Looking Ahead to Future Challenges

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CCI Newsletter, No. 30, November 2002

Looking Ahead to Future Challenges

by Raymond Lafontaine, Director, Information Services and Marketing

Information dissemination has always been a key part of CCI's mandate. The ultimate purpose of the research, treatments, analysis, and other activities conducted at the Institute is to generate new knowledge — which is then shared with others in the heritage community through various information products.

Printed publications have always been an important means of dissemination, and are likely to remain so for some time to come. However, the future will see a growing reliance on electronic means of distribution, with the Internet and World Wide Web leading the way. This e-publishing will allow more information to be shared, and to a much wider audience. But even more exciting is the potential for new and innovative ways to present the information.

Other fields already offer some fascinating examples. For instance, interactive graphical interfaces can be used to facilitate access to complex concepts. Another idea is to set up expert systems that can syphon immense knowledge bases and deliver comprehensive answers to precise questions and issues.

Similar approaches can be applied to conservation. Imagine being 'walked-through' a complex conservation procedure by a leading expert, through a remote Internet connection. Or perhaps receiving a virtual facilities survey by means of a Web cam connected by satellite to experts at CCI. The possibilities are almost endless.

With vision and imagination, CCI will remain a leader in the dissemination of conservation information.