A visual form of cyberspace.
"A combination of computer and interface devices (goggles, gloves, etc.) that present a user with the illusion of being in a three dimensional world of computer-generated objects". --K.Eric Drexler.
"3D digital constructions, architectural and informational, which model the dimensional landscapes of the micro and the macro.
"Currently, a bit primitive and cartoon-like when in real-time". --Henry W.Targowski (in Mark/Space , 1994).
"Virtual Reality is the revolutionary technology that immerses you in a computer-generated world of your own making -- a room, a city, an entire solar system, the interior of a human body. With the aid of computer gloves, a Star Wars helmet and some super-sophisticated software, you can now explore the uncharted territory of the human imagination with all your senses intact.
"Used today in architecture, engineering and design, tomorrow in mass-market entertainment, surrogate travel, virtual surgery and cybersex, by the next century 'VR' will have transformed our lives". --Howard Rheingold (in Virtual Reality , 1991).
"A VR is a computer world that tricks the senses or mind. A virtual glove might give you the feel of holding your hand in water or mud or honey. A VR cybersuit might make you feel as if you swam through water or mud or honey. VR grew out of cockpit simulators used to train pilots and may shape the home and office multimedia systems of the future. The idea of advanced VR systems as future substitutes for sex and drugs and classroom training is the stock and trade of modern science fiction or 'cyberpunk' writing". --Bart Kosko (in Fuzzy Thinking , 1993).
"Viewing 3-D graphics on a 2-D screen is like looking into the ocean from a glass-bottom boat. We see throgh the window into the environment; we experience being on the boat. Looking into a virtual world on a stereographic screen is like snorkelling. We are at the boundary of a three-dimensional environment, seeing into its depths from its edge; we experience being on the surface of the sea. Using a 3-D display with a computerised glove allows us to reach through the surface to touch objects within our grasp, while viewing our activity from outside the environment; our hands dabble in shallow water. Entering the multi-sensory world of VR is like wearing scuba gear and diving deep into the sea. By immersing ourselves in the underwater environment, moving among the reefs, listening to the whale song, picking up shells to examine, and conversing with other divers, we participate fully in the experience of exploring the ocean. We're there". --Meredith Bricken (quoted in Glimpses of Heaven, Visions of Hell by Barrie Sherman and Phil Judkins, UK pbk, 1993).
"The whole thing with Virtual Reality is that you're breeding reality with other people. You're making shared cooperative dreams all the time.... Eventually, you make your imagination external and it blends with other people's. Then you make the world together as a form of communication." --Jaron Lanier (in "Scratching Your Eyes Back In: John Perry Barlow Interviews Jaron Lanier", Mondo 2000, issue 2, 1990).
"Artificially stimulated perception" --Marjan Kindersley.
"Virtual Reality won't merely replace TV. It will eat it alive". --Arthur C.Clarke.
"This will represent the greatest event in human evolution. For the first time, mankind will be able to deny reality and substitute its own preferred version". --J.G.Ballard.
"Maybe Virtual Reality is just another expression of what may be the third oldest human urge, the desire to have visions. Maybe we want to get high". --John Perry Barlow.
"The potential of this medium is truly awesome. Although we are just at the model T stage, the Lamborginni version is already on the drawing boards. Forget the hype, tomorrow virtually is another world". --Henry W.Targowski (in Mark/Space , 1994).
Other Definitions:
Virtual Reality Terms
"What is Virtual Reality?" by Jerry Isdale
WWW Virtual Library: on Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality and Technologies for Combat Simulation
("excellent definition/background paper" --Jerry Isdale.)
(glossary... by Joe Psotka and Sharon Davison...
non-HTML, no hypertext links)
("While that version is very dated, it is still generally correct for the definitions, etc. I have a much updated version, without the Info resources - they change too fast, but havent made it a public web page yet. Hopefully soon. I'll let you know." --Jerry Isdale... e-mail: isdale@illusioninc.com)
(basic introduction...
"which is absolutely horrible. The pages are basically place holders with no information." --Jerry Isdale.)
AlphaWorld
(a virtual space that permits you to construct your own building, to have a virtual presence via 'avatar' or 'persona', and chat online... allows you to have a mailbox, and links to your homepage... for more details, the link takes you to Worlds Inc homepage)
Arcane Links
("These links should be purple, if not get going dammit."... 3D and 2D art pages...
have linked to Mark/Space)
Atlantis Cyberspace Guide to Professional VR Systems
(database of companies manufacturing or using VR)
The Browseteria
(this site requires a VRML plug-in...
"The coolest VRML web site I have ever seen" --Jaime Muniz.)
CyberEdge Electric
(online version of this virtual reality newsletter)
Cyberpunk Authors
(Anachron Library entry... science fiction... listing includes many authors who have written novels featuring virtual reality...
