AVS NETWORK NEWS INAUGURAL ISSUE

AVS Network News

The first full issue of AVS Network News will be published January 
1992 and on a quarterly basis thereafter.  The success of the 
magazine depends largely on AVS user participation.  Each $3 
color issue will feature updates about AVS programs, articles from 
users about their work, tips for using AVS modules, an editorial 
section featuring user viewpoints, and other general AVS 
information.  The magazine will include usersU color images and will 
solicit submissions from users interested in sharing  information 
about their work.  AVS vendors and independent software 
developers are encouraged to post product information in order to 
keep the AVS user community better informed about AVS 
developments.

Copies of AVS Network News may be obtained from your AVS 
vendor.  Copies also may be obtained by completing and mailing 
the magazineUs enclosed subscription form, along with a check or 
money order payable to the International AVS Center.  In addition,  
magazine subscription is included when joining the International 
AVS Users Group.  Refer to the article on the AVS Users Group for 
more information.

To have your work considered for inclusion in AVS Network News, 
send your article describing your AVS application along with color 
slides of your work to the International AVS Center.  For more 
information, email to avs@ncsc.org or use the CenterUs U.S. mail 
address.


AVS Catalog

A yearly catalog of AVS modules, networks, scripts, etc. will be 
available April 1992.  The catalog will list all the known modules 
and will provide information about commercially available AVS 
products.  Vendors with AVS-related products will be allowed to 
advertise in the catalog.  To obtain the catalog, complete and return 
the form on the inside back cover.


AVS Network News

The International AVS Center serves as a catalyst for expanding 
the AVS user base and for increasing AVS functionality by fostering 
discipline-specific module development and new AVS uses.  As a 
worldwide clearinghouse, the Center collects, ports, and distributes 
user-contributed, public-domain modules and acts as liaison 
between users and vendors.

AVS Network News is the CenterUs quarterly magazine serving 
users and vendors with updates on AVS programs and their use, 
usersU color images and editorial viewpoints, and product 
information postings from vendors and independent software 
developers.  For magazine subscription, a check or money order for 
$3 per issue or $12 annual subscription should be made payable to 
the International AVS Center and mailed to Post Office Box 
122889, 3021 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 
27709-2889.

Front cover design and cover inset, AVS Covers the World, by 
Scientific Animator Chris Landreth of the North Carolina 
Supercomputing Center.

Back cover photography by Jay Mangum Photography.

David Bennett, AVS Project Leader, avs@ncsc.org
Joel Page, Editor, page@mcnc.org
Fran Wise, Layout Coordinator, wise@mcnc.org

For more information
The International AVS Center
Post Office Box 12889
3021 Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2889
919-248-1100
avs@ncsc.org


AVS Newsgroup

The AVS newsgroup will be called comp.graphics.avs.  The 
newsgroup will be unmoderated as requested by the AVS Users 
Group at SIGGRAPH.  The International AVS Center will monitor 
the group closely and will assist however possible.  The Center also 
will post new information as it becomes available.  A how-to posting 
on submitting and obtaining modules will be issued monthly.  
Information about new portings, vendor updates, bugs, special 
projects, changes or additions to the Center or the AVS 
Consortium, new vendors, and general topics of interest also will be 
posted by the International AVS Center.

Information on commercial AVS developments and their evaluation 
by the Center will be featured.  The newsgroup will provide a 
means for communicating anything related to AVS.  AVS usersU 
comments are encouraged in order to help shape the directions of 
the International AVS Center.  The need for subset newsgroups for 
specific fields is anticipated as the AVS community grows.

A request for modules will be posted weekly.  The goal is to 
accumulate as many modules as possible for sharing with the AVS 
community.  The initial goal of the International AVS Center is to 
have 1000 modules available via ftp or email within three months of 
the CenterUs opening; 100 modules should be available by opening 
date, with several hundred more pending submission.

Most platforms are currently in beta format for the AVS port; we will 
work to make ports available as AVS becomes available for each 
platform.  We can achieve this only with your assistance.  You can 
help by donating modules, by suggesting to others that they write 
modules or port their public domain software into an AVS module, 
by encouraging commercial software companies to make their 
products available through AVS, and by letting others know about 
AVS.


