"Beginning with
an understanding of virtual reality as an imaginative experience and
thus a cultural construct rather than a technical construction, this
thesis discusses cultural and social issues raised by interaction
on 'MUDs', which are text-based virtual reality systems run on the
international computer network known as the Internet." --Elizabeth
Reid
Cybersociology is a non-profit multi-disciplinary webzine dedicated
to the critical discussion of the internet, cyberspace, cyberculture
and life online.
By Carl E Loeffler.
This text addresses virtual reality and how can it be networked to
support multiple-user immersion environments, joined over long distance.
A chapter from
Michael Heim's book The Metaphysics of Virtual Reality. "The
pioneers present us with at least seven divergent concepts currently
guiding VR research. The different views have built camps that fervently
disagree as to what constitutes virtual reality."
N. Katherine Hayles. Configurations: a journal of literature,
science, and technology (Soc. for Literature and Science;
Georgia Inst. of Technology) (Baltimore, MD) (10:2) [Spring 2002]
, p.297-320.
Kristine L. Nowak. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication 9:2, January
2004. "This project examined how information provided in virtual worlds influences
social judgment. It specifically tested the influence of anthropomorphism
and agency on the level of uncertainty and social judgment, using a between-subjects
experimental design"
Krikorian, Lee, Chick & Harms in the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication
5:4, June 2000. "This article examines the spatial relationships between
avatars (i.e., graphical identities or icons) over time in a 2-dimensional
online chat environment. "
Lanier is probably
best known for his work in Virtual Reality. He coined the term 'Virtual
Reality', and founded the VR industry. He started the first VR company,
VPL Research, Inc., which produced most of the world's VR equipment
for many years. He is the co-inventor of fundamental VR components
such as interface gloves and VR networking. --Lanier's bio
By Chip Morningstar
and F. Randall Farmer. This paper was presented at The First Annual
International Conference on Cyberspace in 1990. It was published in
Cyberspace: First Steps, Michael Benedikt (ed.), 1990, MIT Press,
Cambridge, Mass.
Tim Lenoir. Configurations: a journal of literature,
science, and technology (Soc. for Literature and Science; Georgia
Inst. of Technology) (Baltimore, MD) (10:2) [Spring 2002] , p.203.
Part
Two: Corporeal Axiomatics
Casey Alt. Configurations: a journal of literature, science,
and technology (Soc. for Literature and Science; Georgia Inst.
of Technology) (Baltimore, MD) (10:3) [Fall 2002] , p.387-422. "Alt
discusses the problem of the digital interface and the supposed immateriality
of computer-generated media. He focuses on the design environment
of Maya, a premier group of advanced 3-D modeling programs used by
architects, video-game artist, film animators, creators of special
effects, and designers in an increasing number of other fields. He
further explores the material affordances and constraints of the
machine interface and the sense of physical space and material logic
that emerges for artists who have learned to work within the medium"
This paper outlines
some issues to be considered in the development of hypermedia virtual
environments, in particular user interfaces and supporting architectures.
Taking webbed MOOs as a starting point, the potential for using Java
to make increase interactivity is discussed, followed by spatial issues,
subjectivity and interoperability. --Chris Hand
Articles: "Introduction
to Virtual Reality" by Leda Kanellakos, "Interview with Brenda Laurel"
by Jason Challas, "Virtual Reality Evangelist" by Loretta L. Lange
