I agreee with the digital imaging response above and recommend specifically
the Olympus digital cameras. They start at $299 and supply excellent
images, perfectly adequate for internal use and databases. The only problem
I have had with mine is the fast battery usage which has been solved with a
set of rechargable AA batteries. The best part is that once you make th
initial investment (only a few hndred dollars) the images are virtually
free. There is no developing and you only print what you want to when you
need it. Inkjet printers can also supply very nice images for
non-publishing/ personal needs at around $200. They are faster than laser
printers, have many choices of paper and are easily maintained and supplied
at your local Staples or Office Depot. I also whole heartedly recommend
using CD-roms for storage. The burner (that makes the CDs) can be used with
most computers and offers great archival storage for any digital media. The
burner costs about $200 and I have seen CD's at Staples for 50 cents a
piece. A single CD can hold hundreds of images. They also do not
disentigrate long term as disks do because they are not magnetically based.

All of these things are easy to use and easy to find. If you can't afford
to hire someone to use them all the time, then don't be afraid to learn to
use them. I have taught the fully computer illiterate to do basic imaging
within a short time and used these materials extensively. Digital media is
much less frightening than it seems once you learn the basics and can make
life a great deal easier. It is also a media where most of the time you do
NOT need the top of the line equipment.

Elizabeth Walton

At 08:24 AM 4/17/01 -0500, you wrote:
>While working on our technology plan, my fellow committee members and I
>have often wondered what kinds of technology other museums are using, both
>big and small, so here's our 10 million dollar question:  What has been
>the most important piece of technology (be it hardware, software,
>information technology, exhibit technology, etc) adopted by your museum in
>the last year?  Last five years?
>
>Any kind of response would be helpful as we try to prioritize our museum's
>needs.
>
>Thanks
>Carrie Ronnander -- [log in to unmask]
>Curator of Collections
>Chippewa Valley Museum
>
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