From: Gary Lawrence Murphy Subject: Re: PROD: Question about VR hardware and authoring kits Date: 07 May 1997 13:43:17 -0400 Message-ID: Organization: TeleDynamics --- The Art of Being There In article Joshua Swamidas writes: JS> We have a limited budget to buy a good machine and the JS> software ($15-18,000 Cdn). There are so many options out there so JS> ifFcc: /home/garym/News/posts anyone has gone through this process and have suggestions as to JS> the computer and software, it would be greatly appreciated. Been there, done that, was lucky enough to get a free t-shirt :) Go with an SGI O2. There are no comparisons in this price range; Win95/NT stuff looks good on paper, but costs a fortune before you finally have something. An SGI is ready right out of the box. No .. I don't work for SGI, I've just tried all the rest and have used their machines for VR work since 1991; the lab where I started had used them since the 2000-series machines. Your education rep can also give you a sizeable discount on the hardware, a break on the support contract, and if you join the DevProgram, you will get all the basic compiler/java software --- modelling tools can be had for free (such as AC3D) all the way up to Industrial Strength. JS> Some important requirements: - the users interact with the created JS> objects. - VR tool kit or authouring kit is preferred - immersion JS> at initial stages is not required - the software may eventually JS> evolve to a platform independant stage - Workstation preferred Check out http://vered.rose.utoronto.ca/ for research papers on control and display devices --- and anyone back in Paul Milgram's lab will be able to tell you what you need to know about input devices and all the various ways of displaying in 3D. If you are lucky, you may get an O2, all your software, a SpaceBall, CrystalEyes glasses and still have change enough for pizza. JS> Research Engineer - Virtual Reality Lab (to be) Box 37, Faculty of JS> Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of JS> Newfoundland St. John's, NF A1B-3X5 (709) 737-4828 If I can answer any other questions on this topic (even if only to defend my position here ;) all you need do is call. Gary Lawrence Murphy - TeleDynamics - (519)422-1150 f(519):422-2723 mailto:garym@sos.on.ca - http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/7704 http://www.sos.on.ca/~garym - RR#1 7 Forest Pl Sauble Beach, Ont CAN ------------------------------------------------- Test the impossible --