Internet Surfer 2.0/Internet Surfer 2.0 (Wayzata Technology) (1996).iso/pc/text/mac/faqs.318

Text File | 1996-02-12 | 27.7 KB | 748 lines

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.318



lyapunov.ucsd.edu [132.239.86.10]: This machine is considered the
    repository for preprints and programs for nonlinear dynamics,
    signal processing, and related subjects  (and fractals, of course!)
    Matt Kennel <[e-mail]>

cod.nosc.mil [128.49.16.5]: /pub/grid.{ps,tex,ascii} - a short survey of
    methods to interpolate and contour bivariate data

sugrfx.acs.syr.edu [128.230.24.1] and
ics.uci.edu [128.195.1.1]: /honig --- Various stereo-pair images

UUCP archive: avatar - RT News back issues.  For details, write Kory Hamzeh
    <[e-mail]>

EUROPE:
-------

nic.funet.fi [128.214.6.100]:  *pub/sci/papers - *Paper bank project, including
    Pete Shirley's entire thesis (with pics)*, *Wilson's RT abstracts*,
    pub/misc/CIA_WorldMap - CIA world data bank,
    comp.graphics.research archive, *India*, and many,many more.
    Juhana Kouhia <[e-mail]>

dasun2.epfl.ch [128.178.62.2]: Radiance. Good for European sites, but
    doesn't carry the add-ons that are available for Radiance.

isy.liu.se [130.236.1.3]:  pub/sipp-3.0.tar.Z scan line z-buffer and Phong
    shading renderer.  Jonas Yngvesson <[e-mail]>

irisa.fr [131.254.2.3]:  */iPSC2/VM_pRAY ray tracer*, SPD, /NFF - many non-SPD
    NFF format scenes, RayShade data files (Americans: check
    ftp.ee.lbl.gov first).  Didier Badouel <[e-mail]>

tolsun.oulu.fi [128.214.5.6]: Moved to phoenix.oulu.fi [130.231.240.17]
    *FLI RayTracker animation files (PC VGA) - also big .FLIs (640*480)*
    *RayScene demos* (Americans:  check wustl first).  More animations to
    come. Jari Kahkonen <[e-mail]>

jyu.fi [128.214.7.5]: /pub/graphics/ray-traces - many ray tracers, including
    VM_pRAY, DBW, DKB, MTV, QRT, RayShade, some RT News, NFF files.  Jari
    Toivanen <[e-mail]>

garbo.uwasa.fi [128.214.87.1]: Much PC stuff, etc.,
    /pc/source/contour.f - FORTRAN program to contour scattered data
    using linear triangle-based interpolation

asterix.inescn.pt [192.35.246.17]: pub/RTrace - *RTrace*
    nffutils.tar.Z (NFF utilities for RTrace), medical data (CAT, etc.)
    converters to NFF, Autocad to NFF Autolisp code, AYTOCAD 11 to
    SCN (RTrace's language) converter and other goodies.
    Antonio Costa ([e-mail])

vega.hut.fi [128.214.3.82]: /graphics - RTN archive, ray tracers (MTV, QRT,
    others), NFF, some models

hp4nl.nluug.nl [192.16.202.2]: /pub/graphics/raytrace - DBW.microray, MTV,
    etc.
[ It became sun4nl.nluug.nl - I'll remove the old name in the next posting ]

maeglin.mt.luth.se [130.240.0.25]:  graphics/raytracing - prt, others, ~/Doc -
    *Wilson's RT abstracts*, Vivid.

ftp.fu-berlin.de [130.20.225.2]:  /pub/unix/graphics/rayshade4.0/inputs -
    aq.tar.Z is RayShade aquarium (Americans:  check ftp.ee.lbl.gov first).
    Heiko Schlichting <[e-mail]>

maggia.ethz.ch [129.132.17.1]: pub/inetray - *Inetray* and Sun RPC 4.0 code
    Andreas Thurnherr <[e-mail]>

osgiliath.id.dth.dk [129.142.65.24]: /pub/amiga/graphics/Radiance -
    *Amiga port of Radiance 2.0*.
    Per Bojsen <[e-mail]>

ftp.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de [134.106.1.9] : *PoV raytracer*

ftp.uni-kl.de [131.246.9.95]: /pub/amiga/raytracing/imagine - mirror of
    the hubcap Imagine files.

