VRML stands for Virtual Reality Modeling Language, and it is a language that is used to create 3-dimensional worlds which users can explore. It is a relatively new language, and was designed for use over the World Wide Web. Because VRML is so young, there isn't yet a large range of editors and browsers for it, unlike HTML which is now very widely supported. This is likely to change with time, just as it did with HTML. However, until it does become as wide spread as HTML, the amount of available resources for use with the language will remain relatively low.

VRML, if used properly, could be of very great education value in a field such as chemistry. Obvious uses include allowing students to look a 3D molecules which they can move around, instead of using flat 2D drawings. Since so much chemistry is affected by the geometary of the molecules invloved, knowledge and understanding of the shapes of molecules is obviously important. A good example is stereochemistry and optical activity.

In order for you to explore these 3D VRML worlds, you must have a browser that supports the VRML MIME type. Quite which browser or upgrade you need depends on your existing hardware and software. The Netscape plugin, Live3D, is available from their site at http://www.netscape.com, but for users in Europe, you will be better off going to a mirror site such as http://micros.hensa.ac.uk, from where you should select "Browse" | "Netscape" ...

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