For many of our customers, the summer is a very busy time at their facilities. Some run summer camps, some are located in summer tourist “hot spots”, etc. Between the increased usage and the temperature (especially if you don’t have air conditioning), your kiosks and electronic exhibits should be prepared properly.
Keeping Cool! One of a computer’s worst enemies is extreme heat and even though you may have air conditioning, your computer can get overheated easily. Some of the ill effects that heat can cause are burnt out processors or other components and the unseating of boards (like RAM). The most common cause of overheating is fan failure (both inside the computer and inside the kiosk). Sometimes fans (like anything else) just die. But other times they are so clogged up with dust and “gunk” (a technical term) that they are ineffective and eventually burn out. Bottom line, check and clean your fans to prepare for the summer months and while you are at it, give the entire kiosk and computer a clean up.
Prepare to collect summer data. Many kiosk programs collect data. Before a busy period is a great time to archive the data collected to date and clear out the data file. By starting fresh for the summer, you will be collecting data without mixing it in with the data that has already been collected. When you retrieve your data after the summer, you will have data pertaining only to the summer months. Also, when you retrieve the summer data, you can clear out the summer data and start collecting data from the “school year”. If your kiosk program does not collect data, we at point2explore can help by setting up data collecting on your kiosk or computer. This data is very valuable to track program usage, etc.
Promote future events! If summer is your busy season, why not promote your fall events during the summer. If you get a lot of local visitors, why not promote your upcoming summer events. Your kiosk is a great way to do this. Many of the kiosk systems we sell include a “button” for news or upcoming events. We set up an easily editable template so that our customers can add news, events info, donor recognition, etc. any time they want. For more info on setting up your computer kiosk to update data, see our previous submission to this blog titled “Update text and photos on your kiosk with PowerPoint!”
Do you have any kiosk prep tips to share? Please comment by clicking on the COMMENTS link below.
If you are interested in adding features and functions to your current computer kiosks, give us a call at 973-882-9411 or email us at info@point2explore.com.
Chris Meyer
President
CD Meyer, Inc./point2explore
