Virtual Reality Books


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Virtual Reality Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Virtual Reality
The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants
Published in Paperback by Career Press (2005-07)
Authors: Christine Durst and Michael Haaren
List price: $14.99
New price: $8.84
Used price: $5.54

Average review score:

Trade your time, knowledge, and advice for $ by working as a virtual assistant; or online teacher, coach, or consultant.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-03-23

I loved this book. I spotted it while purusing the shelves in the business section at Barnes and Noble the other day. When I opened it up and skimmed the Table of Contents I found starting an online virtual assistance company requires the same skills and talents as starting an online coaching, teaching, or consulting practice. Even though at the time of my writing this review there are already 69 reviews posted for this book, I am writing this review because none of the reviews point out that this is wonderful book for anybody who wants to offer a service via the Internet. Sure, you can offer your services as a virtual assistant. But the advice offered in this book applies equally to people who offer their services through a Web site and email and provide coaching, teaching, and/or consulting pointers and advice. And providing these other services online will probably take just as much time as providing virtual assistance services, but pay a whole lot more.

I found this book to be well outlined and well written. It will definitely be a worthwhile tome to add to your library as you investigate and research the business plan you need to write in order to start your freelance operation regarding services you plan to sell online. So read this book with an open mind and do NOT limit you thoughts to just becoming a virtual assistant. There are all kinds of opportunities today to work from home in your PJs providing so many different kinds of services via the Internet. Forget about commuting. Forget about getting dressed up or maintaining a healthy wardrobe. Just worry about being expert at something and selling your time, knowledge and advice. 5 stars!

Other books I highly recommend you consider reading along with this book include:

>>Riches in Niches (EasyRead Large Bold Edition): How to Make It BIG in a Small Market
>>Start Your Own Information Marketing Business (Start Your Own...)
>>Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own e-Learning Business (The Startup Series)
>>Start Your Own Coaching Business (Start Your Own...)
>>Four Steps To Building A Profitable Coaching Practice: A Complete Marketing Resource Guide for Coaches
>>Web Business Success: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Web Sites That Work
>>The Web-Savvy Writer: Book Promotion with a High-Tech Twist, Second Edition
>>Coaching Millions: Help More People, Make More Money, Live Your Ultimate Lifestyle

Helpful information
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-28
I decided to purchase book because I had seen it on military.com's military spouse career center. It does have quite helpful information for beginning a virtual assistance business.

not finished with it ... too busy right now
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-04
not finished yet ..... need more time for something like this ...
have only briefly leafed ... that's how i gave it the three stars..

The Perfect "Start-up Manual" for Virtual Assistants!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-22
After having worked in the administrative support field for over 20 years, the entrepreneur in me was longing to get out. I figured with my skill set and having managed other administrative personnel, becoming Virtual Assistant (VA) would be a great way to start my own business on a part-time basis and, a perfect way to supplement my current income. I began browsing a number of VA and work-at-home websites to try to find out more about how to start my own practice. While the websites were helpful, I had yet to find a site that really got into the nuts and bolts of how to start your own business without having to pay for an expensive training course.

Then I stumbled upon a website called the Rat Race Rebellion. This is a great website packed with TONS of information and resources. That's where I first saw a link to The 2-Second Commute, written by Christine Durst and Michael Harren. I ordered the book from Amazon and was immediately impressed with the structure of the book which is straight forward and very well organized. This book is a "must have" for every aspiring Virtual Assistant!!

Durst and Harren do a magnificent job of explaining what a VA is (and isn't), how to build a successful VA practice brick-by-brick and how to navigate the work-life-balance of working from home. The assessment tools and resources alone are worth the books weight in gold. If you are an administrative professional who is thinking about starting your own VA practice, The 2-Second Commute is the perfect start-up manual.

Must-Have Resource!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2009-03-18
This book had tons of useful information, written in a way that kept me wanting to turn the page. I will certainly keep this book for future reference -- I've dog-eared, highlighted, used post-its -- on so many useful topics.

