Hybrid Virtual Environments -
What We Do And Why

The Worldsmith creates and operates hybrid (text and graphics) virtual environments for real-time business conferencing enabling people to participate in a rich variety of real-time conferencing and information-sharing activities.

Modern business activities are distributed, whether globally or locally. At the same time, efficient information-sharing has become increasingly important. Moving people physically is costly in dollars and time; while conference calls are unsatisfactory except for the most elementary needs. Video-conferencing is expensive and requires assembling staff in specially-equipped rooms at either end.

Our solution uses the Internet to provide low-cost, real-time conferencing which can link any number of people at their desks, through their computers, on a moment's notice.

We've harnessed the advantages of "chat" interactions and integrated the multi-media aspects of HTML using mature, industry standard protocols ensuring painless content development. A powerful programming language provides customization and automation and also allows for the development of un-attended presentations or other activities.

• Any number of people may be simultaneously present in a virtual environment, no matter where the are on the planet.
• They can communicate to the group as a whole or privately to one another at will,
• Verbal communication occurs in a text window, while a graphics window(s) allows anyone simultaneously to show slides, charts, and other visuals,
• The environment can be kept up continuously so that groups can step into it for impromptu interactions at any time,
• The environment can provide automatic note-taking and record-keeping, mail minutes of meetings to participants, and perform other routine chores.

Potential Uses and Applications

• Technical Support and Help Desks
• Teams of knowledge workers collaborating in the electronic realm.
• Corporate Training
• Storefronts on the World Wide Web

What Makes it Work?

Media Projectors

Our virtual "slide projectors" display HTML images and documents anywhere in the world in the browser-window of anyone who's browser is set to the projector's "channel". It changes the image automatically whenever a new image is put on the projector, without the viewer clicking buttons or selecting URLs, much like a real slide projector. (No special programs are required.)

This hybrid approach facilitates a natural interplay between dialogue and graphic presentation. It permits questions and answers, commentary on slides, and other activities natural to non-virtual group interactions.

Programmable Objects

Our environments contain interactive, programmed objects to facilitate discussion and demonstration; e.g., virtual whiteboards on which anyone in the room may read or write, and which will email a copy of their current contents to anyone in the room on request.

Rooms can have interactive demonstrations that respond to clients with both text in their virtual environment screen and graphics in their 'Web-Projector" screen. Libraries let users browse remote materials, or download copies for local printout. Virtual offices let users meet privately with each other, create and edit materials for virtual presentations, and store materials securely.

Security

Many businesses are concerned with the security of their sensitive discussions when conducted over a global public network. There is no such thing as perfect security with any communications medium, but extremely high levels of security are available. In general the higher the level of security the higher the cost, but there is an optimal balance for virtually any requirement. We invite you to discuss security concerns and solutions with us privately.

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