[comp.ivideodisc] Interactive video disc demo: The Fascinating Domesday Project

nishri@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Alex Nishri) (01/29/88)

Nine hundred years ago, William the Conqueror commissioned the Domesday
Project, to assess the wealth and resources of his kingdom.  The survey took a
year to do, and was recorded on parchment with quill pens.

To celebrate the 900th aniversary of the Domesday Project, the BBC undertook a
second such survey of the United Kingdom and its people.  This time it took two
years to complete.  If printed, the 1986 Domesday Project would fill over 300
volumes.  Instead it was put on two interactive video discs -- each the size of
an LP record.

On Tuesday February 2 at 9am & 11am, the Computing Services will be hosting
demos of this remarkable technological application.  Those interested in the
role of computers in eduction, or in interactive disc technology, should find
these sixty minute demos to be of great interest.

The video discs contain text, maps, graphs, sounds, still color photographs,
motion color video, and numerical data.  They are very easy to use.  The first
disc, the Community disc, is accessed through maps arranged in six levels.  At
the first level the United Kingdom fills the screen.  By pointing at an area,
you decend to the second level, satellite photos by Countries.  By pointing
again you decend to satellite and aerial photographs for 40x30 km regions.
Point again and the screen fills with 4x3km local blocks.  Another level down
and you are looking at street maps.  And finally, a level below that and you
are looking at floor plans for an individual building.  (This last level is
restricted to special sites!  Even so, this scheme uses 24,000 maps to give you
the six levels!)  At each level, you can access photos and text relating to the
area you are interested in.

Another portion of the Domesday discs lets you walk through an art gallery.
You can call up a floor plan to the gallery which includes sections on such
topics as Royal Heritage, social life, etc.  The gallery consists of still
pictures depicting where you are in the gallery.  By clicking in the direction
you want to "walk" you can go in any direction and view art work hanging on the
walls.  Behind each piece of art is more information.   There may be slides of
a factory, a tour of a typical country home, a country walk in Scotland, etc.

The demos will be held in the Education Facility of the Computing Services
department in the Bancroft Building.  The Bancroft Building, formerly known as
the old Textbook store, is located next door to the Graduate Students' Union on
Bancroft.  Bancroft Street is only accessible off Spadina (north of College.)
Don't be alarmed by the construction -- there is a walkway which leads you
safely into the Bancroft Building -- you will want the second floor.

Alex Nishri
Computing Services
978-7109