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Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 12:57:53 -0800
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Memory Stick!
Sender: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>



I recently visited the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and saw
an intriguing new product from Sony. Some of you may be familiar with
it. After the demonstration of it, which was predictably flashy, I was
able to try it out in a 'hands-on' way. It's called Memory Stick, and is
the latest step in the frenzied rush in the miniaturization of media.
About the size of a piece of chewing gum, each unit is like a miniature
floppy disk, but with no moving parts. It is fairly universal in its
writeability, and can receive a wide variety of digital data. For
example, audio tracks can be downloaded from the Internet onto a Memory
Stick, which currently comes in 32, 64, and 128 megabyte sizes (soon
they will be 1 gigabyte) , which can be inserted into a player about the
size of a disposable cigarette lighter, with CD-quality sound, plus LCD
screen for program readout, which even displayed song lyrics. There are
no moving parts in the player, either. Memory Stick also works in
digital cameras, in computer floppy ports (with adapter), and in
general, seems to be the 'Next Big Thing.' There is nothing dubious
about it. Sony is also licensing Memory Stick to over 30 important
manufacturers, so that gesture alone is an indication of their
seriousness in ensuring this new product's success, I should think.

My point in all this is to be aware that such popular consumer items
will of course affect library collections - and maps - sooner or later.
The progress in this direction is swift, and purports to be
all-powerful! We shall see.

Good luck with The Future!

Brian




Brian P. Bach
Maps Specialist
Documents/Maps
Central Washington University Library
400 E. 8th Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
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