Hi John,
Like Alan,  we have used WLAN to service some PC in the galleries which were serving web -based content from our CMS. My top tip here is to make use of discrete wireless cards in the PC rather than attached USB receivers.  The latter seem to have a lifespan of about 5 minutes if they are any where our less dexterous visitors are able to get at them.

In terms of members of the public turning up with wireless devices, I would be interested to know about the solutions folk have come up with to balance the convenience of wireless access, with the inconvenience of putting in the systems to charge for it's use. Is the consensus that it is made free?  Taking a step backwards if it is free or charged, what is the business basis for this? I imagine such a case would be based on likely uptake - how many persons would a) really come to the museum with such devices or b) be attracted to come since they can get a connection?  Some experience of these matters would be interesting to hear. 

Thanks
Pete





Dr. Peter Rauxloh
Head of IT
Museum of London Group
46 Eagle Wharf Road
London. N1 7ED
Tel: 020 7410 2205
Fax: 020 7600 1058
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.museumoflondon.org.uk
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-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Howell, Alan
Sent: 04 June 2008 09:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Public access to WiFi

John,

We provide a wireless internet access 'hot-spot' at our Candie Gardens site, which was initially intended to service customers in the museum café and people giving presentations in our lecture theatre. The access was purposely kept separate from the States of Guernsey network. It has also been used to provide net access via stand-alone computers in a couple of temporary exhibitions when appropriate. 

I can find out the tech details of how it was set up if you'd like to know; feel free to contact me off list if you'd rather.

Kind regards

Alan Howell

Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery is 30 Years Old!
Visit our 30th Anniversary Art Exhibition, at Candie Gardens until 15th June 2008.
Coming soon - Childhood Memories - will come flooding back from 28th June 2008.
www.museums.gov.gg

-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Williams (NMC)
Sent: 04 June 2008 09:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Public access to WiFi

My organisation wants to provide WiFi access for visitors initially in the coffee shop area but potentially throughout the public spaces of the Museum. We're keen to provide this to enable visitors to access our own site and get information relevant to their visit but also to allow visitors access the wider web to compare information about our collections and services like email and social networking to allow them to comment on their visits.

I'd be interested in any comments anyone might have and in particular, if you already provide this service to visitors,  what arrangements you made to provide it, whether or not it's charged, and whether you used one of the commercial providers like BT Openzone or extended your existing network ?


All comments welcome!

John

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