Virtual world
hideThe computer accesses a computer-simulated world and presents perceptual stimuli to the user, who in turn can manipulate elements of the modeled world and thus experiences telepresence to a certain degree. Such modeled worlds may appear similar to the real world or instead depict fantasy worlds. The model world may simulate rules based on the real world or some hybrid fantasy world. Example rules are gravity, topography, locomotion, real-time actions, and communication. Communication between users has ranged from text, graphical icons, visual gesture, sound, and rarely, forms using touch, voice command, and balance senses.
Massively multiplayer online games commonly depict a world very similar to the real world, with real world rules and real-time actions, and communication. Communication is usually textual, with real-time voice communication using VOIP also possible.[clarification needed]
Virtual worlds are not limited to games but, depending on the degree of immediacy presented, can encompass computer conferencing and text based chatrooms. Sometimes, emoticons or 'smilies' are available, to show feeling or facial expression. Emoticons often have a keyboard shortcut. Edward Castronova is an economist who has argued that "synthetic worlds" is a better term for these cyberspaces, but this term has not been widely adopted.
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News tagged with virtual world
Researchers Bring Avatars and People Together for Virtual Meetings in Physical Spaces (w/ Video)
Technology / Computer Sciences
Oct 19, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- While you can't yet teleport or clone yourself to be in two places nearly at once, computer scientists are working on what might be the next best thing.
Virtual solution to driving phobias
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Oct 19, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Nervous drivers are being helped to overcome their road phobias by donning Cyclops-style goggles that transport them to a three-dimensional virtual world.
In search of machines that play at being human
Technology / Computer Sciences
Oct 14, 2009 |
2 / 5 (3) |
0
Researchers at Carlos III University (Spain) have taken part in an international contest whose objective is to improve artificial intelligence utilized in virtual worlds. The challenge for the participants ...
Is Second Life's Economy Too Big To Fail?
Oct 13, 2009 |
3.7 / 5 (7) |
1
One of the more interesting developments in terms of technology is the virtual economy -- and how it translates into something that involves real money.
Eye-tracking software opens online worlds to people with disabilities (w/ Video)
Aug 12, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Technology that allows gamers to control game functions with only their eyes is helping to open virtual worlds such as Second Life and World of Warcraft to people with severe motor disabilities.
Virtual Worlds May Be the Future Setting of Scientific Collaboration
Aug 04, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (17) |
2
(PhysOrg.com) -- Normally, virtual worlds are the setting of many online games and entertainment applications, but now they’re becoming a place for scientific collaboration and outreach, as well. A team of ...
Second Life data offers window into how trends spread
Technology / Computer Sciences
Jul 02, 2009 |
not rated yet |
1
(PhysOrg.com) -- Do friends wear the same style of shoe or see the same movies because they have similar tastes, which is why they became friends in the first place? Or once a friendship is established, do ...
Secure, 3D Meeting Service Now Available with Lotus Sametime
Jun 24, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
IBM today announced that a new service, Virtual Collaboration for Lotus Sametime, is now available. The service allows Lotus Sametime users to set up and use virtual meeting spaces securely behind-the-firewall ...
Beating the bullies -- changing real-world behaviour through virtual experience (w/Video)
Jun 22, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Social problems like bullying and stereotyping involve thoughts, feelings and reactions that resist change. New research shows that when students play active roles in virtual dramas their attitudes and behaviour ...
Interactive Data Eyeglasses
Jun 02, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (11) |
8
(PhysOrg.com) -- The data eyeglasses can read from the engineer's eyes which details he needs to see on the building plans. A CMOS chip with an eye tracker in the microdisplay makes this possible. The eyeglasses ...
Really virtual reality
May 27, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Far from being geeky and exotic, virtual reality could be the key to a new range of innovative products. European researchers and industrialists have come together to build a world-leading ...
More to Second Life than just sex
May 25, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network's Centre for Innovation in Complex Care (CICC) have found that a wide array of health-related activity occurs in the 3 dimensional virtual world of ...
Virtual mobility for disabled wins Second Life prize
May 02, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
2
An organization that lets people with disabilities virtually climb mountains and hike trails shared top honors in a first-ever Second Life prize for in-world projects improving real-world lives.
Second Life to let users filter adult content
Apr 22, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
(AP) -- Second Life is getting a little less steamy for people who want to use the virtual world for a myriad of PG-rated experiences, such as taking classes, prototyping buildings or designing virtual goods.
TV documentaries take leap into digital world
Mar 30, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
TV documentaries are fast forwarding into the digital future to tap new sources of revenue, offering interactive and "360" packages to audiences increasingly getting their television fix online.
