From: ed@cwis.unomaha.edu (Ed Stastny) Newsgroups: comp.archives Subject: [fj.comp.image] OTIS E-Gallery (electronic art via FTP) (periodic posting) Date: 23 Nov 1993 14:25:54 +0100 Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha Lines: 350 Sender: x920031@rubb.rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de Approved: Jost.Krieger@rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de Message-ID: <2ct312$gst@rubb.rz.ruhr-uni-bochum.de> References: Keywords: OTIS art gallery whee! X-Original-Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 21:50:50 GMT Archive-Name: auto/fj.comp.image/OTIS-E-Gallery-electronic-art-via-FTP-periodic-posting ------------------------------------- + ........The OTIS Project......... + + "The Operative Term Is STIMULATE" + ------------------------------------- ---this file last updated..11-1-93--- WHAT IS OTIS? OTIS is an electronic art-gallery spanning the length and breadth of the world's computer networks. A public access file-library of hundreds of images, animations and information files for creators and spectators of all types. OTIS is here to distribute original creative images over the world's computer networks for public perusal, scrutiny and retransmission. To facilitate communication, inspiration, critique and to set the foundations for digital immortality. The basic idea behind "digital immortality" is that computer networks are here to stay and that anything interesting you deposit on them will be around near-forever. The GIFs and JPGs of today will be the artifacts of an information-laden future. Perhaps the images will be converted into newer formats when the current become obsolete... perhaps only surviving on forgotten backup reels...but they'll be there...and someone will dig them up. Data-archaeologists sifting through the cobwebs of an old storage room. The hieroglyphics of our age. You've all heard "a picture's worth a thousand words"...just think of OTIS as a huge compressed archive of emotion and psychological disruption. If that doesn't interest you... OTIS also offers a forum for critique and exhibition of your works....a virtual art gallery that never closes and exists in an information dimension where your submissions will hang as wallpaper on thousands of glowing monitors. Suddenly, another life is breathed into your work...and, by merit of it's stimulus, it will travel the globe on pulses of light and electrons. Spectators are welcome also, feel free to browse the gallery and let the artists know what you think of their efforts. Keep your own copies of the images to look at when you've got the gumption... that's what they're here for. --------------------------------------------------------------- WHERE? OTIS currently (as of 11/01/93) has three FTP sites. 141.214.4.135 (projects/otis), the UWI site sunsite.unc.edu (/pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS), the SUNsite (you can GOPHER to this site for OTIS as well as use WWW or XMosaic to graphically graze it's contents) aql.gatech.edu (/pub/OTIS) Merely "anonymous FTP" to any of these sites and change to the appropriate directory. Don't forget to use the "bin" command to insure you're in binary transfer mode. Sunsite is the most up-to-date and thorough site. If you have access to GOPHER, you can graze OTIS that way, as I mentioned. A few of the major OTIS GOPHERs are: sunsite.unc.edu (Worlds of Sunsite, Browse All Sunsite Archives, Multimedia, Pictures, OTIS) aql.gatech.edu gopher.well.sf.ca.us (Art, OTIS (link to aql.gatech.edu)) OTIS has also been spreading to some dial-up BBS systems around North America....the following systems have a substancial supply of OTIStuff... Pair O Dice (Austin) 512.451.4610 (300 - 2400) 512.451.7117 (2400 - 14.4k) CyberDen (SanFran?) (415.472.5527) Usenet Waffle-iron Underground Cafe (Omaha) (402) 339-0179 For those wanting to receive OTIS files via mail, send a SASE for current directory to: OTIS\ PO BX 241113\ Omaha,NE 68124-1113\ USA. -------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? Any type of original visual art. Photos, drawings, raytracings, video stills, paintings, computer-assisted renderings, photos of your sculpture/3d pieces, photocopier art, zine covers, record/cd covers and any other type of image-based expression. OTIS' focus is still-image, but does have space set aside for animations and self executing slide-shows. We're also looking for teachers, students, graphic designers, gallery owners, zine-publishers and other people dealing with visual artists to help and recruit people to contribute to OTIS. We realise that most people don't know much about scanning pictures, much less getting them on "the net". The local contact would be not only beneficial to the growth of the project, but a learning experience for