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Virtual worlds: Real challenges: Papers from SRI's 1991 conference on Virtual Reality
tralian institutions andenterprises in the fields of computing, information, and medical sciences. There are recommendations concerning imaging in Australia, and discussion of the potential contributions of Australian government and industry. The contents also include two bibliographies, appendices, and an index. The readable text includes thorough background information and explanations of terms. Recommendation-While the workshop described here was primarily for librarians, this book is intended for a wider audience. It is recommended to all persons interested in the background of imaging technology and its applications in government, education, and the information industry. Reviewer-Susan MacDougall Australian Academic & Research Libraries, Dec. 1992, p. 227
Multlmedla Information: Proceedlngsof a Conference Held at Churchlll College,
Cambrldge, 1518 July 1991, ed. by Mary Feeney and S. Day. London, Munich, and N.Y.: Bowker-Saur, 1991.236~. $55 ISBN l85739-090-3.
Virhral Reality Market Place 1993, ed. bv Sandra K. helsel and S.D. Doherty. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992. 180~. $55 ISBN (388736795X.
n The first volume of a planned annual series, this directory is intended for users seeking “businesses, research organizations, universities, and individuals active in the commercial virtual reality industry.” The contents, which share information with Meckler’s Virtual Reality Research and Development, are based on responses from 134 firms, individuals, and organizations, arranged alphabetically. The one-page entries provide standard directory information (e.g., names and addresses), lists covering services and applications offered, products used, and product names, and briefmission statements and other appropriate information. Multiple indexes cover applications, services offered, hardware and software used, product types, product names, geographicentities, and names of individuals. Recommendation-The reviewer offers no recommendation. Reviewer-Richard Johnson CWIS: Campus- Wide Information Systems, Jan./Feb. 1993, p. 58, 60
4 These proceedings offer a “useful, readable and generally coherentoverview of the topic” and were published soon after the conference they represent. The 15 contributions begin with Jacques Michel’s realistic assessment of “Multimedia for the 1990s.” Greater optimism concerning quick application is displayed in Bill Worthington and Brian Robinson’s detailed paper, “Mixed Mode Document Technology.” A multi-authored paper addresses the storage and retrieval of images, specifically the retrieval of pictures via descriptions of their contents. Rune Petterson and Mikael Kindborg review and classify ways to navigate within multimedia and hvoermedia svstems. while David Blantz and &lleagues p&sent a refreshingly simple approach to hypermedia. Peter Stubley explains a “prototype multimedia package for training. . . in carrying out a reference interview.” Topics of the remaining papers include automatic classification of documents, mixed data types in multimedia systems, remote access to picture libraries, educating professionalsforthemultimediaenvironment, and publishers’ perspectives on multimedia and their applicability and marketability. A general theme is that prospective users may soon have their faith restored in multimedia technology. There is a good index. Recommendation-This well-oroduced volume offers “an excellent snapshot of the multimedia scene, with a largerthan averagedose of realism.” It merits the attention of anyone who wishes to understand the future of multimedia in information management. Reviewer-David Bawden Journal ofDocumentation, Mar. 1993, p. 8385 *See also Sep. 1992 p. 264
Virtual Workk Real Challenges: Papers from SRI’s 1991 Conference on Vlrtual Re-
ality, ed. by Teresa MIddleton. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992.119p. $35 (paper) ISBN @8873687&O. n These 15 papers from a 1991 conferenceon
virtual reality center around 3 themes depicted in the foreword: systemsdevelopment, human interface issues, and applications, notably for disabled persons. The original presentations were kept brief (i.e., two to four pagesofprintedtext)topermittimefordiscussion; unfortunately, that discussion is not recorded here. Fourpapers areparticularlynoteworthy: Deborah Golden’s description of research involving auditory and tactile feedback for blind users demonstrates that virtual reality not only benefits physically disabled users but also helps designers and researchers to experience the perspective of these users; David Johnson and Paul Cutt’s paper also explores tactile feedback in the human-machine interface; Joseph Rosen’s piece enumerates the advantages of virtual reality for surgical training and for the future surgical environment; and John Thomas’s paper “makes a compelling and often humorous argument for . . . human factors research.” Most of the other papers, on topics such as systems architecture, spinoff technologies, imaging, and entertainment applications, are comprehensible to readers with some understanding of virtual reality, though two require more technical expertise. Recommendation-This collection provides the researcher with valuable references and contacts. Readers seeking a basic introduction to the topic, however, will do better with Howard Rheingold’s Virtual Real@ Reviewer-Carmen Miller Database, Apr. 1993, p. 82-83
