On Sun, 27 Nov 1994, Holly Trimper wrote: > This point applies to both conversations regarding the dragging of heels by > museums to use the internet more and how email is changing how we tlak to > each other professionally and privately: > > The increasing reliance on electronic media tends toward elitism. What > audience are you reaching? Those who have the resources (read $$) to have > the hardware and software to support virtual museums, huge art files, etc. > are few. Sure, that population is growing, but the people most interested in > and most apt to use/purchase computers, modems, etc. are the folks who are > most likely to attend museums anyway. Schools usually don't have the > equipment to use mosaic, www, etc., and unless someone comes into the school > to train or demonstrate how to get to these resources, they will remain > unused. Email is less snobbish, but you still need the computer and modem > and know-how, including netiquette (like don't quote a 40-line post and > follow up with "I agree!"). > > In short, let's not lose our heads over the *wonders* of internet. We risk > snubbing a lot of people. > An interesting point was raised by a recent visitor to us from South Africa (the Mayibuye Centre). When asked why they are producing CD-ROM material for a very low-tech audience, his response was that to fail to provide technology based services to groups because they aren't 'connected' is a form of active discrimination which helps perpetuate the problem. The availability of material of worth promotes arguments for access. I think there's a degree of sense in this argument Tim ********************************************************************** * Tim Bosher * Museum of Victoria * * [log in to unmask] * Information Systems Branch * * Phone: +61 3 651 6751 * Fax: +61 3 651 6180 * * * * There is no time like the present to postpone * * what you should be doing. * * * **********************************************************************