CompuServe Messages

Thank you, Sanford, for reassuring me in my choice of platforms. I have said it before that I do not engage in CPU wars. Still your points are well taken, especially when considering your background. I recently spoke with a professor at Western Michigan University, here in Kalamazoo MI, about teaching animation for them. WMU is behind the times, considering that animation is everywhere you look and they still are not teaching it. I thought it would be a good way to broaden my credentials, so I gave him a call. He said they were planning to start up a program in animation using Alias Power Animator starting in 1996. I suggested that their money might be better spent on PC and Mac based systems. He feels, however, that since Alias and SGI are what the "big boys" are using that that is what they want to use. Besides, apparently Alias is giving their software to the university for _free_, and they are getting a couple of SGIs at educational prices, of course. Needless to say, I would be useless at teaching Alias when the only experience I've had with it is at the tryout stations at Siggraph. Yet, in the course of our 40 minute phone conversation, I probably tought him more about DDRs and video than he ever knew. I should send him a bill for the consulting. Think about it, they're planning on using Alias Power Animator, SGIs, and — a Panasonic SVHS deck. — A silver spoon and a paper plate! Anyway, would you mind if I sent him a copy of that message? Coming from you it might sink in a little, though I doubt it. — James — Choreo Motion —