CheathamLane, Macworld Expo and Conference/Boston, and the International QuickTime VR Association (IQTVRA) have teamed up to create an interactive look at Macworld's digs in Boston and the surrounding vicinity. And it’s not just a cool way of viewing and sharing the Expo's environs, but can help those new to Boston become oriented in a compelling visual way!

The interactive tour contains about two dozen QuickTime VR panoramas and an interactive aerial map of the downtown area. "We wanted to offer Macworld attendees a fun and informative view of the ever-changing Boston cityscape,” said Patrick Cheatham, of CheathamLane and one of the tour producers. “Macworld is coming to Boston this summer, so IQTVRA produced a virtual tour to help everyone learn more about this great city.” The interactive tour also incorporates the Macworldexpo.com site design and colors. “What’s new in this one,” explains Patrick, “is that you can use it to send email directly from the player”.

Michael Quan, IQTVRA president, is a Boston local and was able to shoot some panoramas of the local sights, including one in front of the impressive new convention center. Also included are panos of Copley Square, Quincy Market, the John J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse on Boston’s inner harbor, the Boston Common in the heart of downtown and the shopping district of Newbury Street, among others.

The idea, interface design and implementation are courtesy of Patrick Cheatham of CheathamLane. All photography is courtesy of Michael Quan and Chris Blake.

The IQTVRA is an international educational group dedicated to promoting applications of interactive imaging. An exhibition of panorama photos by IQTVRA photographers will be displayed at Macworld. The IQTVRA will also be looking for volunteers to help staff the IQTVRA print exhibition and booth at Macworld (for details, contact Michael Quan: quang[at]rcn[dot]com or 617.625.6871).

To download the Interactive QuickTime presentation:
For PC (~200kb):
For Mac (~200kb) :
To open the Interactive presentation directly in QuickTime:

***********Macworld Boston/ IQTVRA Meet & Eat, 14 July 2004*************************************
Mike Quan: "As part of the Macworld Boston festivities, all IQTVRA members and friends of VR are invited to join us for margaritas and fajitas on 14 July 2004. You don't have to belong to IQTVRA to join the fun, but you do need to tell us how to find the nodal point of a strawberry margarita :-)"

Date: 14 July 2004
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: The Border Cafe, 32 Church Street, Harvard Square (Harvard Square stop on the Red Line Subway), Cambridge, Massachusetts,
617.864-6100
http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/4745774

RSVP: Please email Mike Quan privately (mike[at]tacticalvr[dot]com if you will be joining us.

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