neptune.inf.ethz.ch [129.132.101.33]: XYZ - *XYZ GeoBench*
    Peter Schorn <[e-mail]>

DOWN UNDER:
-----------

gondwana.ecr.mu.oz.au [128.250.70.62]: pub - *VORT(ART) ray tracer*, *VOGLE*,
    Wilson's ray tracing abstracts, /pub/contrib/artscenes (ART scenes from
    Italy), pub/images/haines - Haines thesis images, Graphics Gems code,
    SPD, NFF & OFF databases, NFF and OFF previewers, plus some 8- and
    24bit images and lots of other stuff.
    pub/rad.tar.Z - *SGI_RAD*
    Bernie Kirby <[e-mail]>

munnari.oz.au [128.250.1.21]:  pub/graphics/vort.tar.Z - *VORT (ART) 2.1 CSG and
    algebraic surface ray tracer*, *VOGLE*, /pub - DBW, pbmplus.  /graphics
    - room.tar.Z (ART scenes from Italy).  David Hook <[e-mail]>

marsh.cs.curtin.edu.au [134.7.1.1]: pub/graphics/bibliography/Facial_Animation,
    pub/graphics/bibliography/Morph, pub/graphics/bibliography/UI -
    stuff about Facial animation, Morphing and User Interfaces.
    pub/fascia - Fred Parke's fascia program.
    Valerie Hall <[e-mail]>

OCEANIA - ASIA
---------------
[ Because the connection to NZ is NOT through Australia, I was asked to
 make a separate entry -- perhaps I should add Japanese sites here? ]

ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz [130.216.1.5]:  ftp/mac/architec - *VISION-3D facet
    based modeller, can output RayShade files*.  Many other neat things
    for Macs.  Paul Bourke <[e-mail]>

scslwide.sony.co.jp [133.138.199.1]: ftp2/SGI/Facial-Animation -
    Steve Franks site for facial animation.
    Steve Franks <[e-mail] OR [e-mail]>

[ PLEASE tell me about other Japanese sites! -- nfotis ]

4. Mail servers and graphics-oriented BBSes
-------------------------------------------

Please check first with the FTP places above, with archie's help.
Don't overuse mail servers.

There are some troubles with wrong return addresses. Many of these
mail servers have a command like
   path a_valid_return_e-mail_address
to get a hint for sending back to you stuff.

DEC's FTPMAIL
-------------
  Send a one-line message to [e-mail] WITHOUT a Subject: field,
  and having a line containing the word 'help'.
  You should get back a message detailing the relevant procedures you
  must follow in order to get the files you want.

  Note that the "reply" or "answer" command in your mailer will not work
  for this message or any other mail you receive from FTPMAIL.  To send
  requests to FTPMAIL, send an original mail message, not a reply.
  Complaints should be sent to the [e-mail]
  address rather than to postmaster, since DECWRL's postmaster is not
  responsible for fixing ftpmail problems.

BITFTP
------
  For BITNET sites ONLY, there's BITFTP@PUCC.
  Send a one-line 'help' message to this address for more info.

Lightwave 3D mail based file-server
-----------------------------------
  A mail based file server for 3D objects, 24bit JPEG images, GIF images
  and image maps is now online for all those with Internet mail access.
  The server is the official archive site for the Lightwave 3D mail-list.

  The server resides on a BBS called "The Graphics BBS".  The BBS is
  operational 24 hours a day 7 days a week at the phone number of +1
  908/469-0049.  It utilizes a Hayes V-Series 9600 V.42 modem. (soon to
  upgrade to a V.32 modem)

  If you would like to submit objects, scenes or images to the server,
  please pack, uuencode and then mail the files to the address:
  [e-mail].

  For information on obtaining files from the server send a mail message
  to the address [e-mail] with the following in
  the body of the message:
    HELP
    /DIR
  And a help file describing how to use the server and a complete
  directory listing will be sent to you via mail.

