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Paul, I really like the IFTTT site.  Rachel, we have a control center, about 13 years old, and it has some occasional 13-year old control center issues.  For some of our new exhibits, it's been an added hassle to run control center cable to another location, so lately we've been using timers, which simply make a new hassle during extended operating hours.  We should probably just run the cable.  : )    And to what Martin said, for some of our exhibits in another previously separate exhibit space, we still throw the breakers.  Ours is a mixed bag right now.

But for a new way going forward, our first thought was the raspberry pi, or some similar inexpensive and small component.  We would add a dongle for wifi input, not too much expense, and we have 'maker space' people who would write the programming.  If made accessible, reliable & intuitive, an on/off exhibit remote control of sorts could perhaps catch us up to car starter remotes.  I do envision being able to stand in the middle of the science center and turn the exhibits on/off via a mobile device...at least some of the exhibits.  (no luxury cars included in this vision).  

I can't help but think of Planetarium and Science On A Sphere remotes, like the Wii or iPad that staff utilize to run shows.  Is doing a similar control system for exhibits a worthwhile and modern option, or is it perhaps too complex, convoluted, and open to problems?   More thoughts...

--Jeff--

Jeff Rosenblatt
Director, Science City & Gottlieb Planetarium
Kansas City's Science Center
 
Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
30 W. Pershing Rd.  Suite 400
Kansas City, MO  64108
Office:  816-460-2218
[log in to unmask]

 


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rachel Hellenga
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 5:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Exhibit Start-Up & Shut-Down

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Per Martin's comment, throwing a circuit isn't a bad option. You can assign devices to two circuits so that you can throw a circuit to shut off monitors and leave the CPU's running.

When I was at the Tech Museum we had the luxury of wiring the building during construction, and the Engineering Department has everything tied back to a control center that flags frozen exhibits and allows start up and shut down procedures and all that. I can put you in touch with them if you like.

Rachel

On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Martin Weiss <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology 
> Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and 
> related institutions.
>
> **********************************************************************
> *******
>
> Jeff
>
> We just throw circuit breakers off. Eliminates the need to re program 
> if there are events or closures.
>
> Martin
>
> On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 4:05 PM, Jeff Rosenblatt 
> <[log in to unmask]
> >wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> **********************************************************************
> *******
> >
> > We are looking to plan/improve our start-up and shut-down procedures 
> > for all exhibits with electricity requirements.
> >
> > Considering all the varied operation hours during the year, we were 
> > thinking of incorporating 'raspberry pi' components to wirelessly 
> > turn exhibits on/off and to set timer functions, controlled via a 
> > computer or handheld device.  Has anybody else tried this with their 
> > exhibits, or currently planning something like this?  Any input is 
> > appreciated, as always.  Thanks.
> >
> > --Jeff--
> >
> > Jeff Rosenblatt
> > Director, Science City & Gottlieb Planetarium Kansas City's Science 
> > Center
> >
> > Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
> > 30 W. Pershing Rd.  Suite 400
> > Kansas City, MO  64108
> > Office:  816-460-2218
> > [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> -----------------------------------------
> Martin Weiss, PhD
> Senior Scientist
> New York Hall of Science
> mweiss at nyscience.org
> cell   347-460-1858
> desk 718 595 9156
>
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Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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