Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!mintaka!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!milton!steve@titan.tsd.arlut.utexas.edu From: steve@titan.tsd.arlut.utexas.edu (Steve Glicker) Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: Re: what is a virtual reality ? Message-ID: Date: 3 Jul 90 23:47:45 GMT References: <23731@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu Organization: Applied Research Labs, The University of Texas at Austin Lines: 40 Approved: hitl@hardy.u.washington.edu Posted-Date: 3 Jul 90 23:47:45 GMT In article <23731@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> fishwick@fish.cis.ufl.edu (Paul Fishwick) writes: >From: peterl@ibmpcug.co.uk (Peter Leaback) Message-ID: <9006221738.AA20908@ibmpcug.CO.UK> >>What is the difference between a virtual reality and a simulation? A good question. >>My answer is consistency. ??? >>A stick model of a water molecule is a simulation of a real water >>molecule, but if you jump into a swimming pool full of stick water >>molecules, you won't get wet. The stick water molecules have many >>inconsistances compared to real molecules, so when one trys to interact >>the stick molecules with real ones, you have problems. >>But if a man made up of stick model molecules jumps into that same >>swimming pool, he WILL get wet. Simulations are usually intended for a purpose. Stick water molecules are not intended for this purpose. This example simply illustrates the incorrect use of stick water molecules. The stick water molecule is not invalid for its intended purpose. Is is usually not wise to examine a simulation model without regard to its purpose. > Simulation and virtual reality are not at odds I agree. -- Steven Glicker Applied Research Laboratories The University of Texas at Austin (steve@titan.tsd.arlut.utexas.edu)