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MUSE project is an effort to bring handheld computers into the
museum, as both a navigation and social collaboration tool, to
enhance the museum visitor experience.
Visitors are given a handheld computing device, capable of displaying
text and images in full color, and playing audio streams (voice
or music). The device is small, light, and stylish rathern than
bulky and distracting.
Upon approaching an exhibit of interest, the visitor can 'scan'
the exhibit by pointing the handheld at a small tag behind the
exhibit's plaque. The handheld identifies the exhibit and presents
a screen with links to information about the exhibit. The 'scanning'
process is instantaneous and automatic, so there is no need for
the visitor to be distracted by punching in an exhibit number,
as previous systems have done. The device is therefore 'context-aware',
and the information is more immediately accessible, since it only
displays information about the exhibit that you are interested
in. |
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the information and audio is stored in a central computer at the
museum and broadcast over a wireless network, so the amount of
information and audio that can be displayed is essentially limitless.
The most unique feature of MUSE, however, is its facilitation
of social interaction and discussion. The visitor may write questions,
comments, thoughts, etc. into the device and 'post' them at the
exhibit to be viewed by others. Other visitors can contribute
to these discussions at any time, much like an online newsgroup.
Perhaps the curator might see a particularly interesting question
left by a visitor and post the answer for all to benefit from.
Furthermore, these discussion groups (and all the information
in the system) can be viewed from home or anywhere with an internet
connection, using a standard browser. For example, the visitor
may post a question while in the museum, go home and access the
museum's website, and see others' responses to that question.
The museum visit and experience is then extended from the confines
of the museum walls. |
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