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Date: | Thu, 2 May 1996 00:47:54 GMT |
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We will be opening a new maritime museum in about a year (spring 97).
During our development and subsequent operation we will need a
progression of computer resources. Your comments on what is available,
appropriate and easily used would be extremely helpful. Software,
hardware (including printers and network hardware) and operating
system(s) must be considered. Below is a list of activities we need to
support and an initial estimate of what would support it. Any advice
you can offer us on what to obtain or where to obtain it would be
greatly appreciated.
I m thinking that we will need three separate computing systems:
1) Accounting; 2) Operations support; and 3)Exhibits.
Accounting - This will likely be a stand-alone (to simplify security
issues) PC clone system running accounting software on DOS or Windows.
What accounting packages would you suggest?
Operations support - Likely a small networked PC clone system running
Windows NT. Will support the following areas:
General office functions - Microsoft Office Professional.
Time-phased planning - I ve briefly used Microsoft Project in the
past. Is there a better tool for aiding our development plans?
Membership database, Volunteer database - Is specialized software
to be preferred here, or should we make up our own Microsoft Access
databases?
Newsletter - Microsoft Word for Windows seems to be appropriate
here. Any comments?
Collections management - I ve heard of Argus running on a Unix
system being used to support this function, but it would be a lot
simpler to manage the same kinds of systems throughout the
enterprise. Is there anything more appropriate than Argus? If
Argus is the way to go, does it run under Windows NT? If not, will
it run under Linux on a PC clone?
Library management - What software is preferred to support
this function (cataloging and the like, beyond normal office
functions)?
Interactive exhibit displays - In-house web page system or specialized
display system, most likely networked and fed by server system. Need
interactive software at each station and networking software: PC clones
running Netscape Navigator on Windows NT Server/Workstation with captive
display accounts on boot-up? Are there better ways to go?
Donation sources for computing resources - Are there any companies you
know of that supply the above items that are likely to offer donations
or deep discounts? Can you recommend anyone?
Thank you for anything you can offer. If a summary of responses is
desired, I ll make one.
Tom Fuller
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
6 Harbor Way, No. 177
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
[log in to unmask]
805-568-9000 (voice-mail for the museum)
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