From: jwt!bbs-airwick@peora.sdc.ccur.com (Eric Van Hensbergen)
Subject: STANDARDS: My Two Cents
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1992 23:44:10 GMT
Organization: The Matrix



It seems that everyone is posting their own idea of what a "standard" VR
protocol should be.  They all say its up for discussion, but then follow that
work on software has already begun or that the first version will be 
available in a few weeks.
	If any general compromise is going to be made, it seems integral that
we do not lay down standards for discussion while programming systems based
on these just proposed standards.  So in light of this - I have a proposal
of my own to make - but it is not a standard or software.
    ---------------
	Recognizing the need for a generally recognized standard in Virtual
Reality systems programming for the purpose of a cooperative effort, and
understanding that everyone has valuable input to contribute to the standard
I propose the formation of a VR Standards Committee made up of interested
members on this newsgroup.

	Specifics:

   Need:
    1) There exists a need for a standard so that software created by
       different parties can interact with eachother on a network level.
    2) Without this general standard - there will only be an environment of
       chaos with everyone chasing their own dreams - and the reality of a
       truly networked VR system will be cast far into the future.
    3) With a standard and cooperative work, the software development goals
       talked about in this and other newsgroups will reach completion much
       sooner than in a chaotic environment

   Who:
       Although the technical philosiphers (who talk a great deal more than
	they program) have a signifigant contribution, I think the committee
	should mostly be made up of those who are actually going to 
	program the servers and applications for the environment. 
       Realizing that the sooner a standard has software which follows it,
	the sooner the standard will take hold - I think a standard made
	by the programmers who will use it is common sense.

   How:
	It seems the facilities of this newsgroup would provide an excellent
	ground for the discussion of standards under the subject prefix
	"STANDARDS:".  If the volume of messages got to be too much - I
	suppose we could even form a sub-news group.
	If we wanted to get really formal - we could even sectionalize into
	specific committees which would cover specific aspects of the
	standard according to everyone's specialty.
        After a reasonable standard has been completed - release of a formated
	nroff/ms and normal text copy of the standard will be made publically
	available over recognized VR FTP sites.   
	And then of course we could organize the founders of the standard into
	a nationwide programming group to work on specific areas of the 
	project.

   Questionaire:
	As the only phase of implementation of this proposal - IF you are
	interested in this proposal and intrested in forming a standards
	committee send mail to [airwick@nick.csh.rit.edu] (My usual Email
	address) with the following information:
		Name
		Organization & Position
		Area of Interest
		Developer? (Programmer)
		Hardware you wish to develop for
		VR Hardware accessable to you

	Of course this is open to discussion.  Get back to me Email or here
	in the newsgroup.  I just think its time we got together to get some
	solid work done.

------------------------------
Eric Van Hensbergen
VR Learning Systems Development
Computer Science House
Rochester Institute of Technology
airwick@nick.csh.rit.edu
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