Onboard shuttle on-line software requirements system: Prototype

The prototype discussed here was developed as proof of a concept for a system which could support high volumes of requirements documents with integrated text and graphics; the solution proposed here could be extended to other projects whose goal is to place paper documents in an electronic system for viewing and printing purposes. The technical problems (such as conversion of documentation between word processors, management of a variety of graphics file formats, and difficulties involved in scanning integrated text and graphics) would be very similar for other systems of this type. Indeed, technological advances in areas such as scanning hardware and software and display terminals insure that some of the problems encountered here will be solved in the near-term (less than five years). Examples of these solvable problems include automated input of integrated text and graphics, errors in the recognition process, and the loss of image information which results from the digitization process. The solution developed for the Online Software Requirements System is modular and allows hardware and software components to be upgraded or replaced as industry solutions mature. The extensive commercial software content allows the NASA customer to apply resources to solving the problem and maintaining documents

Rendering PostScript^TM fonts on FPGAs

This paper describes how custom computing machines can be used to implement a simple outline font processor. An FPGA based co-processor is used to accelerate the compute intensive portions of font rendering. The font processor builds on several PostScript components previously presented by the authors to produce a system that can rapidly render fonts. A prototype implementation is described followed by an explanation of how this could be extended to build a complete system

Development Of Information Visualization Methods For Use In Multimedia Applications

The aim of the article is development of a technique for visualizing information for use in multimedia applications. In this study, to visualize information, it is proposed first to compile a list of key terms of the subject area and create data tables. Based on the structuring of fragments of the subject area, a visual display of key terms in the form of pictograms, a visual display of key terms in the form of images, and a visual display of data tables are performed. The types of visual structures that should be used to visualize information for further use in multimedia applications are considered. The analysis of existing visual structures in desktop publishing systems and word processors is performed.To build a mechanism for visualizing information about the task as a presentation, a multimedia application is developed using Microsoft Visual Studio software, the C# programming language by using the Windows Forms application programming interface. An algorithm is proposed for separating pieces of information text that have key terms. Tabular data was visualized using the “parametric ruler” metaphorical visualization method, based on the metaphor of a slide rule.The use of the parametric ruler method on the example of data visualization for the font design of children's publications is proposed. Interaction of using the method is ensured due to the fact that the user will enter the size of the size that interests for it and will see the ratio of the values of other parameters. The practical result of the work is the creation of a multimedia application “Visualization of Publishing Standards” for the visualization of information for the font design of publications for children. The result of the software implementation is the finished multimedia applications, which, according to the standardization visualization technique in terms of prepress preparation of publications, is the final product of the third stage of the presentation of the visual for

Access and usability issues of scholarly electronic publications

This chapter looks at the various access and usability issues related to scholarly information resources. It first looks at the various channels through which a user can get access to scholarly electronic publications. It then discusses the issues and studies surrounding usability. Some important parameters for measuring the usability of information access systems have been identified. Finally the chapter looks at the major problems facing the users in getting access to scholarly information through today's hybrid libraries, and mentions some possible measures to resolve these problems

The LaTeX project: A case study of open-source software

This is a case study of TeX, a typesetting software that was developed by Donald E. Knuth in the late 70's. Released with an open source license, it has become a reference in scientific publishing. TeX is now used to typeset and publish much of the world's scientific literature in physics and mathematics. This case study is part of a wider effort by academics to understand the open-source phenomenon. That development model is similar to the organization of the production of knowledge in academia; there is no set organization with a hierarchy, but free collaboration that is coordinated spontaneously and winds up generating complex products that are the property of all who can understand its functioning. The case study was led by gathering qualitative data via interviews with TeX developers and quantitative data on the TeX community -- the program's code, the software that is part of the TeX distribution, the newsgroups dedicated to the software, and many other indicators of the evolution and activity in that open-source project. The case study is aimed at economists who want to develop models to understand and analyze the open-source phenomenon. It is also geared towards policy-makers who would like to encourage or regulate open- source, and towards open-source developers who wonder what are the efficient strategies to make an open-source project successful.TeX, LaTeX, case study, open source, software, innovation, organisational structure, economic history, knowledge production, knowledge diffusion.

An Investigation into the distuibution of portable documents in a prepress environment

Portable document files (PDF\u27s) are used in many types of environments; such as, office, world wide web, and desktop publishing to name a few. PDF technology allows electronic documents to become truly portable. PDF files maintain their original look and feel across various computer systems and platforms. PDF use in a prepress environment was tested by creating various electronic mechanicals with numerous file formats and having these PDF files imaged across the country on various high resolution imagesetting devices. It has been determined that PDF files can be used in a prepress environment at this point in time in some situations

The page in print: designing better documents with desktop publishing: second edition

The ready availability and sheer power of desktop publishing has forced many users and producers of documents to look beyond the mere presentation of words on a page. Even the most rudimentary of word processors gives the user the power to produce professional documents that command the reader\u27s attention. This book was originally published in 1994 in response to the growing demand for guidance in producing documents in the face of an abundance of choice. This new edition has included extra material on electronic publishing, including a chapter on designing electronic documents for applications such as the World Wide Web. The book has been produced to offer an easy and painless introduction to desktop publishing and its principles, regardless of the medium. The Page in Print: Designing Better Documents with Desktop Publishing is supported by the smaller reference book A Thumbnail Guide to Desktop Publishing which provides a ready reference guide to terminology and concepts central to document production. Although designed to work together, both books can be used independently as a standalone resource. The package has been produced for anyone who regularly works with words and images on a page or screen: business people, students, lecturers, teachers, and writers