INFO2000 development projects - Realising multimedia potential
The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a book entitled "INFO2000 - Realising multimedia potential" which outlines a number of development projects supported by the INFO2000 programme. The programme aims to support the development of a multimedia content industry and the use of multimedia content in Europe. Following the first call for proposals, launched in June 1996, a total of 80 proposals were selected, from the 477 received, to receive funding for a six-month definition phase in 1997. Twenty-nine of these were selected for further funding starting from January 1998. The high standard of the prototypes developed in the definition phase convinced the evaluators of the high capacity of European firms to innovate and present information of real value to users, making the choice of those to receive further funding difficult. However, the Commission hopes that despite the limited financing available the projects' funding will have helped lay foundations of know-how and practical experience which will extend far beyond the enterprises and initiatives concerned. The 29 projects selected for further funding are outlined in the book, with details of the projects' aims and source materials used. The full lists of project partners are included along with contact details for the coordinators and Web site addresses where applicable. The four sectors where projects are being funded are as follows: - Cultural heritage; - Business information; - Geographic information; - Technical and medical.