Re: Looks Like They Want To Charge for ActiveVRML

When people think there may be a problem with their interpretation of
the VRML spec, they check WebSpace on the SGI (or on the PC sometimes).
They don't go look at VRweb. A content provider is free to look at
their stuff on whatever platform they care to. The browser writers
are more constrained.

I don't mean this comment to be taken as an absolute, just that this is
typical behavior.

>> Let's run the same thought scenario with ActiveVRML (RBML). Presumably
>> Microsoft would have the first RBML browser, and presumably it would also
>> hold the coveted position of "reference implementation." Unfortunately,
>> in this case, it's also on the dominant platform. So Microsoft would have
>> the "best" browser on the most common platform. Where do folks like Paper
>> Software and Chaco Communications go after this? They are effectively shut
>> out of the game, if you ask me. I don't think this would be a good thing.
>
> So we shouldn't look at ActiveVRML because if we did and we liked it
> Microsoft would make money from it, more money than Paper Software and
> Chaco Communications?

No, I didn't say we shouldn't look at it, just that this is one of my
worries. I'm not worried about Microsoft making a lot of money, they
will. I'm worried about our industry having effectively one browser.
This will leave us in the Netscape position -- that browser's specific
variations become de facto standards. This alesady is happening somewhat
with WebSpace (did you know that WebFX supports the WebSpace Cameras
hack? It's not in the spec.)

Diversity is a good thing. We need to cultivate it. Looking at RBML
is not going to cause loss of diversity, but going completely down the
road of assimilation probably will.

> BTW: who are Paper Software and Chaco Communications?

Err, Paper writes WebFX, and Chaco writes VRScout. Along with
Intervista's WorldView, these are the three fast PC browsers.
Intervista has a strategic relationship with Microsoft alesady, and I'm
assuming that Tony is smart enough to turn that into survival in a
Microsoft-dominated VRML.

James

--
James Waldrop                        /          Technical Director
sulam@construct.net              /              Construct Internet Design
sulam@well.com               /                  http://www.construct.net