HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Filtering head position/orientation data
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 02:34:49 CET
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


In <9301180038.AA04421@ghost.dsi.unimi.it>, on Jan 17, you wrote:

> diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco) writes:
> 
> >That's exactly what I thought a Kalman filter did... I said I'm
> >completely new to this kind of things, so I'm probably in error.
> 
> I don't know either.  Chris Shaw or Mark Green at U. of Alberta
> might care to comment; their MR toolkit has had a Kalman filter
> tool for a long time.  How useful is it, guys?

Lance, since a while ago you mentioned a C++ class for Kalman filtering
that appeared on comp.dsp, and since I can't access that group, could you
post the code, upload it to some FTP site, give the author's address or do
anything else useful to get my hands on that code?
Sorry to waste newsgroup bandwidth, but I can't seem to be able to reach
Lance directly by e.mail... and anyway this could interest others too on the
group, I guess.

Diego

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   | Diego Montefusco     |         Computer Science Department          | 
   | Via Pirano 4         |         University of Milan - Italy          |
   | 20127 Milano         |                                              |
   | Italia               |     P L E A S E   R E P L Y   M E   T O :    |
   | +39 (0)2 27001467    |         montefus@ghost.dsi.unimi.it          |
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: CAROTH@delphi.com
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INFO?: Need information on virtual reality
Date: 25 Jan 1993 19:25:41 -0500 (EST)
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Brian wrote:

>[my friend] is looking to write a research paper about virtual reality.
>What he's looking for are sources on what it is, how it works, (...)

I hate to say it Brian, but tell your friend to go to the local
library.  EVERY library, as small as it might be has PLENTY of
material about VR avaible, or can get it within days through a library
loan.  I think it would just be a waste of time for anyone answering
basically all the FAQ's here... Which reminds me... I might be wrong,
but if I should remember it right, someone mentioned VR FAQ files are
avaible via anonymous FTP to ftp.washington.edu (someone correct me
if I got that address wrong, please).

If you friend has any more questions AFTER reading the books available
in the library, e.g. the most current VR systems or anything like
that, I'm pretty sure that someone on this mailing list will be happy
to answer.

                            Christian Roth

[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Hear, hear.  The best inquiries come informed.
-- Bob Jacobson]
From: Bob Prior - MIT Press <PRIOR%MITVMA.BITNET@uwavm.u.washington.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: PUBS: Virtual Sexism, Pimentel and Texteira??
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 11:33:25 EST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Denise,

As a publisher, I see the continued use of sexist (or, male-centric)
language as yet another artifact of the male-in-the-workplace-and-
female-at-home world that must be changed if women are to find equal
job opportunities and equal pay. Perpetuating one myth, even a
relatively minor one as the use of he exclusively in scientific
literature, allows for other more important myths to also continue.

The issue may not be important to you (perhaps because, as a woman,
you are used to adjusting the language to include yourself) but it is
important for men to intentionally include women in their view of the
scientific or employment world until such inclusion becomes automatic.

--Bob

=================
Bob Prior, Editor
The MIT Press
=================
From: jlb31348@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jim Brain)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: PowerGlove Serial Interface Order Form
Date: 22 Jan 93 05:47:42 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1jvouaINNmcn
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


OK, next batch.  PLEASe put your computer type on the order form!!!

Also, someone in Australia noted that saying that we cannot take units back
is ILLEGAL down under, so I will rephrase.  We will bankrupt ourselves in
doing so, so please try to like your unit.  We will do everything we can to
satisfy you.  But I have been told we have to take them back if we cannot
satisfy you.  Boy, I am not so sure we want to sell this now.  I mean, what
if they all come back.  We will lose hundreds of thousands that we don't have.
Please be sure you want this before ordering.  At least the first batch.

