History and Computer", a leading researcher at the Institute of Universal History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a talented scientist and a wonderful person, passed away. His contribution to historical science, in particular in such areas as the source study of Russian history, historical geography and cartography of Russia, as well as historical computer science, is difficult to overestimate. The entire life of the graduate of the Faculty of History of Lomonosov Moscow State University A.A. Frolov was associated with research work in the listed branches of historical science. After graduating from the university, his professional activity began in the Tver region, Torzhok, a significant part of his activities during these years was related to archaeological research.  Within the framework of historical informatics, A.A. Frolov was a unique specialist, combining in his work high qualifications in the field of history with a deep understanding of the essence of information and computer technologies and possession of practical skills in creating databases, Internet sites and digital maps. He raised the issues of creating a repository of historical spatial data and integrating geodata. A.A. Frolov stood at the origins of Russian historical geoinformatics, his contribution to the process of adapting geoinformation systems and technologies for the needs and purposes of historical science is invaluable – ultimately for turning historical geoinformatics into a full-fledged historical research tool. A.A. Frolov actively participated in scientific life, was a regular participant in scientific conferences in Russia and abroad, he is the author of a number of scientific papers that brought him well-deserved fame in the circles of the Russian scientific historical community. In 2022, A.A. Frolov was elected President of the Association "History and Computer", where in a relatively short time he managed to become a leader of the scientific community and earn high prestige not only as a scientist, but also as an organizer of science.

Abstract: The article contains information about the international summer school of young scientists "Historical Informatics – 2024". The school was organized by the Faculty of History of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Association "History and Computer". The purpose of the school is to introduce students to the latest trends in the development of the field of application of information (digital) technologies and methods of Historical Data Science in historical research, to form a modern understanding of data and methods of their processing in the field of historical science. This is the fourth Summer School in a row, which is held annually at the end of June and attracts a lot of attention from scientific youth. The school was attended by students, postgraduates and young scientists representing universities and scientific institutions from Russia and neighboring countries. The School lasts 4 working days. First, a lecture day was held, the next 2 days of classes were held in the format of master classes, during which participants had the opportunity to learn practical skills of working with methods and software. The final day included a plenary session, a conference of students and 2 round tables, then the results of the school's work were summed up. A memorable event of the school was a plenary report by a well-known expert in the field of artificial intelligence, K.V. Vorontsov, dedicated to artificial intelligence technologies in text analysis, information search and socio-humanitarian research, which caused a large number of questions and a lively discussion among the participants. Within the framework of the conference, scientific reports of students on various topics were presented, all of them made a positive impression on the audience, which included many teachers of the school. During the work of the final round table, an express survey was conducted regarding proposals on the topics of the master classes of the next school, in which the largest number of participants spoke in favor of artificial intelligence. The feedback from students received after graduation noted the relevance of the topic and the high scientific level of lectures and master classes.

Abstract: Statistics of the Soviet period in Altai originates from the system of statistical institutions formed before the October Revolution. These are primarily institutions of zemstvo, as well as resettlement statistics. Although Zemstvo statistics were not fully formed, they served as the basis for the creation of Soviet statistical institutions. In general, the education and activities of statistical bodies in Altai in 1917-1925 have not been studied enough. The article examines the formation of the system of state Soviet statistics in the Altai province from 1917 to the beginning of its reorganization in connection with the formation of the Siberian Territory (1925). The process of creating and reforming statistical bodies in the Altai Territory stretched for several years. During this time, much of experience has been accumulated in the practice of statistical accounting and scientific and methodological developments in the field of statistical science, statistical personnel was trained. Largely thanks to the enthusiasm of the workers, it was possible not only to protect statistical structures with their achievements from destruction, but also to build new ones that meet the needs of the emerging Soviet state. There is no doubt that the work carried out by Altai statisticians in 1917-1925 deserves the highest praise and should be the object of close study.

