From: sparks@hitech.net.au (Evan Sparks)
Subject: Re: DESIGN: 3D computing vs. virtual reality:  what's the difference?
Date: 12 Dec 1995 03:46:09 GMT
Message-ID: <4aitu1$19a@world.net>
Organization: Nova


From: sparks@hitech.net.au (Evan Sparks)

In article <4a8ksj$qd5@nntp5.u.washington.edu>, cyberoid@u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson) says:
>
>From: cyberoid@u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson)
>While the fate of VR seems uncertain, 
>3D computing's future seems assured.  This seems weird, given
>the overt similarity of the two practices.  What's the difference?

I suggest you read VIRTUAL REALITY by Howard Rheingold
as this explicitlty describes VR vs 3D computing.

Basically, the way i see it, 3D computing is just that.
Interacting with a 'world' which is shown on a computer screen
through the use of standard computer equipment, where as
virtual reality is, as the name says, an alternate reality.
Instead of communicating with this reality through the medium
of a keyboard, monitor, etc. we interface directly to the world,
well, as directly as current technology allows us.
Virtual Reality attempts to maintain the illusion of being
immersed in a seperate world, where as 3D computing makes
no such attempt.

I hope that makes sense... hmmm.. read Gibson's NEUROMANCER
as well.