From: jogden@well.sf.ca.us (Jonathan S Ogden)
Subject: INFO: The VOID Project
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 09:16:46 GMT



                   The VOID Project Newsletter

             Title: Filling the VOID in one's life

                      Number 2     12/16/92


Definition:

VOID - Virtual Object Interactive Dictionary


News:

Dan Duncan has been making house calls on as many people interested
in virtual reality as time permits. Some virtual, some in person. As
chairman of the selections committee, he is working to find people to
help define and select suitable material to be included in the VOID
CD-rom to be published on July 4th, 1993. He is also looking for material
from those who wish to contribute.

Jerry Isdale is now actively involved in the project and is part of the
selection committee. Jerry is working with David Mitchell and others to define
what the first Global Virtual Reality Object Public Domain format should
be. It has already been determined that any object format should include
things like contributor name, dates, rev #'s as well as a number of tech-
nical features. A meeting is scheduled for next week. Also, Jerry will be
contributing object format translation routines and programs - the intent
being to allow easy conversion of object lists and libraries from one
standard to another. This is consistent with the "Rosetta Stone" concept
of the VOID CD-rom.

Jonathan Ogden is working on adding real time object rendering capability to
the free public domain communications program Dmodem. The goal, if feasible,
will be to use REND386's routines, with an extended object library format
being worked on by Jerry, with Dmodem so that a public domain, no charge
realtime 3D graphics online communications program is the result  - in time
for release on the first VOID CD-rom. Jonathan is the information coordinator
for the VOID project, passing information between the Internet, CompuServe,
The Well and Diaspar. (Dan Duncan and/or David Mitchell 42 will do the BIX/every
one else link.)

David Mitchell released Dmodem version 2.04 with digitizied voice transmission
and reception capability, improved graphics generation tools, background
download capability and graphics/sound/music capability. The digitized
sound capability is achieved by interface with the popular SoundBlaster
card. Also, a semi-customized version of Dmodem 2.04 was released on BIX,
with approval of BIX's director (liberty). An offer to do the same for
CompuServe is being forwarded by Jonathan and Jerry. And, a similiar offer
will be made to The Well. Note that Dmodem is an experimental test-bed
for enhanced comm software feature testing. The user interface has a long
way to go - but does work well. While experimental, Dmodem is well-behaved
and safe to use. Since Dmodem uses only 7 bits for graphics, it should
work well on the Internet. Also, an offer to embed information about a
bbs into dmodem is being made - to allow bbs sysops to use and distribute
Dmodem branded to their bbs.

Diaspar is moving forward on its Internet connection plans and expects
to offer telnet session capability by February 1, 1993.

Initial estimates for the actual cost to a user for the VOID CD-rom
should be $5.00 plus sales tax and shipping. The initial publication
will be exactly enough to fill orders placed before June 1, 1993 and
the CD-rom's will be numbered based on the chronological order in which
orders for the CD-rom are received. The first 42 CD-roms have been
ordered by David42 to be given to people who have made contributions
to virtual reality, online information systems and/or the VOID project.


Purpose:

The purpose of VOID is to provide the tools for a user's computer
to create real-time virtual environments for interactive use. Since
there is never enough bandwidth, VOID's make it possible to send
the *difference* between what is known at both ends of a virtual
environment link. It is the responsibility of the hardware and
software at each end of a link to use VOID's to create a virtual
environment. Low cost home virtual reality is the long term goal.


Plan of Action:

To publish CD-rom's on a regular basis starting July 4th, 1993
containing VOID's and other tools to allow developers and users to
begin building object libraries and, eventually, worlds. All
contributions to the VOID project will be placed in the public
domain via CD-rom and the CD-rom's will be distributed at very low
cost to encourage their use and availability. The material compiled
on the VOID Project CD-rom's will be public domain for the
advancement of virtual reality as a tool for all people to use. The
Diaspar Virtual Reality Network shall act as publisher without
compensation. A selection committee will be formed to encourage
contributions of material and to make the final organization,
layout and selection of material for the CD-rom. CD-rom material
will include (but not be limited to) object libraries, sample
graphics, related textual material, object format translation
programs, rendering programs, interactive communications programs,
standards, proposed standards, VOID newsletters and important
virtual reality news. By May 31, 1993 all contributed material will
be reviewed. Selected material will be organized and then the CD-
rom will be published and shipped on July 4th, 1993.


Editorial:

No man is an island. Or, in today's PC terms, no person should be
informationally-impaired.

Virtual reality can be used as an escape from reality - but it can also
be the most powerful tool ever invented to understand reality. It can
allow us to pull in information the way the human sensory system was
designed to receive it. It can allow us to reach out and virtually touch
someone. You know the potential or you probably wouldn't be reading this.

Virtual Reality is not a spectator sport. If you have public domain
information on virtual reality material you think should be included
in the VOID CD-rom - or wish to create some - please contact anyone
involved. Or, become involved. The Virtual World you save could be
your own! <grin>

David Mitchell


Contact points:

Dan Duncan   :   dunc/Diaspar | dunc/BIX | dunc@well.sf.ca.us
Jerry Isdale   :   CIS: 72330,770 & in GRAPHDEV Forum VR Concepts Section
Jonathan Ogden   :   jogden/Diaspar | jogden@well.sf.ca.us | CIS: 75030,426
David Mitchell   :   David42/Diaspar | David42/BIX | D.Mitchell10/GEnie

(others to follow as available)

Publisher:

Diaspar Virtual Reality Network
Voice      (714) 831-1776
9600 baud  (714) 376-1234
2400 baud  (714) 376-1200

This is released to the public domain with the requirement it not
be altered. Thank you.
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds