HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: matrix@well.sf.ca.us (Frank Dunn)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: PUB: SILICON MIRAGE, NEW BOOK ON VR, Foreword by J. Lanier
Date: 22 Nov 92 08:31:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov22.210619.1010
Organization: Matrix Information Services
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



There is a new book available on the topic of VR.

       SILICON MIRAGE: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF VIRTUAL REALITY
            by Steven Aukstakalnis and David Blatner

   FOREWORD BY JARON LANIER, FOUNDER AND CHIEF SCIENTIST, VPL RESEARCH.

The first two paragraphs of the Foreword read as follows:

"Reading this book is a delight for me because it fills a suprisingly
long-standing gap in the literature of virtual reality. For the
enormous amount of interest and activity that virtual reality has
inspired over the last few years, it is absolutely remarkable that I
have had no book to recommend to people who come to me with the simple
question, 'What can I read to understand what this is all about?' I
feel that now there is such a book, and you are holding it in your
hands.

"Silicon Mirage is organized around the human sense organs, and this is
entirely appropriate. Virtual reality is distinct from other 
configurations of computer technology in that it places the human being
in the center. When we work with virtual reality systems, we begin with 
the question, 'What, exactly, is a human body and how might we design
a machine that will most comfortably suit the natural modes of 
perception and action of a person?' So I am delighted to see an 
exposition that starts with the human body and nervous system and treats
the virtual reality equipment as transient attempts to mirror that
biological invarient."

In a clear, easy to understand style, Silicon Mirage covers everything
from the underlying mechanisms of sight, hearing and the sense of touch,
through the design of head-mounted displays, binaural 3-D sound, and
tactile/force feedback devices. There are also chapters on the human 
factors considerations of immersive VR systems, applications from a 
broad cross-section of industries and more.


SILICON MIRAGE: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF VIRTUAL REALITY
by Aukstakalnis and Blatner

328 pgs, 120+ photos and illus, 4 pgs. color plates, pub Nov. 1992
by Peachpit Press (ISBN 0-938151-82-7).

PRICE: $15.00

Available at bookstores across N. America the day after Thanksgiving
or immed. by sending a check or money order for $15.00 + $5 for 
P/H to:

Matrix Information Services
Book Dept. 
18560 Bungalow Drive
Lathrup Village, MI 48076
(313) 559-1526
(313) 559-1436 (Fax)
matrix@well.sf.ca.us

[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Commercial postings are offered on sci.virtual-
worlds as a public service.  Their appearance here does not 
necessarily indicate endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or 
its administrators. -- Bob Jacobson]

[ADDITIONAL NOTE: But actually, this might be a very interesting book...]
From: mcmains@unt.edu (Sean McMains)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: SCI: Three dimensional sound?
Date: 15 Nov 92 23:46:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov16.095935.10365
Organization: University of North Texas
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



What is the theory behind creating the illusion of a sound emanating
from a particular point in three dimensional space? With regard to
lateral motion, the amplitude and timing of the sounds entering each
ear could obviously be adjusted to create the desired effect. How
would one create the illusion of a sound coming from above or below
the listener? Or is this effect only possible through adjusting what
the listener hears as he moves his head?

Any information is appreciated!
==========================================================================
Sean McMains <mcmains@unt.edu>        |          University of North Texas
==========================================================================
"An open mind, in questions that are  not ultimate, is useful. But an open
mind about  the ultimate  foundations either  of Theoretical  or Practical
Reason is idiocy." - C.S. Lewis
==========================================================================
From: TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: INFO: Power Glove
Date: 18 Nov 92 03:34:14 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov18.050204.23697
Organization: Penn State University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


I've seen the PG Hires Mode (tilt, forward, back, etc.), but I'm still
not satisfied.  The Glove obviously uses some kind of triangulation to
calculate the location (I'm assuming that the 'L' bar is the reciever,
judging by the clicks coming from the glove).  Shouldn't, then, you
be able to calculate the EXACT location of the Glove, within a few inches,
if you sent the data from the three recievers (along with the timing ticks from
 the glove itself) to the computer (rather than to the microprocessor in the
glove)???  I would think that we could let the PC do all the math for us;
this way, we should be able to get a true position sensor, rather than just
a displacement sensor out of the Glove.