*note: you'll have to do some hunting here... meanwhile, I'm working on a separate listing of VR-related fiction... I've included keywords for every individual book entry, so a search engine would be useful here)
cyberspace
(Anachron Library entry... definition, plus links)
Cybertown
(site which uses a space city metaphor with clickable buildings... eventually to be interactive 3D...
similar idea to Anachron City, but they beat us to it... congratulations! Maybe we'll be neighbors someday.)
CyberVR
(VR links page presented by WWW Stars Com)
Dale Kirby's Home Page
(columnist: Web Developer Magazine--The Dukes of URL, free-lance Database Developer, Netscape Development Partner... you'll also find his columns and interviews, a section devoted to VRML for the Mac, a Tom Robbins links page, and much more...
this site is one of the finest examples of a well-designed website... you absolutely must check it)
Dan Farmer's Home Page
(ray-tracer, member of the POV-Ray team... 3D art... includes interesting links)
Dementia Graphics Home Page
(commercial service run by a pretty hip crew... e-mail: dementia@dementia.ultranet.com...
contains quite a number of gallery pages which are well worth checking)
Electric Communities Home Page
(have linked to Mark/Space glossary entry for 'virtual reality' on their 'Links!' page)
EVE -- The Encyclopedia of Virtual Environments
(info on resources presented at the University of Maryland)
Habitats Home Page
(a catalog of online virtual habitats... history, details, previews... MOOs, MUDs, etc.)
HIT Lab's anonymous FTP archive
(source of VR materials available online...
uncertain about current status... if this link fails to work, try the Human Interface Technology Laboratory link below)
Hot VR
(government website... this page features a crucial selection of VR-related links... *note: new URL... e-mail: sressler@nist.gov...
have linked to Mark/Space, many thanks)
Human Interface Technology Laboratory
(HIT-Lab... academic coverage... e-mail: webmaster@hitl.washington.edu)
Jason
(telepresence project)
Lara's VR Page
("your one stop source for best VR links on the Web"... resource)
Lightscape Gallery
(some truly spectacular VRML images here... check it!)
Macondo
(italian site... maintained by Nani Flavio...
have linked to Mark/Space in the "Citt Virtuali" section)
MOO Archives
(resource site for 'multi-user object-oriented domains')
NCSA's Virtual Reality Lab
(list of anonymous FTP archives...
uncertain about current status... kept getting an error message when I tried to link... if anyone knows something about this, please inform me)
Open Virtual Reality Testbed
(US government site... serious studies, research, and links...
definitely worth checking)
The Ray Tracing Home Page
(great links site maintained by Ian Grimstead... art, software, news, information, etc... e-mail: Ray.Tracing.Pages@grimoire.demon.co.uk...
check it)
Robert A.Mickelsen's Secret Spot
(a gallery of excellent 3D renderings... e-mail: ram@iu.net)
SDSC VRML Repository
(software repository... includes descriptions)
SGI VRML Exploratorium
(haven't checked this link yet)
SMFA 3D
(3D computer animation at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA)
3D Artist Magazine
("dedicated to those who make or aspire to make an artful livelihood with computer 3D graphics"... from Sante Fe, New Mexico...
also some very good gallery links from here)
3D Site: Virtual Reality
(haven't checked this link yet)
UK VR-SIG
(UK Virtual Reality Special Interet Group... applications, plus links... e-mail: R.Hollands@sheffield.ac.uk...
*note: new URL)
Virtual Cities Repository
(3D models of real cities around the world... maintained by Farid Mheir... e-mail: farid@montreal.com)
Virtual Concrete
(Bodies INCorporated... construct your own virtual body by order form)
Virtual Environments and Art
(new site... haven't checked this one yet)
Virtual Environments Research Web
(dutch website... VR resources...
uncertain about current status... kept getting an error message when last times I tried to link)
The Virtual LEGO Web Site
(as stated... created by Brad Porter, Sami Shalabi, & Sudeep Rangaswamy)
Virtual Reality
(japanese site...
haven't checked this link yet)
Virtual Reality Archive Home-page
(maintained by David Barberi)
Virtual Reality Booklist
(Anachron Library entry... nonfiction and fiction book listing)
Virtual Reality: Recommended Reading
(haven't checked this link yet)
Virtual Reality Safety
(repetitive stress syndrome, virtual motion sickness, etc.)
Virtual Reality Software
(Anachron Library entry... links to VR software sites)
Virtual Reality & VRML Library
(resource site... tools, objects, textures, advice... plus links)
VRML Foundry
(Virtual Reality Mark-up Language... beginner's guide)
The VRML Repository
(resource site... software repository at SDSC... includes descriptions)
VRML 2.0 Proposals
(haven't checked this link yet)
Welcome to Worlds Inc.
(shared virtual environments... fully navigable 3D spaces)