Email me with other newsworthy items of interest.  Remember, I would like to
start manufacturing on Feb 1st, and as of today I had not got a single order!
(In the snail mail, that is)  I cannot order until I get 100 units sold.
Go out and tell people about it (if you want)


-- 
Jim Brain                           "If you build it, they will come."
brain@cs.uiuc.edu
Senior, Computer Engineering                                    Field of Dreams
PowerGlove Serial Interface Designer and Co-Project Leader.                     
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign       Dox available on request
From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: EVENT: IMAGINA '93 a Monaco
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 93 17:31:10 CET
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In <9301260850.AA16148@ghost.dsi.unimi.it>, on Jan 26, you wrote:

> From: michel@ensibull.imag.fr (Olivier MICHEL)
> Subject: EVENT: IMAGINA '93 a Monaco
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 17:24:18 GMT
> Organization: Ensimag-Enseignement
> 
> Etant etudiant en deuxieme annee d'une grande ecole francaise
> d'Informatique, et passionne par ce sujet, je vais aller au salon
> IMAGINA a Monaco (17-19) sur les mondes virtuels et les nouvelles images.
            ^^^^^^
          MonteCarlo!

> Quelqu'un pourrait-il me dire ce que je dois aller voir en priorite
> la-bas, quelles personnes rencontrer en vue d'un stage, d'un projet de
> troisieme annee d'ecole d'ingenieurs, ou d'un emploi ??
> 
> Merci d'avance a tous ceux qui repondront.

E come no? Certo che ti rispondo! Se solo sapessi cosa cavolo stai
dicendo...  Gesu'... i francesi e la loro "grandeur". Ma l'inglese non
era la lingua "ufficiale" di Internet?

Any Spanish want to add anything (in Spanish, of course). Why not also
some Finnish?

Diego


[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  Javisst!  Det er saa riktigt! -- Bob Jacobson]
From: jpc@tauon.ph.unimelb.edu.au (John Costella)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: LEGAL: Epilepsy health warnings
Date: 25 Jan 93 23:47:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k2d9cINN8hk
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


> From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
> Subject: Re: LEGAL: Epilepsy health warnings
> 
> I recall that everyone suffering from epilepsy has some kind of "critical"
> frequency, which (if I recall right) is the one her/his brain works at when
> having a crisis (sp?). If s/he gets a visual stimulation at the frequency,
> like when driving in a straight road with trees on the sides and the sun
> appearing and disappearing through the trees, an epileptic attack can be
> induced.
> Maybe they should put warnings on the trees too! :-)
> 
> Disclaimer: I am talking about things I read a LONG ago, so I may have
> completely distorted the meaning...

No, you pretty well got it right. I have someone in my family who 
has suffered exactly this. It is now under control with mild drugs.

Possibly more worrying to people who get frazzled by the flickering 
images of a Nintendo is that they may be branded for life as being
an `epileptic' (no qualifiers). If they go to apply for their Driver's
Licence, and mention `epileptic', they'll most likely get a big
red stamp across their application banning them for life. Not very
nice if they only get tweaked by Nintendos.

I recall some literature saying that if you put people into a 
*closed feedback loop* with an oscillating stimulus, such that the
brain's own waves are used to synchronise the stimulus, then 
ONE IN TWO of the population suffer epileptic-type fits. So it's
a little dangerous to label people `epileptic' without a qualifier.
You'll be including half the population of your country if you do.

Lesson: If someone goes a little wonky after being in your virtual
world, take them into a confidential area before talking to them
about `epileptic fits'. Ignorance is still widespread.

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: cyberoid@u.washington.edu (Bob Jacobson)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: CONF: Meckler VR 93, San Jose, California, May 19-21, 1993
Date: 25 Jan 93 01:30:44 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k19uqINN5sq
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Virtual Reality 93
Conference and Exhibition
May 19-21, 1993
San Jose, California
-------------------------
 
The Fairmont Hotel
 
This is Meckler's annual domestic extravaganza.  Preliminary notices
have gone out for exhibitors.  No formal schedule of speakers is yet
available, although the schedule is rumored to be both comprehensive
and challenging.
 
