In answer to Arthur Anderson who wrote:

>Aside from the usual real-vs-virtual-museum debate, I think we could all
>benefit from an open discussion of how museum web sites differ from other
>web sites. What new ideas can we use to design unique and interesting web
>sites?

I just took a look at the Met's new site last night and found sound
'capabilities', but alas, they didn't use the existing technology very
effectively.  It was a full five minute download for sound, and I wasn't
willing to stick around and wait since I am impatient with technology that
makes me wait when there is better stuff around.   I think the sound aspect
of the site would have been much more effective if "RealAudio" had been
used.  Its free software.  I've been using it to listen to radio broadcasts
from Pacifica Radio, Greenpeace, etc. - I actually heard the French
commandoes bording Greenpeace near Muroroa shortly after it happened - it
was chilling.  Check it out the software - download it, its cross platform
and it could make a difference for museum web sites-
http://www.prognet.com/tech_notes/techintro.html

Just a thought...

Suzanne Quigley
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