3D on the Web--Virtual Reality

Why Virtual Reality? Because the computer, or any other piece of technology, will not be a generally useful tool until it models our world, rather than making us learn its world.

The Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) did not generally catch on because of low bandwidth and the failure of the plug-ins and browsers, but the World Wide Web Consortium is still actively seeking to develop a 3-D immersive internet experience.

Current technology only allows a primitive rendering system on a computer screen, but that is the precursor to a totally immersive computer room, where you interact with data like you interact with the real world.

For some resources on 3-D on the web, see:

• Virtual Reality Online: Introducing VRML Worlds
• Virtual Reality Online: Creating VRML Worlds
• The Web3D Consortium