Advanced Network has been working

to ensure that there is an understanding of the need for this work. During

the last six months, several actions have resulted from our efforts and the

workshops:

· Tele-Immersion has been identified as a key Internet2 and NGI

application. Our effort has been woven into the documents of both programs

and presented at several key conferences. Moreover, individuals in the

Executive Branch, who are influential in approving this type of funding,

have requested periodic updates and continue to strongly encourage the

efforts of Advanced Network in this area.

· Tele-Immersion research was made part of the National Academy of

Science's Every Citizen Interface to the NII report and the NSF Workshop on

Human-Centered Systems report, both as yet unpublished. These reports

typically help shape downstream funding programs at NSF and other agencies.

Both NASA and DARPA now have funded programs in the area.

· NCSA/UIC/EVL are weaving Tele-Immersion projects into their 5-year NSF

Supercomputer Centers Program.

We believe that the efforts of Advanced Network have helped create some

progress. Last year, Tele-Immersion was not on any radar screen - the

opportunities, issues and potential solutions had not been identified. In

a very short time, Tele-Immersion has become an important Internet2 and NGI

application, and many have seen the potential for more effective

collaboration.

But, perhaps more important, Tele-Immersion is the most technically

challenging advanced network application. Therefore, the program can be

thought of as a national insurance policy to ensure that we will not be

hindered in the future by inadequate standards or improper infrastructure

decisions that could have been avoided. Tele-Immersion research will

provide a broadly based, authoritative voice and an empirical basis for

advising all parties involved in the creation of networks and future

immersive environments.