A new touch screen information system installed in locations in Toronto promises help for visitor and resident alike and a goldmine of data about their likes and interests.

Touch Toronto uses Commodore Amiga 3000 touch screen computers in such places as the Tour of the Universe at the foot of the CN Tower, Black Creek Pioneer Village and the SkyDome entertainment palace to provide information about the city’s theatres, night life, special and seasonal events, sports, hotels, and so on.

Afroditi Angouria, president of Spectrad Advertising, formed last year to bring Touch Toronto to market, says the exposure the system brings is ‘tremendous’ and its reception so far has been positive.

Touch Toronto averages 11,000 users a day. By pointing at icons, users move through menus to find information they need. They can read displays, listen to an audiotape, make a reservation for a show or sports event, print a special offer coupon or a map with directions to where they want to go.

It also keeps track of the number of users who view a particular information screen or advertisement.

Angouria says the bulk of Touch Toronto’s advertising so far comes from restaurants and clubs. Spectrad intends to increase the number of Touch Toronto locations in the city – there are now seven – and expand to other places, with Vancouver being a likely candidate. DC