Walker Art Center presented their experience and data of success for their website at MuseumNext a couple years ago.
http://vimeo.com/44162636
Arts and American but still areas of learning for us all.
Mark
Mark Macleod
Head of the Infirmary Museum
The Infirmary Museum
Department of Information and Learning Services
University of Worcester
City Campus
Castle Street
Worcester
WR1 3AS
01905 542373 (internal ext. 2373)
[log in to unmask]
The Infirmary Museum project is on facebook!
Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/TheInfirmaryWorcester
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Owen Stephens
Sent: 04 June 2014 17:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
Maybe drifting a bit off topic here, but Tijana Tasich and Elena Villaespesa did a great paper on doing user testing with the Tate website http://mw2013.museumsandtheweb.com/paper/meeting-the-real-user-evaluating-the-usability-of-tates-website/
Owen
Owen Stephens
Owen Stephens Consulting
Web: http://www.ostephens.com
Email: [log in to unmask]
Telephone: 0121 288 6936
On 4 Jun 2014, at 17:02, Mike Ellis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ~makes note to buy Martin a pint~
>
> The collections stuff really interests me - I agree with you but there's a lot of inertia in figuring out how to best present collections to "normals" as opposed to "researchers", which goes back to Nick's point.
>
> I've banged on about it before but vendors IMO could/should be taking a bit of a lead here: I was looking again at a well known collections management company's web output today. Fairly horrific stuff: markup from about 1982, zero sign of any SEO effort (the <title> field was the name of the software, and the same across all object pages), bad URLs, POSTs on search results which make the listings un-shareable, etc. This stuff is pretty unforgivable nowadays. Well, it always was, but now we're all excited about being able to surface stuff in Google Images and so on it's absolutely crucial.
>
> On a related - kinda - note, our plugin which hooks into both AdLib and CultureGrid data, sucks in all objects and then displays them in WordPress is now ready for us to demo. If you're interested in a screencast, ping me off list.
>
> cheers
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> _____________________________
>
>
> *Mike Ellis *
>
> Thirty8 Digital: a small but perfectly formed digital
> agency:http://thirty8.co.uk <http://thirty8.co.uk/>
>
> * My book: http://heritageweb.co.uk <http://heritageweb.co.uk/> *
>
>
>
>> Martin Bazley <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>> 4 June 2014 16:51
>> Don't Make Me Think is still the best really practical, simple guide to testing.
>>
>> But it's not specific to museum / cultural heritage websites. I can
>> recall reviewing a good one on that by someone called Mike ...
>> something or other :) Oh look, it's in your signature. (I know, how
>> sycophantic is that?)
>>
>> I agree with you about the relative lack of user testing collections searches etc. I have done user testing on a fair few, but until recently online collections have often been seen as a service for serious researchers - who to be fair will mostly put up with virtually anything, as they are so goal oriented. It is the casual / general / informal learning / non-specialist (etc) users who are harder to engage with online collections related material.
>>
>> Martin
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------
>> Martin Bazley
>> Digital heritage consultant
>> Martin Bazley & Associates
>> 15 Margin Drive
>> Wimbledon
>> SW19 5HA
>> 0780 3580 727
>> [log in to unmask]
>> www.martinbazley.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Mike Ellis
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 16:23
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Steve Krug, Don't Make Me Think, 2014 edition.
>> http://www.sensible.com/dmmt.html
>>
>> It's a great read.
>>
>> In short he says to test everything with real people - don't worry about focus groups if you can't afford them: test with your mum and mates instead...
>>
>> Personally I see persona development as being a different (but also
>> important) stage of a web project. One of the things it does is to help define *who* it is you're going to go and test stuff with.
>>
>> Wondering.. how many of those collections searches/listings have ever seen any kind of user testing...?
>>
>> ta
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>> _____________________________
>>
>>
>> *Mike Ellis *
>>
>> Thirty8 Digital: a small but perfectly formed digital
>> agency:http://thirty8.co.uk <http://thirty8.co.uk/>
>>
>> * My book: http://heritageweb.co.uk <http://heritageweb.co.uk/> *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>> Mike Ellis <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>> 4 June 2014 16:23
>> Steve Krug, Don't Make Me Think, 2014 edition.
>> http://www.sensible.com/dmmt.html
>>
>> It's a great read.
>>
>> In short he says to test everything with real people - don't worry about focus groups if you can't afford them: test with your mum and mates instead...
>>
>> Personally I see persona development as being a different (but also important) stage of a web project. One of the things it does is to help define *who* it is you're going to go and test stuff with.
>>
>> Wondering.. how many of those collections searches/listings have ever seen any kind of user testing...?
