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Category Archives: General
Google Wave
If open source is to be one of the defining features of Web 3.0 (or whatever handle you wish to use to refer to the next generation of the Internet) in the way that Web 2.0 is largely defined by sociability and community, then this blog would do well not to ignore the release of [...]
Also posted in Open Source Tagged 2.0, 3.0, beta, Chrome, ChromeFrame, collaboration, communication, email, Google, GoogleWave, IE, internet, Microsoft, online, opensource, tool, Wave, web 4 Comments
- I think it helps NOT to think of this as browser wars, or replacing email - Google are closing in on a point where all this web-enabled functionality is as ubiquitous and invisible as the myriad operations that happen when you boot up your PC or Mac, though much of it will happen cloud-side. For communications and media it should create continuity of experience because all the end user needs is something that can tap into the cloud - a phone, a netbook, the front panel on the fridge, a car.
On the human side, will this instantly make us better collaborators, or do we need to brush up on those abilities to really get the most out of it? - Instant collaboration, information on tap, all in a 3D real-world simulation. No need to travel, work from home, with constant monitoring to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. No more silly e-mails on works time, no office politics, etc. Heaven for the Creatives?
- Recently came across this great little video on the Wired site, demonstrating some of the features of Wave using the Ezekiel 25:17 scene from Pulp Fiction. As the Wired site warns, "in case it's been a while since you saw Tarantino's classic, you're in for one colourfully-worded wave'
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2009-10/16/google-wave,-as-explained-by-samuel-l-jackson.aspx - So far, I feel Wave is an intermediate step between the time-lapse of email and the immediacy of Instant Messaging. Collaborators on a Wave can choose to instantly interact or take a measured approach, but also, I don't think Google themselves have a designated procedure for how users interact with and on the Wave. We're in the process of defining that interaction during the Preview.
Blogged a bit more about it here... http://www.systemerror.co.uk/2009/10/17/first-wave-intact/
Virtual Learning Environments
Are schools for the future going to use virtual environments for learning? – Manchester Met already do this with Second Life – We need to see this pushed down into younger ages at schools to get them more immersed and engaged with education.
Also posted in Virtual Worlds Tagged education, environments, learning, Manchester, MMU, secondlife, virtual, VLE 5 Comments
- The Immersive Internet (II) is being hailed as the next big step for the Web. Quote:
Immersive Internet is a nascent technology – projected to be mainstream in the next 5 years.
Today’s Video Game Culture
Kids playing multiplayer videogames and engaging in social networking –are tomorrow’s Business leaders, Partners, employees, decision makers . They will expect this technology.
Slow Economy and Green Movement
Pressure on corporate costs require different ways of doing business –travel expense hit hard. Companies are Carbon Aware!
Large Technology Companies getting involved.
Any thoughts? - The Immersive Internet (II) is being hailed as the next big step for the Web. Quote:
Immersive Internet is a nascent technology – projected to be mainstream in the next 5 years.
Today’s Video Game Culture
Kids playing multiplayer videogames and engaging in social networking –are tomorrow’s Business leaders, Partners, employees, decision makers . They will expect this technology.
Slow Economy and Green Movement
Pressure on corporate costs require different ways of doing business –travel expense hit hard. Companies are Carbon Aware!
Large Technology Companies getting involved.
Any thoughts?
Should this be called Isquared, 2I, AyeAye, HeHe, or I2? - HeHe is my vote.
- Web.Alive Immersive Internet (2I or I squared) Presentation
Presentation available at:
http://www.box.net/shared/jlhdz56vl2
is this the future? - Some schools already are (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7869000/7869303.stm) but generally they have been slow on the uptake compared to Universities. As John Kirriemuir of Virtual World Watch noted in his 2008 report for Eduserv roughly three quarters of UK universities are actively using Second Life. Reports since then suggest that this number is now much higher and also includes developments in other virtual world platforms such as OpenSim, Metaplace, There and Blue Mars.
So why are schools so far behind? A recent post at Pixels and Policy may have some answers - it has a distinctly American slant but makes interesting reading (http://www.pixelsandpolicy.com/pixels_and_policy/2009/11/why-arent-schools-using-second-life.html).
Personally I find it surprising that schools have been so slow on the uptake - particularly as many school age children have multiple virtual world accounts (my own 11 year old daughter is registered on Club Penguin, Barbie World, Moshi Monsters and several others - and is pestering me to allow her on Teen Second Life). According to a 2008 report from the Journal of Virtual Worlds Research 39% of all virtual world accounts are held by children aged under 15. So school age children understand virtual worlds far better than the rest of us - maybe its the teachers that need educating!