INRIA-GRAPHLIB
--------------
  Pierre Jancene and Sabine Coquillart launched the inria-graphlib mail
  server a few months ago.

    echo help | mail [e-mail]

  will give you a quick summary of what inria-graphlib contains and
  how to browse among its files.

    echo send contents | mail [e-mail]

  will return the extended summary.

  As an other example :

    echo send cgrl from Misc | mail [e-mail]

  will return the Computer Graphics Resource Listing mirrored from
  comp.graphics.

BBSes
-----
  There are many BBSes that store datafiles, etc.etc., but a guide to these
  is beyond the scope of this Listing (and the resources of the author!)
  If you can point to me Internet- or mail- accessible BBSes that carry
  interesting stuff, send me info!

--
  Studio Amiga is a 3D modelling and ray tracing specific BBS, [phone].
  24 hours, 105 Meg online.
--
From Jeff Walkup <[e-mail]>:
  "The Castle" 415/355-2396 (14.4K/v.32bis/v.42/v.42bis/MNP)
  (In Pacifica, dang close to San Francisco, California, USA)
  The new-user password is: "TAO".

  [J]oin base #2; The Castle G/FX, Anim, Video, 3D S.I.G., of which
  I am the SIG-Op, "Lazerus".
--
  Bob Lindabury operates a BBS (see above the entry for "The Graphics BBS")
--
  Digital Pixel (Sysop: Mark Ng <[e-mail]>) is based at
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  Phone : [phone]
  Storage space: 120 megs
  Modem type: 14.4k baud, v32bis,32, mnp 5

  Access Fee: none.. (free)
  System supported : IBM, Amiga, Mac.  (have mostly IBM, but need a good
    AMIGA and MAC source.)

  Only on line. Currently no echo mail.
  Topics: Raytracing, Fractals, Graphics programming, CAD.

==========================================================================

5. Ray-tracing/graphics-related mailing lists
---------------------------------------------

Imagine
-------
  Modeling and animation system for the Amiga:
  send subscription requests to [e-mail]
  send material to [e-mail]
  (Dave Wickard has substituted Steve Worley in the maintenance of
  the mailing list)

Lightwave
---------
  (for the Amiga. It's part of Newtek's Video Toaster):
  send subscription requests to [e-mail]
  send material to [e-mail]
  (Bob Lindabury)

Toaster
-------
  send subscription requests to [e-mail] with a *body* of:
     subscribe toaster-list

+Real 3D
+-------
+  Another modeling and animation system for the Amiga:
+  To subscribe, send a mail containing the body
+
+  subscribe real3d-l <Your full name>
+
+  to [e-mail]
+

Rayshade
--------
  send subscription requests to [e-mail]
  send material to [e-mail]
  (Craig Kolb)

Radiance
--------
  Greg Ward, the author, sends to registered (via e-mail) users digests of
  his correspodence with them, notes about fixes, updates, etc.
  His address is: [e-mail]

REND386
-------
  send subscription requests to [e-mail]
  send material to [e-mail]

PoV ray / DKB raytracers
------------------------
  To subscribe, send a mail containing the body

  subscribe dkb-l <Your full name>

  to [e-mail]

  send material to [e-mail]

Mailing List for Massively Parallel Rendering
---------------------------------------------
  send subscription requests to [e-mail]
  send material to [e-mail]

==========================================================================

6. Public domain and cheap 3D graphics editors
----------------------------------------------

VISION-3D
---------
  Mac-based program written by Paul D. Bourke ([e-mail]).
  The program can be used to generate models directly in the RayShade
  and Radiance file formats (polygons only).

BRL
---
  A solid modeling system for most environments -- including SGI and X11.
  It has CSG and NURBS, plus support for Non-Manifold Geometry
  [Whatever it is].
  You can get it free via FTP by signing and returning the relevant license,
  found on ftp.brl.mil. Uses ray-tracing for engineering analyses.

  For further details, call Ms. Carla Moyer at USA (410)-273-7794, send
  E-mail to <[e-mail]>, FAX your letter to USA (410)-272-6763, or
  write to: BRL-CAD Distribution SURVIAC Aberdeen Satellite Office 1003
  Old Philadelphia Road, Suite 103 Aberdeen MD  21001  USA


IRIT
----
  A constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeling program for PC and X11.
  Includes freeform surface support.