>>
>> ta
>>
>>
>>
>> Martin Bazley <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>> 4 June 2014 15:24
>> Hi Jo
>>
>> Interesting paper and interesting points. I think personas can be
>> very useful in helping organisations decide what content to present,
>> and how, for different types of users. But whenever I hear someone is
>> using personas (or 'user-centred design') it rings mild alarm bells
>> for me because, although designing the experience / website based on
>> personas' perceived needs is a great idea, the really important bit
>> is to actually do user testing with real people ('actual' real
>> people), and there is a tendency to assume that this has been 'done',
>> through all that thinking about what specific people really, really
>> want... ;-)
>>
>> Doing both is obviously best.
>>
>> Incidentally this discussion brings to mind a recent review of visitor segmentation models which started on the GEM (Group for Education in Museums) list and spread to VSG (Visitor Studies Group), including references to mode-of-use type schemas (along the lines of the 'scholars, explorers and dreamers' James referred to) such as Morris Hargreaves Macintyre's useful reports, and a constructive critique by Eric Jensen of John Falk's model, which has been very influential within museum and science centre learning circles for a number of years. It doesn't relate directly to online visitors, but some people might it a serendipitous link to follow up.
>>
>> Best
>> Martin
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------
>> Martin Bazley
>> Digital heritage consultant
>> Martin Bazley & Associates
>> 15 Margin Drive
>> Wimbledon
>> SW19 5HA
>> 0780 3580 727
>> [log in to unmask]
>> www.martinbazley.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Pugh, Jo
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 14:55
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Hi Nick,
>>
>> A place where that has been tackled really interestingly is in James Davies fine 2011 presentation to museums and the web:
>> http://www.museumsandtheweb.com/mw2011/papers/art_artists
>>
>> This - amongst other interesting ideas - discusses "perspectives" and divides users into scholars, explorers and dreamers who all have different wants and needs from the new site that it being designed. Even though it's based on work begun in 2008, it's still an interesting approach and it led directly to a change in how Tate represented its works online. It's also a good argument in favour of using personas. We can talk endlessly about "the user" and still increase the risk of creating exactly what you describe - designing either for a limited section of users, or worse a totally abstract "user" who isn't based firmly on any real users at all.
>>
>> Jo
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________
>>
>> Jo Pugh
>> Research Engineer | The National Archives / University of York tel.
>> +44 (0)20 8392 5330 x2292 The National Archives, Kew, Richmond,
>> Surrey TW9 4DU www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Nick Poole
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 14:39
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Hi Simon,
>>
>> It sounds like a really interesting session. I'm not responding to suggest a speaker, but more to raise a perspective.
>>
>> I've recently been working with an artists and illustrator who was tasked with identifying a set of iconic objects from the websites of a number of museums and drawing pictures of them.
>>
>> Watching their mounting frustration was a real education in terms of the difference between how collections are presented on museum websites and how different types of user might expect to interact with them.
>>
>> Put simply, the websites weren't designed to support the use my artist friend was trying to put them to.
>>
>> All of which is my way of asking whether it might be a useful addition to the session to find people who habitually use museum websites for different purposes (planning a visit, entertaining the kids, doing some personal research, finding pictures for their homework etc) and getting them to talk about their perspective on the perfect site?
>>
>> All best,
>>
>> Nick
>>
>> Nick Poole
>> Chief Executive Officer
>> Collections Trust
>>
>> Join the Collections Trust's Collections Management LinkedIn group - 7300 collections professionals worldwide!
>>
>> New! Join the Collections Trust's Digital Asset Management subgroup - insight, discussions and expertise about Digital Asset Management in Museums!
>>
>> Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/collectiontrust
>>
>> Visit Collections Trust online
>> www.collectionstrust.org.uk
>> www.collectionslink.org.uk
>> www.culturegrid.org.uk
>>
>> Company Registration No: 1300565 Registered Charity No: 273984
>> Registered Office: Collections Trust, WC 209, Natural History Museum,
>> Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Simon Stephens
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 14:10
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Hi MCGers,
>>
>> I am putting together a digital session at this year's Museums Association conference in Cardiff. The session takes place in the afternoon on Thursday 9 October. It has the title of "What Makes the Perfect Museum Website?" and the aim is to give delegates a chance to think about how their own websites work and what could be changed and improved.
>>
>> As part of this, we are hoping to get two speakers at the start to give a 10-minute presentation each. We were hoping that one person would speak about the importance of using museum websites from a marketing point of view, with a primary focus of driving visitors through the door of the museum, while the other speaker would look at sites from a curatorial or educational side - i.e talking more about online content and community. We'd be interested in hearing about the ways these approaches differ, how they can work together, and the various challenges each raises.
>>
>> If any MCGers are interested in speaking at the session or have suggestions for speakers please get in touch.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Simon
>>
>> Simon Stephens
>> Deputy Editor
>> Museums journal
>> T: 020 7566 7820
>> E: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> This email was scanned by the Government Secure Intranet anti-virus service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) In case of problems, please call your organisations IT Helpdesk.
>> Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.
>> Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------------
>>
>>
>> National Archives Disclaimer
>>
>> This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for
>> the use of the
>> individual(s) to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended
>> recipient and have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the email.
>> Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message and
>> attachments that do not relate to the official business of The
>> National Archives are neither given nor endorsed by it.
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ---------------
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>> Pugh, Jo <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>> 4 June 2014 14:54
>> Hi Nick,
>>
>> A place where that has been tackled really interestingly is in James Davies fine 2011 presentation to museums and the web:
>> http://www.museumsandtheweb.com/mw2011/papers/art_artists
>>
>> This - amongst other interesting ideas - discusses "perspectives" and divides users into scholars, explorers and dreamers who all have different wants and needs from the new site that it being designed. Even though it's based on work begun in 2008, it's still an interesting approach and it led directly to a change in how Tate represented its works online. It's also a good argument in favour of using personas. We can talk endlessly about "the user" and still increase the risk of creating exactly what you describe - designing either for a limited section of users, or worse a totally abstract "user" who isn't based firmly on any real users at all.
>>
>> Jo
>>
>>
>> __________________________________________________
>>
>> Jo Pugh
>> Research Engineer | The National Archives / University of York tel.
>> +44 (0)20 8392 5330 x2292 The National Archives, Kew, Richmond,
>> Surrey TW9 4DU www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Nick Poole
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 14:39
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Hi Simon,
>>
>> It sounds like a really interesting session. I'm not responding to suggest a speaker, but more to raise a perspective.
>>
>> I've recently been working with an artists and illustrator who was tasked with identifying a set of iconic objects from the websites of a number of museums and drawing pictures of them.
>>
>> Watching their mounting frustration was a real education in terms of the difference between how collections are presented on museum websites and how different types of user might expect to interact with them.
>>
>> Put simply, the websites weren't designed to support the use my artist friend was trying to put them to.
>>
>> All of which is my way of asking whether it might be a useful addition to the session to find people who habitually use museum websites for different purposes (planning a visit, entertaining the kids, doing some personal research, finding pictures for their homework etc) and getting them to talk about their perspective on the perfect site?
>>
>> All best,
>>
>> Nick
>>
>> Nick Poole
>> Chief Executive Officer
>> Collections Trust
>>
>> Join the Collections Trust's Collections Management LinkedIn group - 7300 collections professionals worldwide!
>>
>> New! Join the Collections Trust's Digital Asset Management subgroup - insight, discussions and expertise about Digital Asset Management in Museums!
>>
>> Follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/collectiontrust
>>
>> Visit Collections Trust online
>> www.collectionstrust.org.uk
>> www.collectionslink.org.uk
>> www.culturegrid.org.uk
>>
>> Company Registration No: 1300565 Registered Charity No: 273984
>> Registered Office: Collections Trust, WC 209, Natural History Museum,
>> Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Simon Stephens
>> Sent: 04 June 2014 14:10
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [MCG] Museums Association conference digital session
>>
>> Hi MCGers,
>>
>> I am putting together a digital session at this year's Museums Association conference in Cardiff. The session takes place in the afternoon on Thursday 9 October. It has the title of "What Makes the Perfect Museum Website?" and the aim is to give delegates a chance to think about how their own websites work and what could be changed and improved.
>>
>> As part of this, we are hoping to get two speakers at the start to give a 10-minute presentation each. We were hoping that one person would speak about the importance of using museum websites from a marketing point of view, with a primary focus of driving visitors through the door of the museum, while the other speaker would look at sites from a curatorial or educational side - i.e talking more about online content and community. We'd be interested in hearing about the ways these approaches differ, how they can work together, and the various challenges each raises.
>>
>> If any MCGers are interested in speaking at the session or have suggestions for speakers please get in touch.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Simon
>>
>> Simon Stephens
>> Deputy Editor
>> Museums journal
>> T: 020 7566 7820
>> E: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>>
>> This email was scanned by the Government Secure Intranet anti-virus service supplied by Vodafone in partnership with Symantec. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) In case of problems, please call your organisations IT Helpdesk.
>> Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.
>> Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------------
>>
>>
>> National Archives Disclaimer
>>
>> This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for
>> the use of the
>> individual(s) to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended
>> recipient and have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete the email.
>> Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message and
>> attachments that do not relate to the official business of The
>> National Archives are neither given nor endorsed by it.
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ---------------
>>
>> ****************************************************************
>> website: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/
>> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
>> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/museumscomputergroup
>> [un]subscribe: http://museumscomputergroup.org.uk/email-list/
>> ****************************************************************
>
> ****************************************************************
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> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ukmcg
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