7 '.0.\.\b@b@0bbXffff:fRfhfhgHxc<g gg*h (bpf Cyberspace: Getting There From Here Copyright 1989 F. Randall Farmer Randy was lead C64 programmer on the fabled 'Habitat' project for Lucasfilm Games. He as taken a hiatus from building Cyberspace while he works on a new telecommunications product at The American Information Exchange, a subsidiary of Autodesk, INC. 'Golden Vaporware' is a term I've heard Ted Nelson use to describe such exciting computer projects as Hypertext, Dynabook and Cyberspace. I understand the term to mean Really-Great-Stuff-That-People-Are-(Sort-Of)-Working-On-And-Never-Ship. It seems 'The Age Of Golden Vaporware' has arrived. Ted's Xanadu Hypertext project is now well under way and should ship product in '90. There is a company called Dynabook that has released 'step 2' of the '20 steps' to Alan Kay's vision of the ultimate laptop. And Cyberspace has been prototyped by QuantumLink and Lucasfilm. These projects are likely to succeed not beacuse they are 'exciting' to we techie-geeks, but because they have solid commercial and techincal foundations. Here I will illustrate a path from current software and hardware technologies to the Cyberspace that many of us have dreamed of for almost 20 years. What is Cyberspace anyway? Cyberspace is a fuzzily defined word that has been in the press a lot recently (at least in Silicon Valley). Vernor Vinge first described a vision of what might now be called Cyberspace in his novella True Names. His 'Other Plane' was a place where complicated software systems were represented by familiar objects. The Max Headroom television show used similar representations in various episodes. Other fictional treatments include William Gibson's Neuromancer (which has been turned into a somewhat average graphic adventure) and other 'Cyberpunk' novels. Here the vision of Cyberspace is based around commercial computer access, where 'cowboys' break in and wreak fiscal havok. In this light, Cyberspace is a metaphore for abstract concepts. Autodesk, maker of the best selling PC CAD system, has thrown it's hat into the Cyberspace ring where it joins VPL's Jaron Lanier and NASA-AMES. All of these products share similar base technologies and assumptions: 2 head-mounted mini-tv monitors for stereo imaging, a powerful computer, and a 3D input device like VPL's DataGlove. They are primarily single user systems , and, in the case of at least AutoDesk's product, probably be aimed at CAD users who what to perform 3D updates to commercial drawings (there are other applications, but discussion is beond the scope of this article). They key to all of these systems is enough computer power to do stereo dubble buffered real time graphics at a high frame rate (say 20-30 frames/second). This technology is expensive: in the case of VPL's 'virtual reality' system (the special 2 user version) costs $69,925! The 'Eyephones' cost $9,400 and the glove $8,800! This vision of Cyberspace is as a type of Interface. To me, Cyberspace is a place, not an interface or a metaphore (although it can serve as either). A place where people, regardless of location, hardware, or purpose can get together in a participitory experience to conduct business, socialize, or have a good game of SpaceCombat9.6. (describe more here) How can it work? There are several major problems facing a large-scale Cyberspace system: Bandwidth, Graphic Resolution, User Interace Standards, Data Communications Standards, Event Integrity, and Computer Horsepower (whats left after running all the support routines? Bandwidth is the most overrate problem. Everybody thinks you need to send megabytes of data every minute to each user in order to make Cyberspace work. This is simply not true. Habitat worked at only 300 baud. The keys to keeing bandwidth down are distributed processing (having the frontend do most of the display and interface work), object oriented command messages, and AVOIDING communication intensive grphics primitives (such as those associated with NAPLPS, that slower than mollasses protocol they use for Prodigy and other 'video-text' systems). Graphic Resolution, User Interface and front-end CPU issues sould all be lumped together. To be viable over time, Cyberspace must be desingned with the "to each according to his abilities" prinicple. If a C64 with NTSC TV and joystick only interface encounters a 60mz 486 user with Eyephones and DataGlove, the interaction should be filtered so the each user can have a satisfying experience (e.g The C64 user doesn't see all the intricate detail the 486er has put into his attire, and all people walk exactly the same, but they can still sit, chat, and play a nice game of Strattagema.) Event Integrity is a side effect of distributed processing. Simply put: You can't trust the home computer. Hackers have all the time in the world to crack the