The Future of the Web
What will it be? We are going to be discussing the future of the web at OPEN 09 with particular emphasis on the implications of open source and the advancement of virtual environments. We would like to hear your views on this so please join the discussion online and if you can make it on [...]
- Virtual Reality Worlds will revolutionise Assisted Living for the elderly and disabled. By enabling realistic environments conducive to there culture will provide a Window on the World.
3D spaces or Virtual Reality Worlds (VRWs) will enable and promote social/business/design networking and interaction by simulating the real world environments in real-time.
Using the Web.alive software client and VRW software platform will provide a virtual multiple use interactive system for social, business, education, etc. applications. The “one-click and you’re in” capability ensures fast and easy entry to the VRW spaces.
VRWs are created using the web.alive client and VRWs; and can be regarded as second generation “Virtual Worlds” or Web 3.0 / Web3D which supersede Web 2.0/2.5 and ‘Second Life’ style offerings.
VRWs can be defined as tele-immersive, multi-user, on-line, highly realistic, 3D first-person perspective environments that blend 3D photo- realistic graphics with in-world realism and 3D spatial audio. VRWs are populated by multiple Avatars (representations of real people) who can interact and communicate with each other using 3D spacial voice (VOIP), text, gestures, files, 2D presentations, and video display. A client and VRW maps is freely downloadable from the internet for users with 2004 spec PCs. See MellaniuM Furnace at http://furnace.projectchansaw.com and Apex at http://apex.projectchainsaw.com for an example VRW (highly recommended). - Listening to radio this morning and discussion about England football match being streamed exclusively live over the web - the cynic in me says this is only because broadcasters wouldn't pay rights holders but is this a sign for future of the web - can mass market sports force better broadband speeds.? Could we see a virtual stadium environment with full streaming, merchandising, etc
- I don't disagree with your thinking that it will help elderly however there may be a wait as there is still a techno fear factor for the elderly population - there are some great examples of how web technology is helping the elderly population in Japan.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/population/news/article.cfm?c_id=608&objectid=10463145 - Most of the fear is fear itself; the new HCI's like NATAL will remove lots of complexity. Using gestures and speech commends will provide an easy to use solution for social interactivity and communication. Limitations seem to be the will and resistance to change syndromes.
- Hmm, 3D spaces simulating real-world environments in realtime - you might want to think about whether that creates time economies! Tesco Direct is rather swifter than navigating a 3D representation of Tesco, so keep in mind that verisimilitude isn't a virtue in and of itself.
VLEs nonetheless will be a major factor in the mid-term. Where they are adopted successfully by institutions it will be one of several critical factors in transforming their approach to answer current training issues.
Thinking off-screen, I think the web as a technology will grow increasingly pervasive: take as an example some toy companies already trying out Furbie-like toys that interact with web inputs. There'll probably be an ongoing IP war in this area which, if not resolved in time, opens a door of opportunity for microbusinesses using open source technologies to drive this interactivity. - For the elderly and disabled it is a god send; the ability to socially interact and explore virtual real world spaces with others reduces loneliness and helps them to enjoy life. We should be mindful of these people and not exclude them from society for we will be there one day.
- Your concern for the elderly and disabled is great - and that you are sagely anticipating your own senior moments. But I fear that currently the majority of people over the age of say 70 may be bewildered and alienated by the possibilities of virtual spaces. Might be worth popping round to an elderly neighbour, shake their hand and ask them how they're doing... ?
- Seeing I'M nearly there; I shake my hand with my other hand and ask how are you doing; Very well Thankyou. Don't think we are in the grave just yet!!
- New 3D environment "MellaniuM Dome" see http://ec3v3.projectchainsaw.com/
Comments welcome; bring a headset - Hi Ken and Enda, Virtual worlds are being embraced in many areas... some more surprising than others.
Tim Guest in his book 'Second Lives' describes a group of disabled patients in an institution who use virtual worlds to engage with others on an 'equal' basis, each participant controlling different aspects of the avatars body... who could have anticipated that?
Fiona... over 70's TODAY may well be bewildered but over 70's in 20 years time will not.. for I will be one of those.
Turtle Questions
posted by: digitaldocs - view / reply
posted by: Ian Wareing - view / reply
Great ideas that are relevant and usable are the future of the web. These can come from anywhere – passionate individuals to big business – but ultimately their longevity and relevance is determined by us the user.
The technological aspects will have the largest implication in the future of the web, especially in aiding people to deliver their ideas. With faster broadband, both fixed and mobile, and the dawning of HTML5 we should see a richer internet moving forward faster than ever before. Exciting times.
posted by: adam - view / reply