paul@matrox.UUCP (Paul Spencer) (09/29/88)
The Interactive Videodisc Industry Association (IVIA), a industry group, is currently trying to create a standard for all future videodisc training equipment. They have been commissioned to do this by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD wants a standard published and accepted soon; i.e. within 6 months. From then on, all equipment purchased by any branch of the U.S. Government would have to meet the standard. Unfortunately, they have NOT brought this to the attention of the public. The two key people involved in writing the standard are employees of VAL and Visage, who are basically writing the standard around VAL and Visage products, to the total exclusion of anyone else. They are also basing it on yesterday's technology. (e.g. the graphics standard is EGA). They are not even informing other members of the IVIA! Anyone involved in any aspect of interactive videodisc should scream loud, and scream long, until a true, proper standard with some foresight to the future is adopted. Otherwise, the only people with product to sell will be VAL and Visage! The people responsible are (you should be able to obtain a copy of the proposed 'standard' from them): Henry Mistrot, Chairman IVIA Recommended Practices Committee c/o VAL 4926 Spicewood Springs Road Austin, TX 78759 FAX (512) 346-5781 Philip Dodds IVIA Recommended Practices Committee c/o Visage Randall House 9 Randall Court Annapolis, MD 21401 FAX (301) 268-7265 Gary Boycan, DOD OASD (FM&P/MM&PP) Training Policy Pentagon RM 3B930 Washington DC 20301 Speak now or forever live with someone else's standard! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- paul spencer, matrox electronic systems uvm-gen!matrox!paul (514) 685-2630 disclaimer: matrox has a vested interest in a fair standard -----------------------------------------------------------------------
king@client1.DRETOR.UUCP (Stephen King) (10/04/88)
In article <149@matrox.UUCP> paul@matrox.UUCP (Paul Spencer) writes: >The Interactive Videodisc Industry Association (IVIA), a industry >group, is currently trying to create a standard for all future >videodisc training equipment. They have been commissioned to do >this by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD wants a >standard published and accepted soon; i.e. within 6 months. >From then on, all equipment purchased by any branch of the U.S. >Government would have to meet the standard. > [...] >Otherwise, the only people with product to >sell will be VAL and Visage! (and Matrox, I'm sure :-)) I see nothing wrong with anyone establishing their own standard for their own purposes. Afterall, IBM's initial entry into the personal computer market gave us, like it or not, a standard, albeit a lousy one. Matrox already has a videodisc standard, EIDS (electronic information delivery service) which is AT and EGA compatible. Do you think this new proposed standard will not be compatible with EIDS? Given the amount DOD is spending on EIDS, I doubt it. I am going to get a copy of the proposed standard, but in the meantime perhaps you could tell us a few of the particulars that you find objectionable. I agree that such a standard should not be accepted without the agreement of numerous other concerns, but I think that you are expecting the absolute worst of the DOD, n'est-ce pas? I look forward to hearing more on this matter. -- Stephen J King DCIEM Human Factors Division ...{utzoo|mnetor}!dciem!dretor!king
sullivan@matrox.UUCP (Gerry Sullivan) (10/05/88)
****Update**** The Interactive Videodisc Industry Association, (IVIA), is in the process of identifying a "proposed standard" for all interactive videodisc based training systems. Matrox fully supports this standards effort. The IVIA recommended practices committee has solicited inputs from a number of manufacturers, developers, and customers of videodisc based systems. One major customer, the United States Department of Defense, (DOD), has voiced some urgency in seeing a workable standard, and are hoping for a definitive proposal from the IVIA within the next 6 months. More input is needed from the entire industry in order to ensure that any proposal has complete support. The recommended practices committee is being chaired by Henry Mistrot (from Video Associates Labs), and considerable work has also been done by Philip Dodds (from Visage). Copies of one early proposal, and some comments on that proposal, are available from the committee, at the addresses listed herein. Henry Mistrot, Chairman IVIA Recommended Practices Committee c/o VAL 4926 Spicewood Springs Road Austin, TX 78759 fax 512-346-5781 Philip Dodds IVIA Recommended Practices Committee c/o Visage Randall House 9 Randall Court Annapolis MD 21401 fax 301-268-7265 We need your comments now. Each of us has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help shape the standards which will serve as the model for future interactive video development efforts. All interested parties should respond by fax or E-mail prior to October 10th. Matrox fully supports the work being done by the IVIA. We are a founding member of this group, and have openly shared information with the committee members. Copies of the Matrox comments on the proposed standard, (which includes documentation on the Private Tutor / EIDS system command set), are available by writing the author. Gerry Sullivan Vice President Marketing Training Systems Division uunet!uvm-gen!matrox!sullivan Matrox Electronic Systems Limited 1055 St. Regis Blvd. Dorval, Quebec Canada H9P 2T4 tel 514-685-2630 fax 514-685-2853
sullivan@matrox.UUCP (Gerry Sullivan) (10/11/88)
Please note the update of the fax number for Philip Dodds: In article <151@matrox.UUCP>, sullivan@matrox.UUCP (I) write: > The Interactive Videodisc Industry Association, (IVIA), is in the process > of identifying a "proposed standard" for all interactive videodisc based > training systems. Matrox fully supports this standards effort. > > More input is needed from the entire industry in order to ensure that any > proposal has complete support. ... Copies of one early > proposal, and some comments on that proposal, are available from the > committee, at the addresses listed herein. > > Philip Dodds > IVIA Recommended Practices Committee > c/o Visage > Randall House > 9 Randall Court > Annapolis MD 21401 > fax 301-268-7265 ^^^^ fax number for Phillip Dodds should be 301-263-0590 Gerry Sullivan Vice President Marketing Training Systems Division uunet!uvm-gen!matrox!sullivan Matrox Electronic Systems Limited 1055 St. Regis Blvd. Dorval, Quebec Canada H9P 2T4 tel 514-685-2630 fax 514-685-2853