From: cdshaw@cs.UAlberta.CA (Chris Shaw) Subject: Re: New Systems: Avoiding "Cold Fusion" Date: Wed, 20 Feb 91 18:37 WET Organization: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada In article <16705@milton.u.washington.edu> d frerichs writes: >In article X 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. I must say that I don't believe in tantalizing the customer. I don't believe in vaporware or the tooth fairy either. Also, the best "legal protection" for patentable equipment is to keep your mouth shut. So right now, the readers of sci.virtual-worlds have to put up with Mr Frerichs' almost weekly content-free updates. So my question is, if you have nothing to say Mr Frerichs, why do you keep saying it? Besides, legal protrection from what? >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. Very nice, but unsubstantial. What are the I/O devices? Powerglove? knobs? 3D joysticks? projection TV? Homebrew head-mounted display? Any 3D trackers involved? How do they work? etc.... >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) Static polygonal objects downloaded into an execution machine. Manipulation restricted to position and location of objects. Otherwise, why do you need C libraries and the download procedure? This is more or less the definition of a video game. >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." So what? You can get that with Flight Simulator on the PC! Maybe you're easily impressed! >I am not withholding information to "lure" anyone to see it, I am just here >reporting what is going on at FVT. > >[dfRERICHS Well, it SOUNDS like you're being coy for no good reason. >I think a good critique is sensory replacement. Does it replace your >normal vision, hearing, etc.? If it replaces one or more of your senses, then >it creates a virtual-reality (stemming from the fact that all realities are >subjective). First off, I wouldn't be so hasty about accepting the "fact" of subjectivity. However, this criterion of "replacement" is too loose. A Walkman creates a virtual reality, but you wouldn't normally think of listening to ocean waves on a hypnosis tape as "Real VR". -- Chris Shaw University of Alberta cdshaw@cs.UAlberta.ca Now with new, minty Internet flavour! CatchPhrase: Bogus as HELL !