From: andrew@dgbt.uucp (Andrew Patrick DGBT/DBR)
Subject: Re: telecommunications
Date: 1 Mar 90 17:19:19 GMT
Message-ID: <1364@dgbt.uucp>
Organization: The Communications Research Centre, Ottawa, CANADA


In article <16386@well.sf.ca.us> 70117.2546@CompuServe.COM (Frank Dunn) writes:
>I'm wondering if we could start a discussion on applications of
>virtual-worlds technology in the telecommunications industry. 
...

This is a topic we have been discussing around here lately.  In
particular, we have been thinking about the role that broadcasters
might play in virtual-world services.  Consider the following situation:

A broadcaster arranges to provide 'virtual world' coverage of a major
event -- say, the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa
(or the fighting in Lebanon).  First, the broadcaster would collect
'stock' images and models of the physical layout, and some standard
interactions (e.g., imformation bases).  The broadcaster might also
'create' some virtual characters that can be used later, such as notable
historical figures.

On the day of the event, the broadcaster would setup a number of live
cameras etc. to transmit the events as they happen.

For the viewer (user) of this virtual-world broadcast, there would be
the capability of interacting with and moving about the live images,
as well as using the 'stock' information and historical characters.

There are obvious questions about how that much information could be
transmitted during the event, but it is not impossible.  The 'stock'
information could be transparently transmitted to the users and stored
before the event takes place.  Thus, only the 'live' information need
be broadcast during the event, and there are already broadcasters
using multiple channels to cover the same event, with the user being
able to select amoung the different 'views'.   

What we are really lacking is the capability of 'integrating'
information that is stored locally with that coming in live.  Also, we
are missing the human interface component that makes this interesting,
and easy to use.  That's were the virtual-reality devices come into
play.  Finally, at most importantly, we need to know what people want.
That is, we need to know what value systems like this will have for
people, and what they will be willing to pay for.

So much to do...


-- 
Andrew Patrick, Ph.D.         |  andrew@dgbt.crc.dnd.ca
  (613) 990-4675              |  ...utzoo!lsuc!nrcaer!dgbt!andrew
Communications Canada, Ottawa |  andrew@doccrc.BITNET
          "Was that cannon fire, or is it my heart pounding?"