Am I even on the right track!?!?

Tom Rusnock TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
From: TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: TECH: 2 video cards?
Date: 18 Nov 92 03:30:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov18.050102.23495
Organization: Penn State University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


Has anyone out there ever played with building a dual display for under
$275?  I've seen CGA cards that have an RF output.  So you could use
a Casio LCD TV.  But how could I get the computer to recognize 2 such video
cards?

Any info would be much appreciated!

Tom Rusnock  TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
From: hormone@elaine13.Stanford.EDU (Richard Kahn)
Subject: WHO: AI or VR researchers using OS/2?
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu
Organization: DSG, Stanford University
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 21:49:50 GMT



A journalist friend of mine is doing some research on the usage of
OS/2 in artifical intelligence or virtual reality for publication.  If
you are such a person or just happen to know one, would you please
forward me your name, phone #, and net address which I will, in turn,
forward to the journalist in question.  Thanks a lot

ROK
From: jpc@tauon.ph.unimelb.edu.au (John Costella)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: PUB: SILICON MIRAGE, NEW BOOK ON VR,
Date: 23 Nov 92 13:16:55 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov22.212342.2101
Organization: University of Washington
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



> There is a new book available on the topic of VR.

> SILICON MIRAGE: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF VIRTUAL REALITY
> by Aukstakalnis and Blatner
> 
> 328 pgs, 120+ photos and illus, 4 pgs. color plates, pub Nov. 1992
> by Peachpit Press (ISBN 0-938151-82-7).
> 
> PRICE: $15.00
> 
> Available at bookstores across N. America the day after Thanksgiving
> or immed. by sending a check or money order for $15.00 + $5 for
> P/H to:
> 
> Matrix Information Services
> Book Dept.
> 18560 Bungalow Drive
> Lathrup Village, MI 48076
> (313) 559-1526
> (313) 559-1436 (Fax)
> matrix@well.sf.ca.us

Since it'll probably be 2 years before this hits our shelves here (if
at all) ...

Could someone working in the real VR world give a brief overview of this
book when it becomes available?

Also, would anybody be prepared to flaunt current Australian Copyright
laws (ooh, naughty naughty) and post me a copy of this book from the
US in return for a $US bank cheque for the book + postage + handling +
insurance + whatever profit you make off me <grin>?

(They are right now changing our Parallel Importation laws for books,
but it is not on the statute books as yet, so I don't want to ask Matrix
to do something they are probably not allowed to.)

Thanks in advance guys (and to all you civil disobedients),

John

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
John P. Costella              School of Physics, The University of Melbourne
jpc@tauon.ph.unimelb.edu.au         Tel: +61 3 543-7795, Fax: +61 3 347-4783
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: 4SALE: POWER GLOVE for sale
Date: 18 Nov 92 03:49:32 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov18.050135.23569
Organization: Penn State University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


I have a Power Glove for sale if anyone is interested.  You pay shipping
and COD, $45 for the Glove.

EMAIL me.  TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU

-Tom Rusnock

[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Commercial postings are offered on sci.virtual-worlds
as a public service.  Their appearance here does not necessarily indicate
endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or its administrators. --
Mark A. DeLoura]
From: strick@cedar.hao.ucar.edu (Douglas Strickland)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: INDUSTRY: VR company stocks?
Date: 16 Nov 92 14:50:41 GMT
Organization: High Alititude Observatory/NCAR, Boulder CO
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Hello:

      Does anyone know of any up-and-coming VR companies that offer stock
shares to the public? I am very interested in investing in this field.

      Any information is appreciated. E-mail or post are both welcome. 

Mike Shen
shen@euler.cpi.com
From: Asbahr@UH.EDU (Jason Asbahr)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: TECH: Evans & Sutherland DIGISTAR
Date: 23 Nov 92 07:14:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov23.161613.25533
Organization: /posole/cosc176t/.organization
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Greets, all...

I now have access to the wonderful laser and DIGISTAR planetarium
equipment at the Houston Museum of Science.  I'd like to contact other
E&S DIGISTAR users for exchange of ideas, software, and 3d images/
animations.

