Ian & Stuart's Australian Mac: Not for Sale/Another.not.for.sale (Australia).iso/hold me in your arms/Virtual-Worlds/commercial/networked-VR

Internet Message Format | 1994-08-23 | 29KB

From: [e-mail] (Vassilis Seferidis)
Subject: APPS: Networked VR (Replies summary - long)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Organization: Philips Research Laboratories, Redhill, UK
Keywords: TELEVIRTUALITY

Hi all,

few days ago I posted an e-mail asking for persons/establishments that work
(or will do in the near future) in Networked Virtual Reality. What
follows is the collection of the replies I received.

Thanks to everyone that replied!

Vassilis
[e-mail]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Vassilis Seferidis
Philips Research Labs,
Cross Oak Lane,
Redhill Surrey RH1 5HA,
ENGLAND
tel. : [phone]
fax.: [phone]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESPONSES START HERE.....

1******************************************************************************
On Aug 9,  2:37pm, Pierre duPont wrote:
Subject: Re: Survey on Networked VR

...

  Our base s/w is fully distributed & networkable. We have demonstrated
  (with ease) 3 and 4 user systems using local transputer links, and we've
  done similar sizes on ethernet.

  The BT project we're working on is looking at similar issue across
  wide area nets.

  The next email message is the press release from the original
  VIRTUOSI project announcement.

============================================================
  email: [e-mail]
  Pierre duPont             phone: [phone]
  Marketing Director        fax: [phone]
  Division Limited
  19 Apex Court, Woodlands, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4JT UK
 -- End of excerpt from Pierre duPont
*******************************************************************************


2******************************************************************************
On Aug 9,  2:37pm, Pierre duPont wrote:
  Subject:   Press Release from Division Limited about VIRTUOSI project
  Contact:   Pierre duPont [phone]

  VIRTUOSI - Support for Virtual Organisations

  Bristol, UK - 15 February 1994 - The UK Department of Trade and
  Industry (DTI) has today announced funding for the VIRTUOSI project,
  a consortium of UK industrial and academic partners which will
  explore the use of virtual reality to allow multiple users to perform
  simultaneous, co-operative work across geographically dispersed
  locations. This project, part of the DTI/SERC Computer Supported
  Co-operative Work (CSCW) programme, has a total budget of
  approximately u2.5m over three years, with a DTI/SERC contribution
  of about u1m.

  Virtuosi will allow people to join discussions and problem-solving
  activities at home or in different offices or factories across the world.
  Virtual reality technology from the UK company, Division Ltd, will
  contribute to the core framework of the project, providing powerful
  tools to allow users to interact within the virtual environment.

  A strong theoretical basis will be provided for the project by
  Nottingham, Lancaster and Manchester Universities.  These
  Universities are all involved in UK and European research projects to
  establish the fundamental principles for interacting and co-operating
  in virtual environments that will be set up across future information
  superhighways.  In addition to developing models and systems, they
  will also be involved in capturing user requirements and assessing
  the effectiveness of the two application pilots.

  Two pilot applications will be developed by the project.  One will be
  concerned with improving communication between a number of BICC
  Cable factories throughout the world.  The aim is to enable managers
  and workers to share expertise as easily as if they were in a single
  factory.  For example, technical experts on one continent will be able
  to "visit" shopfloor staff on another continent to co-operate on
  resolving technical and production issues at the remote factory.
  A compact 3D representation of the total organisation will be
  generated on the screen of the desktop computer.  Users will be able
  to move round this visualisation to locate individuals and sources of
  expertise at the remote sites.  The system will then integrate video
  windows and computer based data into this virtual world while setting
  up a conference call to the participants.

  The other pilot service will be based in the textile and clothing
  industry to allow co-operation between a number of small and
  medium enterprises involved in the design and manufacture of
  fashion garments.  This application will be part of Nottinghamshire
  County Council's programme to support industry in its area and to
  provide competitive advantage to its users.