Abstract: The article examines the issues of remuneration of employees of the enterprises of the censorship industry of Siberia during the years of the NEP and the ratio of salaries of different categories of employees to workers' salaries, which allows us to identify the degree of income inequality between them, as well as to answer the question of how great was the differentiation of their financial situation, and not only in general, but also by individual industries. No less important is the question of trends in the dynamics of indicators of this differentiation in the very short period of the NEP, when approaches to state regulation of this important social process were formed. It is shown that, in general, during the period under review, the ratio of salaries of workers and employees at the enterprises of the censorship industry of the Siberian Territory was stable and at the same time differed greatly depending on the industry and the position of the employee. It is concluded that these differences were smaller than at the very beginning of the XX century. Despite the general equalizing trend in wage policy and the corresponding activity of trade unions, the economic need for the material interest of employees forced to maintain a certain level of wage inequality, and in some employees even slightly increase it.

Abstract: The article considers the model of training specialists in applied informatics in the humanitarian field, developed at the Humanitarian Institute of the Siberian Federal University (Krasnoyarsk). The history of this training has been going on for almost a quarter of a century. Over the years, the program has changed its name more than once, and the curriculum has also changed in accordance with the requirements. The experience accumulated over a long enough period of time in training specialists of this profile is the subject of consideration in this article. The bachelor's and master's programs, education and activities of the Department of Information Technology in Creative and Cultural Industries, working as part of the Humanities Institute, are considered. Digital technologies continue to develop rapidly, and the number of people willing to master the difficult path of implementing applied informatics in the humanities is growing. Only in 2023, about 50 people have made final qualifying works for bachelors and masters degree at the Department of Information Technology in Creative and Cultural Industries. Each stage of the adjustment of the bachelor's and master's degree curriculum is dictated by a rapidly changing situation. At least two components remain indisputable: interdisciplinarity, which is the basis of educational programs, and a project approach, which assumes a clear statement of the problem and the use of adequate mechanisms for its solution using digital technologies.

Abstract: The article discusses the content and results of the international conference of the Association "History and Computer" (AIC) "Historical Informatics as Historical Data Science", held on November 11-13, 2022 at the Faculty of History of Lomonosov Moscow State University. All stages and forms of the conference are described in detail: 2 plenary sessions, breakout sessions, a round table. The conference was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the AIC and the 10th anniversary of the journal "Historical Informatics". The conference program included over 100 reports, the authors of which represented scientific centers of Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway and Uzbekistan. The main part of the conference consisted of 10 breakout sessions, where reports were presented on topical historical problems, the solution of which was proposed by the authors on the basis of methods and technologies of historical informatics. At the same time, in most reports, considerable attention was paid to the characteristics of the data used, methods of their processing and visualization. Much attention was paid to the creation of databases and information systems, statistical processing of historical data, methods of text analysis, historical geoinformatics, 3-D modeling. The results of archaeological research using digital technologies, methods of historical informatics in the research work of archives and museums, digital technologies in historical education were also considered.

Abstract: The article discusses the possibilities of using geoinformation technologies to study economic inequality. The methodology and technique of applying geospatial analysis in the study of wage inequality of employees of district cities of the Siberian Territory in 1926-1927 are shown. Statistical bulletins published in 1926-1929 in Novosibirsk were used as sources. Data were selected that characterize the salaries of employees of the district cities of Siberia for 8 quarters, covering almost 2 years – 1926 and 1927. During the development of GIS, a 1:3000000 scale map of the Siberian Region was digitized, on which there is a coordinate grid, the situation (hydrographic network and relief displayed by washing) and administrative division were plotted according to the zoning data of 1929. A series of maps was built reflecting the average salary level of employees in district cities, as well as the dynamics of wages based on quarterly statistics. The highest salary of employees is observed in Novosibirsk. It is noticeable that cities with low wages are concentrated in the south of Western Siberia. The growth rates of wages in cities show a greater variation than the average salary. The largest increase in wages is demonstrated by those cities in which its level was low or average. It can be stated that there are certain prospects in the use of geoinformation technologies to study economic inequality.

