Re: cyberespace mirror-city

Ethan Hoerneman (ehoernem@students.wisc.edu)
Sun, 2 Jul 95 12:24:37 CST

In Message Sat, 1 Jul 1995 16:43:20 +0100,
Torbjoern.Caspersen@ark.unit.no (Torbjoern Caspersen) writes:
>I agree that static 3d representations of the net is futile, as is printing
>maps of jugoslavia these days.

I agree that a 3d representation is far too limiting for the fast changing
and highly complex collection of information on the net. However, it does
give the user an orienation that he/she can associate with the "real" world
and thus feel more comfortable navigating.

This model need to be extended, however. As Brandon suggested, the use of
keywords and hyperlinks is critical to internet/www navigation. So why
can't this exist in a 3d representation? What we would really be talking
about is a 4-dimensional world (impossible until now) in which a user can go
anywhere at any time, but still "see" a comfortable 3d representation of
the environment. Links could be placed anywhere - allowing someone to
"hyperspace" to a new location, related information, whatever. There really
couldn't be a map as such, since spacial orientation of different sites is
meaningless.

I think that the actual representation of the environment will be
debated, but should not be limited to "information warehouses". Maybe
something more condusive to growth and modularity?

Ethan Hoerneman
InterArts and Technology - UW-Madison
ehoernem@students.wisc.edu