Thanks,

Jason Asbahr                           116 E. Edgebrook #603
asbahr@uh.edu                          Houston, Texas  77034
next@tree.egr.uh.edu   (NeXTmail)      (713) 743-6995  voice 
asbahr@tree.egr.uh.edu (NeXTmail)      UH NeXT Campus Consultant
From: TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: TECH/INFO: VGA to NTSC / Color Viewfinders
Date: 22 Nov 92 00:59:26 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov22.040258.6713
Organization: Penn State University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


Well, I've been playing for 3 days now.  I have my Power Glove and Sega
Glasses connected to my 486, and I've really learned alot this week.  But
I'm not satisfied yet (though what I have so far is really NEAT!!) ..I
need to get VGA output to a TV (2 TV's, but I'll worry about that)...
can I find a VGA-NTSC converter (CHEAP) to do this!?!?!

Also, the Panasonic Slim-Cam has a color viewfinder.  I want two of them
on my head.  What kind of input does a viewfinder get (RGB, RF, VGA (ha
ha), etc.).  And does anyone have any clue what I would pay for one of
these little things?  Any information on this would be much appreciated.

Thanx.  Tom Rusnock -- TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU

P.S. If anybody wants a Power Glove, let me know!!!
From: bm@shadow.cc.columbia.edu (Blair MacIntyre)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: 2 video cards?
Date: 21 Nov 92 16:49:39 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov22.040207.6524
Organization: Columbia University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


>>>>> On 19 Nov 92 16:31:36 GMT, davidr@davidr.mentorg.com (FPD - D1434) said:

FPD> |> TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU writes:

FPD> |> >
FPD> |> >Has anyone out there ever played with building a dual display for 
FPD> |> >under $275?  I've seen CGA cards that have an RF output.  
FPD> |> >So you could use a Casio LCD TV.  
FPD> |> >But how could I get the computer to recognize 2 such video cards?

FPD> This may not be useful, but what the hey...

FPD> Borland C++ 3.1 allows you to add a monochrome card and monitor and
FPD> when you invoke the debugger on some application, the application
FPD> comes up normally on the color monitor and the debugger on the
FPD> monochrome.

FPD> I'm told this works because the color and monochrome cards use
FPD> different memory areas. (I'm new to PCs so I can't get more
FPD> technical than this.)

The key here is that you are hooking up a _monochrome_ card, not a CGA
card.  A monochrome card on the PC is one of those old things that lets
you display 80x24(25?) text characters ... remember those?  No graphics,
no colour.  Had flash and underline attributes, some even had the APL
character set (oooh, ahhh!)
--
Blair MacIntyre --- bm@cs.columbia.edu --- CS Department, Columbia University

"Men can get into shaving, because it reminds them of what stud hombres
they are, having to tame their manliness on a regular basis." - Dave Barry
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
From: bobp@hal.com (Bob Pendleton)
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: Future short/long term economic forecasts?
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu
Organization: HaL Computer Systems, Inc.
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 16:28:03 GMT


>From article <1992Nov18.063842.28136@u.washington.edu>, by tolman@asylum.cs.uta
h.edu (Kenneth Tolman):

>   What, in your expert opinions, are the future economic prospects for
> the field of virtual reality?  (I am curious, because I am thinking of
> banking a career on it, and I would like to hear opinions)

I'd love to answer this question, but I want to know what Kenneth
thinks a "career" in VR is? I can think of several different areas
where you can make a career in what might be called "VR."

1) VR Researchers. 

2) Systems implementor. Hardware and software developers specializing
in VR platform development. This includes graphics and sound ASIC
designers, system architects, microcoders. Everyone needed to make a
system work.

3) Tools builders. Build the tools used to build virtual realities.

4) Applications developers. These people use the vr platforms and
tools to build applications that are actually what end users (i.e.
real people) use. This includes everthing from games to
teleconferencing to VR spread sheets to educational simulations to ...

5) Object designers. Build virtual sofas, walls, even the forests. In
this area I'll include the artist and musicians that will be needed to
make a VR "real."

Some people are already pursuing careers in these areas. And people
already working in the industry in related jobs will move into VR when
the jobs are created.

So, which of these areas, or the hundreds I missed, do you count as
"careers in VR?"