Abstract: In connection with the implementation of the project for the preservation of cultural and historical heritage associated with the creation and reconstruction of the Trans-Siberian railway, the authors of this article propose a technology for constructing three–dimensional cartographic images and its implementation on the example of one of the most famous sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway - the Tarmanchukan tunnel, which is one of the longest in the world. The purpose of this work is to build a 3D map of the tunnel using the Prism3D game engine. The article describes in detail the basic principles of building 3D models and 3D maps, describes the procedure for step-by-step creation of a 3D map of the Tarmanchukan tunnel with high detail and texture. The created product is, in fact, a virtual reality object, the closest possible copy of the original. To use it, there is no need to use a special helmet, it is enough to use the interface of the recommended programs. The high level of detail of the model allows you to get complete information about the object being modeled, including small details. As a result of the presented work, the most realistic map of one of the most famous tunnels in the world – Tarmanchukansky - was obtained. At the same time, the geographical features of the relief and landscape are fully reflected on the 3D map itself, access and viewing of which will soon be possible on the website of the Faculty of History of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Abstract: The article discusses the creation of a thematic resource on the history of the Trans-Siberian Railway using modern Web-GIS tools which will provide for accumulating source information collected during research and presenting it in a form accessible for researchers. The online GIS allows one to work with the materials named in several modes:  interactive, tabular (with a description of the source base) as well as modes of editing information in the cloud storage database or in a limited mode of data input and data loading. The GIS project is represented by a set of vector and raster data transformed to work in a modern coordinate system: historical maps and diagrams, satellite images in the form of mosaics and image fragments obtained through available geoservices (Google, Yandex, Bing). Digital layers are also available which are generated and edited based on the digitization of historical and modern maps of different scales. Simultaneously with the work on the web-resource, the authors are creating the Transsib desktop GIS. The development and launch of the web-GIS "Trans-Siberian Railway" gives its users a number of new opportunities including the availability of generalized information and cartographic database on the history of the construction and operation of the Transsib as well as an opportunity for several users to work with project materials simultaneously, search for the necessary metadata information in the GIS, etc.

Abstract: The article summarizes the author’s report at a discussion organized by the editorial board of the Istoricheskaya Informatika journal that addressed the book “What is Digital History?” by Salmi H. published in 2020. The book is named a manual for students thus justifying the opinion to consider the material presented to readers as representing a set of the most established positions and opinions in the field of digital history. The book discusses such issues as the time of digital history birth, its definition, subject field, functions as well as the importance for the widespread dissemination of historical knowledge in society. The author criticizes the concept of prerequisites for digital history birth outlined by H. Salmi which completely ignores the History and Computing movement in Western Europe and North America which played an important role in the formation of Russian historical information science and which was the discussion panel where many digital history issues were raised and resolved. The structure of the book is discussed as well. The article emphasizes the author's viewpoint on the importance of geographic information systems and technologies for historical research which he clearly underestimates. It is concluded that historical information science and digital history are different spheres of interdisciplinarity.

Abstract: The word "data" has recently become one of the key words in the semantic field of modern science. This happened due to a sharp increase in information flows in the economy and social sphere and the ongoing breakthrough in the development of methods and technologies for processing and analyzing data in the context of large-scale digitalization and the need to work with big data. This has led to the rapid development of data science. Historical science has been affected by these processes as well. The article discusses the course and results of the 17th international conference of the interregional association "History and Computer" held under the title "Historical Research in the Context of Data Science: Information Resources, Analytical Methods and Digital Technologies". Researchers from 7 countries took part in the conference held on-line. The article characterized the structure of the conference in details and the most interesting speeches of its participants. There were two plenary meetings, two round tales and 9 sections. The conference results show that historical computer science has entered a new stage of its development and has ceased to be perceived as a kind of "niche" area of historical science. New researchers are being involved in its development, the geography of scientific centers of historical computer science is expanding, their studies touch upon the most important issues of Russian and foreign history.

Abstract: The article focused on problems and prospects caused by the rapid development of data science and discusses the opinions and remarks made by the participants of the round table called "Methods and Technologies of Data Science: Its Prospects in Historical Research" held by the editorial board of the "Historical Information Science” journal " and the Association "History and Computer" on July 3, 2020. The round table was attended by over 60 teachers, researchers, as well as students from 5 countries. Online discussions and talks were assisted by Zoom video conferencing service. The participants addressed issues related to the term "data science" itself, artificial intelligence and big data issues. All these were discussed in the light of problems that arise and are solved in the framework of historical research. The speakers addressed the problem of historical sources digitization and text recognition, the opportunities of programming languages (R and Python) use as well as many other issues. The very fact of the round table and its results have demonstrated the undeniable usefulness of the dialogue and the need to develop this form of scientific contacts. It is emphasized that that the development of such a field as "digital historical source studies" is becoming more and more urgent.

