[MCN-L] Web page about how to use collections online

2009-08-11 Thread jonath...@ag.nsw.gov.au
Hi Perian,

We have no instructions at all for simple searching of our collection:
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection
... because, if it needs instructions, it's obviously not simple
enough. ;-) (The single-field form searches artist name and title*.)

However, our advanced search form DOES have instructions (or tips):
http://collection.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/advancedSearch.page.do
(which pops up in a new window).

As you'll probably work out soon enough, some of the search tips are only
necessary because of the rather strange way our collection database works.
Eg:

Spelling needs to match our records exactly; there will be no results for
near-matches. For example, you will get no results if you type Tracy Moffat
rather than Tracey Moffatt.
However, you can use part words but you must enter more than one word. For
example, you can type in Trac* Mof* for Tracey Moffatt, but you will get no
results if you type just Trac OR just Mof.

[* Actually, simple search also searches accession number (eg: 130.1975)
- for those people who want ONE particular work and happen to know the acc.
no. already.]

Regards,

Jonathan Cooper
Manager of information / website
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, Sydney NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA
http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
+61 2 9225 1796 / (02) 9225 1796


mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu wrote on 11/08/2009 03:58:38 AM:

 Dear fellow MCNers -

 I'm in the process of writing a How-To for our new collection online
 site and I was wondering if anyone had written an extensive set of
 instructions for how to use it? Ours has a lot of fields and options, so
 it's not quite as simple as entering a search term into a box. I'd like
 to see how others have framed their instructions, so I don't miss
 anything or overly-confuse anyone

 Please feel free to reply to me offlist with a link to your
 instructions. Many thanks in advance!

 Perian Sully
 Collections Information Manager
 Web Programs Strategist
 The Magnes
 2911 Russell St.
 Berkeley, CA 94705
 Work: 510-549-6950 x 357
 Fax: 510-849-3673
 http://www.magnes.org
 http://www.musematic.org
 http://www.mediaandtechnology.org


[MCN-L] Web page about how to use collections online

2009-08-11 Thread Perian Sully
Many thanks to everyone who replied to my query about help pages and
guides for navigating collection information. Your examples are very
helpful! I don't have any control over the UI, so some explanation is
necessary. But you've all given me lots to think about when we are able
to design a different UI.

Best,

~Perian


-Original Message-
From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of
Perian Sully
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:59 PM
To: Museum Computer Network Listserv
Subject: [MCN-L] Web page about how to use collections online


Dear fellow MCNers - 

 

I'm in the process of writing a How-To for our new collection online
site
and I was wondering if anyone had written an extensive set of
instructions
for how to use it? Ours has a lot of fields and options, so it's not
quite
as simple as entering a search term into a box. I'd like to see how
others
have framed their instructions, so I don't miss anything or
overly-confuse
anyone

 

Please feel free to reply to me offlist with a link to your
instructions.
Many thanks in advance!

 

Perian Sully

Collections Information Manager

Web Programs Strategist

The Magnes

2911 Russell St.

Berkeley, CA 94705

Work: 510-549-6950 x 357

Fax: 510-849-3673

http://www.magnes.org

http://www.musematic.org

http://www.mediaandtechnology.org

 

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[MCN-L] Web page about how to use collections online

2009-08-10 Thread Perian Sully
Dear fellow MCNers - 

 

I'm in the process of writing a How-To for our new collection online
site and I was wondering if anyone had written an extensive set of
instructions for how to use it? Ours has a lot of fields and options, so
it's not quite as simple as entering a search term into a box. I'd like
to see how others have framed their instructions, so I don't miss
anything or overly-confuse anyone

 

Please feel free to reply to me offlist with a link to your
instructions. Many thanks in advance!

 

Perian Sully

Collections Information Manager

Web Programs Strategist

The Magnes

2911 Russell St.

Berkeley, CA 94705

Work: 510-549-6950 x 357

Fax: 510-849-3673

http://www.magnes.org

http://www.musematic.org

http://www.mediaandtechnology.org