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First-Person Shooter Modified For Fire Drill Simulation
Hugh Pickens writes "Researchers at Durham University have modified a video game and turned it into a fire drill simulator using the Source engine (the 3D game engine used to drive Half-Life 2), and created a virtual model of one of the university's departments. Dr. Shamus Smith said that although 3D modeling software was available, modifying a video game was faster, more cost effective, and had better special effects. 'We were interested in using game technology over a customized application and the Source Engine, from Half-Life, is very versatile,' said Smith. 'We used the simulation to see how people behaved in an actual fire situation and to train people in "good practice" in a fire.' The team says the virtual environment helped familiarize people with evacuation routines and could also help identify problems with a building's layout. One problem, however, was that while the simulation worked for most people, those who played a lot of video games did some unusual things when using the simulation. 'If a door was on fire, [the gamers] would try and run through it, rather than look for a different exit,' said Smith."
This makes me wonder to what extent entertainment software will fill the role of non-entertainment software as the tools and engines become more and more powerful. Ars mentions related news that the US Dept. of Naval Research is dumping millions of dollars into "virtual reality-like simulations of small-scale urban conflicts." It's unclear whether this is related to the US Army's similar program.
If you can code with C, try Cube - otherwise you might want to look into the (now long-in-the-tooth) Adobe Director - the language (you can use Lingo or a Javascript-esque version of Lingo) is a bit odd sometimes, and your games will most likely come out looking like something from 1999 rather than 2009, but it's good for people who really don't want to code much. With the added bonus that you can run Director apps in Browsers using the Shockwave plugin.
It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
Also, I'm a ball licking spammer and my company steals CC# and identities.
Lisa11
Local SEO
"The Adobe Updater must update itself before it can check for updates. Would you like to update the Adobe Updater now?"
Georgia Tech's Department of Architecture IMAGINE lab has been doing similar simulations for awhile.
Fourth - No smoke. Fill the burning rooms with smoke, so that you can only just see the exit signs or, indeed, the fire. Much more realistic and useful (I can find my out of any building in broad daylight - that's not the problem you're testing here).
Fire evacuation strategies for large buildings depend on getting people out before the smoke becomes dense enough to see (institutional smoke detectors are typically pretty sensitive and checked regularly). This is wise, because smoke is really dangerous (toxic gases it contains are the big problem) and is why, when that alarm goes off, you should make sure you evacuate yourself safely; you should have plenty of time, and if you do so you (and everyone else) will be safe. If you wait, you greatly increase the danger to yourself and others. And leave going near smoke to firemen with equipment and training.
(Yes, I've had fire evacuation warden training. Does it show?)
"Little does he know, but there is no 'I' in 'Idiot'!"
The quote from Andrew Ford is misleading for today's gun control. From gun violence statistics and gun laws, leaders in per capita gun homicides, such as Maryland, Arkansas, California, parts of Nevada, and Michigan, require no such permit to purchase firearms.
If you're racing and your car runs under a 14 (I think it's 14) you're required to wear a helmet. At least, where I used to race it was.
You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.
Because he has "Dr." before his name.
You are using English. Please learn the difference between loose and lose; they're, there, and their; your and you're.