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Subject:
From:
Claire Holman Thompson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 19 Jul 1994 15:28:19 EDT
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Dear Eric,
 
Just had to reply to your e-mail even though we are an inside museum, if you
will.  An Italian friend of mine recently used the phrase "grigio computer"
to describe a particularly ugly design scheme - exactly what you said, flat,
dull, ugly.  I don't believe there has been much discussion of the aethetics
of this technology we're all mad to have.
 
With regard to durability, an anecdote: here at the University of Virginia we
were given a large computer facility by a big company, and within two years
those computers were thrashed, and I mean THRASHED.  There is nothing quite
so seedy as a computer that doesn't work, or as ugly as old plastic.  I think
all of us contemplating these types of interactive stations of various kinds
should remember and plan that these machines are not always designed for
maximum durability, and may have to be replaced sooner rather than later,
depending upon the amount of use they get.  Can we as museums afford, also,
to keep up with advancing technology?  For we must commit to doing that if we
get involved.  Don't get me wrong, we would love to take advantage of all
sorts of CDROM collections, etc., and I'm convinced that they can be super
assets.  But I also think we need to work on other interactive ideas....
 
It sounds wonderful to have garden stations - I don't see why they couldn't
be solar powered.  Good luck!
 
Best,
 
 
Claire
 
 
Claire Holman Thompson
Director of Development
Bayly Art Museum
(804)924-7458
FAX (804)924-6321
e-mail [log in to unmask]

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