From: "Ryk E Spoor" <resst11@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Subject: Short VR definition
Date: 28 Aug 91 06:21:56 GMT
Organization: Intrauniversal Outpost Seven



	Here we go, my definition:

	Virtual Realities: a world that is NOT the real one (i.e., not the one
in which your body resides) that you can interact with (i.e., your actions can
change that world). A VR can be more or less detailed and easier or harder to
act on depending on the medium. A book by itself is NOT a VR, but the world of
that book -- say, Middle-Earth of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings -- CAN be, 
since you can set up a representation of that world in your mind and manipulate
it through imagination (hmm, if *I* was in Frodo's fix, what would *I* do?)

	On THIS forum, VR is usually used to mean a VR that is implemented
through computer mediation. It doesn't NECESSARILY mean fancy graphics... a 
simple interactive text fantasy game will do. But the main drive of research  
nis try to create worlds that are as rich as the Real World, and thus
graphic simulation research is a Big Thing.

                                 Sea Wasp
                                   /^\
                                   ;;;