I am interested to hear about how the Franklin is using
          multimedia, thanks for the summary.
 
          We at the New York Botanical Garden are planning a site
          interpretation program which will use a number of portable
          "discovery carts". These carts will move between garden "hot
          spots" as the seasons change. We will be focusing on the
          human story of the site, its buildings, gardens and
          programs.
 
          We all have mixed feelings about technology such as
          interactive computer kiosks and the like, and even video
          disks, for a few reasons: 1) Power. Can these things be
          *gulp* solar powered (I would even be willing to live with
          them being out of service when there wasn't enough sun,
          after all everything in the Garden depends on sun.) 2)
          Maintenance. What is the deal on durability. How do these
          things work outside? By these things, I guess I mean
          microprocessors, disks, and monitors, and the interface like
          a keyboard or touch screen.  3) and most important, I think,
          is does anybody else think that computer screens look
          cheesy, washed out, small scale, flat, particularly when set
          against the outside world?
 
          Does anyone here have experience with *outdoor* interactive
          technology?
 
          Thanks,
 
          Eric Siegel
          New York Botanical Garden