Implementing Virtual Reality in an Academic

LibraryPresented for LITA Forum 2016

ByEdward Iglesias and Kreg Mosier

Why VR?

The Usual Suspects

In Pr0n We Trust

Continued• Super 8 film• VHS over Betamax• Closed captioning • Online payments• Blu-ray over HD DVD

• https://www.thrillist.com/vice/how-porn-influenced-technology-8-ways-porn-influenced-tech-supercompressor-com

Okay but why?• Links to University Strategic Plan• Fostering Academic and Co-Curricular Innovation• From SFA Envisioned http://www.sfasu.edu/strategicplan/203.asp

• University opening a new STEM center• http://cosm.sfasu.edu/stem/about-stem-center

• Educational Fit

Partnership Opportunities (Internal)• Art• https://sketchfab.com/models/f4238217189a4babb79a898d60044a33

• Forestry• Ariel drone footage mapped to point cloud

• Education• Virtual field trips

• Mathematics• Mapping objects that need more than 2 dimensions• https://sketchfab.com/models/92e9ddff4710404da176d001776e7bba

Partnerships External• Oklahoma University (OVAL --Oklahoma Virtual Academic Laboratory)• https://libraries.ou.edu/content/vr-ou

Make sure you have the right people• Web designer• Programmer• Faculty suck up to ask for money• Actually you don’t need any of these, this is just who we had to work with.

So you wanna start a VR lab?• Get some goggles• HTC Vive• Oculus Rift

• HTC will be a stand up experience (get a room)• Oculus is a sit down experience (get a chair with cable management)

Here are some pictures

HTC Vive

Wiring with HDMI and USB Extender

Stream of VR using OSB Studio

Typical Response

Relation of Screen to VR Room

Ominous is a strong word

Soon, the Occuli Arrive

Special Custom Holder Screw

The Whole Space

Purchasing: The Hidden NightmareThe biggest Impediment to implementing any new technology is having to explain to it to non-technical folks, especially if they’re the ones holding the wallet.

“You don’t need three of those…”• In order to save time and excruciating headaches, TALK TO YOUR

PURCHSING DEPARTMENT UP FRONT. Explain what you are doing, bring printouts of Articles with photos, illustrations, etc.

• “Is this some kind of videogame?” No.• “Are you sure it’s not videogames?” Yes.• “We’re going to need to talk to Legal Counsel to make sure these aren’t video games…”

OK, How About Just One?If you can convince them to let you buy at least a single unit that you can set up and demonstrate to Students and Faculty, the program will sell itself!

You cannot explain it…it must be witnessed first-hand.

I can almost guarantee that with very few exceptions, every single person who has the VR experience will become an evangelist for you and the technology.

Relate the experience to their field of study: “Criminal Justice? How about a forensics lab simulation?” “Art? Check out Tilt Brush!”

FORM 327/b Misery Loves Company.doc

( replaces Form 305: Because That’s How We’ve Always Done It. )

• Just do the Paperwork, and play the game.

It will all work itself out…just plan to answer the exact same questions a few times,and also on delays caused by having to vet new companies into the state system.

Understand that you are a trailblazer (relatively speaking…), and that there are no clearly defined “Best Practices” yet, and no pre-packaged solutions. In this regard, YOU WILL BE INVENTING THE WHEEL.

The Sun Will Come Out TomorrowIf you find yourself frustrated by the bureaucracy, go grab someone who has never experienced VR and do an impromptu demo!The excitement and enthusiasm most people exhibit after their first VR experience is almost addictive, for both the the viewer and the person doing the demo!

Your users will revitalize you!