From: kddlab!lkbreth.foretune.co.jp!trebor@uunet.UU.NET (Robert J Woodhead)
Subject: Re: Where are the Women?
Date: 26 Mar 91 02:15:27 GMT
Organization: Foretune Co., Ltd.  Tokyo Japan



cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson) writes:

>have better things to do?  Or are we in danger, in our virtual worlds, of
>nerding ourselves into a fraternalistic but ultimately sterile social envi-
>ronment without the different points of view and talents that women might
>bring to this newsgroup?

>As moderator, I am quite distressed, and turn to you, the current partici-
>pants, to join with me in pondering this situation -- and perhaps, pro-
>posing a solution.  

        The solution is simple; go out from thy terminals into the
        wilderness and grow your own.  A bit long range, I'll admit,
        but it's a virtual reality I can relate to...

On a more serious note (?) I went to a place in Shinjuku yesterday where they
are using VR (standard VPL stuff) to sell, are you ready for this, kitchens and
dining rooms.  It's an experimental program (natch) and probably just a high
tech tax dodge, but you just choose which components you want in your dream
kitchen, donn the eyephones, and off you go.

Some nice touches; there are stereo music cues (you can pick up the radio and
hold it at either ear) and objects can be manipulated (a little).  The sink
works too -- but it wouldn't let me toss an ashtray across the room.

Free and open to the public; appointments reccomended.  In the building behind
the Keio Plaza Hotel across the street from the new Metropolitan Government
Center; 4th floor.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Robert J. Woodhead, Biar Games / AnimEigo, Incs.   trebor@foretune.co.jp |
| "The Force. It surrounds us; It enfolds us; It gets us dates on Saturday |
| Nights." -- Obi Wan Kenobi, Famous Jedi Knight and Party Animal.         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+


[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Is this the Matsushita installation written up in the
Japanese press?  If so, this newsgroup is received by the Matsushita team
who will, I hope, respond to inquiries about this application. -- Bob J.]