all involved. --------------------------------------------------------------- CREDIT AND DOCUMENTATION OF IMAGES? In each directory of OTIS, there is a text file containing a list of images, a description for each image and artist credit. These files are called INDEX and should be easy to spot. Also, there is a specific directory for text information on contributing artists. These files contain contact information, OTIS-credits, and any other information the artist wishes to pass along. Things like detailed descriptions of images, biographies, permission statements, requests for criticism and pleas for guidance are not at all uncommon. You'll find all of this information in the Artists directory at the FTP sites. The files are listed alphabetically by the artists' last name. --------------------------------------------------------------- HOW DO YOU CONTRIBUTE? First...create a terrific piece of art. You then have a few options. 1) FTP If you have the file in computer-format (traditional photos and illustrations will have to be scanned in, more on that later) and FTP access, you can use FTP to submit your image. You can FTP the image to either FTP site by logging in as anonymous, using your email address as your password. Then change to the OTIS directory, then the "Incoming" directory. Once there, be sure you're in "binary" mode by typing BIN. Use the PUT command to "put" your files into the Incoming directory (ie. "put filename.gif"). Check with your local system administrator if you need further assistance. Once you have your image(s) "put" in the Incoming directory, send us email with information pertaining to the file(s). This information should include your name, the "permission" status of the pieces submitted (if people can reuse them or not) and the names of the images submitted. Optional infor- mation, like professional credits, occupation and favorite beverage, can be included as well. Check out the ARTISTS directory at either site for examples. Instead of emailing, you may want to include a text file containing the mentioned information with your uploads. This is usually done by including a file with the same name as your image, but with a ".txt" extension. Please keep still images in either GIF or JPG format. (We can convert if you're unable to.) Supported animation filetypes are FLI, FLC, QuickTime, MPEG, Amiga ANIM, DL and GL. Feel free to submit any type and let me know what you think the standards should be. 2) EMAIL You can email images to OTIS by using an ASCII encoding program called UUENCODE. Most systems have it available. Merely UUENCODE your submissions and email them to us. 3) REGULAR POSTAL MAIL If you have submissions, but no way to transfer them electronically to us, you can send us 3.5" disks with your submissions on them. MAC or DOS formats are fine. If you'd like your disks returned, merely include return postage or international postage certificates for the proper amount. Also, if you do not have a way to put your images into digital format, you can send copies of your photos, drawings, or paintings and we will scan them for you. Again, include return postage if you wish the copies to be returned. We strongly discourage the sending of original pieces through mail. Clear color photographs of paintings and sculptures are welcome. Please include the standard "artist" information (mentioned above) as well as the following: 1-3 line description of each submission, your suggested filename for each image and any specifications for cropping and other image manipulation. Feel free to include a blank disk and return postage, we'll put your images on disk for you and send them back. The address for all postal correspondance is: OTIS Project PO BX 241113 Omaha, NE 68124-1113 USA (Soon to come, FAX) -------------------------------------------------------------------- DISTRIBUTION? Freely distribute any and all OTIS files if you follow the simple rule...keep the file in it's original state (filename and format). Do not alter the image unless permission is explicitly given to the contrary (some submittors allow proportional resizing). OTIS invites the mirroring of it's archives to other FTP sites and the extension of OTIS to more BBS systems across the globe. We're specifically looking for outlets on CompuServe, The WELL, Prodigy, Minitel, ECHO and other online systems. If you can help, please email us. If nothing else, feel free to post this file to the discussion areas of any of those systems. -------------------------------------------------------------------- USE? If you want to use any of the works you find on the OTIS directory, you'll have to check to see if permission has been granted and the stipulations of the permission (such as free copy of publication, or full address credit). You will