SurfModel
---------
  A solid modeling program for PC written in Turbo Pascal 6.0 by
  Ken Van Camp. Available from SIMTEL, pd1:<msdos.srfmodl> directory.

Alpha_1
-------
  A spline-based modeling program written in University of Utah.
  Features: splines up to trimmed NURBS; support for boolean operations;
    sweeps, bending, warping, flattening etc.; groups of objects, and
    transformations; extensible object types.
  Applications include: NC machining, Animation utilities,
    Dimensioning, FEM analysis, etc.
  Rendering subsystem, with support for animations.
  Support the following platforms: HP 300 and 800's (X11R4, HP-UX 6.5),
    SGI 4D or PI machines (X11R4 and GL, IRIX 3.3.1), Sun SparcStation
    (X11R4, SunOS 4.1.1).

  Licensing and distribution is handled by EGS:
    Glenn McMinn, President
    Engineering Geometry Systems
    275 East South Temple, Suite 305
    Salt Lake City, UT  84111
    [phone]
    [e-mail]

  The charge is $675 per platform.  You may run the system on as many
  different workstations of that type as you wish.  For each platform
  there is also a $250 licensing fee for Portable Standard Lisp (PSL)
  which is bundled with the system.  You need to obtain an additional
  license from the University of Utah for PSL from the following address:
    Professor Robert Kessler
    Computer Science Department
    University of Utah
    Salt Lake City, Utah 84112

  [ EGS can handle the licensing of PSL for U.S. institutions for a
    300 $USD nominal fee -- nfotis ]

PADL-2
------
[ Basically, it's a Solid Modeling Kernel in top of which you build your
  application(s)]

  Available by license from
    Cornell Programmable Automation
    Cornell University
    106 Engineering and Theory Center
    Ithaca, NY 14853

  License fees are very low for educational institutions and gov't agencies.
  Internal commercial licenses and re-dissemination licenses are available.
  For an information packet, write to the above address, or send your
  address to:   [e-mail] (Richard Marisa)

ACIS
----
  From Spatial Technology. It's a Solid Modelling kernel callable from C.
  Heard that many universities got free copies from the company.
  The person to contact regarding ACIS in academic institutions is

    Scott Owens, e-mail: [e-mail]

  And their address is:

  Spatial Technology, Inc.
  2425 55th St., Bldg. A
  Boulder, CO 80301-5704
  Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone]


NOODLES
-------
   From CMU, namely Fritz Printz and Levent Gursoz ([e-mail]).
   It's based on Non Manifold Topology.
   Ask them for more info, I don't know if they give it away.

MOVIE-BYU
---------
  Basically [in my understanding], this is a FEM pre- and post-proccessor
  system. It's fairly old today, but it still serves some people in
  Mech. Eng. Depts.
  Now it's superseded from CQUEL.BYU (pronounced "sequel"). That's a
  complete modelling, animation and visualization package. Runs in the usual
  workstation environments (SUN, DEC, HP, SGI, IBM RS6000, and others)
  You can get a demo version (30-days trial period) either by sending $20
  USD in their address or a blank tape. It costs 1,500 for a full run-time
  licence

  Contact:

  Engineering Computer Graphics Lab
  368 Clyde Building, Brigham Young Univ.
  Provo, UT 84602
  Phone: [phone]
  E-mail: [e-mail]


twixt
-----
  Soon to add stuff about it... If I get a reply to my FAX

XYZ2
----
  XYZ2 is an interactive 3-D editor/builder written by Dale P. Stocker to
  create objects for the SurfaceModel, Automove, and DKB raytracer packages.
  XYZ2 is free and can be found, for example, in SIMTEL20 as
  <MSDOS.SURFMODL>XYZ21.ZIP (DOS only??)

