The 3D Web for Cultural Heritage

Yesterday the ReadWriteWeb blog posted an article about the latest trends of 3D web environments in 2008. It claimed that while interactive habitats such as Second Life are losing their popularity, 3D web continues to thrive in other forms such as 3D mapping, browsing and shopping (and then I think, will shopping ever fail in any form at all?). 

These trends are definitely interesting to look at when considering the implementation of 3D environments to any exhibitions, on-site or online, especially in terms of their retention power of audiences. While interactive environments may attract a niche of dedicated users, they may also lose their interests within a relatively short time. The immersive experience, however, is one that is unique. While using the 3D world for mapping, browsing and shopping (which is an activity not dissimilar from browsing), not only it gives an extra dimension of context to the materials exhibited, it also gives the audience the opportunity to return to the same application time and again as it is possible for them to look up different information every time.