--- Begin Forwarded Message --- 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 [log in to unmask] --- End Forwarded Message ---