3DMOD
-----
  It's an MSDOS program. Check at barnacle.erc.clarkson.edu [128.153.28.12],
  /pub/msdos/graphics/3dmod.* . Undocumented file format :-(
  3DMOD is (C) 1991 by Micah Silverman, 25 Pierrepoint Ave., Postdam,
  New York 13676, tel. [phone]

NORTHCAD
--------
  Shareware, <MSDOS.CAD>NCAD3D42.ZIP in SIMTEL20. Undocumented file format :-(

VOXBLAST
--------
  It's a volume renderer marketed by:
  Vaytek Inc. (Fairfield, Iowa phone: [phone]) , running on PCs
  with 386+FPU at least.  Call Vaytek for more info.

==========================================================================

7. Scene description languages
------------------------------

NFF
---
  Neutral file format , by Eric Haines. Very simple, there are some
  procedural database generators in the SPD package, and many objects
  floating in various FTP sites. There's also a previewer written in
  HP Starbase from E.Haines. Also there's one written in VOGLE, so you can
  use any of the devices VOGLE can output on.
  (Check in sites carrying VOGLE, like gondwana.ecr.mu.oz.au)

OFF
---
  Object file format, from DEC's Randy Rost ([e-mail]).
[ The object archive server seems to be mothballed. In a future version,
 I'll remove the ref. to it -- nfotis ]

  Available also through their mail server. To obtain help about using this
  service, send a message with a "Subject:" line containing only the word
  "help" and a null message body to: [e-mail].
  [For FTP places to get it, see in the relevant place]. There's an OFF
  previewer for SGI 4D machines, called off-preview in
  godzilla.cgl.rmit.oz.au . There are previewers for xview and sunview,
  also on gondwana.

TDDD
----
It's a library of 3D objects with translators to/from OFF, NFF,
Rayshade, Imagine or vort objects.
Edited copy of the announcement follows (from Raytracing News, V4,#3):

  New Library of 3D Objects Available via FTP, by Steve Worley
  ([e-mail])

  I have assembled a set of over 150 3D objects in a binary format
  called TDDD. These objects range from human figures to airplanes,
  from semi-trucks to lampposts.  These objects are all freely
  distributable, and most have READMEs that describe them.

  In order to convert these objects to a human-readable format, a file
  with the specification of TDDD is included in the directory with the
  objects. There is also a shareware system called TTDDDLIB (officially
  on hubcap.clemson.edu) that will convert (ala PBM+) to/from various
  object formats : Imagine TTDDD (extension of TDDD?), OFF, NFF,
  Rayshade 4.0, or vort. Source included for Amiga/Unix as executables
  for the Amiga. Also outputs Framemaker MIF files and isometric views
  in Postscript.

P3D
---
  From Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. The P3D uses lisp with slight
  extensions to store three-dimensional models. A simple lisp
  interpreter is included with the P3D release, so there is no need to
  have access to any vendor's lisp to run this software.

  The mouse-driven user interfaces for Motif, Open Look, and Silicon
  Graphics GL, and the DrawP3D subroutine library for generating P3D
  without ever looking at the underlying Lisp.

  The P3D software currently supports nine renderers.  They are:
  Painter - Painter's Algorithm, Dore, Silicon Graphics Inc. GL language,
  Generic Phigs, Sun Phigs+, DEC Phigs+, Rayshade, ART ray tracer (from
  VORT package) and Pixar RenderMan.

  The code is available via anonymous FTP from the machines
  ftp.psc.edu, directory pub/p3d, and nic.funet.fi, directory
  pub/graphics/programs/p3d.

RenderMan
---------
  Pixar's RenderMan is not free - call Pixar for details.

==========================================================================

8. Solids description formats
-----------------------------

a. EEC's ESPRIT project 322 CAD*I (CAD Interfaces) has developed a
  neutral file format for transfer of CAD data (curves, surfaces, and
  solid models between CAD systems and from CAD to CAA (Computer Aided
  Analysis) an CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)

b. IGES [v. 5.1 now] tries to define a standard to tranfer solid
  models - Brep and CSG. The current standard number is ANSI Y14.26M-1987
  For documentation, you might want to contact Nancy Flower at
  NCGA Technical Services and Standards, (USA) 703-698-9600

c. PDES/STEP : This slowly emerging standard tries to encompass not only
  the geometrical information, but also for things like FEM, etc.
  The main bodies besides this standard are NIST and DARPA. You can get
  more information about PDES by sending mail to [e-mail]
  and putting the line
    send index
  in the body (NOT the Subject:) area of the message.