Virtual Reality
Quaternions and Rotation Sequences: A Primer with Applications to Orbits, Aerospace and Virtual Reality
Published in Paperback by Princeton University Press (2002-08-19)
Author: J. B. Kuipers
List price: $65.00
New price: $43.87
Used price: $33.95
Collectible price: $99.95

Average review score:

Practicing Engineers' perspective
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-07-04
I'm leader of a small group of engineers working in the area of air flight vehicles particularly those that are unmanned. Our primary interest is flight control but more recently inertial navigation. Had a background in maths obviously but quaternions had always been a bit scary. Have bought several books on quaternions from Amazon but this one is by far the best. It is easy to read and particularly like the "fact box" approach using the page margins. Saves retracing back through the pages. Very well presented and difficult areas reinforced. It bridged the gap between direction cosine matrices etc to quaternions for our group...quaternions are no longer scary.

Errata can be found at this web address...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-03-05
IGNORE MY COMMENT ABOUT THE ERRATA: The errata on the author's web site have been corrected in the version now being shipped. Besides, Amazon censored the hyperlink I attempted to provide below.

I've just begun the book and like it so far. Other reviews here seem pretty accurate and fair. Because several reviewers noted the presence of errors in the book, I tracked down the errata so I could correct the mistakes before I got confused by them. Here is errata from Kuiper's personal web pages: [...].

Kelly Carter
[...]

Clarity and completeness
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-01-26
The great thing about this book is the author goes through detailed expositions of every topic. So if you "get it" the first time, you can skim ahead to the next topic; if not, you can work through the proofs, step-by-step, to make sure you understand it. There's no "the proof is left as an exercise for the interested reader."

Another thing I really like about this book is that you don't need to be a mathematician to understand it (i.e. it's perfect for engineers). If there is reference to a mathematical topic, the author defines the terminology and gives you a concise explanation. He will give you enough to make it relevant to the current subject.

For example, you don't need to have a grad-school course in groups and fields to be able to understand how they relate to the specific applications of quaternions covered in the book. That cannot be said about some other books on quaternions I have been reading. About all you need here is some knowledge of vectors, matrices and complex numbers.

This book is not only tractable but downright accessible. And it is so well organized that, after reading the first few chapters, you may find the specific application of interest to you and jump straight to it.


Outstanding
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-03
Excellent book. Well written. Clear. Thoughtful.
Plenty of examples. I would highly recommend it!

A math book you can read in bed
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-29
There are many other reviews that discuss (and applaud) the merits of Kuipers' treatment of the subject, and I agree with them. Rather than add a "me too", I wanted to treat some of the features of this book that make it approachable.

This book is not written for the layman, you do need a fair grounding in matrix methods, complex variables, and rotations. If you remember the basics you should be fine because Kuipers reminds you of special theorems and properties as they are used. Notation is kept simple and unconfusing.

Of particular note, he uses the margins in a novel way. Most math texts number their equations and refer to them often. The reader spends a lot of time flipping back and forth. Kuipers frequently puts referenced equations, needed properties, and other information in the margins where they are needed. This minimizes the usual back and forth and enables a marginally sophisticated reader to actually read and learn something new in bed.

Virtual Reality
3D Studio MAX 3(r) Media Animation
Published in Textbook Binding by New Riders Publishing (1999-07)
Authors: John P. Chismar and John Chismar
List price: $49.99
Used price: $2.92

Average review score:

What an awesome book for real world CG
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-14
This book literally launched my CG animation career. I later took a class in CG animation and modeling and the tutorials in this book were in that class. Its was an excellent class, since it helped you learn the book's content is covered in 3 weeks instead of 2-3 months of night time after work animation. But this book is $30 not $2k.
What a great book. It does assume you know the basics, so learn the basics first and then dive in head first.

terrible
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-18
not even worth giving it up to my dog to chew on.

A Great Book !
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-12-29
I have read several books about 3D Max but I consider this book one of the best books ! and I have learnt a lot from it ...If you want to make professional media animations logos you have to own one !

A Great Book !
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-12-29
I have read several books about 3D Max but I consider this book one of the best books ! and I have learnt a lot from it ...If you want to make professional media animations logos you have to own one !

Finally
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-27
Finally a book that merges great tutorial writing and impressive content. Going through this book, I was intrigued with every sentence. Not only did I want to read what Chismar had to say but I would learn things at random times. New techniques and tricks sprawl throughout this book, were at times I even felt a little guilty getting all this info for just a few bucks. Don't keep us waiting too long for the next one, John.

Virtual Reality
Caligari Truespace2 Bible
Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons Inc (Computers) (1996-07-25)
Author: Peter M. Plantec
List price: $39.99
New price: $14.98
Used price: $0.95

Average review score:

Excellent book - you must get this!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-14
Having bought TrueSpace2 with no prior knowledge of CGI, and being the world's worst artist, I was skeptical reading previous reviews. However I needn't have been.

