[MCN-L] Storage of Master Archival TIFFs
Hello Julie, As someone who is working toward implementing a DAMS, I would say that having a system that handles the master TIF files is very important. It's the difference between having a repository and simply having an access tool. Once you are managing more than a few thousand files, handling them manually gets complicated, labor intensive, and risky, since multiple people have access to the folder structure. Ideally, once you upload a master file into the DAMS, it will automatically create all of the derivatives you specify for general access, store the TIF on the server where you specify, keep track of that location in the database, and manage access permissions for the TIF file. Depending on how the system is set up, the TIFs and JPGs may or may not be on the same server, but you don't have to worry about where they are once it's set up (that's IT's job!). One thing to consider is whether the system renames the file to a unique filename -- some do, and while it cuts down on problems caused by duplicate file names, it also worries me. What if the database crashes and the link between storage is lost? We don't put a lot of metadata in our filenames, but do include enough so that we know what object it is (i.e. 33.333a-c_bw.tif). I'd be loath to lose that. Best, Deb Wythe Deborah Wythe Head, Digital Collections and Services Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238 tel: 718 501 6311 fax: 718 501 6145 deborahwythe at hotmail.com Original Message Follows From: Julie Grob jg...@uh.edu Reply-To: Museum Computer Network Listserv mcn-l at mcn.edu To: mcn-l at mcn.edu Subject: [MCN-L] Storage of Master Archival TIFFs Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:32:12 -0500 Hi all, We are currently reviewing DAMS with an eye to purchasing one for our library. I was wondering if people normally store their master TIFFs on the DAM together with their derivative JPEGs, or if they store them on a separate server. If you can tell me the pros and cons of your preferred method I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Julie Julie Grob Digital Projects and Instruction Librarian Special Collections 114 University Libraries University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-2000 (713) 743-9744 jgrob at uh.edu UH Libraries' Poetry Prose Reading Series http://info.lib.uh.edu/dev/events/pandp.html ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l _ Mortgage refinance is hot 1) Rates near 30-yr lows 2) Good credit get intro-rate 4.625%* https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product=10035url=%2fst.jsptm=ysearch=mortgage_text_links_88_h2a5fs=4056p=5117disc=yvers=743
[MCN-L] Computer systems for a new museum
Hi everyone, I am helping to start a new museum and am looking at computer software for several functions. I would like to pose a general question. Our IS staff will be small, and we are interested in having our data between systems integrated as much as possible. We will be a global musical instrument museum and will use a large amount of AV in our galleries, such as audio and visual files. If you had the luxury of not needing to convert a bunch of historical data, and not having legacy programs to deal with, what computer programs would you recommend for: Financial accounting Membership/fundraising Ticketing Collection Management Digital Asset Management And are there any systems you would definitely warn me away from? Thank you all for your input! Amanda Birnstengel Operations Manager MIM- The World's First Global Musical Instrument Museum 84 S. 10th Street Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-746-2070 main line 612-746-2072 direct dial amanda.birnstengel at themim.org www.themim.org
[MCN-L] Computer systems for a new museum
Hi Amanda: Congratulations! I am rather quite envious that you won't have a bunch of cleanup and nasty legacy data to deal with! How large do you think your museum will ultimately end up? Scale can be a determining factor in which software you choose. For instance - I love how well KE Software's EMu handles multimedia, images, and object information. With 30K objects, and a whole mess of artists and donors and other personal information to keep track of, it's a good solution for us. But for a place that only has 3000 objects, EMu's a bit overkill. (but if you do plan on having a large collection, I do highly recommend EMu) Will you be presenting your collections and programs on the web as well? Will you be sharing your data with other groups, so will need to export it into various formats? Oh, one thing I might mention about collections software, specifically in the steer away from category... A lot of museums recognize that theirs is a unique collection, so often fall into the trap of thinking they need unique software and design their own collections management software (CMS). Unfortunately, one of the major pitfalls that this causes is inoperability between systems if you're trying to share your data. Also, the maintaining and knowledge of such systems often relies on institutional memory (ensuring that 20 years from now, your poor registrar is going to be complaining about that historical data and wondering how this weird software came into being). Most good CMS developers can customise the software to your specifications, while maintaining the backbone of the database structure and its flexibility. And I can't tell you how grateful I am to have software support always available. In the long run, the license fees are well worth the preservation of my sanity (what's left of it anyway...), the program's flexibility, and it is cost-effective when staff time is taken into account. Ok, off of my soapbox now! Perian Sully Collection Database Records Administrator Judah L. Magnes Museum 2911 Russell St. Berkeley, CA 94705 510-549-6950 x 335 http://www.magnes.org Contributor, http://www.musematic.org -Original Message- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of Amanda Birnstengel Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:08 AM To: mcn-l at mcn.edu Subject: [MCN-L] Computer systems for a new museum Hi everyone, I am helping to start a new museum and am looking at computer software for several functions. I would like to pose a general question. Our IS staff will be small, and we are interested in having our data between systems integrated as much as possible. We will be a global musical instrument museum and will use a large amount of AV in our galleries, such as audio and visual files. If you had the luxury of not needing to convert a bunch of historical data, and not having legacy programs to deal with, what computer programs would you recommend for: Financial accounting Membership/fundraising Ticketing Collection Management Digital Asset Management And are there any systems you would definitely warn me away from? Thank you all for your input! Amanda Birnstengel Operations Manager MIM- The World's First Global Musical Instrument Museum 84 S. 10th Street Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55403 612-746-2070 main line 612-746-2072 direct dial amanda.birnstengel at themim.org www.themim.org ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