AVS Consortium

The intention to form the AVS Consortium was announced at 
SIGGRAPH, along with the selection of the North Carolina 
Supercomputing Center as the site of the International AVS Center.  
The primary function of the Consortium will be to provide strategic 
input regarding the growth, direction, and promotion of the 
Application Visualization System, the de facto standard 
visualization environment.  The Consortium also will manage the 
activities and allocation of resources of the International AVS 
Center.

The AVS Consortium, which began operations October 1, 1991, 
initially will consist of representatives from a number of the existing 
AVS vendors, including CONVEX Computer Corporation, Digital 
Equipment Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Set Technology 
Corporation, Stardent Corporation, and WaveTracer.  Additional 
AVS vendors may join the Consortium in the near future.

Other AVS-supported platforms are Cray, Evans & Sutherland, SGI, 
and Sun; negotiations are under way for several others.  This 
cooperative effort by so many major vendors to provide a common 
interface for the benefit of their users is a tremendous step forward 
in visualization, exemplifying the vision of these companies.


Future Directions 

The International AVS Center will focus on several areas of 
potential long-term interest that include the following.

% Integration of the seamless amalgamation of interactive high-
definition television
% Televisualization and digital packet video
% Full multimedia integration, using AVS over higher speed 
networks including FDDI, HiPPI, and wide-area gigabit networks at 
NRI (Corporation for National Research Initiatives) gigabit testbeds
% Virtual reality
% 3-D visualization methods
% Telepresence or teleproximity
% Hypermedia
% Telosophy and the digital library with knowbots or intelligent 
agents and insight preservation
% Distributed shared AVS allowing multiple users to synchronize 
views or simulations across several networked AVS workstations
% Use of AVS for distributing and sharing medical images and 
integrating with remote data-gathering devices like CAT scanners
% AVS work with massively parallel architecture
% Teleconferencing and distributed training environments
% Neural nets
% Full visual programming and application prototyping
% Speech recognition and synthesis


AVS Users Group

The International AVS Users Group will be managed by the 
International AVS Center.  A president will be elected by the 
membership at the next group meeting to be held February 11-13, 
1992, at the North Carolina Supercomputing Center.  Until then, 
Stephen Franklin of the University of California at Irvine will serve 
as interim president.  In addition, an AVS Advisory Board will be 
established during the February meeting.
 
The International AVS Users Group will work with individuals 
worldwide to help organize local users groups.  These local users 
groups will be relied on to provide input on technical and 
administrative issues and to act as an information exchange.  To 
learn how to form a local AVS users group, contact avs@ncsc.org 
or send mail to the International AVS Center, Post Office Box 
12889, 3021 Cornwallis Road, RTP, NC 27709-2889.

Users group annual membership dues are $30.  (See subscription 
form enclosed in this issue.)  The AVS Network News quarterly 
magazine and an application directory and catalog are included 
with membership.  An International AVS Users Group conference 
will be held annually, and several similar meetings will take place at 
major conferences beginning this spring.
Costs and application forms for conference attendance will be 
printed in the next AVS Network News and will be posted to the 
AVS newsgroup, comp.graphics.avs.  Costs and forms also may be 
obtained by request either through email at avs@ncsc.org or U.S. 
mail addressed to the International AVS Center.

AVS Users Group participation at major conferences will be free 
and open to the public.  We encourage equal representation from 
AVS users such as scientists, researchers, and students, as well as 
from AVS module developers.


AVS Affiliates Program

The establishment of an International AVS Affiliates Program is 
planned for early 1992.  This program will develop formal 
interactions and collaborations with external institutions, providing 
opportunities to build a greater AVS infrastructure and to establish 
more direct and regular mechanisms of feedback regarding AVS.  A 
list of potential affiliates has been assembled, and more institutions 
will be added during the coming months.

