eds.activemath.org

I know this site is for ActiveMathers but I'll still give it a try as a throw of a personal view with a pretty general scope...

I was recently in two major world heritage sites:

• the Altamira prehistoric paintings' caves (in Cantanbria)
• the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao

In both of these... no photographs... and guards to keep it strongly!

Why ? Some used to say that it is to protect the poor paintings from the horrible effect of the flashes... well... maybe... but honestly... this was not the case of both of these exhibits (note for Altamira caves: we're only allowd to visit fake caves)

Now that the digital photography world dominates, is there really no way to ensure that we are not the evil robber that will make money of this wonderful picture we just took ?
Maybe simply by having visitors sign an agreement, letting the museum have a copy, and making sure that all photographs taken can also be used by the museum ? It would need a few tricks and certifications of camera makers (don't record to inner memory, open formats, stamping?, ...) but that sounds very doable.

Didn't notice ? In cameras you can buy nowadays, there's a museum mode.

And what wonderful works we would make with these precious works!
All of us would make it under a different meaning and could use this anywhere!
All of us need these kind of pictures where give it the personal touch and the personal meaning for many decorations needs, including in e-learning!