  The people at Rutherford Appleton Lab.  are also working
  on STEP tools: they have an EXPRESS compiler and an Exchange file parser,
  both available in source form (and for free) for research purposes.
  Soon they will also have an EXPRESS-based database system.

  For the tools contact Mike Mead, Phone: [phone] (FAX: x 5893),
  e-mail: [e-mail] or {...!}mcsun!uknet!rlinf!mm or
          [e-mail]

==========================================================================

9. Scene generators/geographical data/Maps/Data files
-----------------------------------------------------

DEMs (Digital Elevation Models)
-------------------------------
  DEMs (Digital Elevation Models) as well as other cartographic data
  [huge] is available from spectrum.xerox.com [192.70.225.78], /pub/map.

  Contact:
  Lee Moore -- Webster Research Center, Xerox Corp. --
  Voice: [phone]
  Arpa, Internet:  [e-mail]
[ Check also on ncgia.ucsb.edu (128.111.254.105), /pub/dems -- nfotis ]

  Many of these files are also available on CD-ROM selled by USGS:
  "1:2,000,000 scale  Digital Line Graph (DLG) Data". Contains datas
  for all 50 states. Price is about $28, call to or visit in offices
  in Menlo Park, in Reston, Virginia (800-USA-MAPS).

  The Data User Services Division of the Bureau of the Census also has
  data on CD-ROM (TSO standard format) that is derived from USGS
  1:100,000 map data. Call [phone] for more info or they have
  a BBS at [phone].


Fractal Landscape Generators
----------------------------

Public Domain:

  Many people have written fractal landscape generators. for example
  for the Mac some of these generators were written by
  [e-mail] (Paul D. Bourke).
  Many of the programs are available from the FTP sites and mail
  archive servers. Check with Archie.

Commercial:

  Vista Pro 2.0 for the Amiga from Virtual Reality Labs -- list price
  is about $100. Their address is:
    VRL
    2341 Ganador court
    San Luis Obispo,
    CA 93401
    Telephone or FAX [phone]

  Scenery Animator (also for the Amiga) is of the same caliber with Vista Pro.
  Check with:
    Natural Graphics
    P.O. Box 1963
    Raklin, CA 95677
    Phone [phone]

  Don't forget to ask about companion programs and data disks/tapes.

  Addition: Vista Pro 2 has just ported to the PCs.


CIA World Map II
----------------
[  NOTE: this database is quite out of date, and not topologically structured.
  If you need a standard for world cartographic data, wait for the
  Digital Chart of the World. This 1:1M database has been produced from
  the Defense Mapping Agency's ONCs and will be available, together with
  searching and viewing software, on a number of CD-ROMs later this summer. ]

  Check into HANAUMA.STANFORD.EDU and UCSD.EDU (see ftp list above)
  The CIA database consists of coastlines, rivers and political boundaries
  in the form of line strokes. Also on hanauma.stanford.edu is a 720x360
  array of elevation data, containing one ieee floating point number for
  every half degree longitude and latitude.

  A program for decoding the database, mfil, can be found on the machine
  pi1.arc.umn.edu (137.66.130.11).
  There's another program, which reads a compressed CIA Data Bank file and
  builds a PHIGS hierachical structure. It uses a PHIGS extension known as
  polyline sets for performance, but you can use regular polylines. Ask
  Joe Stewart <[e-mail]>.
  The raw data at Stanford require the vplot package to be able to view it.
  (was posted in comp.sources.unix). To be more exact, you'll have to
  compile just the libvplot routines, not the whole package.

NCAR data
---------
  NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) has many types of
  terrain  data, ranging from elevation datasets at
  various resolutions, to information about soil types, vegetation, etc.
  This data is not free -- they charge from $40 to $90 or more, depending
  on the data volume and media (exabyte tape, 3480 cartridge, 9-track tape,
  IBM PC floppy, and FTP transfer are all available).  Their data archive
  is mostly research oriented, not hobbyist oriented.  For more information,
  email to [e-mail].

