Web Dev Blog

Following are two pictures of the library touch screen system we've "installed" in our two library locations.  The display systems have wall-mount capabilities, so we can build them into furniture, mount them on walls and be creative about how to use the devices.  For now, the installation consists of putting each monitor on a desk in a heavily-trafficed area of each library location.  This gives us a chance to see how people interact with the systems and plan for future content and installations.  If you come to Georgetown Law Library, please stop by to check them out.  The first one shown is at the circulation desk in the Edward Bennett Williams Law Library: 

The other system is in the main floor of our John Wolff International and Comparative Law Library, where we used to have a reference desk:

This entry was posted on October 19, 2010 at 11:56 AM and has received 24218 views. Print this entry.

Georgetown Law Library introduced two touch screen kiosk-style devices for use in our two library locations.  We're launching the systems with no planned fanfare or press releases.  Initially, we'll rely on user feedback and local observation to plan content.  These systems have collection maps as well as digital exhibits of our library and collections. On this blog, we'll document some technical aspects of the system to share project progress.

For content, we've built a custom platform using HTML5, CSS3 and embedded fonts.  It is a simple setup running on uniform displays [32" Philips Public Signage display] with a very specific browser [Opera in Kiosk Mode]. This means we don't have to worry about browser compatability, and we can design the interface using specific pixel dimensions.

Here's what the first version looks like in Opera 10.63:

This uses HTML5 to define page content with the more semantic HTML5 markup for the page elements <header> <footer> and <nav>. It passes the W3C's HTML5 validation check as well. With simple CSS style rules, Opera renders the page structure well, but it looks pretty bad in Internet Explorer 8, as shown.

Our initial focus with the touch screens is to create content to be used while physically on campus.  Over time, we'll publish this content on our website, planning to archive all exhibits we create. Look to our WebDevBlog for technical updates on the system and underlying technologies.

This entry was posted on October 19, 2010 at 9:51 AM and has received 24015 views. Print this entry.