Re: Computer 3d? Not yet for me...

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Larry Berlin, your thoughts and ideas are well taken.  But it is time for
reality check:  How many people today have: a) a computer b) access to the
internet, c) access to www, d) a fast modem?  Not too many... The situation 
is certainly changing, but we are not there yet... _today_

You make it sound as if I am the fortunate guy who has an entire collection
of viewers and images, while the poor guy down the street only has his
Pentium to play with...

> To keep things in context here, you are not a typical
> person and have ready access to years worth of collecting both of viewers
> and images in photographic formats...
> How about for those who haven't been lucky enough to collect all the 
> viewing devices you no doubt have. That's  limited access!!!

For your information, I have a few viewers but I am only using one of them
for 99% of my viewing pleasure.  This is a Realist red button viewer which
I bought in 1988 for $65. (BTW, I got into 3d in 1988)  The viewer works 
today as efficiently as it did back in 1988 and, going back further, in 
1950.  Chances are that it will work for my children and grandchildren (if 
they don't drop it like my mother did!!!! - fortunately, it still works ;))

This is non-expiring technology. ;)  On the other hand...

In 1984 I bought a top-of-the-line 8088 computer for $2500.  Until half
a year ago this was my only computer.  With a 2400 modem and a freenet
account, I did not have www access until...  Six months ago I spent
$2500 to get a top-of-the-line Pentium and got an account with www access
for $20/month.  So far, so good... but... A few years down the road I will 
need to deposit another $2500 to upgrade to a "better" system. 
(Q: What is the best computer to buy?  A: The one that costs $2500!)

Now, this is putting things into context for me...

You mentioned the advantages of distributing images via www as opposed
to sending images via the slow mail route.  Fact is, everyone has a
mailing address (OK, ignoring homeless people who, I am sure, do not have
a Pentium either, or, if they do, they don't have a plug to plug it ;)) 
but not everyone has a fast computer, a fast modem and an internet 
provider.

Without slow (but worth waiting for!) regular mail exchanges I would
have not had the chance to view Erlys' wonderful images with my red
button viewer.  You can try and put her "Dreamers" in your site.  Then
we will all gather there to view it.  I am sure you will question
my judgement because I know that this image is just not made for
computer 3d with today's computer technology.

> Eventually the Internet will allow better resolution and many of your 
> objections will vaporize. The question is, where will your images be? 
> Still in the hall closet?  ; -) I'd rather see your images than hear 
> about how good they are through written communications.

My images have been out of the hall closet for some time now.  Sooner
or later some of them will be in the computer.  But, as I said, these
will not be my best images.  They will only be my best computer images.
If you want to see my images today, all you need to do is ask and I 
will be glad to mail them to you... ;)

Now, let me reverse the argument.  You claim I am missing a lot by not
checking all these 3d images in the web.  And I claim that you are
missing a lot by not sharing images via the regular mail. By only 
sharing 3d images with others via the computer, you are limiting yourself
to only one group of images, viewed in a very restricted way.  If you
open a little bit and accept the slow moving mail, you will be rewarded
with many wonderful images to be viewed with non-expiring and more 
satisfactory to use devices (for me, at least) like a good slide viewer.

Regards -- George Themelis


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