chat room. An internet site where two or more people can exchange messages in real time. People chat by typing messages, which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of others who are in the chat room interface device. A tool that allows a person to interact with a computer. For example, a mouse is an interface device that allows you to put information into a computer. Virtual reality includes interface devices such as head-mounted displays that transmit sensations of the artificial world, as well as transmitting information into the computer. simulation. A computer model of a real phenomenon or system. The system is described by a set of mathematical formulae or models in a computer program. Running the computer program shows how the system works and, by changing variables, it is possible to make predictions about how the real system will change. When there are many variables, simulation is often the only way to reasonably predict an outcome. virtual reality (VR). An artificial environment created by computers, in which people can immerse themselves and feel that this artificial reality really does exist. For more information see Virtual reality (Whatis.com, USA).
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Posted March 2002.
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