HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Question about DHM
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 93 10:41:01 CET
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In <9301260835.AA15309@ghost.dsi.unimi.it>, on Jan 26, you wrote:

> From: zyzzy@stein.u.washington.edu (Zyzzy Galore)
> Subject: Re: TECH: Question about DHM
> Date: 25 Jan 1993 23:36:34 GMT
> Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
> 
> 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.

Anyaway this is NOT the EXOS Dextrous Hand Master: it is a force
feedback device designed by Dr. Burdea at Rutgers University, like
Zyzzy says.  It is not even a commercial product, even if I guess this
WAS to be sold by VPL (with the name of DataGlove FBX)... until
happened what happened at VPL. (BTW any news or point of contact for
VR Builder??)

There's another extensive article describing this device, written by
the ones who made it, on the first issue of Presence, "A Portable
Dextrous Master with Force Feedback"

Diego

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   | Diego Montefusco     |         Computer Science Department          | 
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    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: kevino@ichigo.os.nasu.toshiba.co.jp (Kevino(NS))
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: motion platform (kind of) question?
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 10:49:50 JST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


There was some stuff done with a stationary operator wearing roller
skates in Japan (out at Tsukuba I think).  There are some details in 
the Kahaner Report on VR in Japan and in his summaries of the two
ICAT conferences.  Probably these are available in the archives.  If
you want more details, I have a copy of the proceedings around and could
mail you the paper if you can't find any information there.

Til Later,
  Kevin

 -------------------------------------------------------------------
| Kevin O'Donnell           |                                       |
| Nuclear Medicine          | ' You cannot achieve the impossible   |
| Nasu Works                |   without attempting the absurd. '    |
| Toshiba Corp. Japan       |                                       | 
| kevino@nasu.toshiba.co.jp |                                       |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed are mine, not Toshiba's.
From: MARCHESF%PACEVM.BITNET@uwavm.u.washington.edu (Dr. Francis T. Marchese)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: CONF CFP: Conference on Understanding Images
Date: 22 Jan 93 02:47:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1jvosmINNm61
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


*** Call For Participation ***    
Conference on Understanding Images    
Sponsored By    NYC ACM/SIGGRAPH   
        and   
Pace University's   School of Computer Science and Information Systems    

To Be Held At    Pace University  New York City, New York  
May 21-22,1993      

Artists, designers, scientists, engineers and educator s share the
problem of moving information from one mind to another.  Traditiona
lly, they have used pictures, words, demonstrations, music and dance
to communi cate imagery.  However, expressing complex notions such as
God and infinity or a seemingly well defined concept such as a flower
can present challenges which far exceed their technical skills.  The
explosive use of computers as visualization and expression tools has
compounded this problem.  In hypermedia, multimedia and virtual
reality systems vast amounts of information confront the observer or
participant.  Wading through a multitude of simultaneous images and
sounds in possibly unfamiliar representations, a confounded user asks:
What does it all mean?  Since image construction, transmission,
reception, decipherment and ultimate understanding are complex tasks
strongly influenced by physiology, ed ucation and culture; and since
electronic media radically amplify each process ing step, then we, as
electronic communicators, must determine the fundamental paradigms for
composing imagery for understanding.  Therefore, the purpose of this
conference is to bring together a breadth of disciplines, including,
but not limited to, the physical, biological and computational
sciences, technology, art, psychology, philosophy and education, in
order to define and discuss the issues essential to image
understanding within the computer graphics context.

  To this end we seek proposals for individual presentations, panel
discussions, static displays, interactive environments, performances
and beyond.  Submissions: Contributors are requested to submit a one
page proposal by February 1993.  Accepted presentations will be
included in the proceedings.  

