From: gradecki@rodeo.uwyo.edu (Joseph D. Gradecki)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: PUBS: Info on PCVR
Date: 15 Oct 92 16:27:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Oct16.170722.6971
Organization: University of Washington
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


**Now I would like to respond about PCVR.

PCVR is a magazine dedicated to the HomeBrew Virtual Reality Experimenter
using the IBM Personal Computer.

In the beginning, our primary source of information was FAQs and README
files.  We weren't even sure this type of magazine was needed.  But as
we have progressed into the world of inexpensive VR, we have found that
there is a definite need.

Beginning with issue three, we started a series on building a head
mounted display using two Casio color LCD TVs and a switcher card that
using a single VGA card to display both left and right images.

The fourth issue concentrated on programming with REND386 and continued
the head mounted display series.

Our fifth issue presented a boom head tracker that can be built for under
$10.00.  The head mounted display series discussed optics.

Issue six due in December looks at 3D sound.

Each issue includes a diskette with all of the source and most
executables for articles in the issue.  If an article discusses a
hardware project, we include the schematic so that you can build it yourself.

The magazine may have the tone of a high-school newspaper but when you
talk about VR, we are all in pre-school especially those like myself
without a quarter of a million dollars for an RB2 system.

As for the if-you-die-in-vr comment, I hope most people realize that VR
is a dangerous technology.  We at PCVR have outlined several hundred areas
that VR could be used and we really haven't started looking into some
areas.  This technology is limitless.  Just as soon as we can give people
what they want in VR, they will ask for things that are not socially
acceptable such as rape.  What happens when you rape all day long in a
virtual environment that is so real you do not know the difference between
it and reality.  What if you forget you are not in a virtual world and
begin raping in the real world.  Don't say it isn't possible.  Because it
will be.  It must be talked about over and over again.

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PCVR is positioning itself as a publication and software driving force in
VR.  We will release the first VR game for the PC in the next day or so.  This
game is handball/racquetball.  The first release will be monoscopic with 3D
support shortly after.  You have to go into the court and grab your racquet
with the PowerGlove and then try to hit the ball.

We currently have seven other applications being designed including a
new rendering package for the PC that will blow the competition away, a PC
VR operating system with dialin and network connections, several games, and
a couple real-world applications in the areas of finance and real estate.
The best part is we will release full source free of charge.  Use it in
commercial or shareware products.

PCVR as a publication will continue to bring you cutting-edge technology
in an inexpensive way.  We are committed to being your VR publication now
and in the future.

We can be contacted at:
                                PCVR
                                1706 Sherman Hill RD. #A
                                Laramie, Wyoming  82070

EMAIL:  gradecki@rodeo.uwyo.edu

PHONE/FAX:    307 - 742 - 7675

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