Virtuality (computing)

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The word virtual has been applied to computing and information technology with various meanings.

It is used of software systems that act as if they were hardware systems^{[citation needed]} (virtual machine, virtual memory, virtual disk), of computer-generated simulations of reality (virtual reality), and of internet gaming environments wherein entire worlds are created (virtual world) or the real world is supplemented with virtual images (augmented reality). Other applications of the word are being found constantly in this fast expanding field, such as virtual community, virtual library, and virtual class.

Early motivations for applying 'virtual' to computers (i.e., virtualization) were sharing of actual devices by many users and coordination of multiple processes, as seen with the successful use of the virtual machine approach.

Internet and communication technology fostered de-coupling of space where events happen, and storage technologies facilitate de-coupling of time between a message being sent and received. These technologies build the environment for virtual work in teams, with members who may never meet each other in person. Communicating by telephone and e-mail, with work products shared electronically, virtual teams produce results without being co-located.

Similarly, a virtual world is a type of habitation founded upon web technology that allows interactions for pursuits, such as economy and real estate.

v t e Virtual reality · Mixed reality · Reality

Concepts	Virtuality Virtual cinematography Augmented reality Augmented virtuality Real life Projection augmented model Reality–virtuality continuum Artificial reality Simulated reality Ubiquitous computing Virtual world (Persistent world) Multimodal interaction Telepresence Immersion

Technology	Compositing Camera resectioning Haptic suit Head-mounted display (Optical head-mounted display) Head-up display Image-based modeling and rendering Real-time computer graphics Virtual retinal display Wearable computer Stereoscopy (Computer stereo vision, Computer vision) Chroma key Visual hull Free viewpoint television Omnidirectional treadmill Hidden surface determination

Tracking	Motion capture Tracking system Types Optical Inertial Magnetic Devices Wired glove Sixense TrueMotion Gametrak PlayStation Move Leap Motion Kinect

Applications	Pervasive game ARToolKit Interactive art (Virtual graffiti) Cave automatic virtual environment

See also	Simulated reality in fiction Sensorama

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Virtuality (computing)

See also