Abstract: The article studies the infrastructure of Barnaul city in the second half of the 18th - early 20th centuries. The study aims at acquiring new systematic knowledge about the way the infrastructure of West Siberian cities developed, the influence of infrastructural objects on city ecology, the correlation of demographical and ecological factors influencing the city development and urban population reproduction. The study rests on an extensive source database including written, cartographic and photo documents stored mainly in the state archives of Altai Krai and Tomskaya Oblast as well as a number of published sources. The methodological basis of the work is the systemic and interdisciplinary approaches, the general scientific as well as traditional historical research methods. Geoinformation analysis based on the subject-oriented historical geoinformation system created is used as the main way to obtain new information. The article analyzes spatial aspects of the city infrastructure and ecological factors of its development and demonstrates changes in the disposition of infrastructural objects in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The article concludes that the negative impact of ecologically unfriendly city objects was exerted mainly through aggravating sanitary environment and ecosystems.

Abstract: The article discusses the scientific symposium addressing the 15th anniversary of the Historical Information Science Department – a part of Lomonosov Moscow University History Faculty. The authors analyze the reports and notes that they are dominated by the spatial approach to historical phenomena and processes. The reports addressed virtual 3D reconstruction of historical and cultural heritage objects as well as the application of geographic information systems and technologies to historical studies. All the conclusions were actively debated by the symposium participants. The methodological basis of the article is the information approach, the use of description and analysis methods. The authors briefly characterize the results of the latest studies applying digital technologies and review the development of historical studies based on mathematics and computer science methods. Herewith, emphasis is laid on the Moscow school of historical information science, primarily the studies carried out at the Historical Information Science Department of Lomonosov Moscow University History Faculty.

Abstract: The article discusses the information potential of some of the sources discovered in the State Archives of the Altai Krai, specifically, their possible contribution to the study of income and property inequality among the population in the south of Western Siberia. The chronological framework of the article includes the second half of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. The authors note the high and constantly growing relevance of the topic related to the study of property inequality and differentiation by income in populations, including in the historical field. At the same time, the study of the regional aspects of this problem is also gaining importance, especially in such a large territory as Russia. Methodologically, the article focuses on archival search and archival heuristics. A fairly small number of studies, where the question of property inequality in the population of Siberia was discussed and resolved, determine the main research issues in the formation of a source base for this study. The article describes and evaluates, from the point of view of the information potential for the study of incomes and property inequality among the Siberian population in the designated chronological period, the sources stored in the State Archive of Altai Krai. The article's general conclusion is that, despite the difficulties in finding large amounts of data, the information potential of the sources allows us to pose and solve issues related to income and property inequality.

Abstract: The article starts a special issue of Historical Information Science journal which addresses a topical and an important impact of the “digital turn” on a historian, methodology and practice of historical research and historical education. These questions were raised when questioning well-known scholars applying mathematical methods and information technologies to historical studies and education who work at various research centers in Russian and abroad. The research novelty is a new approach to evaluate the current state of one of the most popular domains of humanities – history in the context of the “digital turn”. The questionnaire has been drawn up by the editorial staff and the editorial board members of the journal. The focus is the impact of the “digital turn” on historical studies and education, new terms and definitions, ties of historical information science with such domains as digital humanities and “digital history”, the role and the importance of an analytical component in research done by historians using new methods and techniques, the status of “digital sources” as well as the necessity to form a new branch of source studies (“digital source studies”).
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Abstract: The article discusses a scientific workshop held in January 2018 at the history department of Lomonosov Moscow State University called “Geographic Information Systems in Historical Research: Integration Approaches”. The workshop discussed the achievements and problems of GIS usage in historical research. The central issue was the problem about the creation of historical spatial data repository as well as the way to integrate geodata collected by various research teams and individual researchers working in the field of historical geo-information systems. The authors analyze the viewpoints presented in the main reports and their argumentation and briefly describe the main reports during the round table. The problem of creating a historical geodata repository is new to the national historical science. It has not been completely solved by foreign researchers either. The professional community has recommended to further develop both domains of this problem field discussed at the workshop - accumulation of geodata and aggregation of metadata.
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Abstract: The article addresses the creation and development of a spatial historical data fund. Nowadays we can talk about the readiness of the community of historical geoinformatics specialists to cooperate in the field of data storage and use. The article discusses similar studies both in domestic and foreign historiography. The authors propose a way to create a system for managing spatial historical data, consider some problems arising herewith and make suggestions about possible solutions. The main message of the article is that the amount of studies based on geo-information technologies has clearly begun to outnumber the quality. The article uses descriptive and historiographic methods. The main conclusion is the creation of a historical geoportal which, together with a historical spatial data fund, can be integrated into the national spatial data infrastructure. It seems that the idea to develop a historical geoportal should ground on both the convenience of fund navigation and the ability to perform analytical operations.

Abstract: The article studies the structure and the subject matter of the current issue of Historical Information Science Journal. Overpassing 25 years of its development, historical information science continues to move forward. Somewhat a mirror of this development that reflects the established traditions and new development trends of this special historical field is the cognominal journal which current issue is analyzed in the article. The content of each issue is formed randomly, but it is this combination of a row of random moments that allows us to trace the laws of the science development. The research methodology is to analyze the subject matter of the articles submitted and briefly review them. The novelty of the article is the fact that all the articles analyzed are published for the first time and describe authors’ original works. Each new issue of the journal cannot (due to its limited volume) totally cover modern application of mathematical methods and information technologies in historical studies and education, but it grasps the most topical and breakthrough moments of historical information science.

Abstract: The article describes the subject matter and significance of the international research to practice conference "From the Map of the Past to the Map of the Future" held on November 29 - December 1, 2017 in Perm. The course of the conference, the topics and the content of the main reports and participants are reviewed. The structure of the conference gets specific consideration. It includes the plenary session, foresight sessions and speaker sessions, problem discussions, open popular science lectures, a practical workshop, etc., thus unleashing the potential of the participants. The research methodology is based on the analysis of topics and issues discussed and on determining the place of the conference in modern scientific discourse. The conference materials are considered from the standpoint of historical geoinformatics which can boast a separate session on the conference schedule. The authors conclude that not only professional conferences are important and useful for historians and other representatives of humanities, but also scientific forums of specialists in the field of modern information technologies. 

Abstract: The article is dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the Association “History and Computer” – a professional union of specialists employing mathematical methods and new information technologies in historical research and education. The research object is the understanding of the first steps of historical information science in Russia. The first year of the HCA (1993) is studied. Some important conferences, workshops and meetings were held. The author notes the “horizontal” character of academic ties in comparison with the “vertical” structure practiced before. The article historiographically describes the genetic relation of historical information science causes and the first period of its development. The author as the direct participant of all those events shares his impressions and thoughts thus forming a more comprehensive perception of the new research domain. It is emphasized that the atmosphere of creativity and amiability that was formed in the first HCA days encouraged successful development of historical information science.
 

Abstract: The article reviews the monograph by Yu.Yu. Yumasheva “Informatization of Archival Studies in the Russian Federation (1991-2015)”. It is noted that the overview of papers by researchers and those practically involved in archival studies for a 30-year period provides for precious results related to the evaluation of archival studies informatization within the frames of general informatization in the country. Yu.Yu. Yumasheva is both a well-known experienced archivist and a professional historian in the historical information science domain. The structure of the monograph is found appropriate as it consists of several thematic parts covering the main issues of archival studies informatization. The review rates the monograph high. The novelty of the study is its elimination of important gaps in the archival studies domain and is of value to anyone interested in Russian archives, their condition, prospects, documents stored and those willing their transformation into modern institutions corresponding to the information society level.

Abstract: The article studies the formation and activity of History and Computer Association (HCA) that is a union of historical information science specialists. The HCA development was accompanied by the formation of historical information science, a historical field employing mathematical methods and computer technologies. The article describes the formation of a new research domain, the main aspects of HCA activity connected to the development of historical information science as well as the main stages of HCA development. The role of the journal “Historical Information Science” for this new domain is emphasized. The research methodology is to analyze the key events and processes of HCA life a scientific community which influenced the formation and development of such a domain as historical information science.
Today the association is a professional community developing a topical interdisciplinary field, historical information science, that is increasingly active. By autumn 2017 about 200 people were HCA members. They represent research centers and universities from Russia, the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Latvia and the Ukraine.