The document discusses bThere Technologies and their vision for online 3D collaborative workspaces. The key points are: 1) bThere wants to create virtual 3D offices and meeting rooms to allow distributed teams to work together effectively through realistic avatars, environments and integration of work tools. 2) Their vision is for these online 3D workspaces to be "better than being there" through greater focus, engagement and bandwidth compared to traditional video conferencing. 3) They outline technical requirements like high fidelity avatars, environments, streaming capabilities and application integration to achieve this vision.

1. b T h e r e T e c h n o l o g i e s “better than being there” Ralph Sklarew [email_address] Julia Loughran [email_address]

2. Coalition Working on Common Vision Experience and interest in Application development Human factors and usability Virtual team, meeting and leadership: development, support and evaluation Branding and marketing

3. Our Common Vision Online workplaces are 3D simulated collaborative settings for distributed teams to really work together Business model: purchase or rental of full offices or meeting rooms with supporting services through software licensing and consulting

4. Using bThere Brings context to collaboration with “place” participants visualized in settings move about, see and talk with each other use simulated equipment (apps, services) immersive, focused, high “brainwidth” Any computer can host shared workspace: cell phone with a thin client fully immersive PC system

5. Workspaces: Simulated Settings Meeting and conference rooms Convention facilities Bullpen of individual cubicles Full service offices Informal spaces Aesthetic scenes

6. bThere Advantages Workplace that is recognizable and meaningful Integrates people, places, software and services Subsumes current 2D document metaphor Control over decoration, objects and animation Greater focus and higher bandwidth into brain Enables imagination by reducing constraints

7. Design Goals Productivity enhancement for individuals and teams Simplicity for new users and power for pros Delight in aesthetics and affordances

8. 1. Tech Requirements High fidelity avatar user likeness for recognition & trust in business mimic user actions: lip sync, facial expressions, gestures, body language Simple and powerful commands view point: zoom, pan, scan actions: movement, equipment use, interaction keyboard, position controller , on-screen buttons, voice User control decorate, build , animate, simulate

9. 2. Tech Requirements Streaming multimedia multiple streams direction and position dependent voice: positional , transcription by recognition Recording audio, video, re-play , indexed by transcript Application and services integration represented as office equipment and facilities within the setting

10. 3. Tech Requirements High fidelity environment business setting, equipment and facilities white board, projector, computer , wall charts, TV User system thin client (no software installation) for cell phones, PDAs, and public and shared PCs full immersion with multiple displays , microphones and speakers (or headset), and cameras Installable public, private, secure servers interoperable avatar and assets

11. bThere Markets Start with small group workplaces Meeting rooms teleconference, telepresence presentations, discussions, training Offices home office, shared offices, telecommute centers virtual teams for remote offices, consulting and contracting, outsourcing travel facilities: airports, hotels, conventions

12. 1. “better than being there” Better than voice, video, web conferencing shared space to really work together individual controls his view, movement, interaction and equipment fuller engagement, more focus higher bandwidth into brain at a user’s desk, cell phone always on (like IM)

13. 2. “better than being there” Better than software simulated place to personalize recognized place for work integrates applications and services extends 2D document metaphor teams work together

14. 3. “better than being there” Better than being there in person reduced travel time, cost, risk, stress integration of applications and services in innovative ways beyond reality mutable physics: fly, teleport, explore within operating (simulated) systems only limited by imagination with “holo decks” and “replicators”

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