Compact disc and other optical storage formats evolve so quickly in terms of both capability and importance that even the experts may be confused as to which way to go. It seems no sooner is one optical storage technology released than another one emerges. These sessions will help you better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various formats, allowing you to make an informed selection of the technology most appropriate for your application. You will be brought up to speed on new capabilities and the latest developments in emerging technologies such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, MO and PD and given glimpses of the next generation of DVD-R, DVD-RAM and ASMO.

Workshop Title: A Journeyman's Guide to CD, DVD, MO and PD
Workshop Leader: Hugh Bennett, Forget Me Not Information Systems, Inc.
and Dr. Paul Nicholls, NewMedia Canada
Workshop Description: Get the most out of the Emerging Technologies sessions by attending this background workshop, providing a thorough overview of the technology, applications and issues surrounding current and future optical formats. Bolster your knowledge of CD, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, MO and PD.
About Hugh Bennett & Dr. Paul Nicholls: Mr. Bennett is president of Forget Me Not Information Systems Inc., a reseller and systems integrator in London, Ontario. The company specializes in CD-ROM recording and mass reproduction, and offers consulting in optical storage, CD-R hardware, duplication systems, software and blank media sales. Dr. Nicholls is an independent consultant based in Ontario who has published widely, including Pemberton Press' "CD-ROM Buyers Guide and Handbook," and who has gained a formidable reputation as a teacher of CD technology. Formerly a faculty member of Western Ontario University's Graduate School of Library & Information Science, Dr. Nicholls now teaches the innovative "New Media Specialist" program he developed for Sterling Business School.

Session Title: The Past, Present and Future of MO and PD
Session Moderator: Phil Storey, Plasmon Data Systems
Session Description: This session will explain the technology and evaluate the unique capabilities offered by Magento Optical (MO) and Phase Change Dual (PD). See where they fit in relation to CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RAM as well as layout and learn what lies in store with next generation Advanced System Magento Optical (ASMO) and PD2.

Session Title: CD-Recordable and CD-Re-Writable Update
Session Moderator: Robert Starrett, Consultant/Writer
Session Description: This session will equip you with the latest information on CD-Recordable (CD-R) and CD-ReWritable (CD-RW). Learn about the latest CD-R developments including CD-R Type II, high speed recording, results of recent industry compatibility tests, plus the capabilities and applications for CD-RW, the new rewritable addition to the CD family.
About Robert Starrett: A CD technology consultant and contributing editor to EMedia Professional Magazine, Bob Starrett is the co-author of several books on CD technology, including "CD-ROM Professional's CD-Recordable Handbook."

Session Title: Packet Writing In Theory and Practice
Session Moderator: Steve Nathans, EMedia Professional
Session Description: By efficiently writing to disc as little as a file at a time, packet writing holds the promise of making CD-Recorders and CD-ReWritable devices more flexible and easier to use. Learn about the latest developments in packet writing, including the standards, implementations and implications for backup, archiving, network and everyday storage use.

Session Title: Duplication or Replication? When to Make them Yourself
Session Moderator: M. Craig Hanson, Rimage Corporation
Session Description: Declining costs and increasing capabilities are making CD-R duplication more attractive for a wider variety of chores. This session will discuss when on-demand CD publishing, duplication and controlled production or traditional replication are warranted. Learn their relative merits, see real-world project examples and gain a clear idea of costs.
About M. Craig Hanson: He is the market development manager for the Rimage Corporation of Minneapolis, MN. Rimage manufactures a CD printer, a full line of diskette and CD-R production systems. Hanson has been involved with CD-R technology since 1987, when he helped develop the very first CD-R system, the Yamaha PDS.

Session Title: DVD and DVD-ROM Status Report
Session Moderator: Dana Parker, Consultant/Writer
Session Description: DVD is here . . . Now what? This session provides some practical answers for potential DVD publishers and users who are asking just this question. What do you need to know about publishing multimedia content on a new, high-density compact disc with the ability to deliver over two hours of theater quality audio and video, or the contents of seven or more CD-ROMs? What development tools, manufacturing options, and authoring services are available, and what hardware and software platforms will support DVD playback? Also explored by leading experts in the field: DVD authoring, MPEG 2 encoding and decoding, DVD manufacturing, and DVD development software.

About Dana Parker: Contributing Editor and columnist for Emedia Professional Magazine, Ms. Parker is also the contributing editor for DVD Report and the co-author of several books on CD-ROM and related technologies. Her latest book is being published by Prentice Hall, and its subject is DVD technology.

Session Title: DVD-R and DVD-RAM Update
Session Moderator: Dr. James Durnin, Eastman Kodak Company
Session Description: Get up to speed with the latest developments in the upcoming DVD-Recordable (DVD-R) and DVD-Rewritable (DVD-RAM) formats. This session will cover DVD-R and DVD-RAM's current state, expected physical and logical characteristics, likely applications, hardware and media costs and timelines, compatibility issues and possible future expansion and migration paths.

About Dr. James Durnin: He has worked in the field of optical data storage technology since joining Eastman Kodak in 1987. Dr. Durnin's primary research has been the characterization and optimization of Write-Once optical media (including 14-inch WORM, CD-R, and DVD-R). He currently leads the Optical Head Media Interface R&D group at Eastman Kodak.

Session Title: Technology in Transition: Preserving Technology Investments
Session Moderator: Hugh Bennett, Forget Me Not Information Systems Inc.
Session Description: The coming of CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RAM brings with them the uncertainty of change. Will information currently stored on CD and CD-R media be readable on next generation DVD and DVD-ROM systems? This session will discuss bridges from current technologies to DVD-ROM and long-term migration paths, helping you anticipate possible compatibility issues and plan ahead to best preserve your technology investments.

About Hugh Bennett: He is president of Forget Me Not Information Systems Inc., a reseller and systems integrator in London, Ontario. The company specializes in CD-ROM recording and mass reproduction, and offers consulting in optical storage, CD-R hardware, duplication systems, software and blank media sales. Mr. Bennett is a contributing editor to EMedia Professional Magazine, and has been published widely in a variety of publications. He is associate editor of NewMedia Canada.