Hi Sam
The Portable Film Festival folks (http://portablefilmfestival.com) did some pilots in Melbourne, Australia and dLux Media arts (http://www.dlux.org.au) did similar in Sydney with bluetooth short films delivered to visitor devices in a number of gallery spaces a few years ago.
From memory there were a number of issues, the primary one being the cost of a decent long range bluetooth base station (which apparently had to be imported at high cost from germany!). The other major issue is the problem of 'pairing'. Anyone who has tried to use bluetooth on their own mobile to connect to the laptop or another device will vouch for its difficulty level. In practice this meant that only those who were already aware of the technology were able to successfully interact. Most people are unaware of even where the menu item on their phone to turn on bluetooth is . . . . The PFF has gotten around these issues in public spaces by having their content available in other ways as well - rather than just rely on bluetooth.
If you can commandeer the use of a local mobile tower you might be able to set up your own MMS broadcast on request (via call) which might be an easier fit for a traditional museum audience.
seb
Sebastian Chan
Manager, Web Services
Powerhouse Museum
street - 500 Harris St Ultimo, NSW Australia
postal - PO Box K346, Haymarket, NSW 1238
tel - 61 2 9217 0109
fax - 61 2 9217 0689
e - [log in to unmask]
w - www.powerhousemuseum.com
b - www.powerhousemuseum.com/dmsblog
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group on behalf of Sam Smith
Sent: Tue 15/04/2008 9:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Bluetooth in museums
Hello
I am currently researching the idea of using blue tooth in a museum space,
maybe for visitors to download short digital stories. Does anyone know of
any museums doing similar or of any case studies of blue tooth technology
being used in museums?
Any ideas or knowledge about this would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Sam
Sam Smith
Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust
Kelham Island Museum
Alma Street
Sheffield S3 8RY
UK
Direct Line and Voicemail: 0114 201 0622
Museum General Enquiries: 0114 272 2106
Fax: 0114 275 7847
e-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
General museum e-enquiries: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
[log in to unmask]
website: <http://www.simt.co.uk> www.simt.co.uk
Company registered in England No. 2912546 (at above address)
Registered Charity No. 1042287
VAT registered No. 646448806
***************************************************************************
This is an e-mail from Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust (SIMT)
The contents are confidential to the intended recipient at the e-mail
address to which it has been addressed.
It may not be disclosed to or used by anyone other than the addressee or
copied in any way.
If received in error please contact SIMT on +44(0)114 272 2106 quoting the
name of the sender and addressee - then delete it from your system.
Please note that neither SIMT nor the sender accept any responsibility for
viruses and it is your responsibility to scan attachments (if any).
***************************************************************************
**************************************************
For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
**************************************************
=========================Important Notice=====================================
This email and attachments are for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain confidential or legally privileged information or material that is copyright of Powerhouse Museum or a third party. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and then delete it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose or distribute this e-mail without the author's prior permission. Any views expressed in this message and attachments are those of the individual sender and the Powerhouse Museum accepts no liability for the content of this message. Whilst every care has been taken, the Powerhouse Museum cannot guarantee that the integrity of this email has been maintained nor that the email is free of errors or viruses. The Powerhouse Museum advises all organisations and individuals to undertake their own virus scanning and security measures.
==============================================================================
**************************************************
For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk
**************************************************
|