rgatkinson@watmum.UUCP (03/14/87)
_T_h_e _C_o_m_p_u_t_e_r _S_c_i_e_n_c_e _C_l_u_b _p_r_o_u_d_l_y _p_r_e_s_e_n_t_s_:
Randall B. Smith
of
Xerox Palo Alto Research Center
speaking on
AARRKK:: TThhee AAlltteerrnnaattee RReeaalliittyy KKiitt
The Alternate Reality Kit (ARK) is a project under development in
the Xerox PARC System Concepts Laboratory. ARK is an animated
environment for creating interactive simulations. It is a kit of
parts in which users can assemble their own ``microworlds.'' The
interface is quite faithful to a physical world metaphor: all ob-
jects have a visual presence, a velocity, and can experience
forces. One of the objects on the screen is a disembodied hand,
which moves around in response to a mouse. The user's ``hand''
can carry and throw objects, and can press buttons. In ARK, even
the underlying simulation laws are represented by physical ob-
jects called interactors. Interactors are important actors in
the story of how ARK attempts to enable intuition by making
abstractions concrete. Although the implementation is still
evolving, ARK has already hosted dozens of experimental subjects.
This presentation will feature videotape of the system, discuss
the underlying motivations for the design, and describe some of
the experiments. Future plans, which include making ARK a self-
contained programming environment, will be discussed.
Monday, April 6, 1987, 7:30 p.m.
MC5158
University of Waterloo
Tea and Doughnaughts Served