Making the Best of New Information Technologies at Eurostat.
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| Title: | Making the Best of New Information Technologies at Eurostat. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Guittet, Christian |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 1996 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Evaluative Speeches/Meeting Papers |
| Descriptors: | Access to Information, Foreign Countries, Futures (of Society), Hypermedia, Information Dissemination, Information Retrieval, Information Technology, Multimedia Materials, Online Systems, Performance, Relevance (Information Retrieval), Search Strategies, Statistical Data, User Friendly Interface, User Satisfaction (Information), Visualization |
| Geographic Terms: | Luxembourg |
| Abstract: | Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, is already making use of the new possibilities offered by the multimedia revolution and has started research to allow further progress in this direction. This paper defines interactive multimedia as the achievement of a dynamic symbiosis between several means of expression (several representations of real or imaginary worlds). The paper draws lessons from Eurostat's operational achievements and explores different areas open to future research: multimedia, new information technologies, graphics and visualization, and image and signal processing. General guidelines for future development learned from Eurostat's first experiences include: automate production by structuring information; ensure independence from the physical medium; be flexible to satisfy users; be user-friendly to all users; take care of the user interface; avoid sticking to present technology because technology changes so fast; and put the focus on multimedia resources. The paper also discusses automating the production process, including the pros and cons of using SGML and HTML for document definition. In order to disseminate statistical data to as large and diversified a public as possible, it is important to make the most of the possibilities new information technologies offer to ensure easier, faster access to more relevant information, according to the knowledge, expectations, and needs of each individual. Future trends are also discussed. (Contains 14 references.) (SWC) |
| Entry Date: | 1998 |
| Accession Number: | ED411865 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, is already making use of the new possibilities offered by the multimedia revolution and has started research to allow further progress in this direction. This paper defines interactive multimedia as the achievement of a dynamic symbiosis between several means of expression (several representations of real or imaginary worlds). The paper draws lessons from Eurostat's operational achievements and explores different areas open to future research: multimedia, new information technologies, graphics and visualization, and image and signal processing. General guidelines for future development learned from Eurostat's first experiences include: automate production by structuring information; ensure independence from the physical medium; be flexible to satisfy users; be user-friendly to all users; take care of the user interface; avoid sticking to present technology because technology changes so fast; and put the focus on multimedia resources. The paper also discusses automating the production process, including the pros and cons of using SGML and HTML for document definition. In order to disseminate statistical data to as large and diversified a public as possible, it is important to make the most of the possibilities new information technologies offer to ensure easier, faster access to more relevant information, according to the knowledge, expectations, and needs of each individual. Future trends are also discussed. (Contains 14 references.) (SWC) |
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