The site does an apt job of offering the viewer a virtual tour, a tour that transcends the limitations of language. The virtual tour can only be conducted in English or French. However, the tour is so visually-oriented as to eliminate any potential language barriers. Therefore, recommendations regarding the creation of a virtual tour include economical accessibility. QuickTime enables such universal access to visual data, via a "video of astonishing quality," (Apple QuickTime).
In addition to QuickTime technology, graphic imaging technology and software like Adobe Photoshop may be necessary for the completion of a sophisticated virtual tour such as the Louvre's. While the QuickTime movies provide a vibrant three-dimensional view of individual rooms in the museum, the static graphics are straightforward and can also be viewed by users who do not have QuickTime installed on their computers. All developers need to be aware of the potential limitations of their audience's computer applications and must make simpler alternatives for taking a virtual tour.
Finally, the virtual tour includes good web design in general. For the virtual tour to be accessible...
Frames, text boxes, font, color, and titles all contribute to the overall view-ability of the virtual tour. Web viewers will not have the patience to navigate through a virtual tour that is not intuitively designed.
In sum, the Louvre Museum in Paris maintains a virtual tour on their main website that is media-rich, easy-to-use, and inviting. The Louvre virtual tour employs QuickTime technology, graphic imaging software, and web design software. Anyone interested in developing a virtual tour, whether of a museum of a college, would do well to follow the example of the Louvre.
Works Cited
About the Site." Louvre. Online at http://www.louvre.fr/llv/apropos/fiche_apropos.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673232603&CURRENT_LLV_FICHE%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673232603&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723696500916&bmUID=1120116042274&bmLocale=en
Apple QuickTime." Online at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/player/.
Virtual Tours." Louvre. Online at http://www.louvre.fr/llv/musee/visite_virtuelle.jsp?bmLocale=en.
Museum The artifact that I have chosen is from the Louvre in Paris. It is the law code of Hammurabi. The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world. Located in Paris, it contains works from around the world, both archaeological and artistic, including things like the Mona Lisa. The Louvre was founded in 1792. It contains many different collections. Antiquities contained are from Egypt, the Near East
Impressions The Louvre The Louvre, an architectural masterpiece, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. The original structure was gradually dwarfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of Francois I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. My online tour of the Louvre allowed me to take a virtual, self-guided, room-by-room tour of the museum.
The earliest divisions of the temple still standing are the barque chapels, just in the rear the first pylon. They were constructed by Hatshepsut, and appropriated by Tuthmosis III. The central division of the temple, the colonnade and the sun court were constructed by Amenhotep III, and a later on addition by Rameses II, who constructed the entry pylon, and the two obelisks connected the Hatshepsut structures with the core