I forgot an excellent example of a computer in an exhibit here at the
Science Museum of Virginia. We have in our Matter and Molecules
(chemistry) area a Chemical Reactions computer which runs a multimedia
program using laserdisc and a touch screen (actually it's an IBM
Infowindows system). It allows visitors to choose experiments which are
played in motion video, followed by discussion of the reaction, or a
quiz about the different aspects of basic chemistry (balancing reaction
equations, etc.) It's been pretty reliable and I believe very
informative, and it absorbs peoples' interest when they choose it (not
everyone does!). This to me is an excellent application of computer
technology to exhibits. I guess the key is getting a well-debugged
system to start with.

Bob Oldham

> ----------
> From:         Dillenburg, Eugene[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Monday, March 23, 1998 4:02 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Technology and Museums
>
> I would say that the biggest issue regarding computers in museum
> exhibits is whether a computer is really the best way to get the
> message
> across.  Computers can do many things, but many of the things they do
> best are quite detailed, layered, and even complicated.  Often, the
> same
> idea can be conveyed much more clearly and succinctly with a video, a
> simple interactive, even -- now here's a thought -- a real object.
> ;-)
>
> Eugene Dillenburg
> Lead Developer, Philippines Coral Reef exhibit
> John G. Shedd Aquarium
> 1200 South Lake Shore Drive
> Chicago, Illinois  60605
>
> V:      (312) 692-3136
> F:      (312) 939-8001
> e:      [log in to unmask]
>
> Lisa:     What a whimsical building!  Who says science can't be fun?
> Bart:     Me.  I smell a museum.
> Homer: Yeah.  Good things don't end with "-eum."  They end with
> "-mania."  Or "-teria."
>
> SPRINGFIELD KNOWLEDGEUM
> "Where science is explained with brightly-colored balls."
>