The main result of the SGML initiatives described in this article is to raise the profile of non-databased information in a museum setting. Ultimately I suspect that this will lead to a new, richer definition of what museum information is.
The work on future-proof linking could have wider implications. It opens up the potential for two-way linkage between museum information resources and resources created by other organisations. To date, museums have "rolled their own" external authority information, but there is no reason why they should continue to do so. The academic or commercial publishing world could provide authoritative works on artist, places, events, etc. which include links to relevant museum objects, and to which museums could make links.
Richard Light (richard@light.demon.co.uk) is a freelance consultant and software developer specialising in the application of SGML and the development of museum information systems. He is Treasurer of the International SGML Users' Group.
Contact Robin Cover with corrections and updates, or to submit contributions to the ISUG online document database.