                                Bob P.


-- 
Bob Pendleton             | As an engineer I hate to hear:
bobp@hal.com              |   1) You've earned an "I told you so."
Speaking only for myself. |   2) Our customers don't do that.
                   <<< Odin, after the well of Mimir. >>>
From: dbarberi@mailbox.syr.edu (London W11)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: Future short/long term economic forecasts?
Date: 22 Nov 92 23:54:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov23.160336.24596
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In The Past, bdel@well.sf.ca.us (Ben Delaney) writes:

>2)      Enetertainment: LBE (location based entertainment) is going to be
>REALLT BIG, also, watch for home VR game system, NEXT YEAR, at arounf
>us$1,000.
>
>Ben Delaney, Publisher, CyberEdge Journal

   I agree.  Entertainment may be the first major success for VR tech. 
As total-immersion systems come on the market in the same price range
as todays nintendo/sega machines, we're going to see a boom.  

   Of course, even with todays kiddie gaming systems, some parent
groups complain they are taking too much away from the children. Imagine
the uproar when parents see their sons and daughters sitting on the floor
with 'face suckers' on!   

------=============-----------------------------------------------------------.
      David Barberi                                                           |
dbarberi@sugrfx.acs.syr.edu      Computer-Mediated Communications Researcher  |
 dbarberi@mailbox.syr.edu                                                     |
  dbarberi@ccvm.wcupa.edu               Resume available upon request         |
______________________________________________________________________________|
From: 73317.646@CompuServe.COM (Dan D. Gutierrez)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: PHIL: Virtual Communities & Rights
Date: 20 Nov 92 16:26:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov21.051529.25377
Organization: University of Washington
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


You really should read "SNOW CRASH" a new VR Sci Fi novel that brings up
some very interesting implications of virtual community interaction.  Very
interesting reading!

_ddg
From: TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: TECH: Power Glove interface/software?
Date: 15 Nov 92 09:05:38 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov16.095506.9978
Organization: Penn State University
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Ok, so I'm a VR rookie.  I'm a newcomer among all of you Virtual
Veterans of Reality.  Though I suppose we're all just looking for the
ultimate (Just say NO to drugs) high, right!  So could anybody (or
EVERYBODY) point me in the right direction....I'm standing here
holding my powerglove in one hand and my soldering iron in the other,
looking at my computer, scratching my head.  I'm not an idiot, buy I
figure 'Why should I spend weeks figuring out stuff that you guys
already know and writing software that you guya alread have!?'  I need
to know the best (/easiest) way to build an interface for the Glove
and where I can get this Power Glove software everybody's talking
about (for a DOS machine).  I'm also about to get my hands on a pair
of Sega 3D glasses, so any info about them would also be REALLY nice.

Oh, by the way, here's another question...Nintendo only sees the
powerglove as UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT.  But the technology being used
by the Glove seems to imply that it should be able to tell, with
pretty good resolution, where the glove is positioned, AND HOW FAR (a
position VECTOR as opposed to a compass direction).  Am I right in
assuming that this system is triangulating the position (or the offset
position) of the Glove?  If so, could we not, then, just take the
outputs from each transducer on the "L" bar and have the computer do
the math for us?

Your help would be greatly appreciated, oh Mighty Gurus of all that is
Virtual.

Thanx.
Tom Rusnock, TJR122@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
From: dstampe@psych.toronto.edu (Dave Stampe)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH/INFO: $10 Crt's announce and question
Date: 21 Nov 92 14:56:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov22.040154.6461
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


 cnews@umr.edu (UMR Usenet News Post) writes:
>
>     Mini camcorder CRT,manufacturer Matushita
>     Original B&W CRT used in view-finders for 
>     many comcorders and VCR camaras.  1-1/2" diag
>     screen.  7 pin subminature base and external second anode
>     connections.  4-1/2" O.A.  length   $9.95
>
>My question is if this is something that would be feasible to use
>for HMD.  I am a second year EE and have not yet learned enough
>te evaluate the usefulness.  How much support electronics would 
>be neccessary to utilize these CRT's.  I have been following sci.virtual-
>worlds for over a year and have yet to see in depth description of
>the methodes that people are using for the garage HMD's(and I have
>many meg of archives of this newsgroup I have looked through).  In
>particular Dave Stampe seems to be leading this effort and any detailed
>information would be very appreciated.  
>
Quite a bit, unfortunately.  You'd actually be better off buying camcorder
viewfinders (about $100 each) and either using them as-is (about 20-40 
degrees FOV) or adding your own optics to get a larger FOV.  A large FOV
from such a small CRT usually needs custom-designed magnifying mirrors,
though, as a lens-based optical system gets pretty complex.

