Week 8

Slight change of scope and progress

There is a slight change of scope here for the project.
Instead of just concentrating on building out prototype or proof of concept, we've decided to add a few areas of research to concentrate one.

Being linked to virtual reality(QTVR and VR tours) we could look into the effects of how virtual reality can change the prespective people have over places or things.
Since out QTVR targets external and prospective students, research can also be done on the impact VR has on the sale of a product, as the target of prospective students is actually trying to "sell" the university to them.

Of course firstly we have to find out a clear defination of virtual reality as stated on Wikipedia

"Virtual Reality (VR) is an environment that is simulated by a computer. Most virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences, displayed either on a computer screen or through special stereoscopic displays, but some simulations include additional sensory information, such as sound through speakers or headphones. Some advanced and experimental systems have included limited tactile information, known as force feedback. Users can interact with a virtual environment either through the use of standard input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, or through multimodal devices such as a wired glove, polhemus boom arm, and/or omnidirectional treadmill. The simulated environment can be similar to the real world, for example, simulations for pilot or combat training, or it can differ significantly from reality, as in VR games. In practice, it is currently very difficult to create a high-fidelity virtual reality experience, due largely to technical limitations on processing power, image resolution and communication bandwidth. However, those limitations are expected to eventually be overcome as processor, imaging and data communication technologies become more powerful and cost-effective over time." Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia(www.wikipedia.com)

Further research also stated that virtual reality will have the following impact:

1. Virtual reality will be integrated into daily life and activity and will be used in very human ways.
2. Techniques will be developed to influence human behavior, interpersonal communication, and cognition (i.e., virtual genetics).
3. As we spend more and more time in virtual space, there will be a gradual “migration to virtual space,” resulting in important changes in economics, worldview, and culture.
4. The design of virtual environments may be used to extend basic human rights into virtual space, to promote human freedom and well-being, and to promote social stablity as we move from one stage in socio-political development to the next.

"Power, Madness, and Immortality: The Future of Virtual Reality" by Mychilo Stephenson Cline

With this I suppose our scope of research will be more or less focused and now at least we know a standard direction we are heading.

As for the progress, the photo panoramas have more of less been finished, now I'm going into the real coding of each panorama and linking them all together.
I've yet to receive any othe the information and extra details of information to add, so I'll leave it as that and concentrate on fixing the VR tour up for this week.