The author gently takes the reader through from first principles to advanced modelling in a clear and concise manner, and in such a way that it gives you confidence to try something new.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Totolly Awesome and Inspring
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 1998-08-22
Great book, it also taught TrueSpace in a matter of weeks instread of learning by exprimentation.

I love this book
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-16
I started using TrueSpace back when version 2 was the newest release. I figured I could play around and build some small videos for myself. This book walked me through many of the functions and allowed me to apply what I have learned. Practically from the first page, the author walks your step by step in creating your own object. Now with version 6 available, I wish this author would write an update to keep us all in the know. Even now I still refer back to this book for missing tips and function that I don't use offen enough to remember. If you like to use TrueSpace and really want to develop something not only recognizable, but high-end I suggest you start with this book.

How much is this book?
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 1999-09-29
What are Amazon playing at! nowhere is the price displayed of this ite

Alert! 3D Junkies, you NEED this book!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 1998-10-04
Even though Caligari has recently released trueSpace 4, this book covering version 2 is a must have. The easy to follow and understand print will have you creating breathtaking graphics in no time at all. Caligari's trueSpace is truly outstanding only if you learn to use it properly. This book will do that for you.

Virtual Reality
The Obsolete Employee: How Businesses Succeed Without Employees - And Love It!
Published in Hardcover by Virtual Source Press (2007-05-01)
Author: Michael J. Russer
List price: $24.95
New price: $11.95
Used price: $9.50

Average review score:

Great resource for anyone considering a virtual assistant!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-02-02
I am a virtual assistant and I love this book. I read this to get my clients and potential clients views on the work I do. It has helped me better my services and help me introduce this business help to new clients. I have let new clients borrow my book and they love it. I recommend this book to every business owner. You will save money and time. You can have all that important work being completed while you do what you love and what makes money for your business.

Erin
http://www.premierevirtualoffice.com

Virtual Outsourcing, the employee of the future!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-25
As a Virtual Real Estate Assistant, this book really speaks to those who are trapped in the old fashioned business world of onsite employees. The Obsolete Employee has great advice on how to run a successful business by outsourcing all of your work. It also gave me a wonderful insight how to help potential clients understand why they need my services and how it can help them financially in the future. The Obsolete Employee is a must for anyone who has never used virtual outsourcing.

Great ideas but too much filler
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-22
This book is extremely timely and offers a lot of useful ideas and information for entrepreneurs who want to build a business with a "light" infrastructure or save time and resources by inexpensively outsourcing tasks. However, as someone who is already a "convert" to the central argument of the book, I feel that I am wasting a lot of time wading through arguments and examples about why virtual outsourcing is a good idea as I search for nuggets of actual information and advice. My impression is that there is enough information in this book for a good article, but the author stretched it to a book-length manuscript by arguing his point over and over. Bored with digging through the fluff, I took a little break to write this Amazon review, which I'll update after I make it to the book's end if I discover more meat than what it appears to contain.

Next to my Bible
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-04
It took me 3 months to read this book. Oh, it wasn't because it was difficult to read or understand. It was because I was too busy dealing with the very issues this book addresses. As I made more money and became more productive my employees seemed to be entitled to a piece of MY pie even though I was already giving them their own piece. They knew they were holding me hostage and so did I. This wasn't fair. But I had no choice until...The Obsolete Employee.

Even as I sat at my desk and read the book, the atmosphere in my office changed. It was as if my employees already knew what was in the book. Suddenly they became more proactive, more willing to work and generally nicer to deal with. But, they still knew that without them I couldn't get the job done.

Well, I can't believe how wrong they were, and that I took 3 months to read this critical book. Since I have started reading the book, I have gone from 3 employees to one part time onsite employee and depending on the day 5 or 6 Virtual Consultants. My production has almost doubled, my costs have been cut in half and I stopped growing gray hair. I've taken 2 vacations and am going on a third in a week. Incredible.
Oh, and let me say that this book is not about eliminating the good and necessary onsite empolyees. For me it clarified simply how to better make use of that resource.

I'm just a one-man show but by the end of this year, my clients will never know it because of the resources that are now at my disposal.

