BTW:
There's a big difference between javascript (a pseudo-universal
scripting language that is quasi-supported in most modern browsers,
modeled on Java language syntax) and Java (an object oriented
language with C-language-derivative syntax that loads virtual image
applets onto an underlying virtual machine interpreter). Jens'
panorama is displayed using a real Java applet.
As to the aesthetics of viewing panoramas ... in general, I find most
presentations for anything with a more oblong proportion than about
4:1 very difficult to view on any flat screen in a still-image
representation. Either there is too much distortion or the image just
isn't tall enough, even on a cinema format 20" screen. Some do manage
to work well, but they're few and far between. Similarly, scrolling
around an image larger than the screen is really bothersome and does
not allow one to take the image in as a piece.
The dynamic cylindrical presentation works pretty well for me,
although I'd like to be able to slow it down. It's equivalent to
making a very very large/long print and mounting it in a circular
display, walking around inside it.
Just some of my thoughts on the topics of discussion in this thread.
My system comes with a pretty good Java language interpreter embedded
in the OS and integrated with the rest of the applications and tools,
so there's very little burden other than the download size of the
applet.
Godfrey
... who worked for Sun Microsystems for a couple of years,
managing the design of one of the Java language platforms,
"Java Card" ...
