=FFfield. Let's remember that cache-ing is not the only feature that we m=
ay =0D
=FFwant a browser to implement.=0D
=0D
Multi-threading OS's could retrieve nodes in parallel from different site=
s =0D
=FFif such nodes were not dependant. The hint field could be used to iden=
tify =0D
=FFsuch nodes.=0D
=0D
Again, given all the discussion concerning alternative and common objects=
, =0D
=FFa hint field could be used to indicate to the browser the relative =0D=
=FFsize/complexity of alternate objects, allowing a smart browser to sele=
ct =0D
=FFthe most appropriate object to render based on the performance of the =
=0D
=FFplatform. =0D
=0D
eg. You might specify that the world contains a FancyTeapot with a hint =0D=
=FFthat this is a file of complexity n (where n is some arbitrary number =
based =0D
=FFon for example the number of objects/textures etc. in the sub object).=
Low =0D
=FFend browsers might then determine to use an alternative, less complex =
=0D
=FFobject.=0D
=0D
=0D
> Its unfortunate that I cant just add this as an extension,=0D
> because the VRML syntax doesnt allow unknown fields as extensions in =0D=
> nodes=0D
> (or does it?).=0D
=0D
Doesn't look like it, however you COULD make up your own HINT node and =0D=
=FFallow the hint(s) in it to apply to all following (or enclosed) object=
s.=0D
=0D
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------+=0D
=A6 Dave Durbin =A6 [email protected] =A6=0D=
=A6 Visual Systems Solutions Ltd. =A6 100102,[email protected] =A6=0D=
=A6 Who ? =A6 [email protected] =A6=0D=
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------+=0D