on Electronk Texts Proceedings, ed: by James Daly. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1992.118~. Free from American Memory, Office of Speclal Projects, Llbrary of Congress, Wdshlnaton. D.C. 20540. Also avall. on the l&m& vla ftp at ‘seql .loc.gov.‘: “Etext workshop.’ Workshop
~Thisvolumepresentsmaterialsfromaworkshopon electronic texts, held at the Library of Congress, June 9-l 0, 1992. Defining electronic text as “any computerized reproduction or version of a document, book, article, or manuscript (including images),” the workshop considered electronic texts that were then in use, those under development, and those still in the speculation stage. The sessions covered a broad range of topics, among them “methods of preparing electronic texts from current and historical texts to OCR or rekey; networks and options for dissemination; copyright concerns; imaging standards for preservation; [and] concerns for the user.” Therewerealsodescriptionsofdiverseprojects and databases. While the workshop did not yield a standard model for electronic texts, it did offer insight into common problems of text creation and dissemination as well as some solutions. Many sessions demonstrated “how to...,” but also expressed concerns with standards, faithful reproduction of texts, conversion of preservation microfilm, and so forth. Apart from the papers, the contents include an introduction, summaries of the presentations arranged thematically, the official program, session abstracts, and a thorough directory of participants. Recommendation-“Thispublication is highly recommendedforanyone involved in anelectronic textual project in any form.” The sessions convey diverse viewpoints on many valid questions. Reviewer-Katherine J. Tooley Conservation Administration News, Apr. 1993, p. 27
Online Catalogs Advances in Online Public Access Catalogs, Vol. 1, ed. by Marsha Ra. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992. 190~. $55 ISBN O-8873& 7755. ISSN 1063-2225. Perm. paper. 4 This first volume in a new series explores a great variety of systems, both within and outside of the U.S. Articles in the first of three sections, on user interfaces, describe the problems of accessing music materials (in ILLINET Online), an extended OPAC that facilitates access to diverse local and remote resources (alsoon ILLINET), and thestudyoftransaction logs on Adelphi University’s INNOPAC System. Essays in section 2 address enhancements to the catalog record: “more subject headings, tables of contents, and even backof-book indexes.” Section 3, on the catalog as
the Journal of Academic Librarianship, July 1993
203
Multlmedla Information: Proceedlngsof a Conference Held at Churchlll College,
Cambrldge, 1518 July 1991, ed. by Mary Feeney and S. Day. London, Munich, and N.Y.: Bowker-Saur, 1991.236~. $55 ISBN l85739-090-3.
Virhral Reality Market Place 1993, ed. bv Sandra K. helsel and S.D. Doherty. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992. 180~. $55 ISBN (388736795X.
n The first volume of a planned annual series, this directory is intended for users seeking “businesses, research organizations, universities, and individuals active in the commercial virtual reality industry.” The contents, which share information with Meckler’s Virtual Reality Research and Development, are based on responses from 134 firms, individuals, and organizations, arranged alphabetically. The one-page entries provide standard directory information (e.g., names and addresses), lists covering services and applications offered, products used, and product names, and briefmission statements and other appropriate information. Multiple indexes cover applications, services offered, hardware and software used, product types, product names, geographicentities, and names of individuals. Recommendation-The reviewer offers no recommendation. Reviewer-Richard Johnson CWIS: Campus- Wide Information Systems, Jan./Feb. 1993, p. 58, 60
4 These proceedings offer a “useful, readable and generally coherentoverview of the topic” and were published soon after the conference they represent. The 15 contributions begin with Jacques Michel’s realistic assessment of “Multimedia for the 1990s.” Greater optimism concerning quick application is displayed in Bill Worthington and Brian Robinson’s detailed paper, “Mixed Mode Document Technology.” A multi-authored paper addresses the storage and retrieval of images, specifically the retrieval of pictures via descriptions of their contents. Rune Petterson and Mikael Kindborg review and classify ways to navigate within multimedia and hvoermedia svstems. while David Blantz and &lleagues p&sent a refreshingly simple approach to hypermedia. Peter Stubley explains a “prototype multimedia package for