Examines retail sales of CD-ROMs. Topics addressed include the current situation in CD-ROM retailing; channel distribution options; myths and realities of CD-ROM distribution; the distributor; affiliate labels; sales representatives; copublishers; distribution options; distributing resources; and recommendations for new CD-ROM publishers. (LRW)

Describes the new Fractal Transform technology, a method of compressing digital images to represent images as seen by the mind's eye. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for compressed image formats are discussed in relationship to Fractal Transform, and it is compared with Discrete Cosine Transform. Thirteen figures…

Discusses the strategies top trade publishers, including Putnam New Media, Paramount Communications, Random House, Penguin USA, and Reader's Digest, are taking toward CD-ROM publishing. Strategies include purchasing electronic media companies; setting up an independent business; and building a new media business by integrating new efforts into the…

Describes Photo CD Portfolio, an Eastman Kodak product that provides interactive multimedia CD-ROM production capability. The article focuses on the capabilities of the tool's simplest authoring system, Create It, which allows users to work with Photo CD, PICT, or TIFF images, add graphics, text and audio, and create menus with branching. (KRN)

Discusses technologies developed to create high density compact discs capable of containing a feature length movie. Topics covered include development of new standards for the next CD-ROM generation; new disc and playback technologies being developed by Philips, IBM, Nimbus, CD-ROM USA, and others; and disc speed. (KRN)