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SCMP Reporter

THERE is always so much conflicting information about multimedia these days that I am confused about what it is. I want to learn about it but, preferably, in some sort of interactive manner. In other words, I'd prefer not to have to read yet another book that cannot show me precisely what multimedia is.

JOSEPH LO Hong Kong Your question is well timed. A Hong Kong firm called Asia Concepts is this week launching an interactive CD-ROM product that, according to its publicity material, uses multimedia to teach people about multimedia. An interesting concept.

  Called ''The Guided Tour of Multimedia'', this CD-ROM uses more than 20 hours of material - including text, graphics, video, audio and animation - to show people what multimedia is about.

  Among the areas it addresses are the basics of the subject, plus in-depth information on multimedia technology.

   Hardware and software needed to run multimedia operations are discussed, and the steps that should be taken to create multimedia presentations are outlined.

  The CD-ROM also contains libraries of video, graphics and animation sound sequences, as well as a table of contents, glossary and index.

  The disc includes a run-time version Microsoft Video for Windows, which contains video clips that help users understand more about video on the PC. An audio narrative explains many of the issues covered in the CD-ROM.

  One section of the disc deals with the many applications that already use multimedia, such as presentations, sales and information kiosks, training, and games. Another section deals with how to author CD-ROM titles.

  ''The Guided Tour of Multimedia'' is HK$399. It will be available at KPS video outlets from this week.

   For more information, call Asia Concepts on 552-8229, or fax 553-3730.

    I AM running out of hard disk space. Even with compression, I cannot afford to buy a bigger drive. Help! C. Y. CHAN Hunghom Did you know that 80 per cent of the data stored on your hard drive is rarely used? So, why keep it there? That's the philosophy behind a system called Infinite Disk. And it seems to make sense, despite its maker's unusual name - Chili Pepper Software.

  Basically, Infinite Disk divides your files into one of three categories.

   Level 0 are files used frequently and are left alone. Level 1 files are those not used for a user-specified number of days. These are automatically compressed but stay on the drive. Level 2 files have not been used for an even longer time and are compressed and moved off the hard drive to floppy disks.

  Users are instructed to insert a pre-labelled disk for off-loading. But these Level 2 files remain represented on the hard drive in the directory.

  If needed by you or a program, Infinite Disk automatically prompts for the correct floppy. The data is decompressed and reloaded to the hard drive.

  This automated disk management product provides an inexpensive alternative to those who are running out of room. Infinite Disk sells for US$189 and works with DOS and Windows.

   For more information, call Chili Pepper Software in the US on (404) 339-1812.



Learning multimedia the easy way