software and make it send messages it shouldn't. This is kin to the long debated Copy Protection problem, but comes with it's own unique solution: The Host. Since the host is the final arbiter of all events, it should be programmed at a very high level to reject bad messages. Data Communications Standards are key to the future viability of Cyberspace is decent long-range upgradeable protocol, with hooks for data encryption (anything that is going to be used for business will need to transmit its data securely as protection against wire-tapping) Also, the standard needs to address such issues as Email and other Gateways to those ancient text-only systems. I want to read my Usenet mail printed on a sheet of paper in my Cyberhand! When will it happen? Rather than pin a date on my Cyberverse, I will outline a possible implimentation path, including all of the developments publically announced. Step 1: Spring 1989 "Habitat" Ship Low End Prototype: 3rd person, 2d, Low resolution, Low bandwidth, Cyberspace with joystick/keyboard interface Purpose: Entertainment Event: 3rd Quarter 1990 "CyberCad" Ship commercial CAD version of Cyberspace Interface Eyephones, DataGlove/DataSuit. 1st person, 3D graphics (wire frame on small computers). Purpose: Commercial CAD Event: AT&T starts installing nationwide ISDN, promises installation by 2001 (this will drive bandwidth over 100,000baud!) Event: 'DataGlove, the cheap version' arrives. Event: 486/68040 50+mz computers sell for <$1000 dollars. Event: 9600/19.2k baud modesm <$100 dollars Event: A cyberspace team defines the 1st Cyberspace Data and communications standards (an event they will regret later when this 'interrim-hack' becomes the defacto standard) Event: (about 1995) "Cyberverse 1.0" (U.S.? Japan?) Ship first multi-purpose Cyberspace universe Eyephones optional, mouse OR glove required Frontend data stored on high density media (CDROM?) 9600baud minimum speed, LAN version available. (host still required) Event: Computers get 10X faster and 10X more memory/storage. Ongoing event: AT&T still installing ISDN Event: (about 2000) Japan completes ISDN installation, selling ISDN modems comercially Event: After cursing the original Cyber-designers for severl years now, the Data and Comm standards are updated to support. multi- and distrbuited-host models. Event: First suicide attributed by the media to a game played while in Cyberspace. Event: (about 2000) "Cyberverse 2.0" Ship distributed host version Includes latest User interface Hardware optionally. Now a host is not required. Event: Computers get 10X faster and 10X more memory/storage. Ongoing event: AT&T still installing ISDN Event: (about 2000) Japan completes ISDN installation, selling ISDN modems comercially Event: After cursing the original Cyber-designers for severl years now, the Data and Comm standards are updated to support. multi- and distrbuited-host models. Event: (about ????) AT&T finally completes ISDN Event: (the Future) "Cyberverse 3.0" aka "the Big Payoff" Distribute version3.0 via Cybersoft retail outlets in Cyberspace 100,000+baud, allowing life-like personalizations EEG direct input? Hologram Video? Retinal Projection? Full Body digitizing? Forced feedback? Event: Congress takes significate note of the Cyberverse, because 10-20% of Americans spend over 4 hours per day First Chapter of Mothers Against Cyberspace forms, claims junior never goes out to play..... (We gotta think about this stuff too, ya know!) Farmer, you're your full of Cybercrud! Oh, yeah? A 386/CDROM version of Habitat will soon be released in Japan. Other foriegn companies are also interested in this technology, and some are talking about multi-machine support, standards and the future. My only fear is that the long-term nature of this project will cause American companies to shy away, and let yet another new technology be monopolized by other, more forward-looking nations.  Nelson, Theodor, Standard Public Xanadu Speech.  Khosla, Vinod of Dynabook Technologies quoted in Bay Area Computer Currents "Dynabook! Dynamite?" Vol 7,#4 pp 22-24.  Laurel, Brenda mentions Cyberspace in "New Interfaces for Interactive Entertainment" in Vol 2, #5 of The Journal of Computer Game Design.  Vinge, Vernor "True Names" republished in an anthology "True Names and Other Dangers" (mandatory reading for would-be Cyberhacks)  Gibson, William "Neuromancer" (date publisher) (recommended reading) Nix, Shan interviews Jaron Lanier of VPL in The San Fransisco Chronicle, "Welcome to the World of Hyper-Reality"early August 1986, pp B1,B6 ISDN:Intergrated Services Digital Network. instead of converting digital data to analog (via modem) and back again, digital data is dropped directly on to phone lines. Maximum throughput of full sale fiber-optic ISDN is 1 to 6 gigabits/second. Several foriegn countries have made ISDN a national priority. Nelson, Theodor: Computer Lib/Dream Machines Microsoft Press Revised Edition 1987 pp 27-29 x. He can be reached via Usenet at randy@xanadu.com or through the Journal BBS.oo#FAtunt 45  " ( T U )*  !!!