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Hi, We use WiFi (b/g) extensively. Currently access is limited to staff and, especially, volunteers but we are currently developing our CMS with accessible standards (i.e., XML / XSLT / XHTML 1.1 / CSS and content negotiation) (including for mobile devices) and it is our intention to deploy access to customers as soon as possible. Apart from being able to surf in the sunshine, WiFi has great advantages for us: 1. We are very limited on office space and WiFi means we don't get a queue anymore. 2. It discourages frivolous printing (i.e., people have to walk to pick up their printouts so tend to think twice before printing). 3. We have a limited fixed Cat5 network (not flood-wired) and it is not feasible to expand it. 4. Limited display space and our long-term commitment to provide all our interpretation in our six core languages means that WiFi-enabled mobile devices (owned by or loaned to customers) are one solution to providing context-sensitive interpretation in multiple languages without having to have every board in all six languages. 5. Mobile devices are potentially useful for us for audit purposes (again, especially with volunteers who may be unfamiliar with the collections). 6. We are following the development of WiMax with interest as it offers the possibility of long distance site to site bridges down the road. The idea of using the mains power cables to create signal bridges between WiFi router nodes is an interesting one. Regards, James On Wed, 24 Jan 2007, Nicholas Shaw wrote: > Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:44:26 +0000 > From: Nicholas Shaw <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: Museums Computer Group <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [MCG] IT Provision - Apology > > Dear All, > > I am sorry I hit the send button before realising that it would be sent to > everyone. Please accept my apologies. > > Kind regards, > > Nicholas > > > On 19/1/07 15:41, "David Dawson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Good advice - but increasingly people will have their own wifi devices they >> could be using to access information from your website while they are in the >> gallery. >> >> Is anyone using Wifi to enable public access now - either in galleries or in >> café / informal spaces? >> >> D >> >> David Dawson >> Senior Policy Adviser (Digital Futures) >> Museums, Libraries and Archives Council >> Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4EA >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe >> Cutting >> Sent: 19 January 2007 15:33 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: IT Provision >> >> >> James, >>>> >> Here in Bedford we are are currently looking at a major upgrade to severa= of >> our exhibition spaces. I have been asked to look at current and=20 possible >> future IT/technology needs for these exhibition spaces.=20 I wonder if any >> members with recent experience of planning for such space= pref in a >> museum/heritage environment (listed building) could reply off=20= list giving >> details of best practice and 'future proof' provision and=20 suggestions as to >> any pitfalls etc to be avoided.=20 >> Hmm, this is rather tricky - without >> knowing the specifics of your space and what you might be planning its very >> hard to make accurate provision. >> However here's a quick check list >> you might like to think about. >> >> - Electricity. You need to have adequate power sockets/cables around >> the building. Some institutions are fine >> with just plugging things into wall sockets. In others they'll be >> unplugged or offend the exhibition designers in seconds - if this is >> the case you need underfloor sockets. You also need a timed switching >> system which lets you switch all the power on/off on a timer although >> its also a good idea to have a over ride and a "big red switch". >> >> - Networking. While you're having cables put in you might as well put >> in Ethernet cables so things can be networked. Yes wireless >> networking is great but if your building has lots of metal (think >> iron columns) its a bit tricky to get right. Your IT people will >> also be happier as they don't have to deal with the security issues >> of wireless networks. >> >> - Sound levels. IT/AV exhibits tend to make sound or the people using >> them do. Its a good plan to >> make sure that floors/walls are of a softer sound absorbing material >> rather than a hard sound reflecting one. Even if >> you have direction speakers they don't work well with hard floors. >> >> - Light levels. If you want to have projectors in your exhibit space >> you need to have some way of blocking all >> direct natural light. >> >> - Tech room / cupboard. Ideally you would also have a small room to >> the side of your exhibition which can house remote computers and spares. >> >> - Conduit / False floor. If you were planning on installing a lot of >> IT in the future you would ideally have a false floor or conduit >> under the floor which would let you install cables at a later date. >> Given that you don't seem to have firm plans this is probably overkill. >> >> Political preparation - these issues aren't directly connected to the >> space itself but tend to be much harder to >> organise so you might as well think about them earlier. >> >> - Maintenance staff. You need someone who takes responsibility for >> maintaining the exhibition IT. This really needs to happen before the >> IT is installed so they can make sure its all maintainable. >> >> - Checking staff. You would also need someone to take responsibility >> for checking that its all working. >> >> - Up to date desktop PCs. Most exhibition exhibits are designed to >> run on super fast new computers with big (19"+) screens and sound. If >> your staff all have pokey old machines with small screens and no >> speakers they won't be able to run any of the prototypes. >> >> - Security access to see videos and flash. There's a lot of >> inspiration for IT exhibits out there on the web in the form of flash >> and video. If your IT department's security policy blocks this you >> need to get it changed. >> >> That should do to get you started. If you want to give more details >> about your space/plans I can give more specific advice. >> >> All the best >> >> Joe >> >> ************************************************** >> For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the >> website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk >> ************************************************** >> >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more >> information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> ______________________________________________________________________ >> >> Unless stated otherwise the information contained in this e-mail and any >> attachments is confidential. If you have received it in error, you are on >> notice of its status. It is intended solely for the addressee. 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