I have seen and used computer displays in Museums.
They are usually interactive, giving a photo or text about some subject. What I would like to know, is how is that done? I am a vollunteer at the Museum of Transport, St, Louis county Park. The Museum has some old computers that have been donated, or purchased used. What software package or language would be used to run the computer, so that Museum visitors could bring up information? Since these interactive displays have been around for a long time, I would imagine that an old computer could handle this assignment.

Jim1522@aol.com

I think that it would be possible to utilize older computers for that purpose, provided that they have sufficient memory for the required programs. As for the programs, you could probably use off the shelf programs to set up something like an interactive narrative with little difficulty. Our museum is considering restoring our General Railway Signal NX machine as an interactive display, utilizing a computer software program but that would have to be specially designed for that particular machine. All of that is going to be very long term though.

awalker2002@comcast.net

Some will make decent wheel chocks providing you don't make too hard a joint. They are great for door stops and paperweights too.

Most really innovative interactive media crunching programs require more up to date capabilities. Otherwise, it may be easier to come up with less costly alternatives to computer driven interpretation. Audiences will walk away from slow computer shows while the old microprocessors chug and grind.

Dave

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net