####$ $ $5$6$^$$$$$$%%E%F%X%d%%%%&&'L'M'^'y'''''''''''''''(.\.f.....@@J@$^$FG@A JKyz)*MBy"P 7v 1u\!!! !!!!!!P\![ - a !!8!m!!!!!###$5$%E%&'L''''..011512a223!3O33335:I;===e?:?CDBD{DFmHH9HHHI,I-RGRHRIRRXXY`YaYY\H\O\q\x\\\\\!!!!Y But now, i, 'The Age Of Golden Vaporware"Technologies becauseustechnicalations. Here I will illustrate a , popular graphic adventure,havocmetaphortvAutodesk'sbeyonddoublethe price tag weighs in atijust metaphorparticipatory a good game of SpaceCombat9.6.Interfacewhat isdkeepinglocal computergraphicsmolassesLocalHorsepowershoulddesignedprinciple. A protocol is required that effcient and forward looking, future revisions (as bandwith increases) and data encryption. Aforespionage. entrenchedimplementationpubliclyEvent aka "The Poor Man's Cyberspace"multi-user Fall? single user shouldmodemsCyberspacefirinterim orLocalcheap! Event: First 'Cracker' group has successfully done measurable damage to the global Cyberverse. The back doors are all closed. Or are they?severaldistributed- Massive testing required., a, Event: First combination Television/Phone/Computer successfully mass marketed??Supportsuh() Now a host is not required.201. Wall size videophone reaching suburban markets (10-20 years late?)significant Trade Unions (and other Lobbies) note significant changes in the distribution of political power. First Cyberspace Lobby arrives in Washington.Event:cans spend over 4 hours per day "on the Other Side". r of Mothers Against Cyberspace forms, ''Tversion 3dy digitizing? Forced feedback? Voice input/output? World access via remote-robots? foreign,  Credit where credit is due: Chip Morningstar was original designer and leader of the Habitat project. Aric Wilmunder was the other primary C64 programmer. Janet Hunter did most of the Host work. I was also chief operator and world builder. (Habitat has not yet been released in it's complete form (it will in Japan in '90). For a taste of a much-scaled-down version, check out Club Caribe on QuantumLink (you'll need a C64 & software). Call 800-782-2278 for details. Xanadu is the name of a kind of mega-hypertext product.IntegratedforeignddddfKfLfQfSggggi+i+............// /#/$/)/1/>/]/f/m/n/u//////////////04070A0B0L0Z0b0g0000000000000000111151U1a1h1t1u111111111111112 22221242A2U2`2a2x2z2222@d222222222223!3-3.3/3O3W3X3Y3Z3c3333333333333343444b44445 5(5O5r5s5z55555::$:,:B:C:H:::; ;<;=;>;^;b;d;;;<<.>)>V@Ja updates to commercial drawings, or perhaps remote machine control many (more here. Should I assume people have been reading the press? Can I just concentrate on the difference multi-user makes?? (effecting the universe other will encounter, effecting others, transactions that will effect others in the real world)  Credit where credit is due: Chip Morningstar was original designer and leader of the Habitat project. Aric Wilmunder was the other primary C64 programmer. Janet Hunter did most of the Host work. I was also chief operator and world builder. (Habitat has not yet been released in it's complete form (it will in Japan in '90). For a taste of a much-scaled-down version, check out Club Caribe on QuantumLink (you'll need a C64 & software). Call 800-782-2278 for details. Xanadu is the name of a kind of mega-hypertext product.Integratedforeignefficient  Credit where credit is due: Chip Morningstar was original designer and leader of the Habitat project. Aric Wilmunder was the other primary C64 programmer. Janet Hunter did most of the Host work. I was also chief operator and world builder. (Habitat has not yet been released in it's complete form (it will in Japan in '90). For a taste of a much-scaled-down version, check out Club Caribe on QuantumLink (you'll need a C64 & software). Call 800-782-2278 for details. Xanadu is the name of a kind of mega-hypertext product.IntegratedforeignThe hero connected to 'The using EEG electrodes placed on the forehead. The Other Plane /governmentalnetwork /wizards ''0 >V>W>X>>>????9?:?r?