Immersive Online Environments & Visualisation Tools

We are rapidly moving from a predominantly text-based world that is supplemented by 2D images, to one where we are immersed in moving images and 3D experiences. Computer gamers know this more than anyone, having conquered the art of playing within these environments for a number of years now.

Whereas these sorts of environments were previously only the domain of science fiction, or at best, available for others to experience, we are now seeing everyday users empowered to create, manipulate and manage these environments with easy to use tools.

Some examples of the sorts of things referred to here include:

• Games, playing and creation – e.g. Alice, Scratch
• Alternate realities – e.g. Second Life
• 3D rendering and augmented reality – eg NextSpace
• Visual connections – e.g. Touchgraph for Facebook