Computers are expanding in every direction; being included in

          many parts of everyday life.  Still, many people do not realize

          the potential capabilities of computers in fields other than

          science and mathematics.  To illustrate the expansion into a

          variety of fields, a look at the fields of music and art would be

          most informative and interesting.  It is necessary, then, to

          explore some of the different kinds of computers and software

          available to the consumer today.





          2 The Arts
          __________



          2.1 Computer Graphics - Flair


            Businesses and corporations have been using computer graphics

          for some time now.  Pie charts and bar graphs being an important

          part of presentations is not anything new.  However, what is new

          is the expansion of computer graphics to art and animation.  For




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          example, Flair is a "computerized paintbox"[1]  introduced by

          BBC-TV researchers for video graphics displays.  It is

          effectively speeding the creation of artwork, graphics,

          lettering, etc.  The Flair system has been further developed for

          commercial use by Logica, a British computer consulting and

          software firm.  U.S. firms are also involved in the project.

          Time Arts of California has a $6000 add on package for the IBM PC

          with similar effects.  The $50,000 machine can be used in

          television production, advertisement and commercial art.

          Offering a tremendous selection of colors and gradations and a

          variety of drawing lines (pinpoint to broadbrush), Flair can help

          create anything from impressionistic paintings to cartoons.  Yet,

          it is said to have simple instructions.


            Flair has a twenty inch drawing board (tablet) whichis the same

          size as the monitor screen.  By sliding the puck or mouse over

          the blank tablet, The same-scale image is produced on the

          screen.  This is done as the puck picks up electrostatic waves

          which are converted to coordinates by a microprocessor.  A

          pen-like stylus can also be used in the same way.  Choices

          regarding shapes desired are located around the palette.

          Further, a menu with eleven options allows for brush or palette

          selection, for example.  If the Palette is chosen, 256 color

          blocks appear and, the user may choose with the cursor limitless

          gradations of colors.  When the "masterpiece" is complete it can

          ----------

          1. "Popular Science,"June 1984, vol.224, p.102.



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          be permanently stored on a disk.



          2.2 For the Consumer


            Although Flair is definitely out of the individual consumer's

          price range, it does exemplify the movement forward in computer

          graphics.  Computer art, however, is not out of reach for the

          consumer.  For those wishing to experiment with computer art

          there are some software packages available.  The Complete

          Graphics System requires a joystick and predefined shapes that

          leave thin or thick lines and create textures.  Also, the

          Koalapad is a small, touch-sensitive square (4in.  by 4in.) which

          is available for Apple, Commodore 64 and Atari computers.  These

          two examples are indeed a far cry from Flair.  Fortunately, there

          are packages available for those looking for a more

          sophisticated, but affordable choice.  Such a package is the

          Mindset.



          2.3 The Mindset


            The Mindset Personal Computer was designed, by Intel, with

          graphics in mind.  It was inspired by $50,000 minicomputers like

          Flair.  Priced at about $1200, $2600 with two-disk system, the