The essence of virtual reality lies with computer-based three-dimensional environments. Often termed worlds, these conceptual models can be navigated, interacted with and updated in real-time. This guide to good practice is intended for individuals and organizations who are interested in potential ways to use virtual reality within the arts and humanities. It concentrates on the most widely used form of virtual reality, desk-top virtual reality, which may be distributed and viewed on-line via the World Wide Web. In these systems virtual reality worlds run on users' desk-top computers, are displayed on a standard monitor, and navigated using a mouse or 3-D space ball and keyboard.
Roddy Martine has written a large number of books on Scottish life, encompassing Scotch whisky, clans and tartans, interiors and biographies. In addition he contributes to a wide range of newspapers, and is associate editor of Caledonia Magazine.