This dissertation argues that application-level messaging in virtual worlds must have five properties to enable scalability while avoiding the undesirable limitations of existing systems: recipient selection, minimum quality of service, graceful degradation, fine-grained multiplexing and high utilization. To address these issues, the Sirikata system architecture, a new virtual world back-end system, was developed that achieves these five properties. Sirikata's key insight is to leverage the geometric nature of virtual worlds by applying a physical metaphor to communication. Object communication follows an inverse square law, behaving similarly to point-source radio transmitters and receivers. The theoretical scalability results are proven, and some valid approximations are investigated. Then an implementation of a message forwarder that supports a large number of objects and prioritizes traffic using such an inverse square falloff is introduced. Evaluations of Sirikata show that it satisfies the stated requirements, performs better than current virtual worlds, and can closely follow the real-world radio communication analogy. Finally, a range of sample application demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Each sample application is coded in the world and studied when the system is loaded.

Art and Technology of Entertainment Computing and Communication takes a blue sky research perspective on the field of interactive media for entertainment computing. Adrian David Cheok argues that entertainment as an end-product is useful for interactive play, however it is also a powerful tool for learning and communication and it is also a key driver for the development of information technology. This book explores the future of entertainment technologies used for communication and describes quantum step research. It will inform and inspire readers to create their own radical inventions and innovations that are not incremental, but which break through ideas and non-obvious solutions. One of the main explorations is the examination of how new forms of computer interaction can lead to radical new forms of technology and art for entertainment computing. Art and Technology of Entertainment Computing and Communication is an informative and inspirational text for students and the next generation of researchers. It’s main aim is to provide information that will hopefully help change the world and society for the better, through new modes of entertainment and communication. Academics, researchers, engineers, game designers, and interaction designers, will find the content both interesting and valuable. Entertainment is the "engine" to inspire people and drive innovation in interactive digital media design. The pioneer of the field, Prof. Adrian David Cheok, takes you on an exciting tour of the future shaped by the Entertainment Technologies. Hiroshi ISHII, Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Media Arts and Sciences, MIT Media Laboratory.

Technological advances of the past decades have allowed organizations of all sizes to use information technology in all aspects of organizational management. This book presents more than 200 papers that address this growing corporate phenomena.

This SAGE Handbook brings together cutting edge social scientific research and theoretical insight into the emerging contours of digital society. Chapters explore the relationship between digitisation, social organisation and social transformation at both the macro and micro level, making this a valuable resource for postgraduate students and academics conducting research across the social sciences. The topics covered are impressively far-ranging and timely, including machine learning, social media, surveillance, misinformation, digital labour, and beyond. This innovative Handbook perfectly captures the state of the art of a field which is rapidly gaining cross-disciplinary interest and global importance, and establishes a thematic framework for future teaching and research. Part 1: Theorising Digital Societies Part 2: Researching Digital Societies Part 3: Sociotechnical Systems and Disruptive Technologies in Action Part 4: Digital Society and New Social Dilemmas Part 5: Governance and Regulation Part 6: Digital Futures

Within the growing world of social media and computer technology, it is important to facilitate collaborative knowledge building through the utilization of visual literacy, decision-making, abstract thinking, and creativity in the application of scientific teaching. Visual Approaches to Cognitive Education With Technology Integration is a critical scholarly resource that presents discussions on cognitive education pertaining to particular scientific fields, music, digital art, programming, computer graphics, and new media. Highlighting relevant topics such as educational visualization, art and technology integration, online learning, and multimedia technology, this book is geared towards educators, students, and researchers seeking current research on the integration of new visual education methods and technologies.

We live in a wired world where 24/7 digital connectivity is increasingly the norm. Christian megachurch communities often embrace this reality wholeheartedly while more traditional churches often seem hesitant and overwhelmed by the need for an interactive website, a Facebook page and a twitter feed. This book accepts digital connectivity as our reality, but presents a vision of how faith communities can utilize technology to better be the body of Christ to those who are hurting while also helping followers of Christ think critically about the limits of our digital attachments. This book begins with a conversion story of a non-cell phone owning, non-Facebook using religion professor judgmental of the ability of digital tools to enhance relationships. A stage IV cancer diagnosis later, in the midst of being held up by virtual communities of support, a conversion occurs: this religion professor benefits in embodied ways from virtual sources and wants to convert others to the reality that the body of Christ can and does exist virtually and makes embodied difference in the lives of those who are hurting. The book neither uncritically embraces nor rejects the constant digital connectivity present in our lives. Rather it calls on the church to a) recognize ways in which digital social networks already enact the virtual body of Christ; b) tap into and expand how Christ is being experienced virtually; c) embrace thoughtfully the material effects of our new augmented reality, and c) influence utilization of technology that minimizes distraction and maximizes attentiveness toward God and the world God loves.