Rick,
Maureen Saunderson and I did something similar to this in 1993 with 5 full
screen, full motion video kiosks with touch screens, distributed across our
university campus. Our paper was published in AXIS Vol.1 No.1. I can send
you a copy if you like. The hardware solution (486DX50/8Mb MJPEG and later
MPEG1) is clearly dated but our report may give you some pointers. The paper
was also redistributed by AGOCG a couple of years ago.
We like the idea of resurrecting our project and converting it for Web use -
fairly straightforward - and especially so with streaming video, which I'm
doing a lot of work on at the present time. However, I must admit that we
were very disillusioned at the time that our original "product" was not more
widely welcomed within the University - perhaps it was ahead of its time!
I advised our Estates department a couple of years ago about specifying a PC
Kiosk system for the new Foyer of our Engineering Building. Then we were
thinking that a mouse might be more appropriate than a touch screen. Mice
are more generally accepted by the public now, than they were in 1993. Keep
the keyboard out of sight! I don't think the lack of a keyboard would be a
problem, but providing one would give access to the OS. We were also toying
with the idea of including a videoconferencing link to the Engineering
Faculty Office, so that visitors have someone to talk to. The Foyer is
unmanned. Unfortunately the budget was cut and the kiosks were never
installed, typical!
I feel that the potential for public kiosks with access to the Web, video
conferencing to a central reception and streaming of promotional
institutional video is immense.
I wish you all the best with this project and would like to hear how you get
on.
Regards,
Rob.
Dr Robert C. Symberlist,
Network Multimedia Consultant,
Library & Information Services,
University of Wales Swansea,
Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP UK
Tel: 01792 295619 Fax: 01792 295851
http://www.swan.ac.uk/lis
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Burne [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 1:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: web kiosks
I have only recently joined this list, please forgive me if this not an
appropriate topic for discussion.
I have been asked to investigate the creation of two Information Kiosks for
'public' use by College members or visitors. The main purpose it to
publicise College events. It would be helpful if the kiosk could also be
used to look up College information published on the web. I would be
pleased to hear from anyone out there who is willing to share information.
Particular information that would be useful includes:
a) Hardware: I have been given a quote from LGC Associates for a 'Product
Ten Housing' which houses a 20" TFT touch sensitive display to be driven by
a standard PC. Does anyone have product information for other hardware, or
a recommendation based on experience of use?
b) Software: The ideal would be to have a web browser limited to the local
domain which after a period of inactivity would revert to a rolling
display. Has anyone done or attempted to do this?
c) User Interface: Does a touch screen allow for sufficient accuracy for
browsing web pages designed for use by a mouse? Is the lack of a keyboard
a serious disadvantage?
I will summarise replies back to the list in due course.
Thanks in advance.
--------------------------
Rick Burne
User Support Group Manager
Information Systems
Education & Information Support Division (EISD)
University College London
Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
Tel: +44 (0) 171 504 2004
Fax: +44 (0) 171 388 5406
Mail: [log in to unmask]
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