Well, some of the answers to those questions can probably be found by looking at ActiveWorlds, blaxxun, and other commercially successful networked VR systems. However most existing commercial VR systems rely upon expensive, proprietary solutions. VNet is free, thanks to Stephen White's foresight.
Compare the networked VR systems to roads. ActiveWorlds, blaxxun, and others are like tollways, whereas VNet is like a freeway. The others charge for access, whereas VNet potentially makes a much wider array of businesses more feasible by offering free entry. No trucking company can own the freeway, but the freeway's existence makes all trucking companies more profitable. Likewise with VNet.
Virtual showrooms, conferences, exhibitions, club meetings, social gatherings, storytelling, games, performances, lectures... all these become more useful in a free environment as far as I can see.
People are just beginning to work out financial models for such things. It is early days yet, but I believe their day will come very soon.
Best wishes,
P.S. I have CC'ed this to the vnet-interest mailing list
At 12:06 PM 13/06/2001 +0800, you wrote:
Hi
Here's an interesting question....
I have been avidly reading all the vnet discussions, however it leads me to ponder a couple of points.
Has there been any real research into how vnet or vnet worlds could be used in the industry?
How would it be marketed if it is completed?
Which industrial companies would find a use for this?
Who would develop this for Home Commercial or Industry applications?
How would this be rationalised in realation to the existing Internet?
and what research has been done in finding interested partys once it has been developed (finding user's, interested companys ect.)?
regards Tye also known as Joecool :)
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