BKVRXCBR.RVW  940623

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"Virtual Reality and the Exploration of Cyberspace", Hamit, 1993, 0-672-30361-
2, U$26.95/C$33.95

It was the quotes that got to me, more than anything else.  Len Hindus:  "In
many ways, virtual reality is a technology that suffers from the enthusiasm of
its supporters."  Exactly.  So it is gratifying to see that Hamit, though
supportive of VR, is able to restrain enthusiasm within bounds and do a
thorough job of research.  The plethora of quotes, alone, are proof of that.

Part one is a general introduction and overview.  It also introduces a "day in
the life" type of narrative of a future with heavy VR involvement.  The story
is unrealistic in its use of VR, but that may be the point, requiring the
reader to find the flaws and think about them.  (It is interesting that, by the
end of the story, a "virtual relationship" is not good enough and one partner
tracks the other down in "real life".)

Part two looks at the technology and mechanics of current day virtual reality. 
This is often the sole scope of books on VR, but, even here, the text is
balanced and detached for an honest appraisal.

Randal Walser's quote, "The problem for cyberspace, today, is that no industry
exists to support it, and that an industry cannot take off without an
infrastructure and a marketplace," is a very apt start to part three.  The
business, and businesses, of VR are all too often overlooked.

Part four looks at applications.  Here Myron Krueger's statement that the test
of acceptance of a technology is, "Would you use it if it was free," is
telling.  What possible use is virtual reality?  The primary uses today are
entertainment and education.  Modelling, communications and control are VR only
by the most liberal of definitions.

Part five is an examination of the social aspects of the people pushing VR, and
of VR, itself, in a future society.  Hamit maintains an even-handed treatment,
but a faint distaste for some of the fanaticism peeks through.  The Afterword,
which expresses some disappointment over excessive enthusiasms, comes as no
surprise.

A valuable part of the book is a set of appendices listing tools, software,
vendors and references.

I must admit to no overwhelming interest in VR.  However, of all the works I
have read in the subject to date, this is the most wide-ranging, balanced and
practical.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994   BKVRXCBR.RVW  940623
 
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Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" (Oct. '94) Springer-Verlag