From: dove@well.sf.ca.us (Rick Dove) Subject: CONF: Agent-Based Systems Representation in VR World, Santa Fe Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1992 03:12:26 GMT Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link CHAOS/COMPLEX SYSTEMS CONFERENCE (A MINGLING OF AUTONOMOUS AGENTS) LA FONDA HOTEL, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO, 800-523-5002 DECEMBER 2,3 AND 4 (Wed-Thu-Fri) I'm posting this information because I think people here might be interested in this very informal get together focused on Complex Non- Linear/Agent-Based Systems. No formal presentations are planned. However, people are volunteering to lead discussion groups. And many also plan to enjoy the Taos/Santa Fe skiing and ambiance on the weekend. The instigator for this activity is Dick Morley (president/founder of Flavors Technology, previously technical founder of Modicon) - so a number of the people coming are involved in applying agent-based architectures to production control systems. I plan to lead a discussion on Virtual Reality and how one might represent agent-based systems in that media if the goal is to educate people to the benefits and the structural concepts. This is motivated by a real project that will be aimed at educating manufacturing plant managers - but the discussion will be less focused so we can really explore ways to represent generalized agent-based systems in this unique medium. Since we are representing abstract and intangable concepts, nobody has a physical reference model that we must conform to. Thus, we can freely explore ways to visually represent, physically navigate through, and provide interaction with, a world of cyberspace stuff. So - we will have to identify the key elements of agent based systems that provide benefit as a start - and then describe a world that will be unforgettable and understandable to those who enter it. Other people will lead other discussions related to agent based and non- linear dynamic systems. You can lead one too if you wish. There are no rules and not much organization. Currently stated discussion groups include: - Autonomous Cells/Agents in Complex Systems - Optimization of Non-Linear Dynamic Systems - Optimization of Autonomous Agent-Based Complex Systems - Representations of Autonomous-Agent Systems in Virtual Reality - Negotiation-based modes of interaction between AA's The conference may be as small as a dozen or so people - maybe a few dozen - but the expectation is small, intimate, relaxed, and highly creative. The intention is to get together every day from 9:00-12:00, and then again from 1:30-3:00, as a minimum. Those who get intense may meet more intensely. Whatever you want. A mingling of Autonomous Agents. What a way to start December - that magical month of reflection, recharging, and replanning. Registration is $55. Cheap. You can get a lot more detail FAXed to you if you need it. Jennifer Close will do this. She'll also take your registration. She's at Flavors Technology at 603-672-2438. I am at 510- 652-7528 in Piedmont, California (Bay Area) if you want to talk. When I'm here, I'm here from 5:00am on.