The Webtalk Technology

The Webtalk technology was developed by the Hypermedia Open Centre (HOC) at the Milan Polytechnic. The Center is headed by Prof. Paolo Paolini. Webtalk uses VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language - a sort of HTML for constructing virtual worlds) and Java in order to be more user-friendly.

Surfers from across the world can access the same site at the same time. Not only that. They can "see", and "talk" with, one another, share experiences, or let themselves be shown around. As a matter of fact, each visitor, in turn, can take on the role of "guide".

The innovations triggered by this application include the opportunity to visit the virtual world "through the eyes" of the guide, without surfing the Net actively. Just like all real museum guided tours the world over, our "virtual guided tour" is led by a guide, who shows visitors around and operates the most prominent exhibits to demonstrate their workings. Only our guide is an animated character.
The other visitors can see what the guide is doing, follow him/her, and interact by asking questions. They can also "stray" into a customized route and chat with one another. They can see through the eyes of the guide at all times, even when he/she is in another room. And finally, they can "physically" catch up with their guide wherever he/she is.

For the time being, the system calls for a specific plug-in, CosmoPlayer. However, in the pipeline is a Java 3-D version which should be supported by browsers of the new generation.