External programs, projects, and collaborations also will be 
pursued.  Funding for these activities will be sought jointly by the 
International AVS Center and AVS vendors.  A list of potential 
projects has been compiled and discussed with the AVS 
Consortium representatives.  Users are encouraged to suggest 
additional programs, projects, and collaborations that might prove 
beneficial to the AVS user community.


Virtual Proximity with CONCERT

The Center for Communications at MCNC operates CONCERT 
(Communications for North Carolina Education, Research, and 
Technology), a state-of-the-art, statewide interactive video and data 
network designed to provide "virtual proximity" to researchers and 
educators in North Carolina.  Virtual proximity means that network 
users, regardless of their location, have access to strategic 
resources such as expertise, computers, and laboratories.  
Privately maintained, CONCERT spans a distance of 300 miles 
across North Carolina and consists of 25 Mbs and T3 (45 Mbs) 
digital channels and two full-duplex video channels throughout the 
service area.

The video network provides two-way, interactive, face-to-face 
capabilities for conferences, seminars, classroom instruction, and 
collaborative meetings.  Full duplex broadcast-quality video 
channels, videoconference rooms, and teleclassrooms on each 
Concert-connected campus enable researchers and educators to 
work together.  An interactive video channel with videoconferencing 
facilities recently was established among North CarolinaUs four 
medical schools, providing them with the ability to share expertise 
and resources.  More than 12,000 users accessed CONCERTUs 
resources and capabilities last year.
The Center for Communications provides North Carolina with a 
networking infrastructure that has been called a mini-NREN.  That 
infrastructure will continue to position the state competitively in the 
coming decades.  For more information on CONCERT, send email 
to avs@ncsc.org.


Independent Software Developers

Arrangements will be made with independent software developers 
(ISDs) to port their code to various vendor platforms.  These 
vendors will be charged based on the amount of  time, space, 
supplies, services, and consultation they require.  This should 
facilitate ISDs quickly porting their code to all available platforms 
and thereby make these resources available sooner.  A secure 
environment is being developed to support this.  Fees dependent 
upon developersU needs will be negotiated.


Across the Atlantic

"IUll take control of the object now," says IBM Marketing 
Representative Lisa Bobbitt as a large isosurface of a human spine 
begins to rotate thousands of miles across the Atlantic in an AVS 
display window on a workstation at the North Carolina 
Supercomputing Center (NCSC) in Research Triangle Park.  This 
remarkable collaboration session demonstrates some of the newest 
technology in AVS distributed viewing and collaboration.

At Telecom U91, an international telecommunications conference, 
IBM demonstrated this technology between two IBM RS6000 
graphics workstations running AVS in the IBM conference booth in 
Geneva, Switzerland, and in NCSCUs Visualization Lab in Research 
Triangle Park.  This proof-of-concept project, developed at NCSC 
and written by NCSC Visualization Programmer Dave Bock, 
combines the user interface and visualization capabilities of AVS 
with network communications to provide network users the ability to 
share and control common views of any AVS geometry display.

The AVS network executing this process includes two newly 
developed modules that handle all network communications 
between collaborators and the resulting geometry transformations 
using AVS upstream data types.  The communications module uses 
DTM, a message-passing facility developed and written by Jeff 
Terstriep of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications.

The network allows in-session collaborators their own local, 
individual control as well as the ability to take master control of the 
geometry shared among collaborators.  By taking master control, a 
collaborator has the ability to control the movement of the geometry 
being shared among other collaborators connected in the session.  
Master control of the geometry is accomplished by means of 
various AVS scaling, translation, and rotation sliders located in the 
AVS control panel.  Local control of the geometry is accomplished, 
as usual, by mouse movements in the AVS display window.

The ability to share and control common AVS geometry across the 
network means that researchers and scientists now can visually 
communicate their results and findings with fellow researchers 
located in widely separated geographic regions.  With the ability to 
communicate and collaborate on scientific findings as they occur, it 
is natural to expect an increase in both the efficiency and 
productivity of joint research among collaborators.

