Re: [-empyre-] shared canvas

["Mark Hancock" <Mark.Hancock@marconi.com>]

I'd like to ask a question(s) regarding this idea of shared canvas space.
Is this type of software best used within a live performance space?
Allowing artists to contribute remotely to the 'happening'(for want of a
better term off the top of my head). And how do people feel this enhances
the performance? Can it be an open forum for anyone who wants to
participate, or is it preferable to know the other artists work before
hand?

Secondly, as far as non-live, collaboration is concerned. do people who
have used this technique, feel that it has enhanced their working
practices? Any more than passing files via email?

apologies if this has been covered before and thanks to anyone who feels
they want to answer,

Mark

>the "shared canvas" concept can be achieved to a certain extent in
>graphical chat environments such as the palace; text, images, painting,
>sound, & i've seen some form of video in it but not sure how it's done.
>cross-platform & low bandwidth requirements, makes it very accessible. we
>use it for performance, layered with live performance & web cams &
whatever
>else takes our fancy.
>h : )

>
>Hmmm, funny you should mention this, I've been working on a software
>system for this very purpose, a virtual multimedia performance space
>enabling uses to interact with a shared "canvas", bringing in text,
>images, streaming video, sound, flash, SMIL presentations, and
>quicktimeVR, enabling net based media performance. There is also a
>Java3d world engine, for gesturally expressive avatars, although this
>will not yet implimented as Java3d is not yet supported on Macs.
>
>I'll  make it  available to artists, although its still in an alpha
>release state and needs more testing and debugging. I'm caught up in
>some other work at the moment, athough when I have time to get back to
>it I'll complete MPEG4 compatibilty testing and finish implimenting the
>streaming engine, write up some documentation + examples then make it
>availble... hopefully some of you might find it useful. (anyway, enough
>shameless self promotion, and now back to our regular show...)
>
>warmest regards,
>Damien