From: newberry@astro.as.arizona.edu (Mike Newberry)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: RFD for new IMAGE PROCESSING newsgroup
Date: 15 Apr 92 22:46:26 GMT
Article-I.D.: organpip.1992Apr15.224626.26099
Organization: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ


                         REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION

		       on creating a newsgroup for

                            IMAGE PROCESSING
			    

A recent flurry of activity in, especially, comp.graphics has indicated a
serious need for a newsgroup particularly devoted to image processing.
Image Processing may be defined as the science of visualizing, analyzing,
modifying, reducing, or enhancing numeric or pictorial data through digital
manipulations with a computer.  I have used the term "image" in this context
to refer to numeric information stored as arrays of 1-dimension or higher,
rather than as single numbers.

Consistent with the growth of opto-electronic and computer technology,
the applications of image processing have proliferated rapidly over a broad
diversity of fields including astronomy, ecology, remote sensing, geology,
geography, meteorology, metallurgy, various bio-medical fields, and other
disciplines. Methods used in the practice of image processing bring together
elements from the fields of computer graphics and computer vision, artificial
intelligence, numerical methods, digital signal processing, information
systems, and others.  It is believed that a specific newsgroup dedicated to
the science and "art" of image processing is needed to bring together these
diverse interests for the benefit of all involved, and that such a group will
not conflict with the purposes of existing newsgroups devoted to the above
subjects.

Therefore, I propose that a special newsgroup be created for image processing.
This Request for Discussion ("RFD") is being cross-posted to approximately 20
other relevant newsgroups in order to draw discussion from the various people
who might be interested in image processing.  During the 30 day discussion
period required by internet regulations, we need to do the following:


  1) Determine if there is sufficient interest to warrant calling for a
     vote to create the proposed group.
  
  2) Select a name for the group.  Initially, I suggest "sci.image-proc"
     as a starting point.
 
  3) Develop a newsgroup charter.
  
  4) Decide whether the group should be moderated and, if so, select a
     moderator.
  
  5) Decide what computer system should host the newsgroup, if this is
     relevant (I do not know).


The current posting is NOT a call to vote for or against the creation of
an image processing newsgroup but, as stated above, a request for DISCUSSION
regarding the need for, and the definition of such a group.


Please note the following points:

o  VOTES submitted during this 30 day discussion period will be ignored.

o  If you want to mail your thoughts on this newsgroup directly to me, that
   is OK, but the principle (and only valid) forum for discussion is the
   "news.groups" News group.

o  Please make sure that your posting goes to the "news.groups" newsgroup.
   I have set the "followup to:" line in this posting to do just that if
   you "reply".

o  This is a second RFD.  Some of the initial newsgroups I posted to did
   not receive the RFD because of problems with our news server.  You may
   have already seen this RFD in this newsgroup.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Newberry                                Axiom Research, Inc.
Steward Observatory                          (image processing software)
University of Arizona                        P.O. Box 44162
Tucson, AZ  85721                            Tucson, AZ  85733
newberry@astro.as.arizona.edu                (602) 791-2864
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xref: sparky sci.astro:5073 sci.space:7598