From: newberry@astro.as.arizona.edu (Mike Newberry)
Newsgroups: comp.infosystems.gis,comp.graphics.avs,sci.geo.geology,sci.engr.biomed
Subject: RFD for new IMAGE PROCESSING newsgroup
Date: 9 Apr 92 22:24:05 GMT
Followup-To: news.groups
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.  The term "image" in this context refers 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, all of the bio-medical fields, and
others.  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 other disciplines.  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 would not conflict with the purposes of existing newsgroups
devoted to the above topics.

Therefore, I propose that a special newsgroup be created for image
processing. This Request for Discussion ("RFD") is being cross-posted to
a number of existing, relevant newsgroups in order to draw discussion from
those who might be interested.  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.
  3) Develop a newsgroup charter.
  4) Decide whether the group should be moderated and, if so, select a
     moderator.
  5) Decide on what computer the newsgroup should reside.


Note that 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.
Votes submitted during this 30 day discussion period will be ignored.

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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
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