Message-Id: <mailto:199511012349.RAA02471@library.wustl.edu> Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 10:45:22 EST From: joye volker <mailto:joye@INFO.ANU.EDU.AU> Subject: ArtScan and 4D To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
I have had many queries concerning ArtScan our slide image database. Some have been confused with AusArts our Web Server for the Institute of the Arts, URL’ttp://www.anu.edu.au/ITA/AusArts/ArtScan was a project initiated at the Canberra School of Art in 1993/94 to improve accessibility of visual materials for research by staff and students. It allows the registration of digital images onto a hard disk which, coupled with their descriptive information, can be networked to sites on the Australian National University Network. We initially transferred 30,000 data records of slides from three separate databases onto 4th Dimension software. Our initial focus has been on contemporary Australian visual arts. The objective was to provide a database of text and images with a 'user friendly' front-end to be accessed at a workstation in the Library and at specific sites on the ANU Network. This is now happening with 4thDimension Server software. 4D Client software must be mounted on the access machines in the same way that 'viewing and hearing' software is mounted for access to multimedia on the Web.
Although we took a course in developing 4th Dimension programs, we also hired the company to set it up for us according to our specifications in order to achieve a professional product. Images are added using PhotoCD and Photoshop. ArtScan is now a viable slide image database with 37,000 records and some images, and does the required jobs like printing slide labels, creating reports, etc. Clients may log in as a 'guest' and be allowed to view but not modify records. The user interface for 4D that we have is fairly complex for the average user and will require training for use. The College of Fine Art Library at the University of New South Wales has also now implemented ArtScan.
Embark, also based on 4D, was not available when we set up ArtScan. We have a copy of Embark and are looking at its applicability with its splendid user interface. We still have the problem, however, that there is no technical support for Embark within Australia.
With ArtScan, it now seems feasible - and I think a few people have done this, but not many from the communications I have received - to use 4D as the search engine with a WWW interface. The latter is not proprietary which is an added advantage and allows further interoperability. I must admit that I like the idea of a common architecture for querying databases, bearing in mind that it needs to be customised for art image information. It is still experimental and we will be developing this with the same company who set up our ArtScan database, RT&A in Canberra Australia.
If you have more specific questions concerning ArtScan's file structure, etc. please email our Manager, Visual Resources: mailto:ann.maccallum@anu.edu.au.
Thanks for all the information sent and I trust this answers some of the questions!
Joye Volker
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