I have a shelf where I put all my important books. On that shelf sits, Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill, The E-myth Revisited - Michael Gerber, Chicken Soup For The Soul - Mark Victor Hansen, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - Al Ries/Jack Trout, The Obsolete Employee - Michael Russer and sitting next to it...The Holy Bible - God

Will help my business grow 2x as fast for 1/4 the cost
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-13
My speaking, coaching, and writing business was booming -- and I knew I needed to get more support -- fast -- or I'd have to start turning business away. This fantastic book was given to me at just the right time, and I read it in 48 hours. I couldn't put it down!

I had just tentatively dipped my toe into the virtual outsourcing ocean and had a great experience. I sent an audio to India to be transcribed, and they did it while I slept at 1/4 the cost of a local outfit. Inexpensive. Professional. Fast. What's not to like?

Still, I had a lot of questions and concerns. Michael Russer answered all my questions and gave me a step-by-step process for how to proceed confidently down this new frontier. Implementing what I learned in "The Obsolete Employee" will likely save me $100,000+ over the next few years. More important, Michael Russer has given me the keys to expanding my business 2x as fast for 1/4 the cost.

This is book is a must-read for any speaker, coach, author, or small business owner.

Virtual Reality
Designing Virtual Worlds (New Riders Games)
Published in Paperback by New Riders Games (2003-07-25)
Author: Richard Bartle
List price: $49.99
New price: $24.00
Used price: $19.94

Average review score:

Superb history of Virtual Worlds development
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-27
Mr. Bartle's writing is precise and his facts carefully researched, even the ones he experienced himself. This is a huge, superbly constructed history of the tools and philosophies developed over the years in experimental and commercial development of online virtual worlds. Because of Mr. Bartle's personal knowledge as a long-time designer and his sharp memory for the significance of trends and details, this book will raise anyone's appreciation of whatever virtual worlds one comes across on line or on disk, whether they be famous commercial ones or those developed by enthusiasts for their own pleasure. I would think it would be a must read for gaming students. What a grand, satisfying, fascinating book! And when one considers that this exciting history is only the beginning of VW development... Wow!

The theory behind Virtual Worlds
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-30
This book taught me the theory behind Virtual worlds and I beleive nearly everything I read in this book.

I didn't simply believe everything because it was a published book, I beleived it because Richard used examples from real games. With all the experiance Richard has you would expect him to have learnt everything the hard way, he has but he's also smart enough to realise that sometimes you can learn from others mistakes instead of making them yourself.

The book is aimed at the 'Dungeons and Dragons' (and most of his examples are) type of game but there is no reason the information cannot be used in other genres.

The most amusing part is how right he can be.
Richard states that 'you cannot allow players to carry items over from the Beta testing to the online game, even though your players will try to convince you otherwise'; something I didn't really think and didn't really agree with.
My family and I were all about to join 'Pirates of the Caribbean' when it started; when the announcement was made that players form the Beta test would be allowed to keep items my daughters asked what a Beta test was, I explained and now they don't want to play as they consider that to be cheating. We have all decided not to play.

Learn from others (like Richard) or pay the price.

James

Designing Virtual Worlds
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-10
Covers all the aspects of virtual worlds from a psycological perspective; the intentions, the types of virtual worlds.
Doesn't include indepth technology and the development issues related to designing virtual worlds
Good primer on virtual worlds.

Guide to the philosophy and strategy of designing virtual worlds
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-07
To begin with, this book is not a programming book. There is no code, no discussion of VRML, MPEG-4, or X3D. Instead, this book stands back and takes a "big picture" look at the design of a virtual world from the viewpoint of systems engineering, social engineering, philosophy, history, and psychology. Ethical considerations are even tossed in for good measure.
The book starts out with chapters on the history of virtual worlds and the cultural influences that affected their characteristics. Next, there is a fly-over view of the "production line" of building a virtual world. Bartle then turns his attention to the players - who they are, what they want, and how a virtual world can meet their needs. World design is examined from the standpoint of virtual geography, virtual world citizens, and finally the physics required to implement your world. Chapter 5 is about the specific sociology and physiology of the virtual world - skill levels, individual characteristics, how virtual inhabitants divide themselves into groups, combat, and even the meaning of death in the virtual world. The final three chapters are very philisophical in nature. Chapter 6 is basically a liberal arts syllabus through the prism of virtual world design. The last chapter, on ethical considerations, talks about censorship, and also looks at the player as a person and how game playing in virtual worlds can hurt more than help some kinds of people, particularly those prone to addiction.
Bartle's social commentaries may be a bit long-winded for some people, although I found them interesting. Some readers may also be somewhat frustrated by the fact that the book talks more about what can go wrong in the design of a virtual world - overly complex and static story arcs, characters that players do not get invested in, characters in which players get too invested, etc - than what can go right. I really enjoyed the book, mainly because it moves the focus of the potential virtual world designer from the artistic and technical viewpoint to the player's viewpoint - why they plays games, and why a player would pick your game versus someone else's game.

