Search results

Desktop publishing may or may not be the “hottest” topic in current microcomputing, but it certainly is one of them. Being a hot topic means being the subject of wildly optimistic market predictions, large amounts of hype and hoopla, unrealistic claims for benefits, and the usual tendency to ignore drawbacks. But all the nonsense does not mean that the topic is wholly worthless. The author, Library Hi Tech's resident computer grouch and proponent of the trailing edge, argues that the term desktop publishing is nonsensical and that the new field is promising but tricky. He discusses some aspects of desktop publishing and goes on to discuss his own experience with a lower‐technology alternative he calls desktop typesetting.

The construction industry produces voluminous quantitative data. Much of this data is created during the controls phase of projects and relates to cost, schedule, and administrative information. Recent storage and processing advances in computers as well as display capabilities afforded by computer graphics increase the opportunity to monitor projects fundamentally different from existing project control systems. However, changes in project control methods have been slow to evolve. The lack of a fundamental model of project control data representation contributes to the inadequate application and implementation of visual tools in project control methods. Difficulties associated with the graphical representation of data can be traced to the diversity of skills required in creating visual information displays. Owing to the reality that not all engineers/constructors possess these attributes in great strength, streamlining the process of how to best visualize data is important. Visual representations of data hold great potential for reducing communication difficulties fostered by industry fragmentation. However, without information structure, organization, and visual explanations, the massive amount of data available to project managers results in information overload. Therefore, improved information displays are needed to overcome the possibility of information overload with the capability of human perception. This paper discusses research to create a framework for visual representation of construction project data. Underlying visualization theory, the visual framework, and a detailed implementation are provided.

Within the framework of a research project into alternative ways of representing documentation languages and into their flexibility, an attempt is made to draw up a list of performance criteria that an ‘ideal’ thesaurus graphic display should respect. However, a study of the main bibliographies listing thesauri, shows that less than 6 per cent of them contain graphic displays, even though a concurrent literature survey reveals that such displays offer many potential advantages. Up to now, use of displays was probably limited by technology and by the rarity of studies into the cognitive processes of the users of automated systems. Current research in several disciplines (computer graphics, ergonomic psychology and spatial representation) should contribute to the emergence of new types of documentation retrieval tools, well adapted to a broader and more diversified clientele.

CircCess, a 35‐member library network, was moving toward a major system upgrade when it discovered that the planned system would not support Boolean functions. An alternative approach to providing a shared catalog and linked circulation functions was sought, resulting in a CD‐ROM‐based solution. The process of developing the concept, unexpected problems associated with selecting a vendor, delays and problems resulting from an expansion of the original concept, and related issues are detailed.

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML‐based vector graphics standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium. The National Archives of Singapore recently launched an online virtual exhibition, Colours in the Wind, which was developed using Macromedia Flash, the most widely used format for animated and interactive vector‐based Web content. The current work reports on the experiences in developing an SVG‐based version of this exhibition as well as the exploration of SVG's potential for developing future virtual exhibitions as an alternative to Flash. Observations from the SVG effort are discussed together with descriptions of techniques used and the limitations and problems that SVG poses to developers. A comparative study involving the usability features of the Flash and SVG versions of the virtual exhibition is also described. Results indicate that users are positive towards SVG and suggest the viability of the technology as a development platform.

AGILE II is a full service utility providing shared cataloging in eight MARC formats with access to local data, database management, inter library loan, electronic mail, subject searching, authority control and other features. The adoptation of AGILE II and the MARC format to support community (agency and program) information suggests imaginative applications for similar systems. Two sidebars discuss installations of AGILE II.

While PC‐compatible computing becomes ever more complex and confusing, some aspects do achieve clarity. One such aspect, according to the author, is the choice of display. For most users, that choice may be clearer now than at any time in the last six years. Indeed, clarity and aspect both enter into the decision: specifically, greater clarity through higher resolution, and an aspect ratio that finally makes sense. Some informal notes on the history of display “standards” for MS‐DOS computing lead up to a discussion of the current situation. There's still more than one choice to make; the author discusses the reasons why one set of choices, which the author doesn't currently use, may be more sensible than other alternatives. Don't expect equally clear‐cut advice on printers: the author briefly notes why that doesn't appear feasible at this point. That brief discussion is followed by a smorgasbord of citations from the PC literature for July‐September 1989.

ARDENT Computer Corporation and Intelligent Aerodynamics, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey, have completed an agreement to jointly market the first computational fluid dynamics software featuring Ardent's integrated, dynamic graphics visualisation package. The FLO87 software, created for use in aircraft design, will be ported to Ardent's new Titan graphics supercomputer.

REAL World Graphics has formally launched its new range of high preformance real time 3D image generators aimed at the visual simulation and animation markets. Known as Super Reality, these modular and scaleble systems use parallel arrays of Intel i860 RISC microprocessors running at 40MHz to achieve remarkable price/ performance characteristics. Super Reality offers such features as photo‐texturing, antialiasing and Gouraud shading at a cost which puts graphics supercomputing within reach of those who previously could not afford it. All systems and graphics functions are programmed in ‘C’ making Super Reality a totally flexible product that could be easily applied to other applications such as general array processing.

Food guides are graphic representations of food-based dietary guidelines that support national health policies and programming. They are visual aids simplifying complex nutritional messaging for the public. While pyramid and circle formats are the most common shapes in use worldwide, the dinner plate format is increasing in use due to its perceived effectiveness. However, research examining visual attributes of food guide graphics, and the dinner plate model specifically, is limited. The purpose of this paper is to systematically compare and analyse key visual attributes of plate food guide graphics (across multiple examples) to assess their potential for effective visual communication of nutrition messaging.

This study engages in a qualitative analysis of compositional elements of food guide graphics. Data collection and analysis are grounded in the methods of compositional interpretation, which includes a qualitative, descriptive approach to establishing a thematic survey of the data.

Unique visual attributes of the plate food guide (including image content, spatial organisation and expressive content) present challenges in the communication of key nutritional messaging regarding proportionality, moderation and overall usability.

A better understanding of the visual attributes of the plate food guide model will contribute to improved design and development of this key public health tool by researchers, educators and health practitioners. Additionally, the examination of visual attributes has implications for the study of food guide understanding and use.

This study highlights the need for critical visual skills in qualitative health research, and to address gaps in health education more broadly.