From: John Draper <draperjv@ornl.gov>
Subject: Re: DESIGN: 3D computing vs. virtual reality:  what's the difference?
Date: 12 Dec 1995 16:50:39 GMT
Message-ID: <4akbsv$2ru@stc06.ctd.ornl.gov>
Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory


From: John Draper <draperjv@ornl.gov>

Mike Snow <msnow@vt.edu> wrote:
>The difference between VR and other forms of human-computer interface
>is that there is an attempt in VR to create presence: the illusion
>that the user is actually present in the virtual environment.  This is
>not the goal of 3D computing/modelling packages per se (i.e., not
>identified as VR packages, e.g., AutoCAD).  The line blurs when one
>speaks of desktop VR, fishtank VR, or augmented reality, but the basic
>difference is one of purpose.  If the intent is to create presence,
>then it's VR.  If not, then it's 3D computing or something else.
>Knowledge of what causes presence, how it may be measured, and what
>effects it has (e.g., on performance, preference, learning, usability,
>simulator sickness) is essential to determining tasks/applications in
>which it (and, synonymously, VR) might be useful.  Of course, I'm
>currently in the throes of a dissertation on exactly this topic, so my
>viewpoint may be slightly biased.  :)

Mike,

In the world of telerobots we talk about "telepresence". It seems to
me that this rather carelessly used term can have three meanings: (1)
the ability to manipulate things at a distance, synonymous with
"teleoperation"; (2) an index of the quality of feedback and
responsiveness of feed-forward; and (3) an experience of "being
there." These are not trivial distinctions. Designing to improve
performance of a mission is sometimes counterproductive to designing
for a sense of presence, at least in my world.

I notice in your note that you seem to be using something like meaning
#3 at one point ("the illusion that...") and definition #2 at another
point ("effects on performance" etc.). I realize that you are talking
about presence and my experience is with telepresence, but, I wonder,
does the same sort of multiple definition usage occur in the VR world?
Do you think it is a problem? You are working on your dissertation, so
you are more current with the literature than most of us, correct? ;)

John