Direct all inquires and submissions to:

Professor Francis T. Marchese 
Department of Computer Science 
Pace University 
New York, NY 10038 USA

Phone: 212 346-1803 
Fax: 212 346-1933 
Email: MARCHESF@PACEVM.Bitnet
From: shearson!kaleidoscope!bpaley@uunet.UU.NET (Brad Paley)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: C code for CrystalEyesVR/Deering system
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:56:53 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k5ck5INNhq2
Organization: Lehman Brothers
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Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Randall C. Smith writes:

> Michael Deering of Sun, in "High Resolution Virtual Reality"
> (Computer Graphics, v26, 1992) describes a system that achieves
> good registration between virtual and physical worlds.  It uses
> LCD shutter glasses (CrystalEyesVR from Stereographics) to view
> a stereo image, rendered (by a Sun workstation) wrt to eye positions
> measured by a headtracker.  The headtracking hardware is from
> Logitech, and coupled into the CrystalEyesVR package.
>
> We have the same equipment, but will use an SGI Reality Engine as
> renderer.  Has anyone developed C code for CrystalEyesVR that we
> could have for research purposes?  Especially, does anyone have code that
> duplicates Mr. Deering's calibrations?

(Dis?)claimer -- we sell the product Randy asked about:

Randy,

We developed some of this code nine years ago, then "productized" it
and debuted it at SIGGRAPH '91, the same place Michael first showed
his.  Our inScape C library runs on SGI machines.  We'll be glad to
mail info to those who request it.

-Brad

Digital Image Design Incorporated
170 Claremont Avenue suite 6
New York, NY 10027

(212) 222-5236
(212) 864-1189 fax

paley@cs.columbia.edu email
(Note: email to here, not the above (temporary) address)
From: Regis C Phelan <phelanre@student.msu.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: INFO?: Looking for good VR books...
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 19:45:30 CST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Can anyone recommend any good Virtual Reality books (and even software for
ibm-compatible 286)?

Thanks,

Regis Phelan
phelanre@student.msu.edu
From: Joseph Behar <jbehar@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: WHO: Survey of online parties working in VR
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 15:25:11 PST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



January 25, 1993

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE  PARTICIPATE  IN  SURVEY  OF  VIRTUAL  REALITY

Dear Sci.virtual-worlds conference member,

As a sociologist working in the field of computerization and
information technology, I am conducting an on-line survey of
researchers, developers, and other interested parties working on
projects related to virtual reality.  The survey consists of a few
open-ended questions focused on the social, ethical, and cultural
implications of virtual reality technologies.  I have studied the
social impacts of computerization in a variety of contexts, and am now
studying from a sociological point of view impacts and implications
potentially associated with virtual reality.

Would you please be kind enough to answer the following questions and
forward your answers to my e-mailbox.  These are open-ended questions
so that you may comment at length if you wish or provide other kinds
of information including notice of relevant research, projections, and
speculations. I would protect the anonymity of the respondents and
report findings only in a general summary.


        THE  FINDINGS AND RESULTS OF THE STUDY WILL BE SHARED WITH
        THOSE INTERESTED.

Questions:

I.      What do you consider to be the most important social and
ethical consequences of the general development of virtual reality
systems?

II.     Does your understanding of virtual reality systems include
a focus on social relations?  In what ways may  virtual reality
systems transform personal interactions?

III     Do you know of or participate in any kinds of research
focused on the connections between virtual reality systems and
social relations?  In reference to social and personal issues,
what kind of research, if any, do you think would be important or
required?

IV.     Are there any specific legal, moral, or social problems
that you have encountered or thought about in your work  with
virtual reality systems?

V.      Would you please comment on the possibilities of virtual
social worlds in which humans would share a common technological
platform for interaction and communications?   From your point of
view,  is the potential for this kind of social experience
acknowledged in virtual reality research and development

Name_____________________________________________________________
Title/Project/Position_______________________________________________
Number of years working or familiar with virtual reality
systems________

        THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS SURVEY


Joseph E. Behar, Ph.D.  Professor of Sociology

Dowling College Oakdale, New York 11769 (516-244-3155: office)
(516-589-6644: fax)

 PLEASE  FORWARD  YOUR RESPONSES TO:    jbehar@igc.org
From: laplante@sun490.fdu.edu (Phil Laplante)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: CONF CFP: Session on Real-Time Image Processing
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 21:31:04 GMT
Organization: Fairleigh Dickinson University
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


            * * * C A L L    F O R    P A P E R S * * * 

Papers are requested for  a special session on "Real-Time Image Processing" 
to be held at the 1993 IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Conference 
in Le Touquet France, October 17-20, 1993.

