Had we but world[s] enough, and time?

Abstract

This paper presents ongoing research into user requirements for 3-dimensional "virtual worlds" to be used as a means of information retrieval. There is a brief review of the literature in the fields in which design of 3-dimensional virtual spaces has been carried out, and the conclusion is reached that this design has usually been done without regard to user preferences. This study has used grounded theory to establish user preferences, initially amongst a group of about fifty postgraduate information management students. Initial results of open coding of these interviews are described, and the next steps in the study are laid out. The Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) will be used as a world design medium.