virtual reality

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

virtual reality
    n 1: a hypothetical three-dimensional visual world created by a
         computer; user wears special goggles and fiber optic gloves
         etc., and can enter and move about in this world and
         interact with objects as if inside it

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

virtual reality
 n.

   1. Computer simulations that use 3-D graphics and devices such as the
   Dataglove to allow the user to interact with the simulation. See
   {cyberspace}.

   2. A form of network interaction incorporating aspects of role-playing
   games, interactive theater, improvisational comedy, and `true
   confessions' magazines. In a virtual reality forum (such as Usenet's
   alt.callahans newsgroup or the {MUD} experiments on Internet),
   interaction between the participants is written like a shared novel
   complete with scenery, foreground characters that may be personae
   utterly unlike the people who write them, and common background
   characters manipulable by all parties. The one iron law is that you
   may not write irreversible changes to a character without the consent
   of the person who `owns' it. Otherwise anything goes. See {bamf},
   {cyberspace}, {teledildonics}.

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

virtual reality
VR

   (VR)

   1. <application> Computer simulations that use 3D graphics and
   devices such as the {data glove} to allow the user to interact
   with the simulation.

   2. <games> A form of network interaction incorporating aspects
   of role-playing games, interactive theater, improvisational
   comedy, and "true confessions" magazines.  In a virtual
   reality forum (such as Usenet's news:alt.callahans
   newsgroup or the {MUD} experiments on {Internet} and
   elsewhere), interaction between the participants is written
   like a shared novel complete with scenery, "foreground
   characters" that may be personae utterly unlike the people who
   write them, and common "background characters" manipulable by
   all parties.  The one iron law is that you may not write
   irreversible changes to a character without the consent of the
   person who "owns" it, otherwise, anything goes.

   See {bamf}, {cyberspace}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-01-30)