[MCN-L] Computer systems for a new museum
Amanda, Software for Collections Management: Here in the UK MDA is often asked the question Which collections management system should I buy?. What we generally say that is not possible to give a simple answer and advise them to make their decision based on a number of different factors: * How much money do you have to spend? One thing to note is that the number of objects being managed is not an issue for price. * What do you want the system to do? For example does the system enable web publication. * What do others say about a system? You are doing that here, but do not hesitate to ask for a reference from a system vendor, specifically for your type of museum, if possible. * Does a system support standards? These could be ICT technical standards, but key here is support of museum information management standards. For example MDA publishes a information management standard, SPECTRUM, which many systems vendors used to design their systems. The standard is now free to download and use non-commercially: http://www.mda.org.uk/spectrum.htm We have over 3,000 licences for SPECTRUM worldwide (about 250 in the USA), and have just signed an agreement for translation and localisation in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). Since 2005 we have run an MDA Partner scheme for those who wish to use SPECTRUM commercially and to have the opportunity to have their systems validated against the standards. Information about these MDA Partners' systems can be found at: http://www.mda.org.uk/software.htm Hope this is of help Gordon. *** Gordon McKenna e-mail: gordon at mda.org.uk MDA The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road Cambridge CB2 2PD, UK Tel:+44 1223 415760 Fax:+44 1223 415960 Setting the standard for managing collections information *** http://www.mda.org.uk/
[MCN-L] MAC mini's for digital signage: (Scott Sayre)
Another flash memory based player, not as robust as Scott's suggestion, but might meet your needs at $170: http://www.medeawiz.com/products/Dv68.htm Resold by Impart Media Group: http://www.impartinc.com/ - Matthew Stevens, Technology Officer Adventure Science Center 800 Fort Negley Blvd Nashville TN 37203 Direct: 615-401-5064 Main: 615-862-5160 Fax: 615-862-5178 http://www.adventuresci.com -Original Message- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of Scott Sayre Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 3:44 PM To: mcn-l at mcn.edu Subject: Re: [MCN-L] MAC mini's for digital signage: (Scott Sayre) Hey Folks- Another neat, lowcost option is Roku Labs new BrightSign: Digital Sign and Kiosk Controller http://www.rokulabs.com/digital_brightsign.php It's only $299 and has loads of sweet features. I have yet to use one, but I am a big fan of Roku. Features include: Automatically plays DVD quality video and audio from CompactFlash card Automatically plays slide shows in high-definition from CompactFlash card BrightScript for powerful interactive displays and kiosks Decodes standard MPEG2 files up to D1 resolution in real time, and scales video to a standard-def or high-def output resolution Supports multiple audio channels and switching between them Drives standard VGA, Component, S-Video or Composite displays Two USB host ports for connecting touch screens, keyboards, or speakers Control port for driving LEDs or accepting button or custom inputs Create content using industry standard video and photo editing tools Easy in-field software upgrades via Flash cards Let me know if anyone has played with one. I'd love to hear about their experiences. Best, Scott Scott Sayre Sandbox Studios / Museum411 Education * Technology * Art 2520 Colfax Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405 v) 612.423.9691 f) 612.377.4848 http://www.sandboxstudios.org http://www.museum411.com AOLIM/iChat/Skype: zbarscott ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
[MCN-L] MAC mini's for digital signage:
--quote-- Other obvious solution is to get a 3 (or more) way VGA distribution amplifier and/or VGA over Cat5 extenders. This would undoubtedly work, although you can get colour separation issues. I don't like this as it ties our display devices to the fixed locations where the dedicated cat5 drops are run. The investment in the cabling also provides no other benefit. --end quote-- I've had good luck with VGA over CAT5. You may consider this all-in-one amp/extender/splitter for up to 8 screens: http://www.cdwg.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1048880 Running CAT5 and using extenders is relatively inexpensive, especially considering the lifetime costs verses installing multiple computers. Regards, Matt - Matthew Stevens, Technology Officer Adventure Science Center 800 Fort Negley Blvd Nashville TN 37203 Direct: 615-401-5064 Main: 615-862-5160 Fax: 615-862-5178 http://www.adventuresci.com
[MCN-L] Computer systems for a new museum
In addition to Gordon's excellent advice, I would recommend that (although I'm sure you dread the idea of doing this) you consider writing a Request For Proposal and shopping it to the CMS vendors. Even if you imagine that your institution is too small to warrant this effort, it is enormously helpful in clarifying your needs and understanding how your institution works. In addition to what Perian says about not rolling your own I would just point out that even if you never share your data with an aggregator or another institution, you will eventually want to move to a new system yourself and having one that is known, employs standards, is well documented, has OTHER USERS and has good export facilities will save you months of grief in the future. Finally, talk your administration into sending you to the MCN meeting this fall. You can meet almost every CMS vendor that exists there and see their products in a much more informed and congenial environment than you would at something like AAM. Chuck Patch Director of Systems The Historic New Orleans Collection
