Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ogicse!milton!hlab From: sfp@mars.ornl.gov (Phil Spelt) Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: Sensory Modalities (was Re: Japanese Symposium on Artificial Reality) Message-ID: <1991Jun21.173920.12313@milton.u.washington.edu> Date: 21 Jun 91 17:19:36 GMT References: <1991Jun21.055051.28165@milton.u.washington.edu> <1991Jun21. Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu (Human Int. Technology Lab) Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab Lines: 68 Approved: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu In article <1991Jun21.060645.375@milton.u.washington.edu> cyberoid@milton.u.wash ington.edu (Bob Jacobson) writes: >In article <1991Jun21.055051.28165@milton.u.washington.edu> dtj@sumac.cray. >com (Dean Johnson) writes [incorporating my earlier posting, in part]: > >>|> I am sure the domestic VR community would welcome Cray taking a >>|> lead in bringing the North American community together. >> >>I seriously doubt that this a possibility while "Sensory Modalities" and >>other such trivia is all the rage, and nuts-and-bolts discussions like >>"what are the hardware requirements?" are shunted to mailing lists (Hi Alan!). >>If it weren't for the powerglove being so enigmatic, there would be no >>"reality" flowing into this newsgroup, IMHO. Sorry to be so pragmatic. >> >> >> Dean Johnson >> Tools, Libraries, and Commands Group >> Cray Research Inc. Eagan,MN (612) 683-5880 >> > >Interestingly, it's Fujitsu and Hitachi, names no doubt familiar to many >in the supercomputer business, who are catalyzing the Japanese VR movement. > > [Deleted stuff about PowerGlove mailing list.] > >As to why "sensory modalities" are trivia, or why Cray won't emulate its >overseas counterparts, I'm afraid I don't understand the response. > I must agree with the Moderator on this point. We are beginning a new effort in VR here at ORNL, in which I am advocating an"Ecological" approach. The term is not new, nor are the concepts whic underlie it, but I have not seen these concepts applied to VR. Specifically, I see a 3-pronged basis for all kinds of automation whic is to involve human input/response, and expecially something like VR, the whole purpose of which is to thoroughly involve the human users: One part is, obviously, the hardware which is to provide the VR information. A second part is the TASKS which are to be accomplished by use of the VR medium. Third is the human, his/her capabilities in perception and cognition. The VR designer MUST (IMHO) attend to ALL THREE components in order to have a chance at creating a successful VR environment. I suggest an analogy to an automobile: What is most important, the engine, the transmission, or the axle/wheels? The car won't go anywhere without all three components, so the issue of which is MOST important is a pseudo issue. Applications of automation/hardware without appreciation of the (human) user's characteristics abound -- read comp.risks!! Enough of my soap box. This is only a VERY terse summary of what I call the exological approach to VR, and to Human-Centered Automation, in general. ============================================================================= MIND. A mysterious form of matter secreted by the brain. Its chief activity consists in the endeavor to asscertain its own nature, the futility of the attempt being due to the fact that it has nothing but itself to know itself with. -- Ambrose Bierce ============================================================================= Phil Spelt, Cognitive Systems & Human Factors Group sfp@epm.ornl.gov ============================================================================ Any opinions expressed or implied are my own, IF I choose to own up to them. ============================================================================