From:	Chris Ryan <chrisr@*******.FIT.QUT.EDU.AU>
Subject:	Re: The Matrix (real-world components and relation to
Date:	Tue, 6 Jul 1993 15:04:42 EST

I agree with most of what you say Rat, however I'd like to point out a couple
of things.

> I mentioned that the Matrix can't exist, given how computers work today.
> These are some of the major reasons:
>
> * Processing Power: it takes a tremendous amount of computer processing
> time to generate real-looking graphics. Given a production environment,
> there are much more important things to have your expensive equipment do
> besides make pretty pictures.

Processing power is increasing all the time, so generating real-looking graphics
will be easier as time goes on. It's 60+ years to the SR era, and a lot of advances
can occur during this time.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of production environments using 'pretty pics'
in development. We have no idea presently how visualisation could be used for
programming in the future. Think of the advances in programming in just 20 or
so years - from assembler to complex object oriented programming and beyond.

> * Data Transfer Rates: given that maybe there is enough computing power to
> generate a virtual reality like the Matrix, the amount of time required
> to transmit it from physically close systems would prevent it from being
> usable as a real-time system.

This will not be a problem. Telecommunication systems are being upgraded all the
time for increased bandwidth. Also compression techniques are improving to
reduce the amount of data needing to be sent. RT video, real-looking images will
be able to be moved around the network within ten/fifteen years, I believe (it
will probably be less, but I'm being cautious).

The rest of your article on security I agree 100%.

Chris