Eric Siegel wrote:

>   The technology is quite ingenious: the audio program is
>   digitally stored in little doodads (sorry for the technical
>   language) that are actually mounted at the place in the exhibition
>   that is being interpreted.  The doodads contain both regular old
>   cheep Flash ROM and other patented technology to control the system.
>   The audio program is broadcast via infra red to receivers that the
>   visitor carries, which look a little like cell phones.  The cool thing
>   is that several channels of audio can be broadcast from the same
>   station at once, depending on what the receiver requests.  The effect
>   is that a child and an adult can stand at the same exhibit stop, and
>   request different audio tailored to their interests.
>
>   This can be done in one of two ways.  Either they can key in a number
>   which will request broadcast to their interests, or the actual
>   receivers can be programmed at the point where they are distributed.
>   So they can be: kids receivers, or school group receivers, or teacher
>   receivers, or parent receivers, or spanish receivers, or Korean, and
>   on and on, depending on your needs . . .

>   I would be curious to see this system implemented, it seems quite
>   sound in theory, and quite practical in design.

A very similar random access tour with multiple frequencies (in this case
four different languages if I remember correctly) was used quite
effectively for the exhibits at the Kwangju Biennalle held last fall in
Korea. A fantastic idea for truly international exhibits.

Cheers,


M. Travis DiNicola
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

Digital Curator
The PalmerONLINE Museum of Art
Pennsylvania State University

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