Game theory and design? This is the book you've been looking for!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-17
You're getting it straight from the horse's mouth since this book is written by the grandfather of the modern MMORPG.
Rest assured - if you are a game designer, developer, or just love reading about game theory, this book is worth every penny.

I have read many other books on the subject and not one of them are packed with as much depth, knowledge, and wisdom. Bartle covers every avenue that a designer needs to consider in order to be successful. This book will help you and your team create an active, emergent virtual world.

As a game developer, I learned many valuable lessons on what made other games lose subscribers, or worse -- catastrophically fail.


Richard Bartle's writing style is very creative and detailed, and like his games, it gives you the 'just one more page' syndrome. For example, in this book it mentions how often a player must be rewarded in order to retain interest. He uses this same technique for writing by giving you something insightful to read atleast every 10 pages.


Bartle has covered all the bases. Designing Virtual Worlds is a great book, very entertaining. I give it 5 out of 5 stars - a must read.

More than 700 well-written pages packed with valuable insights, and it still leaves you begging for more.

Virtual Reality
Forced Conversion
Published in Hardcover by Five Star (2004-11-02)
Author: Donald J. Bingle
List price: $25.95
New price: $23.72
Used price: $22.70
Collectible price: $40.95

Average review score:

I had to keep going back for more.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-26
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book that I had dreams about it later. I just couldn't stop thinking about it, such a great concept and subject matter. Upon finishing the book I could have picked it up and reread it again. Especially loved the awesome detailed descriptions and the pacing of "Forced Conversion." I love it when a book can take me away and this one definitely did. Just get this one already!

You'll Be Thinking Of This Book Long After You Finish It
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-07
Thoughtful, fast-paced and disturbingly realistic, 'Forced Conversion' grabs you from the first paragraph and takes you on a gutsy ride of body, mind and soul. This book is a sci-fi action adventure in the genres best, most morally valuable tradition. It shows us what could be, gives us time to think up reasons why it couldn't happen, then shows us just how it might happen anyway. I love those kind of stories, but hate the authors that write them. They don't let me feel safe at night.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that I have known the author for years and have always thought he had a certain creative and intellectual genius. That said....)

One of the things I look for in a story is how the very first line grabs my attention. Then I look at the first paragraph. Finally, the first chapter. This probably drives some writers crazy, but my time is limited. If a book can't get me excited in the first chapter, then I move on to another story. This book grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. The first paragraph was particularly arresting, especially given the threat of global islamic terrorism we now face. I read the first paragraph, set the book down, looked at my wife, and said, "Wow".

In essence, the book asks a series of straight-forward questions:

What if the earths population continued to rise as resources continued to fall?

What if religious fundamentalism made it worse?

What if famine, over-population, pollution and an explosion of regional conflicts, some of them nuclear, were a result?

What if technology became so advanced that it could, literally, solve all our problems, but only if EVERYONE embraced it?

What if those who didn't agree, who were, in fact, convinced that to agree meant the cost of their immortal souls, were forced to participate anyway?

And finally, what if this vision of the future was so realistic and so solidly founded on our current understanding of the world that you, the reader, would have a hard time saying it COULDN'T happen?

No, this book will definitely not make you feel safe at night.

I have seen reviews that compare Don Bingle to Robert Heinlein. I disagree. Heinlein would have written about 100 more pages, put them right before the last chapter of this book, and ended with an attitude of "life is hard, bitter and disappointing. Too bad." Not Don Bingle. Sure Don reminds you of Heinlein, as well as Bruce Sterling, Tom Cool and Charles Sheffield. But Don has his own darkly wonderful ending to his story. One that seems to say, "Yes. Life is hard, yours sucks .... and that's just the way it is. Do the best you can."

That's what I like best about this story. There are heroes here of many different shades of gray. All of them, including, perhaps, mankind itself, is just doing the best they can. Did they make the right decision? Well, you'll just have to decide that for yourself.