  Designers will be able to use virtual reality techniques to create a
  visualisation of a garment.  The designer will be able to discuss the
  design with remote buyers who will also be able to see the garment
  being worn by a model on a 'virtual catwalk'.  Users will be able to
  make changes and view the effects during their discussions and,
  once agreement has been reached, the details of the design will be
  transferred immediately to the factory for manufacture.  The work on
  this application will be supported by a consultant to the project based
  at Nottingham Trent University who will provide expertise on
  computer support and visualisation techniques in garment design

  Both BT and GPT Ltd will be involved in developing the
  telecommunications aspects of the project.  GPT's contribution will
  also be supported by GEC Marconi Hirst Research Laboratories which
  has considerable experience in virtual reality applications.

  NOTES TO EDITORS:  VIRTUOSI is a project within the DTI/SERC
  Computer Supported Co-operative work (CSCW) programme.  Its aim
  is to promote research into the use of computer systems to support
  groups of people working together in industry or commerce.  Virtuosi
  is one of eight projects selected for the programme.  The total budget
  for the project, which will run for three years, is in the order of u2.5m,
  with a government contribution from DTI and SERC of about u1m.

  The organisations that form the project consortium are British
  Telecommunications plc (the lead partner on the project), BICC plc,
  Division Ltd, GPT Ltd, The University of Lancaster, The University of
  Manchester, and The University of Nottingham.

  Note: Photographs representative of the goals of the project are
  available.

-- End of excerpt from Pierre duPont
*******************************************************************************


3******************************************************************************
On Aug 12,  2:44pm, Suely D. Fragoso wrote:
Subject: Re: Survey on Networked VR
  Extracted from our last communication
      Subject: Re: Survey on Networked VR
      I'm developing a Ph.D. research about Interactive Narrations as
      entertainment systems (not games in the traditional sense) in
      intersemiotic, visually-based media (mainly Interactive Video). This led
      me to multimedia systems in general and, of course, to VR as the
      ultimate interactive pattern. The entertainment interaction that has
      been developed in networked VRs (better to specify I'm talking about
      MOOs and MUDs) revelead to be particularly interesting.
      As I am working with Interactive Systems to entertainment, I know my
      research is related to other projects from Philips. Feel free to
      contact me in the address below.
     -- End of excerpt from Suely D. Fragoso

My (Vassilis) reply:
>>    Can you give me more details/pointers on your work?
>>    Be more specific on the networked side of VR if possible.
>>    By the way what's MOOs and MUDs ?

and the answer:

  Dear Vassilis

  Unhappilly I cannot send you many details on my work right now, as I
  am in the very beginning of my research, and I have to be very carefull
  about copyright matters.
  The interactive artefacts I am proposing could be available through
  network as well as distributed in CDs. They do not require any new
  technical hardware or pattern, but the same as any interactive system
  in the market. The innovations concentrate in the narrative framework I
  propose. These artefacts are not Virtual Reality  themselves, but lead
  me to research  in the field as I said before.
  The concept of VR is often considered large enough to include
  non-immersive systems. It depends on the definition of VR you choose
  to work with.
  The power of non-immersive, text-based fully-mediated VR is clear in
  the uses of M**s. MOOs and MUDs are text-based virtual reality systems
  that run in the Internet. I would suggest you to have a look in the URL
  http://www.ccs.neu.edu/USER/lpb/muddex for a series of information
  related to M**s. The enclosed article Village Voice, from Julian Dibbel,
  can be a good starting point to the subject.
  I also suggest you to make contact with the UK VRSIG (United Kingdom
  Virtual Reality Special Interest Group), whose mail list is administered
  by Sean Clark, email  <[e-mail] . A very active member of
  the UKVRSIG, Chris Hand can be someone you would like to contact as
  well: <[e-mail] .
  A previous look in Chris Hand's page in the WWW would help you to
  know more about the UKVRSIG, M**s and C
  Suely Fragoso
  Institute of Communications Studies
  The University of Leeds
  Leeds    LS2  9JT
  England
  Phone [phone]
  FAX [phone]
  email <[e-mail]
        <[e-mail]
        <[e-mail]
-- End of excerpt from Suely D. Fragoso
*******************************************************************************

4******************************************************************************
On Aug 12,  6:22pm, Robert Jacobson wrote:
  Subject: Re: MISC: Survey on Networked VR

  With your permission, I will crosspost your inquiry to sci.virtual-worlds.
  apps, the newsgroup I comoderate -- we have slightly more professionals as
  readers than does sci.virtual-worlds

  Thank you.

