Virtual Reality and the Exploration of Cyberspace is an introduction that covers not only the nuts and bolts of this emerging technology but also seeks to provide context by examining the social, political, and business implications of virtual reality. The two disks include virtual reality shareware and demos.

The digital story from the early days of computers to virtual reality and the world wide web is told in this exciting new book. The life-saving applications of computer simulation in flight, battle and hazardous environments are explored as are computer arts in the fields of film, graphic arts, and games and entertainment.

Here is the first integrated approach to the design of virtual environments. Through examples of the pioneering work of designers from all over the world, this innovative guide shows architects, designers, and programmers how to create the landmarks and context of cyberspace--and possibilities in this field for the future. 105 illustrations, 30 in color.

Superblack, superblock, supercase, superquadric, supersampling, superred, supergreen, and superblue are just a few of the words which make up the language of computer graphics. This new edition of a widely acclaimed dictionary provides a guide to this fast-moving subject for both relative novices and professionals working in the field. The main changes have been to add new terminology relating to virtual reality and the related topics of robotics and networked simulation. This dictionary covers the software, hardware, and applications of computer graphics and contains hundreds of terms not found elsewhere. Definitions are clear and concise, with special attention given to alternate spellings and meanings. Acronyms are decoded, and pronunciation of the seemingly unpronounceable is given, from WYSIWYG (whizzy-wig) to NAPLPS (nap-lips).

This edition of this handbook updates and expands its review of the research, theory, issues and methodology that constitute the field of educational communications and technology. Organized into seven sectors, it profiles and integrates the following elements of this rapidly changing field.

Cyberspace may seem an unlikely gateway for the soul, but as science commentator Wertheim argues in this "wonderfully provocative" ("Kirkus Reviews") book, cyberspace has in recent years become a repository for immense spiritual yearning. 37 illustrations.

Needing guidance and seeking insight, the Council of Europe approached Pierre Lévy, one of the world's most important and well-respected theorists of digital culture, for a report on the state (and, frankly, the nature) of cyberspace. The result is this extraordinary document, a perfectly lucid and accessible description of cyberspace-from infrastructure to practical applications-along with an inspired, far-reaching exploration of its ramifications. A window on the digital world for the technologically timid, the book also offers a brilliant vision of the philosophical and social realities and possibilities of cyberspace for the adept and novice alike. In an overview, Lévy discusses the distinguishing features of cyberspace and cyberculture from anthropological, philosophical, cultural, and sociological points of view. An optimist about the future potential of cyberspace, he eloquently argues that technology-and specifically the infrastructure of cyberspace, the Internet-can have a transformative effect on global society. Some of the issues he takes up are new art forms; changes in relationships to knowledge, education, and training; the preservation of linguistic and cultural differences; the emergence and implications of collective intelligence; the problems of social exclusion; and the impact of new technology on the city and democracy in general. In considerable detail, Lévy describes the ways in which cyberspace will help promote the growth of democracy, primarily through the participation of individuals or groups. His analysis is enlivened by his own personal impressions of cyberculture-garnered from bulletin boards, mailing lists, virtual reality demonstrations, andsimulations. Immediate in its details, visionary in its scope, deeply informed yet free of unnecessary technical language, Cyberculture is the book we require in our digital age. --Publisher.