From: Eldark <eldark@enigma.media.mit.edu>
Subject: Re: DESIGN: Is there really such a thing as text-based VR?
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 21:57:12 GMT
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory


From: Eldark <eldark@enigma.media.mit.edu>

In my mind the term "Virtual Reality" refers to interface technology
rather than specific kinds of applications.  I consider interface
devices that immerse a user to a greater degree than standard IO
devices to be essential to a system referred to as VR.

Thus, by my definition, a textual MUD experienced through an HMD is
closer to VR than DOOM on your desktop.

Actually I don't think that a VR definition debate is such a worthy
topic, since it seems that many of us have abandoned the term 
altogether in order to escape the turmoils of the distorted media 
hype and the comparison to commercial abuse of the term.

Hannes (hannes@media.mit.edu)
MIT Media Laboratory

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are mine and do not represent those
            of MIT or the Media Lab