UNC data tapes with voxel data
--------------
  There are 2 "public domain" tapes with data for the comparison and
  testing of various volume rendering algorithms (mainly MRI and CT
  scans). These tapes are distributed by the SoftLab of UNC @ Chapel Hill.
  ([e-mail])

  The data sets (volume I and II) are also available via anonymous FTP from
  omicron.cs.unc.edu [128.109.136.159] in pub/softlab/CHVRTD

NASA
----
  Many US agencies such as NASA publish CD-ROMs with many altimetry data
  from various space missions, eg. Viking for Mars, Magellan for Venus,
  etc. Especially for NASA, I would suggest to call the following
  address for more info:

     National Space Science Date Center
     Goddard Space Flight Center
     Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
     Telephone: [phone]
     Email address:  [e-mail]

  The data catalog (*not* the data itself) is available online.
  Internet users can telnet to nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov (128.183.10.4) and log
  in as 'NODIS' (no password).

  You can also dial in at (301)-286-9000 (300, 1200, or 2400 baud, 8 bits,
  no parity, one stop). At the "Enter Number:" prompt, enter MD and
  carriage return. When the system responds "Call Complete," enter a few
  more carriage returns to get the "Username:" and log in as 'NODIS' (no
  password).

  NSSDCA is also an anonymous FTP site, but no comprehensive list of
  what's there is available at present.

Earth Sciences Data
-------------------

  There's a listing of anonymous FTP sites for earth science data, including
  imagery. This listing is called "Earth Sciences Resources on Internet",
  and you can get it via anonymous FTP from csn.org [128.138.213.21]
  in the directory COGS under the name "internet.resources.earth.sci"

  Some sites include:
  aurelie.soest.hawaii.edu [128.171.151.121]: pub/avhrr/images - AVHRR images
  ames.arc.nasa.gov [128.102.18.3]: pub/SPACE/CDROM  - images from
    Magellan and Viking missions etc.
  vab02.larc.nasa.gov [128.155.23.47]: pub/gifs/misc/landsat -
    Landsat photos in GIF and JPEG format

Others
------
  Daily values of river discharge, streamflow, and daily weather data is
  available from EarthInfo, 5541 Central Ave., Boulder CO  80301.  These
  disks are expensive, around $500, but there are quantity discounts.
  [phone].

  Check vmd.cso.uiuc.edu [128.174.5.98], the wx directory carries
  data regarding surface analysis, weather radar, and sat view pics in
  GIF format (updated hourly)

  pioneer.unm.edu [129.24.9.217] is the Space and Planetary Image Facility
  (located on the University of New Mexico campus) FTP server. It provides
  Anonymous FTP access to >150 CD-ROMS  with data/images.

  A disk with earthquake data, topography, gravity, geopolitical info
  is available from NGDC (National Geophysical Data Center), 325 Broadway,
  Boulder, CO  80303.  [phone].

  EOSAT (at least in the US) now sells Landsat MSS data older than two years
  old for $200 per scene, and they have been talking about a similar deal
  for Landsat TM data. The MSS data are 4 bands, 80 meter resolution.

  Check out anonymous FTP to ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu in
  UNIX/PolyView/alpha-shape for a tool that creates convex hulls
  alpha-shapes (a generalization of the convex hull) from 3D point sets.

  The GRIPS II (Gov. Raster Image Processing Software) CD-ROM
  is available from CD-ROM Inc. at 1-800-821-5245 for $49.
  Code for viewing ADRG (Arc Digitised Raster Graphics) files is
  available on the GRIPS II CD-ROM. The U.S. Army Engineer
  Topographic Labs (Juan Perez) code is also available via FTP
  ( adrg.zip archive in  spectrum.xerox.com )

NRCC range data
---------------
  Rioux M., Cournoyer L. "The NRCC Three-Dimensional Image Data Files",
  Tech. Report, CNRC 29077, National Research Council Canada,
  Ottawa, Canada, 1988
  [ From what I understand, these data are from a laser range finder,
   and you can a copy for research purposes ]