  Bob Jacobson
  CoModerator
  sci.virtual-worlds.apps

  PS I'll send information about Worldesign Inc.  We're involved in organiz-
  ing televirtual applications.
-- End of excerpt from Robert Jacobson
*******************************************************************************



5******************************************************************************
On Aug 13,  6:50am, [e-mail] wrote:
  Subject: Re: MISC: Survey on Networked VR
  In article <32gaj8$[e-mail]  you write:
   I'm trying to collect details of people/establishments that are
   working/interested in Networked Virtual Reality.

  We're doing some work here at the University of Waterloo on protocols for
  sharing virtual worlds over networks.  I'm about to go on holidays, but you
  should contact Rick Kazman ([e-mail]) for more info.

  --
      Bernie Roehl
          University of Waterloo Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering
      Mail: [e-mail]
      Voice:  [phone] x 2607 [work]
 -- End of excerpt from [e-mail]
*******************************************************************************


6******************************************************************************
On Sep 14,  1:35am, Bryan Salt wrote:
  Subject: Re: MISC: Survey on Networked VR

  Thought I'd drop you a line, since I'm local. I'm currently working
  on a five network system for an ITV kids program, "Virtually
  Impossible". If your interested drop me a line.

  Bryan Salt,
  Guildford.

-- End of excerpt from Bryan Salt
*******************************************************************************


7******************************************************************************
On Aug 15,  2:58pm, [e-mail] wrote:
  Subject: survey
  Hi there,

  I saw your post on sci.virtual-worlds. What kind of questions did you need
  answered for your survey?

  until again,
  Roe R. Adams, III KTJ
  Tokyo

My (Vassilis) reply:
>> Mainly I'm interested to find out if there is any other work on Networked VR
>> apart from DIS. The survey will help me to evaluate not only the potential
>> of a networked VR but also its feasibility for a home entertainment system.
>> (Remember Philips is a consumer electronics company!!)
>> From that point of view I welcome any suggestion/information.

and the answer:

  <grin  well, that is my point of view also! The problem is that I am
  currently building such a system for one of Philips's major competitors
  over here and so it would undoubtedly cause a big ruckus if I shared that
  kind of info with you (alas for nondisclosures and lawyers). Would be happy
  to discuss "general theory" with you anytime.

  until again,
  Roe
  Tokyo

-- End of excerpt from [e-mail]
*******************************************************************************


8******************************************************************************
On Aug 15, 12:44pm, Jonathan Pugh wrote:
  Subject: Re: TELEVIRTUALITY: Survey on Networked VR

  I am currently doing my honours thesis on Multi-User Networked Virtual
  Reality and hope to continue the work in a masters course. The three major
  topics I am convering include "Inter-World Navigation", "Data Structures"
  and "Concurrency".

  My focus is on ultimately creating a machine and interface independant
  scalable protocol for personal computers assuming a low communications
  bandwidth, unpredictable network delay times. Object 'behaviours' are used
  extensively out of necesity to reduce network communication, and introduce
  interesting concurrency issues.

  Other contacts for your survey may include:

      Jeremy Lee, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia (16 July, 1992)
      [e-mail]

      WAVES, A proposed protocol for shared virtual worlds, (1994)
      Bernie Roehl        [e-mail]
      Rick Kazman         [e-mail]
      Alain M. Gaudrault  [e-mail]

  I would be interested in the results of your survey.