The IEEE SMC conference is the showcase gathering for the IEEE SMC interest
group.  IEEE SMC covers a broad range of topics in image processing, robotics,
and artificial intelligence.  The archival journal of the society is the
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

Topics for the session include but are not limited to:

Real-time image processing applications
Real-time image processing protocols
Real-time image processing specification 
Real-time image processing architectures
Multi-media 
Virtual reality
Remote sensing and control
Real-time image compression

Papers should be 6-10 pages in length and will be published in the
conference proceedings.  Authors will be expected to make a presentation
at the conference.

The deadlines for submission to the conference are as follows:

Extended abstract submission   February 15, 1993
Preliminary acceptance         May 1, 1993
Full paper submission          July 15, 1993
Final acceptance               August 1, 1993

Please send extended abstracts via post, FAX, or email to:

Dr. Phil Laplante
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madison, NJ 07480
laplante@fdumad.fdu.edu
(201) 593-8680 (voice)
(201) 593-8886 (FAX)

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to call.
From: jpc@tauon.ph.unimelb.edu.au (John Costella)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: CULTURE: Simpsons do VR
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 19:37:50 EST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



> From: wampner@next1.cs.ucf.edu (Eric Wampner)
> 
> > For those who keep tabs on VR in the (U.S.) mainstream media, Lisa
> > Simpson (Bart's sister on Fox's _The Simpsons_) has joined the elite
> > group of cartoon characters who have experienced VR (others include
> > Darkwing Duck and Batman).
> >
> > On the Jan 14th episode, Lisa briefly visted Ghangis Khan (sp?)  by
> > wearing a VR helmet at school.

> Its worse than that
> 
> She imagined that she was using a VR helmet.
> "You'll kill who I kill, you'll eat who I eat"
> 
> So, she is a virtual person imagining herself in a virtual reality.
> 
> Okay, everybody,, reality check.
> BZZZZZT.

Rue the day when the virtual world is so believable that a mischievous
sysop can make you think you've taken off the gear when you haven't.
;-) Would be like one of those deeply recursed dreams which are almost
impossible to extricate yourself from. :-|

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: "Jerry A. Pipes" <C599680@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INFO?: atlas of the human body
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 13:53:52 CST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



There is an article concerning this in the Jan 93 issue of Scientific
American ("Habeus Corpus", pg 146).  It describes a project that is
underway at the National Library of Medicine.

Just FYI.

Jerry

| Jerry A. Pipes (S N O O P Y)                "Curse you, Red Baron!!" |
| University of Missouri                                               |
|                                                                      |
| C599680@mizzou1.missouri.edu                  CompuServe: 71160,1001 |
From: bill@solaria.hac.com (Bill Neisius)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: PowerGlove Serial Interface Order Form
Date: 27 Jan 93 14:50:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k7bilINNnur
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



Jim Brain (jlb31348@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu) wrote:
: 
: 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)

So what does the Serial Interface do that the Parallel Interface
doesn't?  I built the parallel interface for about $5; it seems to
work quite well with all the existing programs.  What software uses
the serial interface?  Can I expect a higher frame rate or something?

Bill Neisius
bill@solaria.hac.com
From: dstampe@psych.toronto.edu (Dave Stampe)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Distortion in VR view
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 14:40:21 GMT
Organization: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



dchapman@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Dee A. Chapman) writes:

>I've noticed some "distortion" in viewing 3D graphics objects which
>were rendered using an SGI SkyWriter (GL Library).  For example, if I 
>create two divergent rectangular boxes, and view them on the flat screen
>of the computer console, they will appear to converge or be parallel:
>
>I believe this effect is due to the use of the "perspective" GL
>library call.  (void perspective(Angle fovy,aspect, znear, zfar)) I
>realize that the objects should appear to converge as they get farther
>away from the viewer, however the effect I'm referring to is that
>them seem to converge excessively. I can lessen this "converging" effect 
>>by varying the fovy parameter.  However, this can introduce other 
>inaccuracies. 

