From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: W Industries Announces When and Where to Play VIRTUALITY in U.S.
Date: Sat, 21 Dec 91 19:20:00 PST



       Having tried the thing, I can report that it is technically well
done, but the "Dactyl Nightmare" application is just a shoot-em-up video
game on a bloated budget.

       One thing they got right is that the user stands on a platform
surrounded by a ring railing.  Most existing VR systems don't have a big
working envelope, and provide no indication when you're inside how
far you can move before you run out of tether.  W has dealt with this
problem by providing a physical barrier to moving very far, which you 
contact well before running of tether.  This allows the user to move
vigorously without fear of having their head yanked or breaking the
thing.  If you have a "flying" metaphor of motion, and absolute position
of the user isn't meaningful, this may be the way to go.

					John Nagle