Dynamic hypermedia from a museum database: the Gold of Greece application

Abstract

This paper describes the Hypertext Interface for Information: Multimedia and Relational Databases (HIFI) museum information system project, which addresses the need for complex, specialized information structuring and for the incorporation of heterogeneous media within museum databases. The project was implemented in the Benaki Museum in Greece. The system aims to create tools and applications directly accessing data in relational and multimedia databases from a hypertext front end. The application requirements are detailed, including subject matter, intended audience, and operational traits. The technical approach is summarized and the application schema is illustrated. Examples of use are given. The main attraction of the HIFI approach for the museum domain is considered by the author to be application reusability. Proceeding Published by Museum Documentation Association, United Kingdom, 1993