Copyright: Copyright ©1996 by New Riders Publishing and its licensors.  All rights reserved.


About the Community Place Browser

The Community Place browser is a full VRML 2.0 browser with Java language support that enables you and others to build and experience interactive, multimedia 3D worlds.  However, Community Place is more than a stand-alone VRML2.0 browser; it's part of a sophisticated multiuser shared 3D CyberSpace. Each browser, when connected to a multiuser server, the Community Place Bureau, will enable you to choose your 3D representation in that world, your avatar, and will use that avatar to represent you in the shared worlds.


Contents

The CD-ROM for Java for 3D and VRML Worlds is a tremendous resource for users of this book. Most of the CD-ROM content is in HTML format, making it easy to click-and-go to the various CD contents, and to explore VRML worlds.

CD-ROM QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS

If you have Netscape (v3 or later) installed on your machine, you should install the Community Place Plug-in for Netscape.  Two versions of the Community Place Plug-in are available:

Click here to install the Community Place Plug-in with DirectX support. (Recommended for most users.)

Click here to install the Community Place Plug-in without DirectX support. (Choose this option if DirectX is already installed on your computer.)

If you do not have Netscape, or do not wish to install a plug-in, click here for information about the standalone versions of the Community Place Browser, included on this CD.

The readme.html document in the root directory of the CD-ROM provides links needed to explore the CD-ROM thoroughly.  It also directs you to VRML and JAVA resources on the Internet.  We hope that you enjoy Java for 3D and VRML Worlds, and invite you to contact New Riders Publishing with comments and feedback.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This software product is copyrighted by New Riders Publishing and its licensors.  All rights are reserved. You are licensed to use this software on a single computer. You may copy the software as needed to facilitate your use on a single computer. Making copies of the software for any other purpose is a violation of the United States copyright laws.

DISCLAIMER

This software is sold AS IS without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Neither the publisher nor its dealers or distributors assumes any liability for any alleged or actual damages arising from the use of this program. (Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so the exclusion may not apply to you.)


DirectX

DirectX is a set of APIs that allows developers of interactive content to access specialized hardware features without having to write hardware-specific code. For these developers, DirectX offers stability and standardization in a constantly changing and unpredictable market. For consumers of games and other interactive content, the result is enhanced realism and interactivity and a wider selection of titles compatible with a broad range of computer hardware.


New Riders Publishing
Contact New Riders Publishing

Thank you for purchasing this product.  The staff of New Riders Publishing is committed to bringing you the very best in computer reference material. Each New Riders product is the result of months of work by authors and staff who research and refine the information.  As part of this commitment to you, the NRP user, New Riders invites your input.

If you have a question or comment about a New Riders product, there are several ways to contact New Riders Publishing. We will respond to as many readers as we can. Your name, address, or phone number will never become part of a mailing list or be used for any purpose other than to help us continue to bring you the best books possible. You can write us at the following address:

New Riders Publishing

Attn: Publishing Manager

201 W. 103rd Street

Indianapolis, IN 46290

If you prefer, you can fax New Riders Publishing at 1-317-817-7448.

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New Riders is an imprint of Macmillan Computer Publishing. To obtain a catalog or information, or to purchase any Macmillan Computer Publishing book, call 1-800-545-5914.

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The Sony Community Place VRML 2.0 Browser
The Sony Community Place VRML 2.0 Browser - Letter from the Sony Development Team

Click here to install the standalone version of Community Place Browser with DirectX support.

Click here to install the standalone version of Community Place Browser without DirectX support.

Our goal is the creation of a Virtual Society, an online, electronic, three-dimensional CyberSpace. CyberSpace will be full of interesting places to visit, fun things to do and most importantly, other people to meet.

The Community Place Browser is the window into this online world. It enables you to enter 3D worlds, to navigate around them, to interact with objects in these scenes, and to meet and chat with other users.

To allow this, the Community Place browser is a full VRML 2.0 browser with Java language support that enables you and others to build and experience interactive, multimedia 3D worlds.  However, Community Place is more than a stand-alone VRML2.0 browser; it's part of a sophisticated multiuser shared 3D CyberSpace. Each browser, when connected to a multiuser server, the Community Place Bureau, will enable you to choose your 3D representation in that world, your avatar, and will use that avatar to represent you in the shared worlds.

Once connected to the Community Place Bureau, you enter the shared world. Within it, you can see other people, wave to them, chat in groups, or even have private conversations. The browser and server support it all.  In this software package you will find all you need to allow you to enter this world. The Community Place browser works well as a stand-alone VRML 2.0 browser, and we've provided some demo files for you to load and enjoy. We've also provided a shared VRML world, Circus Park, that automatically connects to a public server when loaded.

Enjoy!!

The Sony Community Place development team

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