Abstract

A flash based video content distribution platform, the VOLUMEONE, was developed by a team led by Prof. Junko IWABUCHI of the Research Institute for Digital Media and Content, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, in May, 2006. This was the first version now called VOLUMEZERO using an open source software, FFMPEG, as a core program and it has a visual presentation of multi channels that are assigned to different contributors. Later in the same year in October, the revised version featuring sorting by categories and search tags, one click pod-casting and ratings by audience was released as the new VOLUMEONE. This is the team's current system also using FFMPEG and they have been testing it in collaboration with various not-for-profit organizations including museums in last 8 months or so.

The VOLUMEONE is not so different from “YouTube” technically, but it is not open to the mass audience for uploading their own materials. Since the platform was basically designed to distribute in-house-produced educational materials by not-for-profit organizations, the content is always monitored and uploaded by the staff at DMC Institute. It provides more security, controlled and clean looking environment and currently operated like a membership club of not-for-profit organizations and individuals working for public cause who are approved by DMC Institute/Keio University as research partners.

In this paper, the author intends to share the information on the team's unique experience after 1 year of operation of VOLUMEONE and offer a discussion among museum professionals to think where this kind of experiment leads us to.