Electronic Guidebook Forum Report

Held at the Exploratorium, San Francisco
October 11 and 12, 2001

This two-day forum brought together researchers and developers for discussion of the latest findings on the application of handheld computers and wireless networks in museum exhibitions. The forum identified key issues to inform further work on researching and implementing electronic guidebook projects in museums.

To view the report on the Electronic Guidebook Forum, click on the links for each section in the table of contents, below. (You will need the free Acrobat Reader in order to view these PDF documents.)

I. Overview (PDF)

A. The Forum
Participants, Process and Goals
Beginning Groundwork
Ongoing Dialogue

B. Sample Projects

C. Summary of Key Lessons,
Ideas, Issues, & Questions
The Potential
The Audience
Management, Staff, Operations
Technology
User Interface
Content
Research and Evaluation

II. Introduction (PDF)

A. Forum Introduction & Goals

B. Individual Introductions/
Interests

III. Sample Projects (PDF)

A. Points of Departure, SFMOMA.

B. Sotto Voce, Xerox PARC

C. Kid Club Communicator,
Port Discovery

D. MUSEpad - Mathers
Museum of World Cultures

E. Electronic Guidebook Project
at the Exploratorium

F. Electronic Guidebook and Concord
Consortium Probeware

G. A Rough Comparison of Project Costs