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." >