Virtual Reality is a broad, generic term for a wide variety of processes, software and hardware which can help human beings to "visualize, manipulate and interact with computers and extremely complex data.'" (The Silicon Mirage) Virtual visualizing is a process by which a computer generates visual, auditory or other sensual outputs toa person who interacts directly with it. Often that person is interacting by headset and glove . The number and variety of ways in which a computer may present virtual reality is exrtensive. For example the presentation may be in the form of a CAD model or a simulation, an animation or it may be a database. The receiver of this image is able to interact with it, manipulating objects and processes within the world presented. Because it can be manipulated, virtual reality is used extensively in games, architecture, real estate, medicine and military training. Within these forms it is referred to as a Cyberspace, extended reality or artificial reality.

The attraction of virtual reality is in its capacity to provide views of some applications provide perspectives and views of an object or place which may not usually be available in print or any still image. Visualization is an important component of virtual reality and at its most elaborate is used to assist , for example, surgeons prior to or during an operation, prospective buyers considering a property not yet built, or the movement of financial markets. One very interesting application is the MIT Artificial Intelligence laboratory’s I Lab Intelligent Room. MIT specialists describe the objective of the room in the following way:

"The Intelligent Room project explores advanced human-computer interaction and collaboration technologies. The objective is to create an intelligent room capable of interpreting and augmenting activity occurring within it. The Intelligent Room should let people move about, talk to it and gesture while all the time perceiving personalized displays on their glasses and commanding a vast array of computational and communication resources without even thinking about it."

You can explore other examples of virtual reality at the following addresses:

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/mrlaneis/ozedweb_it_virtual_reality_url_other.htm

http://www.ccon.org/events/sherwood.html