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From: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: so called cyberspace conferences
Message-ID: <12915@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 13 Dec 90 04:24:54 GMT
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This presumes, of course, that the field wants standards.  While
it is true that some of us are working toward that end, cooperation
in the field is by no means assured.  And this is still while the
field is occupied by mostly researchers.  What happens when the big
companies get in?  One would hope that the spirit of cooperation
which is so often expressed among gatherings of researchers in
the field (and which is more often than not sincerely held) would
become manifest soon and create an ethos of cooperation that can
be sustained when the technology reaches adulthood.
 
The conferences do serve a purpose, to open people's minds to the
possibilities inherent in virtual worlds technology.  Please note,
also, that our Lab is sponsoring an industry symposium intended
to have concrete results like those you ask for, David, and that
there have been more "serious" discussions at SIGCHI and SIGGRAPH.

However, a professional association or working group must
inevitably form.  The means for it are being assembled.  Be
patient and stop plunking down $500 if you've heard the general
rap already, IMHO.

Bob Jacobson
HIT Lab
(replacing moderator cap)