  Thanks,

  Jonathan Pugh
  [e-mail]
 -- End of excerpt from Jonathan Pugh
*******************************************************************************


9******************************************************************************
On Aug 15,  8:29am, [e-mail] wrote:
Subject: Re: MISC: Survey on Networked VR

Computer Science House, at the Rochester Institute of Technology, in Rochester,
NY has been working for three years on the VR: Learning Systems Development
project.  It is a multi-user, distributed VR environment (Networked VR).  The
project was originally implemented in C and demonstrated at the Montage trade
show in Rochester New York.  Since then it has evolved to C++, and is currently
entering its third revision.  Expected Beta release for the third revision
libraries is late October, with a full release early in 1995.

The system design revolves around flexibility and readibility.  It will be
released into the public domain upon completion and will be compatible across
many platforms.  (It is being developed on Linux PCs, VAX systems, and Sparcs).
The current implementation is sever/client based, but the upcomming revision
will include broadcast and multicasting technology.

I would appreciate a CC: of responses that you get.  I am currently compiling a
distributed VR faq, and am thinking about starting a distributed VR mailing list
this fall.

             -Eric Van Hensbergen

 -- End of excerpt from [e-mail]
*******************************************************************************


10*****************************************************************************
>From [e-mail] Mon Aug 15 13:44:11 1994
From: Michael Rygol <[e-mail]
Subject: Re: Survey on Networked VR

Hi.

You recently asked for information regading projects or parties
interested in networked VR.

Division Ltd. is part of a multi-partner project named Virtuosi. This
is a DTI-funded project within the CSCW umbrella. Other partners are
BT Labs, GPT, GEC, BICC and the Universities of Manchester,
Nottingham, Nottingham Trent and Lancaster.

Virtuosi is investigating the use of VR technology to support co-
operative business operations across wide area networks.

For further information you should contact Alastair Rogers at BT. His
email address is [e-mail].

Best regards,

Michael Rygol


Michael Rygol                    Division Limited
                                 19 Apex Court, Woodlands
                                 Bristol BS12 4JT, UK
                                 Tel: [phone]
                                 Fax: [phone]
                                 Email: [e-mail]
*******************************************************************************


11*****************************************************************************
From: Philip Van Nedervelde <[e-mail]
Subject: TELEVIRTUALITY: Survey on Networked VR

Dear Dr. Seferidis:

Less than two weeks ago, PVN (my company) has just completed a very extensive



survey on Networked VR, i.e. the global field and emerging market of shared,
on-line 3D graphical Virtual Environments.

Think of the recent Esther Dyson Report on the subject and multiply
that by at least 20. That should give you an idea of the kind and
amount of information and insights we have compiled. I think it fair
to say that, besides being an actor in the field itself, PVN presently
is probably one of the (if not *the*) best informed and best
documented organisations around with regard to this field.

Project descriptions, contact information, software demos, elaborate
(evaluation) experience with prototypes and existing systems, videos,
still images (screen shots etc.)... You name it, we have it. (Or we
know where to get it.)

I take it that you would like to discuss how we could work together so
as to leverage this knowledge and documentation to the benefit of your
activities and plans. I think that considering the complexity of the
matter, we had better talk about this on the phone. You can reach me
from 9 am to 11 pm at number [phone].


Philippe Van Nedervelde
PVN Media Technology Expertise
*******************************************************************************


12*****************************************************************************
>From [e-mail] Mon Aug 15 22:28:12 1994
From: [e-mail] (Warren J. Katz)
Subject: VR-Link

Vassilis,

I noticed your query about networked VR and thought you should know
about our product.  We've been selling VR-Link for about 2 years, and
it's currently the most widely used simulation networking package in
the world.  It also helps to be the only one available.  We currently
sell mostly to the military for networked combat simulation, but we
are starting to sell into the networked VR and entertainment business
areas as well.  We have several customers in the UK, as well as a
distributor (Transformation Software in Oxfordshire).  You should be
able to get a demo from them or an eval copy.  Contact Nick Fusco at
844-217947.

If you have any more specific questions please feel free to ask.  We
also do a great deal of research in protocol extensions to DIS for VR
interactions.

