Jun
11
2013
Continuing our series on the Top 10 Touch Screen Kiosk Maintenance Tips, we going to consider content.
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve certainly heard the phrase “content is king.” I’m a firm believer in this mantra. Especially true for museums, your content is what your visitors are interested in and it’s why they visit you. That being said, your electronic exhibits and touch screen kiosks are not only resources for content for your visitors, but they carry an expectation of being current. So you should begin to think of your electronic content resources as “living content” and be mindful of keeping them up-to-date and fresh.
First of all, many electronic exhibits and touch screen kiosks link to web sites for information. Those links may be to sites that you control, but many of our clients link to external resources. So, since those sites are out of your control, you need to make sure that the web sites you link to do not change the addresses (or urls) of the pages because if they do, your links won’t link properly. A quick audit of the links is well worth the time. If they have changed you may either need to find the new link on the site or you may need to find another web resource with similar content.
Accuracy: the information you put together for your kiosk or exhibit may be accurate when you put it together, but data, locations, contacts, links, names, etc. can change. Your visitors come to your museum expecting expert information, that’s your business, and inaccuracies will call your credibility into question. So strive to keep ALL of your information accurate and up-to-date.
Dates: you may offer information in your kiosk that references dates or time periods. Things like “serving our area for 13 years” or “Betty has been with the museum for 3 years” will be out of date in one year. Even copyright lines often contain a year that may need updating. An old copyright can really “date” your exhibit.
Keep it fresh: is there new information you can add to the exhibit? Maybe changes in the floor plan or exhibits, maybe new information on your subject matter? Maybe new photos? Electronic exhibits can be less expensive to update than printed resources. Adding something new will certainly keep people using your kiosks, especially if they know you’ve updated it.
Keep in mind when you are developing an new electronic exhibit or kiosk that updating is important and convey your desire to easily update content to your vendor. They usually can add functionality up front that will make updates a “do-it-yourself” task. Many of our point2explore games and programs are created to be easily updated.
These kiosk content maintenance tips will help keep your kiosk fresh in the eyes of your visitors and, like the computer maintenance mentioned previously, can possibly extend its usable life.
If you have any kiosk content maintenance questions or methods you’d like to share, let us know.
Chris Meyer
President
CD Meyer, Inc./point2explore
point2explore is product line of customizable touch screen kiosk programs including interactive games and informational programs. point2explore products are currently running in over 100 museums and have been used in corporate events across the country. Visit our web site at http://www.point2explore.com.