Re: Portals vs Links

steve ([email protected])
Fri, 5 May 1995 17:08:16 GMT0BST


> I'd suggest two methods for getting over this (not mutually
> exclusive):
>
> 1. Time-and-motion: if the avatar hasn't moved for a
> while, its image starts to degrade - either fading or
> incrementally losing detail to other observers, ending
> up as a wireframe and eventually going;

Sounds good - in fact, this works well for other remotely operated
objects, as well as for avatars. DIS works on the same principles -
if you don't hear about an object for some time, assume it has gone.

> 2. Reverse polling (world server->client) "pings" the
> client for continued existence (and presence in the area).
> If there's no reply within a timeout period, the client's
> avatar degrades much faster (and is allowed to vanish
> completely). If the client's s/w disavows an avatar at
> that location, the client's avatar is assumed to have
> left, incommunicado.

This will probably be in place anyway, as any interaction implies
there is a two-way communicaion going on. If the link breaks, both
ends will know about it sooner or later

>>-------------------------------------<<
Steve Ghee ( [email protected] )
Director of Technology

Division Ltd
19 Apex Court
Woodlands
Almondsbury
Bristol, UK
BS12 4JT
Tel : +44 1454 615554
Fax : +44 1454 615532
>>-------------------------------------<<