For more information on VR 93, contact:
 
        Meckler
        11 Ferry Lane West
        Westport, CT 06880
        
        +1-203-226-6967 phone
        +1-203-454-5840 fax
 
Conference organizer is Dr. Sandra K. Helsel (san@well.sf.ca.us).
From: zyzzy@stein.u.washington.edu (Zyzzy Galore)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Question about DHM
Date: 25 Jan 1993 23:36:34 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Russell Holt writes:

>   I've seen pictures of the Dextrous Hand Master, but I'd like to ask anyone
>whose actually used one about it.  On the back of the hand sits a base to
>which the devices measuring the fingers and the thumb are attached.
>This, then, is somehow attached to a wrist strap.  My question is,
>how does this base stay pressed against the hand?  How does it keep from 
>rocking up and down when the fingers are moved only slightly?  In my
>attempts to construct a glove which measures finger movements in a
>mechanical fasion, I have run into this problem, and am finding it
>difficult to prevent this while keeping it comfortable...

I had the privilege of trying out the dextrous master at Rutgers
Telerobotics Lab last summer.  (See "Ball in Hand," Pix-Elation #4,
the VRASP newsletter.)  The base to which the pneumatic micropistons
are attached is not on the back of the hand, it's in the palm.  It is
affixed (in some manner, maybe glued) to a DataGlove.  The three
pistons mounted on the base are then attached to the thumb and the
first two fingers.  Since the natural motion of the hand (grabbing,
etc.) forces the pistons into the palm, there is not a problem with
slippage unless the DataGlove does not fit tightly.  This can happen.
It results in the virutal hand being "sticky" -- you can't let go of a
virtual object even if your hand is flexed open.  However, it was
clear that the problem is one of glove size and not glove design.

If you want to see the whole article, email me.

---------------------------------------------------------------
   Zyzzy Galore  > > > > > > > > > > >  zyzzy@u.washington.edu
                                 ART NON PROG RESS / V R A S P 
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: demasco@glinda.asel.udel.edu (Patrick Demasco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: HELP?: What system would you assemble for $70,000
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 01:37:30 GMT
Organization: AI duPont Institute
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


I'm a bit of a dilema. I'm in the process of submitting a grant
proposal that will include a project in virtual reality (applied to
disability), and have an equipment budget of approximately $70,000 for
a complete system. From descriptions of the VPL Microcosm system (that
I downloaded from the archive) I thought that I was pretty set, but
calls to VPL have not been encouraging. So my question is what system
would any of you put together for this amount of money. My
requirements are:

  1. Helmet w/head tracking
  2. One (maybe two) gloves
  3. High performance graphics (sorry, no numbers)
  4. 3D sound (somewhat optional at this point, but hey I've got the money)
  5. Development software (C++ preferred) <- IMPORTANT
  6. Potential for expansion to two users
  7. USA based (I'm not patriotic, but have just had a lot of problems with 
      customs red-tape when stuff needs to be serviced)

I'm not real picky about computing platforms although for Unix I would
prefer Suns (our systems administrator gets real grouchy when anyone
talks about heterogeneous workstation environments).

I'm very new to the field, so please forgive any naive statements or
assumptions that I've made. I hope some of you take a moment to help
me dream about fun toys.

Thanks in advance

pat
-- 
Patrick Demasco (demasco@udel.edu)
Applied Science & Engineering Laboratories
A.I. duPont Institute / University of Delaware
P.O. Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899
From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: LEGAL: Epilepsy health warnings
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 01:01:28 CET
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


I recall that everyone suffering from epilepsy has some kind of "critical"
frequency, which (if I recall right) is the one her/his brain works at when
having a crisis (sp?). If s/he gets a visual stimulation at the frequency,
like when driving in a straight road with trees on the sides and the sun
appearing and disappearing through the trees, an epileptic attack can be
induced.
Maybe they should put warnings on the trees too! :-)

Disclaimer: I am talking about things I read a LONG ago, so I may have
completely distorted the meaning...