training. . . in carrying out a reference interview.” Topics of the remaining papers include automatic classification of documents, mixed data types in multimedia systems, remote access to picture libraries, educating professionalsforthemultimediaenvironment, and publishers’ perspectives on multimedia and their applicability and marketability. A general theme is that prospective users may soon have their faith restored in multimedia technology. There is a good index. Recommendation-This well-oroduced volume offers “an excellent snapshot of the multimedia scene, with a largerthan averagedose of realism.” It merits the attention of anyone who wishes to understand the future of multimedia in information management. Reviewer-David Bawden Journal ofDocumentation, Mar. 1993, p. 8385 *See also Sep. 1992 p. 264
Virtual Workk Real Challenges: Papers from SRI’s 1991 Conference on Vlrtual Re-
ality, ed. by Teresa MIddleton. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992.119p. $35 (paper) ISBN @8873687&O. n These 15 papers from a 1991 conferenceon
virtual reality center around 3 themes depicted in the foreword: systemsdevelopment, human interface issues, and applications, notably for disabled persons. The original presentations were kept brief (i.e., two to four pagesofprintedtext)topermittimefordiscussion; unfortunately, that discussion is not recorded here. Fourpapers areparticularlynoteworthy: Deborah Golden’s description of research involving auditory and tactile feedback for blind users demonstrates that virtual reality not only benefits physically disabled users but also helps designers and researchers to experience the perspective of these users; David Johnson and Paul Cutt’s paper also explores tactile feedback in the human-machine interface; Joseph Rosen’s piece enumerates the advantages of virtual reality for surgical training and for the future surgical environment; and John Thomas’s paper “makes a compelling and often humorous argument for . . . human factors research.” Most of the other papers, on topics such as systems architecture, spinoff technologies, imaging, and entertainment applications, are comprehensible to readers with some understanding of virtual reality, though two require more technical expertise. Recommendation-This collection provides the researcher with valuable references and contacts. Readers seeking a basic introduction to the topic, however, will do better with Howard Rheingold’s Virtual Real@ Reviewer-Carmen Miller Database, Apr. 1993, p. 82-83
on Electronk Texts Proceedings, ed: by James Daly. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1992.118~. Free from American Memory, Office of Speclal Projects, Llbrary of Congress, Wdshlnaton. D.C. 20540. Also avall. on the l&m& vla ftp at ‘seql .loc.gov.‘: “Etext workshop.’ Workshop
~Thisvolumepresentsmaterialsfromaworkshopon electronic texts, held at the Library of Congress, June 9-l 0, 1992. Defining electronic text as “any computerized reproduction or version of a document, book, article, or manuscript (including images),” the workshop considered electronic texts that were then in use, those under development, and those still in the speculation stage. The sessions covered a broad range of topics, among them “methods of preparing electronic texts from current and historical texts to OCR or rekey; networks and options for dissemination; copyright concerns; imaging standards for preservation; [and] concerns for the user.” Therewerealsodescriptionsofdiverseprojects and databases. While the workshop did not yield a standard model for electronic texts, it did offer insight into common problems of text creation and dissemination as well as some solutions. Many sessions demonstrated “how to...,” but also expressed concerns with standards, faithful reproduction of texts, conversion of preservation microfilm, and so forth. Apart from the papers, the contents include an introduction, summaries of the presentations arranged thematically, the official program, session abstracts, and a thorough directory of participants. Recommendation-“Thispublication is highly recommendedforanyone involved in anelectronic textual project in any form.” The sessions convey diverse viewpoints on many valid questions. Reviewer-Katherine J. Tooley Conservation Administration News, Apr. 1993, p. 27
Online Catalogs Advances in Online Public Access Catalogs, Vol. 1, ed. by Marsha Ra. Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992. 190~. $55 ISBN O-8873& 7755. ISSN 1063-2225. Perm. paper. 4 This first volume in a new series explores a great variety of systems, both within and outside of the U.S. Articles in the first of three sections, on user interfaces, describe the problems of accessing music materials (in ILLINET Online), an extended OPAC that facilitates access to diverse local and remote resources (alsoon ILLINET), and thestudyoftransaction logs on Adelphi University’s INNOPAC System. Essays in section 2 address enhancements to the catalog record: “more subject headings, tables of contents, and even backof-book indexes.” Section 3, on the catalog as
the Journal of Academic Librarianship, July 1993
203