Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uunet!comp.vuw.ac.nz!actrix!geoff
From: geoff@actrix.co.nz (Geoff McCaughan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: "I want a VisiCalc"
Message-ID: <1990Sep11.225020.17045@actrix.co.nz>
Date: 11 Sep 90 22:50:20 GMT
References: <3082@mindlink.UUCP>
Organization: Equinox Public Access, Christchurch, New Zealand
Lines: 45

In article <3082@mindlink.UUCP> a186@mindlink.UUCP (Harvey Taylor) writes:
> 
>   [stuff deleted] 
>   So here's the challenge: What is the `magic VisiCalc' application that
> is going to sell CDTVs like hotcakes?
>   Secondarily, what do you really want to see as an Amiga CD application?
> 
OK, I'll probably regret this in years to come, but I can't see me
having the time/resources to bring this idea to fruition.

Fitness is big business these days, there's a lot of money to be
made, and we are all aware of the health benefits of more exercise.
I should be fitter, but the problem is I find most forms of exercise
_boring_, so - enter the CDTV.
 
Why not make an interactive fitnessprogram, you could start off with
something simple like an exercycle and some video of some
interesting scenery. You pedal, and the video keeps pace. How about
a rowing machine and some white water? Some ski-ing?

This shouldn't involve any great problems with interfacing etc, it
should be possible to set it up using conventional joystick inputs.
 
Taking it one step further, why not integrate some fitness hardware
with some games, you play the game and probably don't even notice
you're working up a sweat? How about a strip-poker type of thing -
lift more weight, off comes another layer, I'm sure you could have
fun programming this - or at least doing the videos!! 8-)

Next step would be to build in some fitness type smarts to guide the
user through a program according to height, weight, age etc, and
keep records of each session so you could see your progress.

I think gear like this exists already in fitness centers etc, but
probably not at a price every home could afford, and not with such
interesting graphics/video capability.

OK so that's my idea. Remember - you saw it here first, and if you
produce a product along these lines, feel free to send your
royalties to:-
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geoff McCaughan        Email: geoff@actrix.co.nz  Phone: +64 3 539545 or 852101
Amiga/Hardware/Unix/Quantum Mechanics Hacker      Phax : +64 3 539567
"Anarchy: Think of it as evolution in action."            ^ NEW ZEALAND!