A page-turner!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-08
Visceral, bloody -- and one hell of a page turner! Bingle tackles the philosophical issues surrounding uploaded consciousness in a fresh, exciting way. This is the debut of a major novelist -- don't miss it. (I said this on the dustjacket, and I'm happy to repeat it here ...)

A novel that will leave you guessing
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-13
In a future world where humanity has decided to move en masse to artificial reality, on self-replicating computers, the only threat to the new world is those that chose to stay behind. Thus, the Conversion Forces (ConFoes) must enforce the mandatory conversion. Circumstances force together a conflicted ConFoe and a defiant Mal. Meanwhile, reality is not as stable as one might think....

An interesting science fiction tale about science, artificial reality, and what it means to be human. Like the movie Total Recall, you'll be left wondering where reality ends and the virtual world begins.

Fast-Paced and Thought Provoking
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-03-24
I had just finished re-reading Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and was contemplating the issues and choices that the main character in that story, Guy Montag, had to face as the result of his sudden reawakening and recognition of the morally bankrupt society he found himself in (a society of government mandated book burning and mindless entertainment aimed at pacification), when I decided to pick up a copy of "Forced Conversion" as my next read. To my delight, I found that Mr. Bingle's story, graphic and brutal though it may be at times, centering on a speculative near-future of government-forced conversion of humanity to eternal virtual worlds sustained by self-replicating computers (a nasty, messy, and ultimately fatal process), easily as entertaining and thought-provoking as Mr. Bradbury's classic "451." The story is fast-passed, and like Guy Montag, the ConFoe Derrick is faced with a reawakening to the morally and diametrically opposed (and mutually exclusive as we come to learn) processes of forced conversion verses self-determination (religious, criminal, debauched, or otherwise). The ending is so surprising that, like me, you'll probably have to read it at least three times to make certain your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, at which point you'll gasp inwardly. Afterwards, you'll challenge yourself as to which option would be better: forced conversion or death? If you like thought-provoking and cutting edge entertainment, I recommend "Forced Conversion," and not just to fans of science fiction.

Virtual Reality
VRML 2.0 Sourcebook, 2nd Edition
Published in Paperback by Wiley (1996-12-17)
Authors: Andrea L. Ames, David R. Nadeau, and John L. Moreland
List price: $85.00
New price: $32.00
Used price: $2.03

Average review score:

A great introduction, resource, and reference
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-28
I agree completely with the other reviewers. This book is has an amazing wealth of information about VRML and will have you making some amazing worlds by the time you are finished. Many important subjects are covered, from beginning to advanced topics. I do agree that there isn't NEARLY enough information about scripting with VRML, just a brief talk of how to do it. Some more examples with this would have been a huge help, but otherwise, I'd recommend this book to anyone who uses VRML, no matter your expertise.

Complete Guide to VRML provides insight into Xj3D too
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-08
Even nearly nine years after it was first written, this book continues to be valuable for more reasons than when it was published. If you are still involved in VRML and have some need to learn this language, this book is a complete guide that starts from the beginning with the simplest concepts and shape definitions and then builds to advanced concepts such as textures, lighting, and fog. Throughout the book there are figures of the resulting images and plenty of sample VRML files for all examples. I do agree with the other reviewers that chapter 30, the one on scripting, is really the only chapter that is no longer worthwhile since so many changes have been made to the scripting part of VRML. Other than that, this is truly one of the best written and most instructive tech books I have ever bought. If you are going to study VRML, there is no longer any other book in existence but this one that is worth owning.
The second reason to own this book has only popped up over the last two or three years. Since Xj3D began to come on the scene several years ago as the XML-based open-source replacement for VRML, this book has become invaluable for evaluating that tool's ability to build virtual worlds. In fact, the Web3D consortium's "test files" for Xj3D, which continues to be a work in progress, are VRML files from this book that have been translated into Xj3D. Since the base tags are the same in Xj3D as they are in VRML, if you are able to understand VRML you should be able to understand what's going on in an Xj3D file with just a little investigation into the basic differences. This will allow you to intelligently evaluate Xj3D and determine if you can find any weaknesses or discrepancies in that tool's implementation.

Informative Book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-08
This book is perfect for beginners and those that already now the basics and want to advance further. It has many examples and is written in a intelligent manor. If you are advanced in VRML you may still benefit from this book however when it comes to scripting and adding Java to your 3d worlds you will need to invest in other books.