Diego

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   | Diego Montefusco     |         Computer Science Department          | 
   | Via Pirano 4         |         University of Milan - Italy          |
   | 20127 Milano         |                                              |
   | Italia               |     P L E A S E   R E P L Y   M E   T O :    |
   | +39 (0)2 27001467    |         montefus@ghost.dsi.unimi.it          |
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Distortion in VR view
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 16:27:07 CET
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In <9301250316.AA23097@ghost.dsi.unimi.it>, on Jan 24, you wrote:

> From: dchapman@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Dee A. Chapman)
> Subject: TECH: Distortion in VR view
> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 93 15:23:53 CST
> Organization: Nat'l Ctr for Supercomp App (NCSA) @ University of Illinois
> 
> In addition, I've noticed when I view the 3D graphics objects using
> a Flight Helmet head mounted display, the "converging" effect is
> lessened.  I'm thinking that is probably due to the lensing in the
> helmet.  Any other ideas?
> 
> I'd really appreciate either some references to papers or books that deal
> with these issues, or your own personal experiences with this.
> Email would be preferable.  Thanks a lot for your time.

Regarding the distortion introduced by the optics of HMD, refer to the
excellent paper by Robinett and Rolland on the first issue of
Presence, "A computational model for the stereoscopic optics of HMDs".

Diego
From: magick@iastate.edu (Krutch)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: PUBS: VIRTUAL REALITY, by Pimentel & Texeira (1992)
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 22:43:44 GMT
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


In <1j0hmiINNhgh@shelley.u.washington.edu> Kenneth Pimentel (kp@well.sf.ca.us) w
rites:
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>NEW BOOK: VIRTUAL REALITY: THROUGH THE NEW LOOKING GLASS
>AUTHORS: Pimentel/Teixeira
>PUBLISHER: Windcrest/TAB Books
>$22.95 (pbk.), 300 Pages, 100 B&W pics, 17 color, 45 illus.
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[... entire article was enclosed here, deleted by Co-mod (Mark) ...]

>To order the book:

>This book can be found in bookstores or purchased directly
>through either the Intel Literature department or through 
>TAB Books.

>Title: Virtual Reality: through the new looking glass
>ISBN: 0-8306-4064-9
>Price: $22.95 pbk., $32.95 hbk
>Intel Literature: 1-800-548-4725
>Tab Books: 1-800-822-815


For those of you who have not yet looked into this book, I would recommend
picking it up if you can scrounge the money. (I know most of us have a hard
time with that. ;-)

It's very infomative and has good backing from a lot of the industries leaders.

Robert Gooch
magick@iastate.edu
-- 
= Robert Gooch (magick@iastate.edu)      ---     Programmer Wannabe           =
=                                        ---     Mac, IBMs, Amigas and more.. =
=      Virtual Reality, the place to be.                                      =
= Disclaimer: I might be a longhair, but so was Jesus...                      =
From: Ronald Logsdon <shebute@Panix.Com>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: 3DO unveils innovative 'Multiplayer'
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 23:28:11 -0500 (EST)
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Hello to all

  I just got back fron the Consumer Electronix Show (CES) in
Las Vegas.  At that shoe 3DO made a big hit!!!  The unit is based on
a RISC chip and realy screams!!! I truly think they have a winner!!!