Referred to as distributed collaboration, this technology steadily is 
merging the fields of supercomputing, visualization, multimedia, and 
education and is providing researchers and scientists the ability to 
share and collaborate on their results not only across the hall but 
also across the Atlantic. 


Obtaining Modules

Modules may be obtained by two basic methods.  The first is the 
standard ftp protocol.  When you ftp to avs.ncsc.org, you should 
login as "anonymous" and use your email name for the password. A 
menu will come up that will guide you in using the ftp site and point 
you to the AVS_README and the AVS_LICENSE files.  The AVS 
license agreement must accompany all modules obtained and is 
self-explanatory.  The AVS_DB_FILE file is in flatline database 
format delimited by a colon <:> and will fit into most current 
database programs.  Instructions on the use of the AVS_DB_FILE 
file are also in the AVS_README file.

When you login to the AVS directory at avs.ncsc.org, you will see 
subdirectories called IN_DATA, FILTERS, MAPPERS, 
RENDERERS, MISC, and SAMPLE_DATA.  Some modules have 
multiple purposes and will be placed in the most appropriate 
directory.  SAMPLE_DATA will be for data that are donated but 
have no associated modules.  When you cd to the subdirectory, you 
will see many other directories -- one for each module and its 
associated files.  This will include only non-machine-specific files, 
such as source code, help files, README files, scripts, sample 
networks, etc.  In that directory, you also will see a selection of 
vendor names such as DEC, Stardent, and IBM.

When you cd to a vendor directory, you will be presented with 
directories listing the machine type and operating system, such as 
TITAN_P3G3_OS4.0 (a Stardent platform).  When you cd to the 
appropriate directory for your needs, you will see a listing of AVS 
versions such as AVS3.0, AVS3.1, AVS3.5, or AVS4.0.  After you 
cd to the appropriate version directory, you will find the files that are 
specific to each platform -- the Makefile, data, etc.

The second method for obtaining modules is through standard 
email.  When you send an email message to avsemail@ncsc.org, 
you receive an automated listing of all available modules along with 
a request form.  When you return the request form to 
avsorder@ncsc.org, you receive the modules and associated files 
(subject to size considerations) through normal email channels.  
Full information on this procedure is sent with the initial automated 
mail response.

While this process presently is not difficult, it quickly will entail a 
large maze of directories.  By January 1992, we expect to have at 
least 1000 modules that will create 20,000 to 30,000 subdirectories.  
Therefore, we will provide a selection of X interfaces and a 
command line program using WAIS protocol by the end of 1991.  
This is a hypertext search-and-query program and will be modified 
for AVS.  An AVS_WAIS_README file will explain how to use this 
method.

When you ftp into the International AVS Center, you will see a new 
directory called WAIS with a code to download and compile for a 
variety of machines and interfaces.  This will be extremely useful as 
the number of modules and information grows.  You will be able to 

type a sentence in standard English language (e.g., <Show me all 
the filters that are related to molecular modeling.>) and receive a 
listing of everything relating to that particular request.

You then can read the man pages or look at the source code and 
decide what you want.  You will be able to click on a window and 
have the modules and their associated files or any subset ftpUd to 
you automatically.   You also will be able to use the WAIS 
interfaces for exploring information from AVS newsgroups and 
other AVS related topics.  

If you do not have network capability, you may request a tape via 
U.S. mail.  Send a tape and a $5 postage-and-handling fee along 
with your request.  You should state the vendor type, machine type, 
and operating system.  We then will send you all available files in 
these categories listed in the AVS_README file.

If you do not provide a tape with your order, you must include tape 
cost.  Tapes will not be available from the Center until its porting 
facility is completed and tape needs and module-to-tape 
downloading time have been determined.  As additional order 
information becomes available, it will be posted to the 
comp.graphics.avs newsgroup, included in AVS Network News, 
and made available through your AVS vendor.  Special requests for 
tapes of modules currently can be made to avs@ncsc.org and will 
be handled on an individual basis.  An automated procedure to be 
completed by January 1, 1992, will accelerate this process.
The Center eventually will provide a full version of WAIS as a 
repository module and a number of service modules such as MAKE 
A SLIDE or MAKE A TRANSPARENCY.  These service modules 
will be available for a fee to members of the International AVS 
Users Group and will allow users to obtain a slide, transparency, 
color photo, and eventually a video over the net.