Great Book!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 1999-12-15
Doesn't take you through the subject in the conventional manner. After the first couple of intro chapters, you can then easily delve into any other chapter for what you need. Very useful as a reference once you understand the basics. A bit weak on using scripts to control and interact with VRML worlds. Other than this minor gripe, a great book.

vrml 2.0
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 26 total.
Review Date: 1999-08-05
please informacion acerca de como cancelar

Virtual Reality
Gemini Game
Published in Turtleback by Demco Media (1996-06)
Author: Michael Scott
List price:

Average review score:

Gemini Game Review
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-10
I liked when they ran from the police because it was not only exciting, but they did a lot, too. Like play Meteors, run away from some gangsters, try to find a copy of their game, and actually play their game that had virus in it. I also liked how the author switched to the police, and then back to the twins. He usually did this between chapters. I didn't like how he explained the hole in the back of the neck that was used to plug the human brain to the game. That was digusting! No one in the future would do that! Of course no one would be that crazy to get a plug in the back of their neck, because it would be quite costly. All in all I thought that it was good because it started out quick, and had a lot of detail. This is a very good book. A must read for you Sci-fi readers!!

Reads like an RPG
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-07-06
I'm 14 years old, and I still enjoy this book as a quick read. I've always been a minor fan of video games, and what attracted me was the cover of the book. Very nicely done. Then I began reading it. Takes place in the future, blah blah blah. BUT, unlike many other sci-fi novels, this description of the futur is as dark and infested as others. Sure, there are the major slums and acid rains and society is in a rut, but that didn't detract from the novel at all. It actually enphasized the bootleg video game part vendors that were around, and all the places the twins could go to escape the cops.
From the very beginning, the book readl ike and RPG/Adventure game. Y'know: the characters had to go on little quests and met an assorment of characters. Then, they go into the game. Not only does this game sound like one heck of a game, but there's a bug in it. They have to get it out. I guess that is the supreme ordeal of the novel. The twins (Liz and BJ) went into hiding b/c the police were after them for making a game that put people into a coma. Now, they are trying to fix the bug. So they go on this quest.
This book is recommended for any age. For the kids, it's a thrilling page-turner, and for the older guys, its a quick 2-hour read with an ending that will leave you speechless. Buy this book. Its worth it.

Amazing, Outstanding.........and lots more!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-25

Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

Amazing, Outstanding.........and lots more!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-25
Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

Amazing, Outstanding.........and lots more!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-04-25
Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

Virtual Reality
The Nightmare Machine (Star Wars: Galaxy of Fear, Book 4)
Published in Library Binding by Gareth Stevens Publishing (1998-09)
Author: John Whitman
List price: $23.33
New price: $68.10
Used price: $8.87

Average review score:

Star Wars Galaxy of Fear
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-19
In Star Wars Galaxy of Fear Nightmare Machine. Two kids from the destroyed planet Alderan has foiled three phases of Project
Starscream. This evil plot was made from evil scientist Bog.
When Tash and Zak go to Hologram Funworld. It is not so fun. It'scary. The people start disapearing. The Holograms are real.
Will Tash and Zak stop another plot of Project Starscream. Read
this book to find out. What I like most about the book is when
Zak spews tons of cards on Bog's face. I didn't like about this book is that it is comfusing. This book is good. You should really try to read it.

A REAL page-turner!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-06-17
I love Star Wars. When I first got into the whole Galaxy of Fear book series, I wasn't sure whether or not I would like it. I ordered it(book 4), not knowing what it was even about! But when I finally DID get around to reading it(which was about a month ago) I had a hard time putting it down each time, because it was soooooo interesting! And as I put it in as my review title: The Nightmare Machine is a real page-turner!

A Fascinating Ending
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-19
The ending of this book was so great that it couldn't get any better. On the last 30 pages, I couldn't stop reading. It even started to scare me. The Galaxy of Fear series is a great series that mixes in suspense with the story. I encourage anyone to read this book. It has a great plot, and is easy to read.

nightmare machine
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-06
I think this book was a good book. It was exiting and funny. I give it five stars becaus. It was about two people that go to a place called fun world. There is a ride called the nightmare machine. It scans your brain for your worst fear and shows it to but they find a few bugs in it and your fear comes true! If you liked this book you will like the next book.

AHHHHHHHHHH`
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-05
Tashs uncle drops her and her brother off on hologram fun world where nothing is the same. GOG is back and taking fun world by storm Tash meets lando and toghether they are off on an adventure to THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE. RENT THIS BOOK TODAY.


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