CD-ROM
(Continued from prior message, here is where I turm my flame on).
Several commercial concerns are attempting to secure a portion of this
huge government PUBLIC information. It is frequently stored on 9 track tape
in sequential files of 8-bit ASCII data which can be purchased for $100-300
to cover the cost of the tape and handling. These commercial concerns then
convert the data to 9 track tape in a binary format with some simple but
"unique" format, and have the data put on CD. VIOLA, the information is now
proprietary, can be sold for a thousand dollars per CD, and another
innovative fellow gets rich on data acquired with our tax dollars.
Fortunately, Uncle Sam is looking at releasing its data on CD (See efforts
of SIGCAT). If this effort prevails any computer that can read 8 bit ASCII
and drive a CD-ROM will have access to the data for the cost of the disk
plus a few bucks. So far, only IBM has the device driver and applications
programs to open up the field. I want the Amy in there also.
The first U.S. Government CD is now available for $35.00. It contains
U.S. Geological Service mapping data. If I could buy a CD-ROM device
driver at any reasonable price, I would gladly spend the $1000 to purchase
the CD-ROM, SCSI interface, and Sony or Phillips machine. Then I would
write an applications program to use that data. Any mediocre programmer
with a knowledge of cartography could do so. At that point the Amiga could
join the Big Blue Market (IBM and compatibles) as a potential market for
applications programs to use government data on CD-ROM. The Amiga is
especially well suited for this because it can access 8 MEG of memory.
Unfortunately, this is all of no avail without a device driver which allows
the Amiga to read (at least) ASCII files from a CD-ROM. I know almost
nothing about the SCSI interface or the High Sierra data storage format.
But, I do have adequate knowledge to use that data, and other data, in an
applications program. I want the Amiga to be part of the parade from the
beginning. If you or anyone else can help me in generating interest in a
CD-ROM device driver for the Amiga, I would appreciate it.