How can I avoid “bottlenecks” as visitors tie up computer programs?
Bottlenecks can be serious problems with media exhibits, particularly touchscreen programs meant to accommodate just one or two users at a time. Games that require reaching a definite endpoint should be kept short — it is helpful to do a trial runthrough on paper to see how long it might take a visitor. Multiple stations of the same program can help alleviate bottlenecks, though this requires extra equipment and floor space. Interactive environments such as chromakey installations tend to accommodate multiple users at a single time and tend to be better suited to the museum environment than elaborate touchscreen programs. At times, it may be necessary to include audio prompts such as “if someone is waiting, please let them have a chance” in the program.