I've had success with larger tubes (3 1/2 inch) and simple Fresnel lenses, 
but the weight can be a problem.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| My life is Hardware,                    |         Dave Stampe          | 
| my destiny is Software,                 | dstampe@psych.toronto.edu    |
| my CPU is Wetware...                    | dstampe@sunee.uwaterloo.ca   | 
| Am I a techno-psychologist, or just an engineer dabbling in psychology?|
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: cnews@umr.edu (UMR Usenet News Post)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: JOB: Newbie Post/ Job Hunting
Date: 15 Nov 92 04:42:49 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov16.095037.9544
Organization: University of Missouri - Rolla
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



      Hello, I am Martin Stack and I am an electrical engineer at the
University of Missouri - Rolla.  I have this interest in Artificial
Int. and Virtual Reality.  I would be interested in getting a list of
some companies in the VR business.  I graduate in Dec. 93 and I have
started the endless search for a job. *sigh*
      
      I will have more relevant information on my next posting. THANKS

*********************************************************************
**    A skydiver looking for another way to simulate skydiving !!  **
**         Think about it ... taking a safe sport and making it    **
**          Whuffo proof.                                          **
*********************************************************************
Martin Stack (mstack@cs.umr.edu) (s096051@umrvma.urm.edu)
From: wixer!wixer.cactus.org!pacoid@cs.utexas.edu (Paco Xander Nathan)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: IND: FringeWare Inc.
Date: 20 Nov 92 00:53:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov21.051346.25053
Organization: FringeWare Inc.
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


A new firm, FringeWare Inc., has just formed to help 
build the market for garage-tech products, like DIY VR: 

Buying/Selling: software, hardware, multimedia, etc.
Also listing used DIY gear, such as PowerGloves, Sega
glasses, Pixelvision, etc.

There's also a moderated/digested email list for Fringe 
info, events and reviews.  Join and post by sending to:

  fringeware@wixer.cactus.org

FringeWare Inc.
2507 Roehampton
Austin, TX 78745-6964

[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Commercial postings are offered on sci.virtual-worlds
as a public service.  Their appearance here does not necessarily indicate
endorsement by the moderators or by the USENET or its administrators. --
Mark A. DeLoura]
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
From: daver%sunspot.ssl.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (David Ray)
Subject: INFO: Beware: DUD Power Gloves
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu
Organization: /etc/organization
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 18:32:38 GMT


I thought the net community should know that not all power gloves
work properly. I got one of my PG's from someone who advertised here,
and it was a DUD! Everything worked except rotation, which never changed
value. I plugged my other glove into the receiver box and it worked fine.
So I have 2 working receiver boxes and 1 working glove.
It is more hassle for me to try to find the guy who sold it to me,
than to just keep it -- I can use a second receiver box anyway, one
for travel and one semi-permanently mounted to a wall in my house.

Thought you all should know.

Dave
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
From: bdel@well.sf.ca.us (Ben Delaney)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: Future short/long term economic forecasts?
Date: 20 Nov 92 02:45:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Nov21.051204.24789
Organization: University of Washington
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


I thnk you're missing several significant market segments, any of which are
big enough to consitute an industry.

1)      Medicine: for training, telerobitics and surgical planning.  Also
rehab apps on the near horizon.

2)      Enetertainment: LBE (location based entertainment) is going to be
REALLT BIG, also, watch for home VR game system, NEXT YEAR, at arounf
us$1,000.

congrats on picking the Cup winner, but take a bigger view of the VR
marketplace.

Ben Delaney, Publisher, CyberEdge Journal
bdel@well.sf.ca.us
415 383-2458, FAX: 415 389-0251
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds