seb chan wrote a good piece about issues in metrics for mw2008 last 
year: see 
http://www.archimuse.com/mw2008/papers/chan-metrics/chan-metrics.html

/jt


At 9:05 AM -0700 10/2/08, Tim Hart wrote:
>I think we're talking about two different things, the tracking 
>software (Web Analytics) and the survey to bring everyone's data 
>together.
>
>As for tracking software, a big shift began 3 or 4 years ago from 
>log file analysis to JavaScript page tagging. There are numerous 
>benefits that come with page tagging that I won't elaborate here.
>
>But even if all of us are using tagging strategies there is still 
>the problem if different numbers from different applications or 
>services. Google vs Omniture vs Webtrends will all produce different 
>data for the same Web Site.
>
>In the past I've sought to sidestep this issue by simply reporting 
>whatever data sister institutions collect, and simply noting 
>alongside that data how it was collected, if bots/spiders were 
>filtered (an issue with log analysis) how visits are determined 
>(typically a "session" from an unique IP combined with browser data 
>and a 30 minute time out after inactivity).
>
>Once you have begun to collect stats by whatever method, we would 
>collect everyone's data in a survey that would ask for information 
>about the collection methodology as well as the raw numbers.
>
>FWIW we use Omniture SiteCatalyst, think it's great, but it's also 
>pricey. Google will get you much of what you need. WebTrends claims 
>to have most of the government's business. Stay away from log 
>analysis if you can help it.
>
>
>>>>  "Perian Sully" <psully at magnes.org> 10/2/2008 8:36 AM >>>
>I hope no one minds if I ask a really basic question - is there a
>preferred methodology for collecting the data?
>
>The Magnes is an unusual case in that we don't have a whole lot of foot
>traffic and, up until now, have not had much online traffic either. It's
>likely to swing heavily to the online visitor in the next couple of
>months as we focus our energies there.
>
>There has been much discussion about developing a survey and tracking
>audience metrics, but if we can develop something which could be added
>to an already existing data pool, so much the better. So is there a
>standard set of analytics and questions we should be asking and would
>also benefit the rest of the field?
>
>Perian Sully
>Collections Information and Web Programs Manager
>Judah L. Magnes Museum
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
>Folsom, Diana
>Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 1:13 PM
>To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
>Cc: Tim Hart
>Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>
>Tim Hart responded off list.  Here are the messages he sent to Christina
>and me.
>
>To Christina from Tim:
>"I would be happy to create a survey and publish the data here:
>http://www.getty.edu/about/institutional_research/snapshot_visits.html
>
>Do you think anyone would fill it out on a regular basis? Monthly?"
>
>To Diana from Tim:
>"First I tried to get people to share data in Los Angeles (local
>museums). That didn't work. Then I formed the Public Sector Committee at
>the Web Analytics Association (I was a founding co-chair) and that
>didn't work. But, not to despair, I'm now leading a project where 12
>local museums are participating in an audience intercept study... its
>happening as I write. Hopefully this collaboration will be a starting
>point for further sharing of audience metrics.
>
>Reasons Web data sharing initiatives fail: Most museums don't have
>somebody on staff who can handle the extra work. Too many different
>analytics technologies (not all data is created the same). Too many
>possibilities for analytics implementation variation. Difficulty in
>categorizing content (what is "education" content anyway?). Many
>institutions don't see the value in sharing (in spite of what we were
>taught in kindergarten). Etc., etc."   
>
>
>Diana
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
>Christina DePaolo
>Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 10:46 AM
>To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
>Cc: Tim Hart
>Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>
>If there was an process for electronically sharing them vs. filling out
>a survey or manually sharing stats, then maybe it would easier for us to
>do a broader survey. Christina
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
>Folsom, Diana
>Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 10:39 AM
>To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
>Cc: Tim Hart
>Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>
>Tim Hart (from the Getty) has been trying to organize us all to share
>web data with each other for several years.
