Having had my original message on this subject rejected by the jiscmail
server (sent from the wrong email account!) I find that others have covered
all of my points and more besides. I would, however, like to support Tim's
idea of a seminar and to endorse the points made about volunteers. I think
that Ian Crawley's comments show a fundamental lack of awareness of the
importance of such people to the operation of many small and volunteer-run
museums. By taking an interest and freely giving their time to the benefit
of the museum, volunteers and "untested and unskilled people" contribute an
enormous amount to these organisations as well as gaining experience and
knowledge. I also reject the implication that volunteers are not fit people
to design and maintain museum websites. Volunteers bring a wide range of
additional kills to museum work and their efforts should not be denigrated.
Of course standards need to be raised, but this can be achieved in a
positive and safe environment. The mda Advice Point is available for anyone
seeking further information and guidance on web site development. Other
initiatives such as affordable training sessions and discussion lists seem
to be a more positive way forward than the Museum Webguide.
Best wishes,
Matthew
*****NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES*****
Dr Matthew Stiff
Head of Standards
mda
19 Riverside Road
Oxford
OX2 0HT
Tel: +44 (0)1865 200561
Fax: +44 (0)1865 200561 (by arrangement)
email: [log in to unmask]
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URL www.mda.org.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy Thorne" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 3:42 PM
Subject: Better Web
> Good idea. Perhaps the MCG could organise a solid half-day seminar on the
> web topic at
> the
> next meeting with (permissioned) good & less-good examples as educational
> points - it's not rocket
> science? How about it Sue?
>
> Tim T
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rachel Bhandari <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 22 May 2001 14:43
> Subject: Re: new website
>
>
> >Unfortunately the lack of information on this site about its creators or
> >their credentials leads one to suppose that they are simply not
interested
> >in offering any constructive criticism to help museums improve their
sites,
> >but just that the 'name and shame' negative appeal might help generate
> >traffic for their own site.
> >
> >I agree with the concept of having a site which aims to improve standards
> in
> >museum websites but feel that this should be achieved by example and by
> >offering positive assistance and resources.
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Ian Crawley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: 22 May 2001 12:17
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: new website
> >
> >
> >museum-guide.co.uk is a new website which aims to look at the mediocre,
the
> >bad and the downright ugly in the ever growing world of museum websites
in
> >the United Kingdom. In the headlong rush to get online, many museums have
> >produced websites which do them no credit. The need to stake a place in
> >cyber space has meant that many museums have rushed ahead with websites,
> >often employing volunteers or inexperienced, untested and unskilled
people.
> >Curators would not employ these people to design museum displays, yet
they
> >are quite happy to let them loose on a museum website which has an
> >unlimited potential audience. museum-guide.co.uk will highlight poor or
> >indifferent web design and content, in the hope that it will stimulate
> >higher standards of website creation.
> >
> >The launch has focused on three museum websites, Neath Museum, Bolton
> >Museums and Camborne Mining Museum. A new website will be added every two
> >weeks.
> >
> >The new website can be found at www.museum-webguide.co.uk
> >
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