From: ph@physiology.oxford.ac.uk (Patrick Haggard)
Newsgroups: comp.soft-sys.khoros
Subject: Preparing for K2 (LONGish)
Date: 14 Oct 92 09:19:24 GMT
Organization: Physiology Department, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
Originator: ph@galen.physiol


Hi.  I've just been reading some of the documentation about khoros2.0.
It looks like a powerful and well-thought-out system.  The new VIFF
seems to be very powerful, and the use of a common format for 
1D thru' 4D signals will be really helpful.

So, I'm really looking forward to using k2.  However, it would help
us plan our research strategy to know more about how it is
progressing.  The overview documents suggest that k2 alpha will be
distributed to the consortium this month.  Is this still on schedule?
If so, would it be possible/fair/helpful for the consortium members
to comment in this group about their impressions of k2, and to make
public general information about how to use k2?  In particular, it 
would be very useful to have reports of evaluation of k2 for
particular applications such as 2D and 3D imaging, signal processing
etc, from the consortium so that other users can prepare for the new
capabilities.  For example, the new VIFF will support 3D and 4D, and I
would be very interested to know what sort of routines for working with
volumes and sequences will come with k2?
Are the khoros group happy about this idea about diffusing k2
information?  If so, could some people from the consortium volunteer
to answer questions and post updates on their experiences on evaluating k2?

Second, will the beta release, originally scheduled for February 93,
be a public release, available on the same basis as k1?  The reason
I ask is that I am about to apply for funding for a project beginning
in early 93 which will require 3D imaging, work with isosurfaces etc.
I would like to do this work in k2 if possible.  But if k2 is unlikely
to be available when the project starts, then I will need to consider
other software (though I would rather not, because I like khoros).

Third, will the initial releases of k2 have all the functionality of
k1?  Will existing k1 toolboxes work under k2 without major
alteration?  If so, then we will be able to get using k2 much faster.

*FINALLY* I would just like to point out that I do *NOT* want to
hassle the khoros group.  I really appreciate that they must be
working flat out on k2, and I would like to thank them for their
great efforts.  I don't want to push them any harder, but it would
be useful to have brief information about the progress of the k2 
project, so users can plan ahead.  Further, I'ld like to ask if 
there is anything that *WE* can do to help the khoros group in the
development of k2?  If there are any basic tasks which the user
community can help with I think many of us would be glkand to
contribute.

Sorry about the length of this: I hope it generates useful discussion
and facilitates the progress to k2.

Patrick

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Patrick Haggard				Email (WORLD): ph@physiol.ox.ac.uk
University Laboratory of Physiology	Email (JANET): ph@uk.ac.ox.physiol
Parks Road,				Tel. (0865) 272116
Oxford, OX1 3PT				Fax. (0865) 272469
England
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