>
>I think he might compare the effort to that of "trying to herd cats".
>(excuse me for putting words in your mouth, Tim!)
>
>http://www.ehow.com/how_2023491_herd-cats.html
>
>Perhaps this is a moment in time when we might feel more inclined to
>share our stats in some way...   ??
>
>
>Diana
>
>Diana Folsom
>Manager, Art & Education Systems
>Collections Management Dept.
>LACMA
>5905 Wilshire Blvd.
>Los Angeles, CA  90036
>voice 323-857-6594
>fax 323-857-6213
>
>Check out new material in LACMA's Collections Online
>http://CollectionsOnline.lacma.org
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
>Montgomery, Renee
>Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:14 AM
>To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
>Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>
>Is someone collating these facts and figures?  I know there are some
>older reports but is there a recent update?  Obviously is very helpful
>to have comparative stats to help build cases on the homefront.  Thank
>you.
>
>Renee Montgomery
>Assistant Director
>Risk Management and Collection Information Los Angeles County Museum of
>Art T 323 857-6059
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
>Champagne, Joanna
>Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 12:29 PM
>To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
>Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>
>Hello,
>
>This past fiscal year we had just over 4 million physical visitors (like
>the Web some may be repeat, but not as many as the online) to the
>National Gallery and 20,800,523 visits to the Web site.
>
>50.8% of our 62 Podcasts were downloaded to iTunes this past FY year the
>rest from our site and widget.
>
>We have 559 installs of our Podcast widget.
>
>Hope that helps.
>
>Best,
>Joanna
>
>
>.................
>Joanna Champagne
>Chief of Web and New Media Initiatives
>National Gallery of Art
>NGA.GOV
>
>
>
>
>On 9/29/08 1:48 PM, "Perian Sully" <psully at magnes.org> wrote:
>
>>  Dear Nancy:
>>
>>  Have you seen the IMLS Interconnections report?
>>  http://www.interconnectionsreport.org/
>>
>>  Lots of hard data about some of the questions you're asking. The
>>  slideshow provides a nice summary as well on the report.
>>
>>  Perian Sully
>>  Collections Information and Web Programs Manager Judah L. Magnes
>>  Museum
>>
>>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>  From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu] On Behalf
>Of
>>  Nancy Proctor
>>  Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 10:33 AM
>>  To: mcn-l at mcn.edu
>>  Subject: [MCN-L] Web vs. 'real world' visitors
>>
>>  Does anyone have any hard numbers on overall museum trends in numbers
>of
>>  online visitors versus footfall in the bricks & mortar museums? My
>>  anecdotal sense from talking to various museum professionals is that
>>  online traffic is 3-10 times the in-person visitorship, but I'd like
>>  to be able to cite
>an
>>  actual study.
>>
>>  It would also be great to know what percentage of museums' online
>>  traffic is to content that is not resident on their websites, e.g.
>>  Podcasts on iTunes/iTunes U, and videos on YouTube, if anyone has
>>  those stats for your own museum or others'....
>>
>>  ...And the next step is to show what great return on investment our
>>  digital initiatives provide, since we reach many more people online
>>  than in person, and buildings are relatively expensive to maintain.
>  > This is not to challenge the primacy and importance of the real world
>>  buildings and
>collections,
>>  but
>>  simply to underscore how much reach digital teams can achieve for
>>  comparatively little money.
>>
>>  Many thanks!
>>  Nancy
>>
>>  Nancy Proctor
>>  Head of New Media Initiatives
>>
>>  Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) MRC 970 PO Box 37012 Washington
>
>>  DC 20013-7012 USA
>>
>>  o: +1-202-633-8439
>>  f: +1-202-633-8455
>>  c: +1-301-642-6257
>>
>>  proctorn at si.edu
>>
>>  http://www.americanart.si.edu
>>  http://eyelevel.si.edu/
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>>  You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum
>>  Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
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