The SU researchers will join some 30,000 of the most talented and creative professionals in the computer and high-tech industries in what has become the largest event of its kind in the world, featuring the latest computer research, technology, products and services.

"For one week, SIGGRAPH is the coolest laboratory on the planet," says David J. Warner, founder of the Center for Really Neat Research. "All of the neat technology is there, all of the power nerds from around the world are there, as are the latest innovations in computer graphics, interactive communication, interactive technologies -- you name it, it's there." "You get a lot of points at SIGGRAPH for culture," Warner says. "This is the hippest crowd on the planet. We're going to get points for creative, novel, affordable and relevant applications and technologies." The cyberarium will provide hands-on experiences for children and teenagers in computer graphics and interactive technologies. The goal is to stimulate their imagination and creativity, and to motivate them to go beyond what they learn at sigKIDS, Warner says.

"We seek to provide an environment where people are exposed not so much to our technology but to our methodology and philosophy about how you look at the world and learn the skills you need to take advantage of all of the opportunities," Warner says.

The CRNR's cyberarium will feature a widgiteering lab, where children will learn to build novel computer interface devices out of inexpensive electronic components; a computer programming area where children can experiment with NeatTools software, a visual programming environment developed by the CRNR that can be used to accept virtually any input or output device; working prototypes of the CRNR's latest computer interface devices, such as floating chairs and cyberpalms; and a community outreach center where educators will learn how to integrate the technology into their classrooms. "This event is really going to be the launch of our technologies," says Edward Lipson, Syracuse University physics professor and principal CRNR collaborator. "We'll be coming out of nowhere. People are generally unaware of the technology we have developed."

The primary goal of the CRNR is to make computer technology accessible and affordable for people with severe disabilities. Warner and Lipson's philosophy is to begin with the user, find out what the user can do, and design an interactive system around the user's abilities and needs. They are also applying that philosophy to building new technologies to enhance educational experiences for children and adults, and to revolutionize the rapidly emerging field of telemedicine.

Recently, the CRNR was awarded a $1.6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to build safer land mine detectors using the center's flagship technologies -- NeatTools, widgits and TNGs (for "totally neat gadget"). TNGs are versatile computer interface boxes that accommodate sensors and other widgits.

"SIGGRAPH 98 is our pinnacle event," Warner says. "This is the first time we will have our own theme, our own hardware, software, computer graphics animation, and our own widgits and gadgets presented within an integrated, cultural reference. It's about cyberculture, and cyberculture is anywhere." SOURCE Syracuse University Note To Editor: David Warner and Edward Lipson are available for interviews before, during and after SIGGRAPH 98. Call 312-644-6610, ext. 3644 to arrange for interviews during SIGGRAPH; for interviews before or after SIGGRAPH contact David Warner through his pager number, 800-950-0849, and Edward Lipson through his office at SU, 315-443-3901. To receive news releases giving detailed information on the varied projects of SU's Center for Really Neat Research, contact John Harvith or Judy Holmes at the numbers below.

CONTACT: John Harvith, 315-443-4152 or Judy Holmes, 315-443-3784, both of Syracuse University

Web site: http://www.syr.edu