CSCI E-10: Assignment 6, due April 1, 2002

• Active Worlds (Alphaworld)
• Diversity University
• Donnyworld
• Meet 3D
• Atmosphere

Two of these software packages are available in the PC Lab. You'll find pre-installed versions under the Start Menu. You can also find a longer (though not completely up-to-date) list of graphical virtual reality environments at http://www.digitalspace.com/avatars.

For this assignment, you will use the Active Worlds client to visit one of the many worlds accessible through that software. You are of course welcome to try other environments in addition to this one.

Explore the world you choose as much as you can. Comment on how the graphics do, or do not, add to your experience. Consider some of the following guiding questions as you write your response piece:

• How does your experience compare to a text-based MUD such as MicroMUSE or DragonMUD? Are there aspects that are better? Aspects that are worse?

• How does your visit compare to what you were expecting of a graphics-enhanced environment? What's good? What's still missing?

• If you could design a synchronous virtual community, would it look like the community you just visited? Like a text-based MUD? Like something else entirely? What are the important elements of any such community, beyond just the interface? How important is the interface in the scheme of things?

If possible, arrange with a classmate to visit together (you needn't be in the same real place to do this!) so that you can see the extent to which you can cooperate or collaborate, without having to rely on strangers who may or may not be helpful. Please remember that some of these worlds are not regulated communities. You may encounter inappropriate behavior on the part of other people.

As usual, write a report on your experiences and mail it to the class mailing list.