Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!uvm-gen!matrox!paul
From: paul@matrox.UUCP (Paul Spencer)
Newsgroups: comp.ivideodisc
Subject: IVIA Videodisk Standard
Keywords: videodisk standards DOD
Message-ID: <149@matrox.UUCP>
Date: 29 Sep 88 00:22:36 GMT
Organization: Matrox Electronic Systems, Mtl, Que.
Lines: 52

The Interactive Videodisc Industry Association (IVIA), a industry
group, is currently trying to create a standard for all future
videodisc training equipment. They have been commissioned to do
this by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD wants a 
standard published and accepted soon; i.e. within 6 months.
From then on, all equipment purchased by any branch of the U.S.
Government would have to meet the standard.

Unfortunately, they have NOT brought this to the attention of the
public. The two key people involved in writing the standard are
employees of VAL and Visage, who are basically writing the standard
around VAL and Visage products, to the total exclusion of anyone 
else. They are also basing it on yesterday's technology. (e.g. the
graphics standard is EGA). 

They are not even informing other members of the IVIA!

Anyone involved in any aspect of interactive videodisc should scream
loud, and scream long, until a true, proper standard with some foresight
to the future is adopted. Otherwise, the only people with product to
sell will be VAL and Visage!

The people responsible are (you should be able to obtain a copy of the
proposed 'standard' from them):

Henry Mistrot, Chairman
IVIA Recommended Practices Committee
c/o VAL
4926 Spicewood Springs Road
Austin, TX 78759
FAX (512) 346-5781

Philip Dodds
IVIA Recommended Practices Committee
c/o Visage
Randall House
9 Randall Court
Annapolis, MD 21401
FAX (301) 268-7265

Gary Boycan, DOD OASD (FM&P/MM&PP)
Training Policy
Pentagon RM 3B930
Washington DC 20301

Speak now or forever live with someone else's standard!

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paul spencer, matrox electronic systems
uvm-gen!matrox!paul     (514) 685-2630
disclaimer: matrox has a vested interest in a fair standard
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