If/When we re-write our code that pulls our collection database into the website, this has given some good tips on how we might make it more accessible. PH is really breaking ground on this and getting great results. MW conferences always make me excited to see how well the Walker is leading / keeping up with the museum world online, but also lets me know there are clearly institutions out there who are far ahead of us in certain areas.
Sebastian Chan – Powerhouse Museum
- Seb started by discussing the importance of “browse” – serendipity in finding related objects you weren’t originally looking for. Real life works this way: libraries, supermarkets, etc.
- Why do people explore in this way? How do they do it at PH? Two taxonomies:
- Prompted to see “similar objects” – internal subject taxonomy with grouping hierarchy. These subjects are applied by the museum.
- Also have user tags to form taxonomies. Anonymous tagging, anyone can do it.
- tag searches make up 40% of their searches.
- Huge volume of searches, they can view them in real time and use the data to increase accuracy. In fact, collecting too much data they literally can’t analyze it all – going to bring in some universities to help if they can.
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