These service modules will be provided initially by the International 
AVS Center but after a reasonable period will be turned over to 
commercial companies.  This will be especially useful to those 
whose limited budget prevents obtaining these services.


Bug Reports and General Information

Bug reports on user-donated AVS modules may be emailed to 
avs@ncsc.org or to the International AVS Center by U.S. mail.  
These reports will be posted to the new AVS newsgroup, 
comp.graphics.avs, for the benefit of AVS users who already may 
have the code before the problem is found.  Inquires may be sent 
and general information may be obtained through email or U.S. 
mail.  All inquires will be assigned a unique number and receipt will 
be verified via an automated response.  Your questions will be 
answered as quickly as possible.


Module Submission Criteria

Release form -- A release form (enclosed in this magazine), signed 
by the individual submitting a code, must be mailed to the 
International AVS Center before the code will be made available to 
the AVS user community.  This signed form indicates that the 
individual is authorized to submit the module into public domain and 
releases the Center from any liability from copyright violation.  
Individuals who submit modules prior to completing a release form 
will be sent an electronic version of the form for completion.
Source file and Makefile -- Source code and Makefile must 
accompany all modules submitted (unless the module is data only).  
We encourage extensive commenting and ask that port-specific 
lines be so commented.  
Module description -- A detailed description of the module must be 
included with its submission.  This may be in the form of a man 
page or ASCII text format (as in a README file).  Module 
description is one of the most important criteria for submission.  
Please note if multiple modules are in one source code file.  The 
International AVS Center staff will rewrite the documentation as 
necessary.  
Data -- If your module uses a nonstandard data format, you must 
include an example (not necessarily real) of that data.  Explanations 
of how to read the data should be placed in the required manual or 
README file.
Miscellaneous -- You are requested to provide sample network and 
scripts when appropriate.

The following disclaimer will be placed with all files donated to the 
International AVS Center.

The International AVS Center Warranty Disclaimer

This AVS module and the files associated with it are distributed free 
of charge.  They are placed in public domain, and permission is 
granted for anyone to use, duplicate, modify, and redistribute them 
unless otherwise noted.  Some modules may be copyrighted.  You 
agree to abide by the conditions also included in the AVS Licensing 
Agreement, Version 1.0, located in each module directory.

The International AVS Center, MCNC, the AVS Consortium, or the 
individual submitting the module and files associated with said 
module provide absolutely no warranty of any kind with respect to 
this software.  Any risk as to the quality and performance of this 
software is entirely with the user.  In no event will the International 
AVS Center, MCNC, the AVS Consortium, or the individual 
submitting the module and files associated with said module be 
liable to anyone for any damages arising from the use of this 
module or associated files including, without limitation, damages 
resulting from lost data or lost profits, or any special, incidental, or 
consequential damages.

If you wish to contribute toward the improvement, modification, or 
general performance of this module, please send us your 
comments, such as why you like or dislike the module, how you use 
it, and, most importantly, how the module helps your work.  Email 
your comments, as well as any bug reports, to avs@ncsc.org.

Author:  (Name or control number)
Program name, date modified and by whom: 

To submit modules, ftp to avs.ncsc.org and cd to the SUBMIT 
directory.  You will be prompted in how to create a directory.  You 
will receive a message when the directory has been created and 
prompted on how to cd to that directory.  The directory itself will be 
invisible so that others may not inadvertently copy over your files.  
When you are in your directory, use standard ftp protocol to submit 
your modules and associated files.  Information on using ftp for 
basic submission and retrieval can be obtained by sending a 
request to avs@ncsc.org.

You also can submit modules and associated files by email to 
avs@ncsc.org and by tape (tape will be returned if requested) to 
the International AVS Center, Post Office Box 12889, 3021 
Cornwallis Road, RTP, NC 27709-2889.


