Approved-By:  "EDTECH Moderator" <21765EDT@MSU.BITNET>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.edtech
Date:         Fri, 2 Oct 1992 00:17:48 EDT
From:         Michael Halm <MJH@PSUVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Image database wanted

Have been following the discussion through my colleague, John Campbell
at Penn State.  I have been doing some research in this area.  Thought
that I would pass it along.

There are several different types of problems here.  Some more
difficult that others.  If you want a database for indexing
personal slide collections that is one thing.   If you want a
distributed, network accessible collection that that runs on
multiple platforms that is another problem.

Sorting, indexing, compression networking & delivery become
more of a consideration in the later model.  If this is your
approach you might want to approach it more like a library
would for cataloging and distributing library materials.
I have taken this approach recognizing that standards for
for cataloging and distributing multimedia datatypes have not
being addressed as far as I have found. It is important to
consider the purpose and distribution model in your design.
If you take the distributed approach design a model that can
be converted easily.  There are several universities that have
already brought this type of Art & Architecture Slide Library
type systems on line.  Duke and Rensellier that I know of.
Also Berkley has a X Window Browser that catalogues a variety
of visual data types.  This is the most flexible and best
system that I have heard about.  They will be here next month
to talk about the system.  This type of system is certainly
a large undertaking.

Personal image databases for small collections of
less than 5000 images is not  that difficult.  Adobe is about to
release a product called 'Fetch'.  It is a Macintosh based
product.  Multiple uses can access the same information.  Keywording,
and the creation of 'collections' help organize the information.
Thumbnail views allow you to look at the images before adding to
collections.  JPEG compression is incorporated into the storage of
the images if stored in compressed form.  I have worked with
an earlier version of this product called Multi-Ad Search (who
knows why), and found it to be a good way to organized and keyword
images.  Since I have just started to dig into this question
please jump in and help out. I am attaching a press release
for 'Fetch' to give everyone an idea of what the product can do.

Michael J. Halm
Penn State
Center for Academic Computing
MJH@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
228A Computer Building
(814)865-2159

=====================================================================

 Aldus Readies "Fetch" For Macintosh: Digital Media Browser

 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1992 SEP 23 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation
 announced at the Seybold Conference in San Francisco that
 it will start shipping "Fetch" in the fourth quarter.

 Fetch is a multiuser program for cataloging, browsing, and
 retrieving images, animations, and sound files on the Apple
 Macintosh. It's targeted at users in professional graphics workgroups
 who purchase, create, and reuse art files and would like to catalog
 them in a mixed-media database. Without a program such as Fetch, a
 user would have to scroll through filenames or open and close
 source applications to find a particular image, according to Aldus.

 Fetch, which Aldus acquired from Anaheim, California-based Provident
 Software in July, allows more than 100 users to simultaneously
 browse through a visual catalog of their files, able to see each
 image or movie as a thumbnail-sized picture. You can also hear what
 each sound file sounds like.

 "Currently, locating graphics files can sometimes take longer than
 creating them," says Fetch product marketing manager, John Testament.
 "With Fetch, production professionals will be able to catalog and
 retrieve their files almost instantly, then view them without having
 to launch other applications."

 Fetch users can create a visual catalog of up to 32,000
 digital-media files, including clip art, sounds, photo images,
 presentations, and video clips. Files can be stored and retrieved
 from anywhere on a network, and keywords and descriptions can be
 added.

 Aldus will catalog files in all standard Macintosh file formats, and
 can recognize several proprietary formats from other Aldus products,
 including Persuasion, Gallery Effects, Illustrator, PhotoShop, and
 Multi-Ad Creator. Under Apple Computer's System 7 operating system,
 users can add items to a catalog by dragging and dropping the file,
 folder or volume icon over the Fetch application icon.

 Aldus spokesperson Jill Miller told Newsbytes that Fetch will
 support Kodak's recently announced Photo CD, which stores pictures
 taken with conventional 35mm cameras on a compact disk. The images
 can then be played on a TV or personal computer equipped with a
 CD-ROM XA, CD-ROM CDI, or dedicated Photo CD player.

 Fetch will have a suggested retail price of $295. Detailed
 information about licenses for volume purchasers will be announced
 when the product starts shipping in the fourth quarter. OEM
 (original equipment manufacturer) versions of Fetch will also be
 available for publishers of clip art, photo, QuickTime movies, and
 sound clip collections.

 Aldus will also run under Apple Computer's System 6.0.7. The
 company recommends an Apple Macintosh SE/30, PowerBook 140 or 170,
 II series, or Quadra; 5MB of RAM, and a hard drive. Minimum
 configuration is a Mac Classic, SE, LC, or Power Book 100, 4MB of
 RAM, and a hard drive.

 (Jim Mallory/19920923/Press contact: Belinda Young, 206-386-8819;
 Reader contact: Aldus Corporation, 206-628-5739)



Submitted to EDTECH by:  Michael Halm   MJH@PSUVM