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AC238 VISEUMList of participantsContact Back to "ACTS Projects by Title Letter V" |
List of Domains and Chains |
Technical Approach
In terms of broad categorisation, the work is divided in networking infrastructure, application systems and content deployment.
The first part of the project is the establishment of the networking infrastructure required to implement the proposed applications. This involves the interconnection of the Canadian Rnet and CANARIE research networks with the JAMES network in Europe using the trans-Atlantic fibre optic link CANTAT-3 as jointly operated by Teleglobe Canada and Deutsche Telekom Berkom. The network will be ATM-based.
The second aspect of the project is the specification, implementation and evaluation of a client/server system for the remote access of high-resolution images.
The generation and deployment of content is the third part of VISEUM. Pieces of art in the museums are being digitised, indexed and stored in a database with an attached CD-ROM jukebox.
Summary of Trial
The VISEUM - Virtual Museum International project will use high-speed network links to combine image archives in museums in Europe and Canada into a single virtual museum.
As a result of previous projects, the museums have large banks of high-quality digital images. When this content is shared over a network, it will make possible comparisons which have previously not been feasible: for example, accurate-colour details from two paintings held by different institutions could be compared side-by-side on the computer screen. Also infra-red, ultra-violet and x-ray images which are usually not published at all can be accessed remotely in high resolution.
This will prove the viability of the concept and lead to further possibilities in collaboration among the participants. After the end of the project, the materials might be available to other institutions and the general public over the network.
Key Issues
Expected Impact
There is no doubt that networking will dramatically change peoples lives in the 21st century. This project will stimulate access to the global cultural resources with benefits for education, awareness of history and cultural diversity. The development of a consensus on security and copyright solutions will help the expansion of commercial use of the Internet in the cultural field. The fear of security breaches and the lack of reimbursement for high quality materials which would be sold in other forms (CD-ROMs and books) is holding back the dissemination of information over the Internet. The increased awareness that reasonable security is possible and that some items can be made available on a payment basis or only to subscribers will inevitably help the development of source providers.
With the use of access control, museums and galleries will become more amenable to the interchange of research materials. This will have positive affects on the dissemination of data and techniques which should help increase the quality of conservation of fragile objects around the world. Europe is extremely rich in cultural centres and museums and the development of these network resources will help developing countries in their conservation efforts.
Contact:
Christian Hellwig Deutsche Telekom Berkom Goslarer Ufer 35 D-10589 Berlin Germany Tel: +49 30 3497 3514 Fax: +49 30 3497 3599 E-mail: C.Hellwig@berkom.de
List of Domains and Chains
Multimedia Domain
HS Networking Domain
Generic Applications Chains
List of participants