International AVS Center

Following a comprehensive evaluation and onsite visits by the AVS 
vendors, the North Carolina Supercomputing Center (NCSC) was 
chosen as the site of the International AVS Center.  The 
International AVS Center will serve as a catalyst for expanding the 
AVS user base and for increasing the functionality of AVS by 
fostering discipline-specific module development and developing 
new AVS uses.

As a world clearinghouse for AVS information, the International 
AVS Center will collect, port, and distribute user-contributed public 
domain AVS modules and act as liaison between AVS users and 
vendors.  In addition to helping develop collaborations among AVS 
users with related interests, the Center will coordinate an AVS 
users group, a quarterly magazine, a showroom, and the porting of 
a center for AVS.

"NCSC was chosen primarily because of its unparalleled capability 
to gather and distribute modules and act as a user/vendor 
communication channel via its CONCERT network, which is ideal to 
meet the information and module distribution needs of the AVS 
users and vendors," says Paul Esdale of Stardent Computer.  
"NCSC also offers the staffing and visualization expertise 
necessary to meet the demands required."


AVS Showroom

A showroom representing the AVS vendors is being established at 
the North Carolina Supercomputing Center (NCSC).  This will be 
available to the AVS community for various uses such as tours, 
development of modules, and testing.  It will be open to the public 
during NCSCUs normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.   
However, it may be reserved occasionally for special tours or 
events for which notification will be posted in the showroom.

Vendors will provide literature about their hardware in the 
showroom and also may use the facilities to demonstrate AVS-
related materials on their platforms.  AVS training will be available 
over CONCERT.  (See preceding CONCERT article.)  Initially, 
training will be available only to the CONCERT community, but we 
hope to bring this to the entire AVS community in a few more years 
as networks develop the ability to handle high bandwidth 
transmission.  A multimedia video/audio system will be an integral 
part of the environment.

This showroom will be updated continually by the AVS vendors in 
order to provide users with the newest and latest AVS-running 
hardware.  This is an excellent evaluation environment and will 
cover low-, medium-, and high-end workstations.  Over time, we will 
attempt to add high-tech activities such as a virtual reality 
laboratory for testing virtual reality over our gigabit network and 
high-definition television.


NCSC

The North Carolina Supercomputing Center (NCSC), site of the 
International AVS Center, began operations September 1, 1989, 
with the mission to promote computational science education and 
research in North Carolina institutions and to foster technology-
based economic development through the application of high-
performance computing to industrial problems. A division of MCNC, 
NCSC is located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The proximity of a number of high-tech oriented companies, major 
research universities, medical research centers, and state 
government facilities provides a wide variety of opportunities for 
NCSC to fulfill its mission.  CONCERT, the outstanding state-
supported communications network, makes NCSCUs resources 
available to various institutions and corporations.

NCSCUs Visualization Lab enables scientists and engineers to 
develop graphical representations of complex scientific processes 
or data.  An intensive effort is under way to build a flexible, 
statewide visualization environment with transparent remote access 
that will leverage existing tools from other supercomputer centers 
as well as locally developed enhancements.

One of the primary engines in the NCSC configuration is the CRAY 
Y-MP 8/464.  It has four processors, each capable of a peak 
performance of 333 million floating-point operations per second; a 
one-billion-byte (gigabyte) solid state disk with a transfer rate of one 
gigabyte per second; and 44 gigabytes of online disk storage.  
Another powerful computational resource is the CONVEX C220, 
with two processors and one gigabyte of memory for supporting 
education projects and computationally intensive research projects.

To support the extensive data storage requirements of its users, 
NCSC has an IBM 3090-180J computer (network fileserver) with 60 
gigabytes of online disk space.  The IBM computer will be the focal 
point of a virtual mass storage system that potentially will increase 
online storage resources to trillions of bytes (terabytes) and will be 
accessible at very high speeds from any other NCSC computer 
system.  All NCSC computers, including visualization workstations, 
will be connected on a very high speed internal network -- ANSI 
standard 800 megabit-per-second high-performance parallel 
interface channels.

