Information trading in distributed virtual environments

As more people inhabit distributed virtual environments their major activity will result in the accessing, processing and manipulation of information. Indeed, a distributed virtual environment is information. Universal comprehensive access to information services will result in information being bought and sold like any other commodity. Examples of `infoware´ could be: simple or `static´ information-timetables, weather forecasts, i.e.-services similar to teletext, etc.; programme material-(entertainment, educational, etc.) audio, video, games libraries, virtual world material, etc.; software applications products-business software, graphics editors, fabric design packages, intelligent service creation editors and tools, etc. Usually, information products will be a hybrid of any or all of these types. For users to access this information they need to know where to find it, how to deal with retrieved information, how best to perceive it, and how to buy or rent or be paid for it; all these aspects are discussed