The effect is caused by an excesive FOV for your viewing situation.
The FOV csnnot be too wide: the angle should be 2*atan(w/2/d), where d
is the distance from your eye to the monitor, and w is the width of
the monitor screen (or window).  You can often go up to twice this FOV
without adding excessive distortion.  Still, it's restrictive.

>>From a simulation point of view, I'd like to make this graphics 
>representation 
>as close to "real" life representation as possible.


>
>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

No, this is because the FOV of the HMD matches the FOV parameter in
your software better.  I see this all the time with wide-angle
displays for REND386--it's not a bug, it's a feature! (B-{))


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 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: js@montaigne.lif.icnet.uk (Jack Shirazi <js@montaigne.lif.icnet.uk>)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INFO?: Need information on virtual reality
Date: 27 Jan 93 15:37:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1k7c4jINNojp
Organization: Imperial Cancer Research Fund
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Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In article <1k2t1dINNn3a@shelley.u.washington.edu> CAROTH@delphi.com
writes:

>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).

(its ftp.u.washington.edu, directory public/virtual-worlds)

And over in alt.uu.virtual-worlds.misc, this type of query is exactly
what I'm trying to address with an introduction to v-w which Charlie
Lindahl and I have gotten together to do (first parts posted last
week).

We are both beginners and are putting down on paper (alright in ascii
:-) ) what we're learning. (I'm trawling through archives and he's
putting together a system).

Hey moderators - why don't you add a one liner saying where the
archives are each time you add a "[MODERATOR'S NOTE:" ?

       Jack               js@biu.icnet.uk
                         
If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.
                -- Maslow

[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  We'll start posting a monthly advisory again.
-- Bob Jacobson]
From: daver@sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu (David Ray)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: TECH: Mixed CRT and LCD HMDs
Date: 25 Jan 1993 18:52:15 GMT
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In article <1jvoeuINNkgr@shelley.u.washington.edu>
diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco) writes:

>LCD are poor resolution. CTR are not, but usually are monochrome (I still
>have to understand if the BOOM has REAL color capabilities...)

LCD TV's are poor resolution, but LCD projection panels or monitors
are not. It has nothing to do with it being an LCD, it is because
ordinary NTSC video has lower resolution than a standard 640x480 VGA.

>So: why not make (for an hi-end device, of course) a viewer in which you
>have 4 - FOUR - screens? 2 hi-res monochrome CRTs, 2 color LCDs.

You can do hi-res, low weight color by using (for example) two color
LCD projection screens. These are generally availbale for VGA
emulation (640x480) and the more expensive ones have active matrix,
which you need for ghost-free imaging. These puppies cost around $4000
each, but the prices are coming down.

When I was at MacWorld a few weeks ago I saw a company that was
selling color LCD screens for Powerbooks. I thought, if they can do
for power books, why not sell a separate LCD monitors as a stand-alone
product?  Perfect for VR. Alas, they would only do the Powerbook
screen swap, they don't sell separate monitors. I also saw 2 companies
that sell color LCD projection panels. They are expensive and nobody
sells a "monitor" version (with a backlit panel behind the LCD). It
seems this would be theperfect product for VR. I guess there just
isn't a big enough market.  
-- |

David Ray 
Space Sciences Lab, UCB |"I
need a cheap hires| | daveray@well.sf.ca.us (510) 643-7736 w | LCD
monitor for my | | daver@sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu (510) 527-9010 h |
HMD."  |
From: Willie <macris@nsd.fmc.com>
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: CONF: Cyberspace & Law, Austin, Texas, Jan 31 1993
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1993 09:08:31 CST
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu


> The law firm of George,
> Donaldson & Ford, which is representing Steve Jackson in his suit
> against the US government for their seizure of the "Illuminati" BBS in
> 1990, is sponsoring the event.

Does anyone have info on the status of Steve Jackson's suit? I've been
interested in that whole issue for some time, and I won't be able to
attend the conference...will the proceedings be available anywhere?

Willie
Newsgroups: sci.math