This document discusses the need for and challenges of multi-channel communication and "multi-version" content delivery across different platforms and contexts. It proposes a solution involving content modeling to specify semantics, guidelines for content adaptation across channels, and enhancing the authoring tool 1001stories to support generating different content versions from a single source. Key aspects are modeling content fragments by role, defining adaptation processes, and enabling transformations within the authoring tool to produce customized versions for various delivery formats. Recent work on multi-version exhibitions at the Nippon museum in Lugano is presented as an example.

1. A “smart” authoring and delivery tool for multi-channel communication Presenting: Nicoletta Di Blas and Paolo Paolini P. Campione – Museo delle culture (Lugano, Switzerland) N. Di Blas – Politecnico di Milano (Italy) M. Franciolli – Museo d’Arte (Lugano, Switzerland) M. Negrini – Università della Svizzera Italiana (Switzerland) P. Paolini - Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

2. Multi-channel or better: multi-version “Same” application fitting: Different purposes (During a visit, Before, After) Different “formats” (catalogue, thematic tour, audio tour, relax and browse, ...) Different technologies (PC, Tablet, Mobile, Multi-touch, …) Different “contexts” Different user profiles

3. Multi-version IS desirable - 1 Permanent collection -> guided tour (virtual – real) Podcast-> audio-guide Audio-guide -> post visit support Exhibition -> part of a library (e.g. Artbabble) ->: could become…

4. Example: National Gallery of Washington – a work of art from PC From the permanentcollection…

5. …to a virtual tour (the content is re-done from scratch)…

6. The same MM fragment can be deliveredthroughdifferent CHANNELS How is the CONTEXT preserved?

7. Multi-version IS desirable - 2 A LOT of valuable content could survive in many forms … where have all your exhibitions gone?

8. Multi-version: implications Multi-versionimplies: Content re-use Content adaptation Multi-versionauthoring

9. 1. Content re-use Expanding the “offer” with low resources The “same” content can be reused: Across technologies Across “formats” Across “contexts” …

11. It can be light or massive (expensive)

13. It can be approximated

15. Main ingredients Content modelling specifying semantics and roles of building blocks Adaptation defining guidelines “case””solution” Authoring environment Evolution of 1001stories, in order to make it fully multi-version

16. Content modelling Understanding the “role” of eachfragment α-Alfa: a general cultural observation e.g. “geometry is deeply rooted in Japanese artistic culture” β-Beta: a general “factual” information e.g. “albumen prints are obtained with eggs albumen and are easy to be painted over” γ-Gamma: an interpretation of a factual information e.g. “mountains’ profiles resemble triangles” δ-Delta: a specific factual information about an exhibit e.g. “there are mountains on a sequence of planes at different depths” Additional practical information (π): Identification (what are we talking about) Context (why we are here) “where to go” …

17. Content modelling -example WEB Thematic narrative: α, ß Catalogue: γ, δ Thematic n. and catalogue: interlinked AUDIO-GUIDE Linear sequence: α, π, γ, δ, π, γ, δ, π, …

18. Content adaptation Developing guidelines Carefully looking at artifacts (audio guides, interactive guides, web sites,..) created by others Solving our own problems, case by case, and then generalizing the solution

19. Authoringenvironment 1001stories Fully redesigned inside Easy authoring for each version Supporting “transformations” to generate different versions Supporting content adaptation

20. A recent example www.nipponlugano.ch 4 different exhibitions (all related to Japanese culture) Ancient erotic prints, Albumen photography, Gutai (a movement of the 50s), Araki (contemporary photography) Fall-winter 2010, in Lugano

22. Conclusions Needs are clear We are moving towards some directions We would like to compare our approach with others dealing with the same problem

23. CONTACT: nicoletta.diblas@polimi.it We are looking for sharing and cooperation