The Complete 3D-Interface Page!

3d interfaces, volumetric interfaces, their future3D is the future of computer interfaces. What existing and future hardware and software will support three-dimensional human-computer interfaces? When will volumetric displays become available? Can we agree on some nomenclature to differentiate the projection of three-dimensional data on a two-dimensional plane, compared with actual 3-D (x, y and z) data input and output? How will the third dimension be extended to television and games?

You can see some cool ideas and animated presentations about 3D Information Visualization from Microsoft Research at http://dcr1.sts.winisp.net/Lists/Prototypes/AllItems.aspx, including the Polyarchy Heirarchy browser, the Multi-Plane Task Layout, Window Peeking and the DataMountain project. Having a large monitor, or dual monitors, will definitely help as you watch some of these presentations. Longhorn, the next version of Microsoft Windows, will have some sort of 3-D built in, which will require more powerful video cards than most present-day computers have.

Apple has not been left behind, with Fast User Switching being included in OS X.