IDEAS is presently described in general terms by the following two sets of documents and by the architecture and example descriptions available elsewhere on this site. (Please note that at present (02.08.2003) only the English language versions are adequately edited):

By browsing the other options on this introductory site, and by registering at the UMA site and then exploring other features available only to registered participants, you will be able to learn about IDEAS as a multi-set, multi-volume encyclopedia that is in printed books and on the internet, designed in such a way that the in-print and online components sustain and augment each other, rather than to only be redundant, mirror-like representations of each other in different media. You will also learn about how reader-subscribers can truly collaborate and be active members of learning and exploring teams, or simply associates and members of an open-ended community, to exchange, comment, contribute, criticize, edit, and review work that is made by the reader-subscribers on the basis of their experiences with and beyond the bounds of the IDEAS volumes themselves and other resources that are part of the Encyclopedia "environment."

We believe that every component of IDEAS is quite novel and powerful, not the least being the books and the core content therein. However, some dimensions to the IDEAS experience are totally unnique and new. These include the Radio Z ™ interface and approach for knowledge inquiry, search and exploring, the LiveTalkingBook ™ technology that lets the book serve as a physical, electronic channel to the internet while one is reading the physical pages, through wireless connectivity similar to standard mobile telephony and "wi-fi" interfaces, and also the introduction of personalized "AI" (artificial intelligence) logic in the Delphion component for improving the basic experience of using the Encyclopedia productively and gainfully, whether one's purpose be schoolwork, professional research, personal growth, practical problem solving or intellectual and emotional entertainment.

Indeed, we aim through the architecture, content and technmology of the IDEAS Encyclopedia to transform the learning, studying and research experience into one that can simultaneously be more entertaining, relaxing, social, and creative, and to make the Encyclopedia something that is for everyone, for All the Peoples (and all the types and characters of individuals), something that is not only an intellectual experience but one that can fulfill the emotions and senses as well. This is an incredible ambitious goal and with it is our bold assertion that IDEAS, as it develops and matures, will prove well to be a success at meeting and surpassing these goals, for not only itws First Edition but many more to come, serving many generations.