> Would anyone like to open a discussion about the rapid growth of museum > websites? Perhaps those who are developing material for home pages etc as > well as other museum workers or devotees might like to discuss this question > re purpose/rationale. I think it would be particularly interesting to > debate what is the main consideration in deciding to prepare programs for > the Internet - public access? museum profile? publicity? education? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am one of those people that is developing material for home pages. I've had my hand at a couple of museum sites (small as they are). My main interest is in digitally distributed information. I believe that information should be available to everyone who is interested in learning. I have only seen a few programs developed specifically for the internet (Library of Congress, Northlight Gallery). I covered the Library of Congress' exhibition of "Women Come to the Front. Journalists, Photographers, and Broadcasters" for a museum report (got an A) this past semester. http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/wcf/wcf0001.html I definately appreciate the public access aspect of museums being on-line. It makes my research much easier and I am able to review exhibits and information to which I would not normally have access. Plus, hyperlinking makes checking resource material much less painful. This is only my view as a student. As a professional web designer, I would consider what the goals of the museum itself were. If you want to educate the surfer that may stop by your site, I would ask if you have relavent material to actually create the content of educational web pages. If you just want to have a page that announces your museum profile, I feel that the site would be just as relavent. I would probably push you to include more information such as a basic overview of your collection for research purposes. Basically, you get to create your own character for the web audience. One feature that I did like about the Met site was that the Giftshop was online and I could request a catalog from them. I was also GREATLY disappointed that MOMA did not have this feature (I've been looking for something that only they could provide). All of these ideas that I have are about to be tested out when the team that I work with attempts to create a Virtual Science Museum with interactive exhibits. It should be a challenge. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to contact me. R.B. Wilkins .......................................................................... O-