CIDOC Multimedia Working Group
Multimedia Evaluation Criteria

Revised Draft: J. Trant, CIDOC Multimedia Working Group Chair
Nuremberg, Germany
September 8-10,1997

FUNCTIONALITY

1. How interactive is the system?

1.1. Does it only give pre-defined choices?

1.2. Does it take input from the user in the form of search parameters, but provide a fixed choice of pre-defined categories?

1.3. Does it respond to user input, and use user input to reconfigure choices given?

1.4. Does it have segments which the user authors and/or which user can save and build on?

2. Can the user search? Do the search criteria match the user's criteria?

2.1. Is the search tolerant of missing or unknown values?

2.2. Does it give accurate results despite missing values?

3. Can the user print all or parts of the information found?

4. Is the user provided with tools or methods to interact with the content?

4.1. How many?

4.2. What kinds?

4.3. Are they relevant to the nature of the content?

4.4. Are the tools appropriate and engaging?

5. Are the functions of the system described in any way?

5.1. Is this clear and consistent?

5.2. Are all functions represented?

6. Can the user do things that are not possible with the real thing, such as see it in a different light, hear it played or deconstruct/reconstruct it?

7. Does the multimedia record a history of user interaction?

7.1. Can the system use this in session based feedback?

7.2. Can the system use this to vary the information presented to reflect user history/interest?

7.3. Can the user tell where he as already been?

8. Is there a way for users to comment?

8.1. Are user comments incorporated in any way?

9. Can the content be updated?

10. How well is knowledge of the multimedia's existence reported?

10.1. Is it widely available?

10.2. Is it reported to general indexes of available multimedia?

10.3. Can the Web site be found? Does it report metadata?

10.4. How is the fixed format multimedia distributed?

Are there other criteria that make good museum multimedia? Send us your

Museum Multimedia Evaluation Criteria

Content

Functionality

Interface

Implementation

Overall Impact