Elize,

As a designer/programmer of multimedia computer software for
museum exhibits I have this advice, which pertains to
staffing.  You mentioned troubleshooting skills required by
the staff needed to deal with computer problems.  I have
seen many exhibits and public access computer systems which
were not thought out properly and when the public gets a
hold of them, they are toast.  After dealing with constant
problems (like those you anticipate), the frustrated staff
ends up abandoning what was originally thought to be a good
idea and the OUT OF ORDER sign becomes a permanent fixture
on the monitor.

My advice it to seek the advice of professionals when you
are selecting equipment and software.  Professionals who
have _experience_ with interactive museum exhibits, or
public access computer systems.  Someone who has witnessed,
first-hand, the horror of a trackball with it's ball gouged
out.  If you just buy a computer and a printer, and
off-the-shelf software and let the public "have at it", you
will need to plan for full-time volunteer/staff supervision.

Unless, of course, the folks over there in the United
Kingdom are more computer friendly than us Yankees.  ;)

Mark C. Vang
Freya Ventures
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www.freyaventures.com