Preface

Harry Edgar
Symposium Chairman

The provision of information technology services is rapidly expanding into a new "knowledge based" industry. Many major initiatives are being taken to provide, develop and apply new and alternative technologies to improve access to information and knowledge.

Use of technology is increasing rapidly in education and vocational training and is being increasingly adopted in the management of information for industry.

Growth of the multimedia industry is dependent on establishing a high reputation for creativity and the ability to establish efficient and coherent multi-disciplinary teams to develop and commercially exploit high quality applications.

However, a number of both research and application issues of a technical and strategic nature need to be addressed in order to facilitate the appropriate widespread adoption of multimedia technology in the user and beneficiary community, and to introduce a competitive edge to this emerging industry. These issues may be summarised as follows:

the identification of and contribution to key technological developments required to enable industry to become and remain competitive
the identification of and contribution to the development of tactical and strategic policies to implement technology transfer, education and skills development from research outcomes to industry applications
the identification of and contribution to research programs which examine longer term technical opportunities through key research issues
a coordination and directory role to enable the provision of critical mass resources for developing, trialing and implementing technical solutions in new and emerging areas of information technology

Just as the need for an Australasian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association emerged from Australia's first International Interactive Multimedia Symposium in Perth, WA in January 1992, it is believed that this symposium will be an important catalyst in ensuring the pursuit of academic and commercial links to enable the development of cooperative strategies which will promote continuing growth of the multimedia industry in Australia.

Papers at this symposium have been selected for their high quality and relevance in demonstrating the linking of academic research and development with commercial development and to show the underpinning of the growth of an Australian multimedia industry founded on the development of high quality multimedia technology and techniques.

The Executive Organising Committee appreciates the efforts of the authors in providing their papers in time for these proceedings, and commends the endeavour of the Program Committee in producing an extremely high quality symposium program and proceedings.

As with the Proceedings of Australia's first International Interactive Multimedia Symposium in Perth, WA in January 1992, the papers contained in these proceedings will provide a valuable reference source for delegates and those unable to attend the symposium.

Dr T. H. Edgar
Symposium Chairman
Image Technology, Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U 1987, Perth 6001 WA
Tel. 09 470 2428 Email: TH@cc.curtin.edu.au

Symposium committee

Dr Harry Edgar (Chairman)
Dr Roger Atkinson
Roger Dickinson
Tom Docherty
Associate Professor Mike Grant
Richard Heale
Associate Professor Colin Latchem
Clare McBeath
Dr Rob Phillips
Steve Pretzel
Dr Geoff Ring
Anthony Temple

Overseas representatives

Peter Looms
Dr Tom Reeves

Preface

Symposium committee

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