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MCG  November 2008

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Subject:

Re: Microsoft surface

From:

Joe Cutting <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:17:49 +0000

Content-Type:

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 >>
My second question is - if they won't commit to a launch timetable, what
solutions are similar that we could use in the meantime? Which
interactive table exhibits already in existence are particularly good?
Are they always designed from scratch? Do they all involve a suspended
component (I have very high or absent ceilings in my museum!)?=20
 >>
You can buy touch sensitive membranes which can be attached to a flat 
surface which
you then project onto. Some of these are multi-touch some of them 
aren't. Installation is
a specialist job so you'll need to go through a specialist AV 
supplier. As far as I know the Royal Observatory exhibits were 
installed by Sysco (www.syscoav.co.uk) but most large av companies 
should be able to manage this.
If overhead projection is a real problem you can also buy very large 
touchscreens. These also avoid the
problem of needing a dark area. They don't tend to be multi-touch 
(able to detect more than one touch at once) but you could probably 
have a multi-touch one specially made. However, these do limit the 
size and shape of your image.
There are also custom built multi-touch tables out there which use a 
projector under the table. In general these count as "experimental 
art projects" and add an extra level of risk - particularly for long term use.

Do you need multi-touch?  This is sold as being useful for detecting 
gestures but in a museum context the main advantage is that more than 
one person at a time can use the exhibit. With a big touch area its 
much more likely than onlookers will reach round the main user and 
try and do things. This can be avoided by cunning design of the table 
to stop other people crowding round. Of course, if the aim of the 
exhibit is to get more than one person to use it at once then you 
need multi-touch.

For your question "can we use the same software developers for 
multitouch". The answer is generally yes although they may need a bit 
of extra time. The main thing to be aware of is that designing 
exhibits for a table surface has several differences from designing 
for screens. These include:
- The resolution is much lower - so you can't put much text on the screen
- Screen contrast is tends to be low for projections
- You get complex interraction issues with several users at the same time

Because of this  its really essential that you're able to test a 
couple of software prototypes using the actual table setup you're 
going to use. In my experience all av hardware suppliers who supply 
this type of kit are hopelessly optimistic about when they can 
actually deliver and always supply it several months late. The only 
thing I can suggest is that you allow lots of time and consider 
telling the av company the gallery is opening several months earlier 
than it really is :-)

Things to look at:
-The NHM's Dino jaws exhibition. Used a touch sensitive table and 
projection to let you "dig out" fossils. This is a travelling 
exhibition and I'm not sure where it is right now. I'm sure John 
Benfield can supply more info.
-Projection/ touch surface exhibits in the Royal Observatory Greenwich
-"Our Future" exhibits at the Centre for Life use large touchscreens 
because they too have high ceilings and skylights which make 
projection difficult.

Maybe if you give us some idea of what you're trying to do we can 
discuss which technology would be most appropriate.

Best wishes

Joe




Joe Cutting
Computer exhibits and installations
www.joecutting.com
35 Hospital Fields Road, York, YO10 4DZ
01904 624681

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