-Ron L.
From: hsr4@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INFO: Nanotech news group?
Date: 26 Jan 93 12:26:31 GMT
Article-I.D.: vax.1993Jan26.122631.11533
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In article <1jk560INNep7@shelley.u.washington.edu>,
73317.646@CompuServe.COM (Dan D. Gutierrez) writes:

>>> I heard about a news group called sci.nanotech via sci.virtual-worlds.
> Can anyone tell me how to subscribe to this list? <<
> 
> Just saw this posting come through.  I would also be VERY INTERESTED in
> becoming a recipient of sci.nanotech news items.  I run a local (Los
> Angeles) virtual community specializing in Nanotechnology (310-453-7705,
> 2400/8/N/1) and I'm always hungry for new information.  Most of my stuff
> now comes from the Foresight Institute.

Sci.nanotech is a moderated group - the moderator is J Storrs Hall,
and you can catch him at josh@aramis.rutgers.edu.  Offhand I can't
tell you if JoSH runs a list as well, but I'm sure he could be
persuaded if spoken to nicely.

HTH,

Peter Brooks
From: apeterso@plains.NoDak.edu (Alan Peterson)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: VE-OS Design !
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 19:10:18 GMT
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing Network
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


In article <1jcop5INNpbv@shelley.u.washington.edu> thinman@netcom.com (Technical
ly Sweet) writes:
>
>[ Wise words from Pez ]
>
>2) Study advanced 3D graphics till you choke, but don't
>bother mastering it.  Almost all of it is oriented towards
>generating beautiful images in overnight batch runs.  Nice
>for Hollywood but pointless for you.  You may find a few
>gem ideas in the rough.  Foley, Van Damme, Feiner & Hughes
>wrote the bible which I can't find in my boxes and thus
>can't quote the exact title.  After that, a few more 3D

Just happened to have this info in my pocket:

Computer Graphics: Principles and Practices, Foley, et al., 2nd ed., 1990,
Addison-Wesley.  ISBN 0-201-12110-7

Alan Peterson
apeterso@plains.nodak.edu   or
apeterso@spdc.ti.com
From: cyberoid@u.washington.edu (Bob Jacobson)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: CONF: Meckler VR 93 International, London, April 1993
Date: 25 Jan 93 01:31:44 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k1a10INN62b
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Virtual Reality 93 International
Impacts and Applications
6-7 April 1993
London, UK
-------------------------
Olympia Conference Centre
 
This is Meckler's annual European show.  Preliminary notices have gone
out for exhibitors.  No formal schedule of speakers is yet available,
although the notice cover is ecumenical in the topics it covers.
 
For more information on VR 93 International, contact:
 
        Meckler Ltd
        4th Floor, Artillery House
        Artillery Row
        London SW1P 1RT, United Kingdom
        
        +44-(0)71-976 0405phone
        +44-(0)71-976 0506 fax
 
Conference Chairman is Mr. Tony Feldman.
From: bobp@hal.com (Bob Pendleton)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Arbitrary input devices
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1993 20:22:34 GMT
Organization: HaL Computer Systems, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


>From article <1jcotuINNpe7@shelley.u.washington.edu>, by thinman@netcom.com (Te
chnically Sweet):
> 
> bobp@hal.com (Bob Pendleton) writes:
> 
> 
>>Hmm...
> 
>>But, just about every high performance 3d graphics system is embedded in X.
> 
> I don't know about the rest of the industry, but SGI does this
> because the market ordered them to. 

Which is, of course, is the only reason that matters.

At one time, 6 or 7 years ago, a lot of companies were making the
decision to got with window based interfaces for their workstations.

SGI was pretty much doing their own thing. They figured they owned the
graphics market and customers would use whatever they provided and be
happy with it, and for the most part SGI was right.

Sun was pushing their windowing system but unlike nfs Sun wasn't being
as open as they could have been with it. Frankly, if Sun had been a
bit more open with their windowing system it would be the standard
today.

And there was X.

If you were going to do a windowing system you could either copy SGI,
license from Sun, or pick up X for free.

X made sense for all the "other" players in the workstation business.
Now, the market has forced SGI and Sun to support X.

If anyone thinks that a system can win based only on its technical
merits they should take a close look at X.

                                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. >>>