From: Fernando Diaz <uswnvg!uswnvg.com!fpdiaz@uunet.uu.net>
Subject: JOB-WANTED: VR professional glossary
Organization: US West NewVector, Inc., Bellevue, WA


To my fellow VR/VE students/researchers/professionals,

I am developing a glossary of job descriptions for current and future
professionals in the VR/VE (Virtual Reality/Virtual Environment)
industry.  I am soliciting for your creative suggestions to add to
this list.

I will be graduating from the University of Washington in the spring
of 94.  By this time I would have been with the HITLab (Human
Interface Technology Laboratory) for three years.  For my B.S, I have
developed my own curriculum in Virtual Environment Design.  Needless
to say, I will be looking for a job.

One thing that concerns me is the lack of references for corporate
hiring managers re. VR technology and the professional skills required
to bring about real applications.  In other words, how would they know
who to hire and what to ask for when recruiting for such exotic
positions?

I have seen industry lists of current researchers and developers that
are out there.  These don't always include specialities or
identifiable focus.  My reaction to some of these listings is: "They
sound like interesting people, but I am not sure how I could use them
in my company?"

One way to bridge this communication gap is to develop a vocabulary of
VR/VE specialists.  It is in our interest to disseminate what it is we
can do, and how to ask for us in job postings.

Another benifit is to provide guidance for project managers when
breaking down the development of a complex application into the
required team.

Here is a general sample of the proposed format for this glossary:

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Title: VE Tool Designer

Skills Required:
developed 3D interactive graphical menus and shells
User interface design using virtual interface technology
proficient in some VR development software package


Background & Experience:
Human factors in virtual environments
art/graphic design background
mechanical/industrial engineering with exposure to virtual interface
tech.

Education:
B.S in industrial design
Special courses in human factors, art design, and mechanical
engineering

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would be interested to see contributions to this glossary from the
folks in exotic diciplines such as: artificial life, fractal science,
genetic algorithms, robotics, telepresence, HMD design, virtual
landscapers, mathematical modeling, virtual body specialists, etc.

Thanks in advance for your response.  If I get enough input, I will
periodicaly post them.

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                 (_) \(_) fpdiaz@hitl.washington.edu
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Fernando Diaz      Human Interface Technology Laboratory   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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(posted from summer job site)