|???????????????BBB!B%B'BmBnBBBBBCCCbCCCCCCD DDDD D?D@DADBDCDyDzD{D|DDDDDDDDDDEEE4E\EEEEEF!FDFEFLFlFmFFFFFFFFFF@J@` Credit where credit is due: Chip Morningstar was original designer and leader of the Habitat project. Aric Wilmunder was the other primary C64 programmer. Janet Hunter did most of the Host work. I was also chief operator and world builder. (Habitat has not yet been released in it's complete form (it will in Japan in '90). For a taste of a much-scaled-down version, check out Club Caribe on QuantumLink (you'll need a C64 & software). Call 800-782-2278 for details. Xanadu is the name of a kind of mega-hypertext product. Integrated:foreign difference multi-user makes?? s (This next section can be deleted if space is a problem) (end off deletable portion)  Credit where credit is due: Chip Morningstar was original designer and leader of the Habitat project. Aric Wilmunder was the other primary C64 programmer. Janet Hunter did most of the Host work. I was also chief operator and world builder. (Habitat has not yet been released in it's complete form (it will in Japan in '90). For a taste of a much-scaled-down version, check out Club Caribe on QuantumLink (you'll need a C64 & software). Call 800-782-2278 for details. Xanadu is the name of a kind of mega-hypertext product. Integrated:foreignAMIXasXanaduhe ltimate laptop. And Cyberspace they are of Vingess story and and these worksAutoCAD system, has thrown ittwoTV user systemsanedit drawings in three dimensions. T the scope of this article-stereoscopic -irtwo..These companies envision new kind of user .a mereavoidingVideotex-ag Paragraph on HOST horsepower and distributed Host A.K.A.ThiDFirst- drive bandwidth to 1.5gigabits/second!CSctpctullcJ has not yet been released in itthe original,,,,,c or more has not yet been released in itthe original,,,,,c or moresheet of paper in my Cyberhand! Since the host coordinates all activity for all users, Host Horsepower is by far the most critical issue. For the first few years of operations, Cyberspace will have a single centralized host consisting of seveFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFGG G GGGGGGGGGGGG#G$G%G0G4GMGNGQGSGTGaGbGdGuGzGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH9H:H;HAHBHCHDHGHHHIHJHKHOHPHaHdHwHxHyHzH{H|H}H~HeHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIII I-I.IIILIeIIIIIIIIIIJNNNNN*N+NNNNNNO OO#O$OFOOOOOOOOPP-P3P?P@P\PPPPPQQ@@bral connected multiproccessing computers. In order to keep overhead to a minimum, bandwidth and database access will need to be tightly limited. The communications protocol will need to be super efficient and messages be kept tiny. Eventually there will be several independent Cyberspaces, perhaps on LANs or a larger BBS. Of course, while you are walking around in your office Cyberspace, you might want to go to other Cyberspaces, so a distributed host model will need to be designed. By not having a central host keep track of everything and everyone, this distributed model will actually decrease the load on each host. This will allow Cyberspace to take on a few interesting features 1) Each host can be a different kind of place, with different rules (e.g. A role-playing Cyberhost would probably have monsters, combat rules (including character death) and a no-holds-barred policy about participant behavior whereas an office Cyberhost would have access protection and wouldn't allow personal combat of any type), 2) Increased capacity without loss of access, and 3) Faster growth. has not yet been released in itthe original,,,,,c or moreend of has not yet been released in itthe original,,,,,c or more Why this vision instead of the others? People. Unlike the interactions with artificial personalities created for computer adventure games, Cyberspace interactions could create relationships that are "greater than the sum of the parts". Here (K"""<=st{|QQQQQQQ.Q8QvQQQQQQRRRRRR/R5R?R@RERFRGRHRIRhRtRuRvRwRxRyRzRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSS[SiSjSnSSSSSSSSSSVVyVVVVVVWW,W.W>W?W@WkWlWWWWWWWW@@bthe consquences of individual actions take on a greater significance because they affect the world of other participants. Like the real world, actions in Cyberspace can potentially have far-ranging effects on others' lives. The Cyberverse will be malliable, and each individual can participate in its ongoing creation. This is not speculation! During Habitat's beta test, several social institutions sprang up spontainously: There were marraiges and divorces, a church (complete with a real-world Greek Orthodox minister), a loose guild of thieves, an elected sherrif (to combat the thieves), a newpaper (with a rather eccentric editior), and before long two lawyers hung up thier shingle. And this was with only about 150 people! ire because they affect the world of, and the personal belongings of the other Because tso make a dent and and adaptation to sort out claims! Imagine the possibilities!  ibid consequences malleablespontaneouslymarriagessheriffnewspapereditortheir. .2>VFHWWWWWWWWWWWWXX X(X)X9XQXSXTXUX_XfXmXnXwXxXXXXXXXXXXXXYYYY"Y&Y*Y0Y1Y:Y=Y>YIYJYKYPYVY_YbYxYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY\\0\F\G\H\I\N\O\o\p\q\r\w\x\y\z\{\\\\\\\@J` My vision encompasses tens of thousands of simultaneous participants.-  ibid not speculation! During Habitat  ibid :-- announced to date.  ibid --A.K.A. hspace s megahertzattycpddress such issues as Email and procmust megahertz Also, ve with Habitat. 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