From: frerichs@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (David J Frerichs)
Subject: Re: FVT will be on display
Date: 18 Feb 91 20:28:19 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana



In article <16654@milton.u.washington.edu> keithley@apple.com (Craig Keithley)
writes:

>While I believe in tantalizing your prospective customers, you've 
>not answered the questions I need/want answered.  

First: let it be known that I am not a member of FVT, only a user of their
system.  Also, information is withheld not for "tantalization" but for
legal protection.

>And to tell you the truth, what you've described sounds like a glorified 
>video game (no outside computer, under $1000.00).

I would not call FVT's system a glorified video game any more than I would
any personal computer (a Mac Classic requires no outside computer and is
under $1000).  The unit is not trying to compete with the "high-end" VR
systems of today ($20k & up) but it is trying to bring an affordable VR
system to the consumer.

>How much ($) is the authoring system?  How many virtual objects can it
>support simultaneously? What's the storage medium?  

C libraries for world creation and control will be available for development.
These are then compiled and downloaded to the unit.  (note: this is only for
development, once a world is created it is stored and manipulated on the 
unit independant of any host, i.e. portable)  As for performance, I can't
give out specifics, but I can say I regularly travel through a detailed
virtual-world from which I definitely get a sense of "being-there."

>While I won't pretend I was going to come to Illinois,  you've not given 
>me enough information to make me even want to. 

>Craig Keithley, Apple Computer
>keithley@apple.com 
>[standard disclaimers apply!]               

I am not withholding information to "lure" anyone to see it,  I am just here
reporting what is going on at FVT.   


[dfRERICHS
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