-Warren Katz

MaK Technologies
380 Green Street, Cambridge, MA  02139
Point of Contact: Ben Lubetsky, [phone] x11
[e-mail], [e-mail]

VR-Link (TM) is an application programmer's software toolkit which
enables networking of distributed simulations and Virtual Reality
systems.  The toolkit is compliant with the U.S. Department of
Defense's Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Protocol, enabling
multiple participants to interact in real-time via low bandwidth
network connections.  Potential beneficiaries of this product are:

    Simulator Manufacturers: Companies seeking a competetive advantage in
    cost, schedule, and technical capability will use VR-Link (TM) instead
    of incurring the cost, risk, and schedule delay of supporting an
    in-house DIS capability.  Being a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
    product, VR-Link (TM) is not subject to 2167A requirements.

    Government Agencies: Existing simulators can provide future utility
    and greater return on investment by upgrading to network
    compatability.  VR-Link (TM) was specifically designed to allow easy
    integration with existing simulators.

    Game Makers and Virtual Reality System Designers: VR-Link (TM)
    provides entertainment system developers with a powerful new paradigm
    to greatly enrich the experiences provided to users.  Multiplayer
    man-against-man scenarios will add a whole new dimension to games and
    educational products, making them much more engrossing than current
    stand-alone offerings.

PLATFORMS
---------
VR-Link(TM) is now available on the following platforms:
SGI IRIX 4
SGI IRIX 5
SUN OS 4.X
Concurrent
GT100 GTOS(TM)

VR-Link(TM) will soon be available on the following platforms:
SUN Solaris(TM)
PC Microsoft(TM) compiler
PC Borland(TM) compiler
DEC OSF(TM)
HP TAC-3


STEALTH OBSERVATION PLATFORM
----------------------------

MaK Technologies' VR-Link(TM) based Stealth Observation Platform
allows users to view the virtual DIS battlefield.  The Stealth
is available for any Silicon Graphics workstation that is capable of
running SGI's Performer software.  Included with the Stealth are a
terrain database of Hunter-Liggett and a set of vehicle models.

DATA LOGGER
-----------

MaK Technologies' VR-Link(TM) based Data Logger records and plays
DIS packets from the network.  Useful for demonstrations, debugging,
and after action review, the Data Logger is available on all of our
supported platforms.  A X/Motif(TM) based interface is provided on
compatable workstations which allows non-real time playback of DIS
exercises.

PACKET SERVER
-------------

Also available from MaK Technologies is the VR-Link(TM) Packet Server.
The Packet Server allows multiple VR-Link(TM) based applications to
run concurrently on one workstation.  Users save on hardware costs,
since fewer machines are needed to run the same number of
applications.  Development and debugging are made easier by running
debugging tools along with new applications.  The Packet Server allows
users to maximize the utility of their multi-processor machines.  The
Packet Server is available on all platforms that support
multi-tasking.



VR-Link(TM) Volume Discount Schedule
------------------------------------

Scope
-----

This schedule is valid as of March 1, 1994, and supersedes all
earlier versions.  This is the retail price list for volume quantities
of the VR-Link(TM) networking toolkit.  These prices are subject to
change without notice, are only good within the U.S.  Refer to our
International Volume Discount Schedule for sales outside the U.S.

VR-Link(TM) is a library of C++ classes and functions which allow
an application programmer to connect simulations and Virtual Reality
applications on a network.  It adheres to the U.S. Department of
Defense's Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol.

CPU License
-----------

VR-Link(TM) and all other MaK products are licensed for use on a
single computer by a single user.  The license is non-exclusive, and
licensee may not reproduce, modify, enhance, distribute, sell, lease,
or sublicense the software.

There is no distinction between development licenses and runtime
licenses for VR-Link(TM).  Executable software created with the
VR-Link(TM) libraries may only be run on the computer that
VR-Link(TM) is licensed for.  Duplications of any software
incorporating any component of VR-Link(TM) will incur additional
licensing fees.  The following schedule gives the prices for
VR-Link(TM) licenses.