either find this in the ".rm" file for the image or series of images...or in the "Artists" directory under the Artists name. If permission isn't explicitly given, then you'll have to contact the artist to ask for it. If no info is available, email us (ed@sunsite.unc.edu), and I'll get in contact with the artist for you, or give you their contact information. When you DO use permitted work, it's always courteous to let the artist know about it, perhaps even send them a free copy or some such compensation for their files. --------------------------------------------------------------------- NAMING IMAGES? For the first nine-months of OTIS, filenames were required to be in DOS (8.3) format. That is, eight characters, a period, then a three character extension such as GIF or JPG. That has changed. Repeat, that has changed. You are now able to make filenames as long as your platform will allow. Please, though, place only a three digit extension on the file and DO NOT use the period/decimal point except to separate the extension (GIF or JPG) from the filename. It is suggested, but not required, that you use your initials as the first two or three letters of your filename. This helps organize images and differentiate filenames. Acceptable filenames would be: ld-mechanical-drawings.gif The-Bubble.jpg Mona-Lisa.gif VV-self_portrait.jpg UNacceptable filenames would be: My.First.Diapers.gif (period/decimals confuse truncation of names) (corrected: My_First_Diapers.gif) This-is-my-bro.JPEG (file extension should be 3 characters) (corrected: This-is-my-bro.jpg) Though it is not required, keeping the names under 8 characters assures that the filename will remain intact on all systems. Again...remember to keep the "extension" (the digits after the period) to three characters or less. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CREATING IMAGE FILES? When creating image files, be sure to at least include your name somewhere on or below the picture. This gives people a reference in case they'd like to contact you. You may also want to include a title, address or other information you'd like people to know. You can usually add this sort of infomation with even the simplest of "paint" software. If you are unable to put this information on, but would like it put on...let us know. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCUSSION AND CRITIQUE To facilitate interactivity and discussion among OTIS contributors and their loyal followers, an email listserver has been erected. For those of you unfamiliar with listservers...they're like automatic mass-mailing lists. You send a message to the server, it gets bounced to all of it's subscribers. Other people read it and reply to the list...public discussion ensues right in your email-box. For those of you who pay for email by volume...this might not be the best perk. To subscribe to the emailing-list, send an email to: otis-request@cwis.unomaha.edu To send a message to the list: otis@cwis.unomaha.edu I encourage you to post your opinions, good or bad, about anything you see on OTIS. It'll help us grow and give us something to talk about. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: The OTIS Project has no connection to the Church of OTIS (a sumerian deity) or it's followers, be they pope, priest, or e-zine administrator. We do take sacrifices and donations however. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: The OTIS Project is here for the distribution of original image files. The files will go to the public at large. It's possible, as with any form of mass-media, that someone could unscrupulously use your images for financial gain. Unless you've given permission for that, it's illegal. OTIS takes no responsibility for this. In simple terms, all rights revert to the author/artist. To leave an image on OTIS is to give permission for it to be viewed, copied and distributed electronically. If you don't want your images distributed all-over, don't upload them. To leave an image on OTIS is NOT giving permission to have it used in any publication or broadcast that incurs profit (this includes, but is not limited to, magazines, newsletters, clip-art software, screen-printed clothing, etc). You must give specific permission for this sort of usage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEEL FREE TO DISTRIBUTE THIS TEXT FILE FREELY. THE MORE THE MERRIER. Thanks.... OTIS PROJECT Ed Stastny PO BX 241113 Omaha, NE 68124-1113 USA INTERNET: ed@cwis.unomaha.edu ed@sunsite.unc.edu MAJORNET: shadowe@tmi -- ed@sunsite.unc.edu | OTIS digital net-gallery, GIFs, JPGs, animations PO BX 241113 | FTP: sunsite.unc.edu (/pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS) Omaha, NE 68124-1113 | aql.gatech.edu (/pub/OTIS) ed@cwis.unomaha.edu | 141.214.4.135 (projects/otis)