During a recent search for the term 'Layered Content', I stumbled on a page whose site I've been meaning to mention on this blog. Actually, the entire site is a fabulous resource for multimedia storytelling. We can learn so much from stepping out of our own industry in terms of displaying complex information on the web. And the folks doing the Museum and the Web interactives are simply the best in my opinion. Highlights include:

Experience, Learning, and Research: Coordinating the Multiple Roles of On-line Exhibitions (from Bart Marable, Terra Incognita) – incidentally, this is the page I found in my research on ‘layered content.’ In Bart’s discussion layered content is based on the needs of different visitors, content detail and organization and scalability. The three levels are research, exhibit and experience.

Beyond On-line Collections: Putting Objects to Work (from Brad Johnson, Second Story Interactive Studios) – Second Story projects have been mentioned on this weblog quite a number of times. Their idea of personalization, playlists and the MP3 paradigms is intriguing. Can you imagine a world where you can preview headlines and briefs on your palm, cell phone or some truly portable device? Bookmark that story or news analysis for later retrieval on a display system more appropriate for that ‘rich media.’ We have technology that can do this now…so why don’t we? And their CMS into Storytelling Tools discussion could inspire the possible future of truly connecting our reader to our news content. Could the very thing that makes the M.E. boots quiver be the thing that saves the industry?

There are tons to learn from on this page of presentations and papers from Museums and the Web 2004. Wouldn’t be fantastic if a resource page this elaborate can be produced after every ONA, SND or E&P conference.