Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mit-eddie!ooblick
From: ooblick@eddie.MIT.EDU (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: comp.ivideodisc
Subject: Welcome to ivideodisc
Message-ID: <7720@eddie.MIT.EDU>
Date: 22 Dec 87 12:38:46 GMT
Organization: MIT EE/CS Computer Facility, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 36

Ah yes, we now have a group to discuss interactive videodisc technology.
For those of you joining us who don't know what we are about, let me
first tell you that we are *not* about watching movies on videodiscs.
A few people wrote to me when I proposed the group talking about how
awful it was that there aren't enough movies on videodisc.  No, no, no.

Interactive videodiscs are computer controlled, and are usually used
for a commercial purpose such as training.

To start things off, I'll tell you a bit about what my company does, and
hopefully you will do the same.

Learning Tree Software is using the TenCORE authoring system to produce
industrial training videos.  So far, we have done 80 in NTSC and 80 in
PAL formats.  We haven't run into too many problems with TenCORE, but
we have run into serious glitches with Authority (has anyone else?)

Right now we're in the "slow" season, so we are putting together a book on
IVD if anyone wants to lend stories, etc.  We're also doing consulting
to help others figure out how to actually get a videodisc out the door.
In our area (DC) lots of people say they do IVD, but few have actually
completed a disc.  Has anyone else had problems getting a working disc?

Also, we are quite interested in the new DVI technology (Digital Video
Interactive).  Does anyone have the low down on what is going on with this.
From the demo we have seen it is very promising.  Multi-overlays, multiple
windows, very complex.

Also, does anyone know what is up with CMU Tutor?  Most of our people
"cut their teeth" on the Tutor system (University of Illinois CBT
system).  CMU Tutor promises to be an authoring system for use on
workstation type computers.

So, now we have the group.  Let's talk!

Mikki Barry