Digital Media SIG

We will be hosting an event on Oct. 13 “Virtual Worlds in 2020” in Palo Alto.
Here’s an input form where you can send input to this interactive workshop:
(http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cjh3ZGJIZjU4WnVKQVZGVEJWUlpLcHc6MA..)

In particular it would be great to involve forward looking folks (futurists? or not)who might want to lead a table of VWSIG attendees (4-6 persons) in input on a question facing virtual worlds in the coming decade. Hey, jump in and do this, it’s fun.

Do you care?  Do you want to be part of it? Let me know bob[at]studiosfo.net if you do and I’ll add you to the description.
This will be held at:
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM October 13, 2009
Pillsbury Winthrop
2475 Hanover St.
Palo Alto,  CA

* Leaders in virtual worlds also welcome to arrange parallel virtual sessions!

Full description of the 10/13 event:

The SDForum Virtual World SIG will be hosting our 3rd annual “Future of Virtual Worlds” session on Tue. 10/13/09 –  “Virtual Worlds in 2020 Workshop”. I’d like to ask for your input, and for any of you futurists who would like to lead a breakout session on this SIG meeting to contact me.

In particular it would be great to involve forward looking folks (futurists? or not)who might want to lead a table of VWSIG attendees (4-6 persons) in input on a question facing virtual worlds in the coming decade. Hey, jump in and do this, it’s fun.

We have an input form at (http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cjh3ZGJIZjU4WnVKQVZGVEJWUlpLcHc6MA..)

Do you care?  Do you want to be part of it? Let me know bob[at]studiosfo.net if you do and I’ll add you to the description.
This will be held at:
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM October 13, 2009
Pillsbury Winthrop
2475 Hanover St.
Palo Alto,, CA

* Leaders in virtual worlds also welcome to arrange parallel virtual sessions!
Details below:
This year we host an interactive workshop where you can bring ideas, input and questions for a very rare, long term view of virtual worlds.

In just a few weeks we enter a new decade equipped with abilities that existed only in science fiction a few years ago.  Although plans for using using graphical, collaborative virtual worlds  predate the internet itself by many years, many advances in productivity remain unclaimed.  It’s time now to take a look ahead. This workshop will produce a set of inputs showing what might be possible – along with a list of challenges to be overcome along the way over the next decade.

Some questions to consider:
– What must virtual worlds eventually do that they do not do now?
– What known changes will have the most impact on virtual worlds between now and 2020?
– What hurdles must be overcome to enable more collaborative virtual worlds?
– What goals should virtual world developers be most focused on in coming years?

Joining this workshop will be guest leaders in the virtual world space  (tba.) with on-site demos of their newest products.

We will then break into discussion groups to outline some of the most crucial factors for virtual worlds between now and 2020.

Have questions of your own?  Bring them on! Have ideas about solving challenges facing virtual worlds? Meet others interested in the same.

An input form is available for input at (http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cjh3ZGJIZjU4WnVKQVZGVEJWUlpLcHc6MA..) and results will be posted from the workshop.

Don’t miss this highly interactive session where you can directly impact the vision of the next generations of virtual worlds!

[-Bob Ketner]

Just got word that early ISMAR Registration has been extended to September 25, 2009
Here are the top 3 … no make that top 8 reasons you should not miss it!

1. Hands-on demonstrations of the latest augmented reality (AR) research from around the world.
2. Innovation Workshops on adoption of AR within diverse industries such as education, entertainment, medical, military, design and manufacturing application domains.
3. Three days of Tutorials to provide the most comprehensive instructional program on Mixed and Augmented Reality taught by the pioneering researchers themselves.

Five more reasons:
4. Early ISMAR Registration has been extended to September 25, 2009 (Register: www.regonline.com/ismar09)
5. Top tiered universities presenting the latest Science & Technology research on mixed and augmented reality.
6. Expanded program to focus on exciting new Art, Media and Humanities research.
7. Special emphasis will be made to the rapidly growing mobile mixed and augmented realities domain.
8. Free Parking, Downtown Shuttle and Free Internet Access included in the special room rate at the conference hotel.

See the whole agenda at http://www.ismar-society.org/ismar2009.
Registration is now open (www.regonline.com/ismar09).
If you are a member of IEEE the discount code is : IEEE2009

The conference hotel is located at the Orlando Downtown Marriott and reservations can be at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcodt?groupCode=mrsmrsa&app=resvlink&fromDate=10/18/09&toDate=10/23/09
Free Parking, Downtown Shuttle and Free Internet Access included in the room rate.

The International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) is the premiere conference for the advancement of the art and science of Mixed and Augmented Reality. ISMAR will be held from October 19th to 22nd, 2009 in Orlando Florida, USA.

Special coverage by:

Be there or be un-augmented!

[ – Bob Ketner ]

Hello!
Our friends over at the Virtual Worlds Roadmap (http://virtualworldsroadmap.blogspot.com/) would like to ask for your input in their new Virtual World Roadmap Survey

The Virtual World Roadmap is a non-profit group and is conducting the survey in order to:
1) forecast how Virtual Worlds will be used in businesses and other organizations in the near future
2) identify user requirements that will foster broader adoption
3) inform technology and service providers interested in this space
4) identify areas where cooperation may be required to achieve the intended results

The survey will be open until midnight Pacific Daylight Time, Sep. 11th, and its initial results will be made available by mid-September 2009. The survey states that any information submitted, including your e-mail address, will not be used for any other purpose.

Note: The SDForum Virtual World SIG (this site) is not connected to this group and is not administering the survey or able to access the results.

Take the Survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Z8DOutL8NOOAcV2Fnbjvvg_3d_3d

In addition, the Virtual World Roadmap organizers will conduct a half-day workshop at the Engage Expo conference ( http://www.engageexpo.com/sj2009/ ).

The group is connected to the Sun Immersion Special Interest Group at: http://sun-isig.ning.com (requires approved membership)

[-Bob Ketner]