Within the next decade, many of us will be able to turn on our digital television sets and receive programming that is tailored to our individual interests - as well as interactive access to worldwide databases and communications. Maintenance technicians will be able to rotate a picture of a machine on their workstation screens, identify a problem component or area, and call up a list of procedures to fix it. The advent of multimedia technology - the potent intersection of broadcasting, publishing, and computing - promises tremendous increases in professional productivity. Its responsive-ness and flexibility permit greater timeliness and personalisation.