At Duke University Libraries we’ve recently renovated a large section of the building and have greatly expanded our spaces for exhibits. As such, we’re planning to do a lot more with in-gallery digital exhibits. I’m the main person who actually builds the kiosks at DUL. I’m also really interested in how other institutions approach building and managing content for in-gallery digital exhibits. And if I could tack on an extra question to the list - 6. How long does your group/institution usually spend planning and then developing an in-gallery digital exhibit?
My replies are as follows: 1. Yes for sure, but we’ve struggled with building in enough time to do the in-gallery portions justice. Typically it’s not been the focus and we end up throwing something together in a few weeks. I think with more time and planning we could do much more interesting things. 2. I’m much more inclined to DIY than to hire someone else to do something. I think budget is the main constraint, but schedules are always complicated as well. 3. I think it’s easier to do a single purchase, but it seems more and more software companies are moving to subscription models. In so far as it’s possible, I always try to use free tools or make use of things we already have access to. 4. Over my time here we’ve slowly moved from using old surplussed iMacs along with mouse and/or keyboard to using windows-based touchscreen machines (Dell and Lenovo ‘all-in-ones'). We’ve also got a free-standing pedestal for an iPad so we’ll incorporate that from time to time. The iPad pro is intriguing, but I’m not sure it offers any functionality above what we’re getting from our windows boxes. 5. Years ago I preferred to have things be self contained, but I now prefer to drive all of the content remotely when possible. This, at least in theory, makes it much easier to make updates/tweaks to the exhibits. If an exhibit requires some connection to our existing web infrastructure, I’ll drive it from our Drupal environment (using a custom theme). If it doesn’t, I’ll usually just build them as html (sans any CMS). Thanks! -Michael +++ Michael Daul Digital Projects Developer Duke University Libraries michael.d...@duke.edu (919) 684-1710 >Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2015 14:46:09 +0000 >From: Ian Smith <i...@digitalopps.co.uk> >To: mcn-l@mcn.edu >Subject: [MCN-L] In-gallery digital exhibits - a few questions >Message-ID: > <CAMVYtgFNMiNqmcvwiozSd2fgUZaHYRdK=4bpg_ttrhw4vn-...@mail.gmail.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > >Hi all, > >I'd like to pick the group's brains about the creation and use of >in-gallery digital exhibits. > >(Disclaimer: I'm a UK-based digital consultant. Amongst other things, I >make two digital exhibit platforms, IGOR <http://www.igor-uk.com> and >Darwin <http://www.digitalopps.co.uk/darwin/>, and I'm talking to as many >heritage folk in the USA and UK as I can to make them as useful as >possible. There's no point making tools that nobody wants!) > >So the questions are as follows - there are only a few - I appreciate >different museums will give different answers but I'm intrigued to see what >patterns or shared issues arise: > >And please note that this refers to in-gallery exhibits only. > >1. Level of expertise. Does your staff have the ability to use a CMS or >other tool with which to build and install a standalone in-gallery digital >exhibit - but also the experience to plan and design it in the first place? > >2. DIY or not. Regardless of expertise do you prefer to have complete >control over the reaction of a digital exhibit or would you rather 'hand it >over' to an agency/freelancer. And how much would time constraints affect >your decision? > >3. Budget and spending. Both IGOR and Darwin come (at the moment) with >eternal licences i.e. buy it once and remake the exhibit as often as you >like. This means that there is only one purchase required (per instance of >digital exhibit) but also that the initial cost is higher. Would you rather >a larger upfront cost or spread it via e.g. a subscription? > >4. Hardware. Do you prefer to use Windows, Mac, Android, iOS for your >exhibits. Will the new iPad Pro influence what hardware you use in-gallery? > >5. Connectedness. Do your in-gallery exhibits need to be networked or - >conversely - do you actively prefer them to be completely standalone? > >BTW this is open to anyone with experience of creating in-gallery digital >exhibits, not just museum staff. I'm really interested to hear of your >experiences. And please feel free to reply on- or off-list ( >i...@digitalopps.co.uk). > >Thanks for reading! > >Best, >Ian Smith. > > > >-- >--- >Ian Smith >Director >Digital Opportunities Ltd >t: 07812 822594 >w: www.digitalopps.co.uk >w: www.digitalopps.co.uk/darwin/ >w: www.igor-uk.com >t: twitter.com/Museums_IGOR >f: www.facebook.com/digitaloppsuk/ >li: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ian-smith/4/614/aa4 >--- >Try IGOR - Interactive Galleries On Request - our brilliant cross-platform >tool that allows museums and galleries to quickly, easily and cheaply >create their own digital exhibits! Download a fully working free trial copy >at: www.igor-uk.com >--- _______________________________________________ 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@mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://mcn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/mcn-l@mcn.edu/