Open Forum

Dear Colleagues,

I am working on developing an in-house digital interactive display that utilizes images with touchable hotspots to provide information. For this case study, I plan to use posters from our collection that exemplify propaganda and persuasion. My goal is to add hotspots to specific areas of the images, which will trigger modals with detailed information.

I am seeking a subscription-based software solution that offers this functionality without requiring extensive coding or development. Ideally, this software should be compatible with both iPads and large touch screens running on Windows for use in our gallery. I have been experimenting with Genially.

Does anyone have recommendations for existing software that meets these criteria?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

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Mark Osterman
Assistant Director for Digital Experiences
The Wolfsonian–FIU
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Mark,

The Kiosk Group has inexpensive software for iPads.  You can also use basic HTML/CSS coding with a locked down browser to create hotspots that can pop up a modal.  I'd be happy to discuss further if you want to DM me.

Best,

Michael

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Michael Bendit MBA
Managing Director
Darien CT
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I'd recommend a Brightsign player and the BrightAuthor software which comes with the players. You can use the lowest priced models for what you've described. Add a touchscreen monitor of any size and shape and you have a low-cost, solid, secure, solution. I'm happy to talk more if you like. 

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Tod Hopkins
Museum Media Specialist
443-472-5978
tod@hoptod.com
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Mark,

BrightSign players are popular and do not require a subscription. The BrightAuthor software is not super intuitive but it can do a lot. I don't have enough experience with it to know if you can do exactly what you are asking but it is worth looking into. 

I have also heard that INTIUFACE is a very good platform for developing interactive touch screen apps. 

Best of luck,

Bart

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Bart Hays
Principal/Operations
Pacific Grove CA
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Intuiface is impressive, highly capable, and prohibitively expensive for a one-off. Tablets are nice if you want something portable and small, but not very flexible, and not purpose-built. There is a reason BrightSign is so popular. The players are inexpensive, compared to PC hardware, easy to configure, and BrightAuthor can definitely do what you want. It does expect users to have some basic literacy in web and media concepts that I would assume you have if you are at all familiar with "digital experiences." It is the easiest and least expensive way that I have found to create simple, single-touch interactives. If you have HTML5 coding knowledge, you can do pretty much anything you can do on a website, but you don't need any coding for hotspot-based interactives. 

Here's a clip of a simple one that I did recently. https://vimeo.com/1076093846/927de05738?share=copy

Here's a more complex example done by a friend: https://vimeo.com/1076096151/3798cdc885?share=copy 

Neither has any custom code. 

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Tod Hopkins
Museum Media Specialist
443-472-5978
tod@hoptod.com
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Curio does what you're looking for. 

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Tracy MacMath
Digital Design Manager
Yale University
NEW HAVEN CT
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Hello Mark,

Thank you for sharing your project details – it sounds like a fascinating case study!

Pigeon-Tech can definitely help with your interactive display needs. Our platform offers an intuitive, subscription-based solution that allows you to create rich, engaging interactive content with touchable hotspots, similar to what you've described, without needing extensive coding or development. It's fully compatible with both iPads and large touchscreen displays running Windows, making it a great fit for your gallery.

As newcomers to the museum interactivity space, we're excited to be showcasing our software at the AAM Conference this year, and we'd love to demonstrate how it works for your specific use case.

If you're interested, I'd be happy to jump on a call to walk you through the features and show you how we can make your vision a reality. We also offer very competitive pricing, especially for museums looking to innovate.

Looking forward to connecting!

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Vijay Sabbineni MBA
Founder CEO
PIGEON-TECH
West Chester OH
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