Ninety days of technical support are included with a VR-Link(TM)
purchase.  Annual maintenance, which includes technical support and
software upgrades is 25% per year of the total purchase price, and
starts upon the recipt of the Purchase Order.

Part #VRL-TK
Number of Licenses     Price per License
------------------    -----------------
2-10            $2,000
11-20            $1,500
21-50            $1,250
51-100            $1,000
100+            Call

The following application software products, based on VR-Link(TM),
are also available:

Part #    Product                Price per License
------    -------                -----------------
VRL-ST    Stealth Observation Vehicle    $1000
VRL-DL    Data Logger            $1000
VRL-S3    Packet Server(1-3 Connections)    $4000
VRL-SN    Packet Server(4+ Connections)    $7000

All of these products can only be used on a machine already licensed
for VR-Link(TM).  The Stealth is available on all Performer(TM)
compatable Silicon Graphics(TM) workstations, and requires the
Performer(TM) product.  Performer(TM) is a SGI visual simulation
software product.

When ordering please specify hardware, OS, compiler, and either 4mm
DAT or 1/4" QIC 150.

Educational Discount

MaK offers discounts on its products to accredited educational
institutions.  Please call for details.
*******************************************************************************

13*****************************************************************************

Subject: Re: MISC: Survey on Networked VR
From: [e-mail] (Phil Smythe)

We have a number of people at BT laboratories who are interested in
and/or working on Networked VR.   Individual projects include those
looking at education, shopping, games, medicine, teleconferencing,
co-operative work, visualisation of networks and access for people with
disabilities.   I am doing some work in the latter area.


|   Phil Smythe, Human Factors Unit, BT Laboratories, Ipwsich, UK   |
|"fifty nine cents gets you a good square meal Ph:[phone] |
| from the people who care how you feel"                   -Blur    |

*******************************************************************************


14*****************************************************************************
From: "Professor Michael J. Zyda" <[e-mail]>
Subject: NPSNET Research Group

PRESENCE Vol. 3, No 4 and Vol 4, No 2 are the special issues on networked
virtual environments.

     3.4 is at the printers. 4.2 is on its way.

     mz

NPSNET Papers & Mosaic & Anonymous ftp

The NPSNET Research Group has a Mosaic Home Page.
We are placing all our NPSNET papers there in Postscript.
See:

file://taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil/pub/NPSNET_MOSAIC/npsnet_mosaic.html

The most common Mosaic error/complaint I receive is that our
machine is not accessible or that Mosaic has generated an error.
ALL of these complaints so far have been people starting the
above line with http: instead of file: as listed above.
TYPE IT AS ABOVE. BETTER YET, COPY THE ABOVE LINE WITH
YOUR MOUSE AND PASTE IT INTO THE OPEN URL DIALOGUE BOX.

If you don't have Mosaic, get it. Its available via anonymous ftp
from ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu for most flavors of machine. Mosaic is
THE interface to the InfoBahn. Don't be left homeless without it.

If you still persist in not getting Mosaic, our papers are available
via anonymous ftp. They are Postscript files on machine:

     taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil

In directory: pub/NPSNET_MOSAIC

     Michael Zyda
     [e-mail]

*******************************************************************************


15*****************************************************************************

From: [e-mail] (Jonathan Pugh)
Subject: Re: TELEVIRTUALITY: Jonathan Pugh

>On Aug 15, 12:44pm, Jonathan Pugh wrote:
>>
>> I am currently doing my honours thesis on Multi-User Networked Virtual
>> Reality and hope to continue the work in a masters course. The three major
>> topics I am convering include "Inter-World Navigation", "Data Structures"
>> and "Concurrency".
>>
>> My focus is on ultimately creating a machine and interface independant
>> scalable protocol for personal computers assuming a low communications
>> bandwidth, unpredictable network delay times. Object 'behaviours' are used
>> extensively out of necesity to reduce network communication, and introduce
>> interesting concurrency issues.

************************************************************
End of post