Oisplogs netus

DPMA opposes VDT bills As debate continues over alleged health hazards of video display terminals, the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) is active in seeing that this debate does not degrade to unsound public policy.

After surveying information sys- tems managers to determine their feelings about the VDT issue, and conducting an exhaustive review of pertinent research findings, a special task force established the DPMA VDT position statement. Released in October 1985, this statement advocates increased educational efforts to ensure the safe and productive use of VDTs. It states that unnecessary govern- ment-imposed restrictions on VDT use are 'premature and counter- productive'.

VDT legislation is pending in

ten states. Most of these bills authorize studies of whether VDT use is l~rmful. This approach is helpful and positive. However, a few mandate changes in both private and public sector work- places, which DPMA opposes as unreasonable mandatory legis- lation.

In January 1966, the president of DPMA's Southern Wisconsin Chapter, Stuart Moebus, testified against a bill before the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Labor. Following the hearing, he sum- marized his message, 'A lot of companies are making necessary ergonomic improvements, such as proper lighting and detached key- boards. I think companies will continue to naturally make such changes, because worker comfort translates to worker productivity.'

The committee rejected the bill and requested that it be rewritten.

Terrance Felker, DPMA Inter- national Vice-President, Public Affairs, said, 'Our members have demonstrated that they are cen- cerned with more than just the dollars and cents involved with VDT legislation - - they are con- cerned about worker safety.' DPMA members have also testi- fied against leg~lation pending in Massachusetts, Maryland and California.

Ergonomics and the proper use of VDTs are topics that concern DPMA members, and discussions on these topics have become im- portant parts of chapter meetings. The Association is committed to improving the data processing workplace and the application of technology for the good of society.

DP~nq, ~0~ Bu~se Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068~191, USA.

C D/CmW s c a n l ~ e r

A scanning and conversion sys- tem, distributed by Terminal Dis- play Systems CI'DS), allows the user to enter l a r g e - s ~ e drawings into a computer database, which can then be edited and digitized for use in CAD/CAM systems and electronic document storage equipment.

Called the Opt~graphics 3000 system, and capable of entering both graphics and text, the scan- ner comprises a complete turn- key solution with all the proprie- tary components and software bundled for immediate implemen- tation. The system comprises two major components: a scanning unit containing a document transport mechanism, and a series of multiple electron/c cameras with solid-state sensing elements and a drawing processing workstation. This features the central pro- cessor, fixed and flexible disc

drives, a 19 inch colour graphics display terminal, keyboard, mouse, 9-track magnetic tape unit, and optional electrostatic plotter.

A major feature of the system is the dymmtic image memory that holds the entire raster image for a large size drawing. A proprie- tary graphics subsystem perrrdts editing, manipulation and simul- taneous display of both raster and vector forms. This access to both raster and vector representations allows a user to achieve high quality vector output from a wide range of drawings.

T~.te Optigraphics system pro- vides formatted raster and/or vector data for transfer to host systems. IGES data formats have been implemented and drawings have been successfully trans- ferred to all major CAD systems, including CADAM, Applicon, Intergraph, Computervision, Calma and McAuto.

Terminal Display Systems Ltd, Pbilips Road, Wlu'tebirk Industrial E~tate, Blackburn, Lanes BB1 577-1, UK.

LCD overhead projector

A liquid crystal overhead pro- jector from Germany is available in the UK from Sound Marketing. The Kindermann LCD overhead projector links straight into a microcomputer or computer ter- minal, giving immediate presen- tations of data and computer graphics to large audiences.

The projector will work in normal lighting, projecting onto any clear, white surface. Data can be scrolled up and down, and keyed in either via the keyboard, or using specially prepared soR- ware packages. It is portable and quick to set up. When used in training, this versatile aid enables on-screen information to be viewed simultaneously by large numbers of trainees - - particu- larly useful for software training.

So~md Marketing, 10 Capitol House, Heigham Street, Norwich NR2 4TE, UE.

DISPLAYS, APRIL 1986 9~