Abstract

The world of electronic publishing changes quickly, and CD-ROM is the latest technology. Many electronic publishers are getting involved in what is called CD-ROM publishing (also called Optical publishing). CD-ROM means Compact-Disc Read Only Memory. CD-ROM publishing changes the way information is presented, searched, retrieved, and distributed. Electronic publishing takes on a whole new identity with CD-ROMs. The computer screen now replaces hard copy as the viewing medium. This is why CD-ROMs are called the "new CD-ROMs allow the user to deal with dynamic and "moving" images in lieu of static ones. The technology promotes the fact that CD-ROM applications are fun and entertaining ways to learn as well as allowing interaction with the user. Some CD-ROM products already on the market include children's books, reference books, and adventure games. CD-ROMs also offer users of the desktop many advantages including high storage capacity, permanency, and easy accessibility to data. However, the biggest disadvantage to CD-ROM is its slow seek time and data transfer rate. This thesis project is comprised of two parts. The first part involves the creation of a CD-ROM application. In this case, it is a poster book. The poster book was designed to give the impression of "motion" within the pages. Some of the hardware and software utilized in the implementation of the poster book include QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and the Macintosh Quadra 700. Using Kodak's Writable CD-ROM hardware and software, the poster book's digital file was then written to a CD-ROM disc. The second part of this thesis project involves the development of a reference guide. The reference guide explains the basic steps on how to create a CD-ROM application. It is designed to serve desktop users and novices to CD-ROM technology. Most resources that were available were too complex for any beginner to comprehend in completing their CD-ROM projects. The Reference Guide to CD-ROM Technology covers the fol lowing topics: data collection, text preparation, image preparation, sound preparation, disc origination, data submission guidelines, disc production, and data protection. The last chapter of the reference guide provides a list of CD-ROM manufacturers that can be consulted for more in-depth information on CD-ROMs. Upon completion of this thesis project, a questionnaire was used in evaluating the CD-ROM application, Art in Motion. The viewers were asked to compare the CD-ROM version to the printed version. The results were then summarized at the end of the study.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

CD-ROM books; CD-ROM publishing; Graphic arts--Data processing

Publication Date

5-1-1994

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Print Media (CIAS)

Advisor

Johnson, Herbert

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: Z286.O68J64 1994

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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