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From: marti@saturn.ucsc.edu (Marti Atkinson)
Newsgroups: alt.hypertext,comp.multimedia
Subject: Re: References for distributed hypermedia/multimedia systems
Message-ID: <16667@darkstar.ucsc.edu>
Date: 5 Jun 91 20:36:01 GMT
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>I am about to look into developing a distributed version of
>a hypermedia research system I am involved in and I am searching for
>appropriate references to distributed hypertext/hypermedia/multimedia
>systems.  Any pointers will be gratefully received.

Hi Gary...

I had trouble replying to you via e-mail, so I'm having to make a public
reply.  We interested in doing a similar project and have been chipping
away at it for at least a year.  Altho I can't really recommend what to
do, I can give you some pointers as to what to avoid.

First, avoid using Hypercard on the Macs.  Hypercard keeps all of it's
pointers in the Home stack which can't be shared making it impossible
to be multi-user or multi-launch over a network.  Claris is supposedly
working on this problem, but it's been some time and I haven't heard of
any solutions.

We have been working with IBMs lately.  Altho some people love them,
we've learned to hate Microchannel machines.  We're making some
headway, but it's been really slow.  What was conceived as a relatively
easy project using all off-the-self software/hardware, has been a royal
pain in the anatomy.  Every time we add or change something in the system,
we've had a domino effect with never to be imagined problems being caused
with other applications/hardware.

Best wishes with your project.  I'd be interested in learning how
you plan to approach the problem and if you find any solutions.

Marti Atkinson
University of Calif. at Santa Cruz  
marti@saturn.ucsc.edu
marti@uccrls.BITNET
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