The Active Worlds Newsletter
Vol. 2, No. 1, Jan. 1, 1999
Highlights From This Issue:

 

Active Worlds News, Product Highlights, Contests

2.1 Goes Beta In '99

 We are on track for a beta of version 2.1 in January. Current beta users should keep an eye out for the first upgrade sometime within the next few weeks (it will be offered via the usual automatic upgrade mechanism.) After the initial beta of version 2.1, we will be opening the beta program to new users. If you want to be a beta user, the only requirement is that you have a current Active Worlds citizenship. Watch this space for instructions on how to join the Active Worlds beta program.
The finalized feature set for 2.1 includes:
  • User-to-user file transfer
  • Whispering
  • New world attributes, including full bot access control, "speak" privileges, and an option to make avatars invisible through objects.
  • Encrypted protocol for improved security
  • Improved built-in "admin" utilities for universe administrators
  • Many other small tweaks and improvements

A Galaxy All Your Own?

 (Starting from $1,995)

Designed for the business that requires a stand-alone World separate from the Active Worlds Universe of Worlds. This product gives to the administrator full configuration control over the World. All servers start with 1 million square meters of virtual land and price is based on number of simultaneous users and land size.

Designed for both Internet and Intranet applications.

  • All configurations include:
  • All server component software
  • Access to the COF content libraries
  • Remote setup support
  • Limited, upgradeable licensing agreement
  • HTML, FAQ, and help documentation
  • Technical support documentation
  • 1 year free upgrades

Custom configurations available, please call or email for details.
(978) 499-0222
cof@activeworlds.com

Keep Those Report Cards Coming!!!!

We have had a great response to the Active Worlds Commitment To Education Program, and we want to remind you that there's still time to get your report cards in for this term. We will be announcing this term's recipients in February. So, if your semester has just ended, or will be ending this month, make sure you send us your information. For all the requirements, please see the web page
http://www.activeworlds.com/edu/
or email E N Z O and Lucrezia at
edu@activeworlds.com

Amart To Open Its Doors This Month

 Amart, presently under construction, is being designed to resemble a real world shopping mall. Amart will offer vendors an opportunity to explore 3D e-commerce as an inexpensive and creative method of conducting sales on the web; while shoppers will have the convenience of shopping in a virtual space and testing out virtual products. One of the greatest advantages is that you can chat with your customers while they are shopping in your store, something traditional web based e-commerce lacks!

We have had a great response to the Amart project, and individual vendors will begin customizing their areas on January 1st, with the grand opening date set for January 15th at 10:00pm VRT. Mark your calendars!
amart@activeworlds.com
http://www.activeworlds.com/amart

World/Site of the Month

We're bringing back the World/Site of the month as a regular feature in this Newsletter. Hamfon has graciously volunteered to help us set up a voting system, which we will be implementing in the coming months. If you would like to participate in this project please contact us ( newsletter@activeworlds.com ). Make sure to put COOL WORLD/SITE in the subject line of your email!!! In the meantime, we suggest you check out:

Mars, one of the really cool COF public building worlds!
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?mars

!History, one of the many incredible worlds created by citizens of Active Worlds!
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?!history

blur's USS Enterprise in AW, an awesome creation. (aw 7878s 7878e)
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?aw_7878s_7878e

Little Bull's Lighthouse in AW, one of AW's historical sites of virtual beauty! (AW 200S 100W)
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?aw_200S_100W

Community Events

From the AWEC Calendar

 http://www.awcommunity.org/awec

To let the community know about your upcoming event, please contact the Active Worlds Event Committee.
awec@awcommunity.org

January 1999 Events
Jan. 16th 9:00PM VRT Cy Awards
cyawards@awcommunity.org
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?awcc

Jan. 2nd 11:00AM VRT Building Contest in Pagan Starts
http://www.eoe-magical.org/contest.htm
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?pagan

Jan. 30th Pink Village 2nd Anniversary
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?AW_2222s_2222e_222

Regular Events
Active Worlds University Classes in Building, Graphic Arts, RWX Modeling, and AW Technologies
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?AWUniv

A’tuin Treasure Hunt
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?A'tuin

Prayer Meeting, Sundays midnight VRT in Christian
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?Chrstian

Bible Study, Thursdays midnight VRT in Christian
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?Chrstian

Construction Classes, Thursdays 7:00pm VRT - Spanish
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?Spanish

Tours of Mundo Hispano, Fridays at 7:30PM VRT - Spanish
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?Spanish

News From The Active Worlds Community

The Active Worlds Community Co-operative Opens

The Active Worlds Community Co-operative (AWCC) is a consortium of a variety of Active Worlds community groups and projects. Four of the AWCC's organizations - AWEC, AWHS, AWCommunity Register, and the Cy Awards have joined together to design a world that will house their information and host their respective community events. The first major event to be held in the world, AWCC, will be the upcoming Cy Awards. Please keep you eyes on the world list for the opening of the world to the public. For more information on the AWCC and its organizations, please check out the web site.
http://www.awcommunity.org
awcc@awcommunity.org
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?awcc

Pagan Building Contest!

 The owners of the world, PAGAN, will be hosting a building contest in their world, beginning January 2nd at 11:00am VRT. The contest will run through to January 3rd at 9:00PM VRT. Winners will be announced after 10:00pm. Categories are Best Overall Room, Best Imaginative Usage of Area, and Best Adherence to Pantheon. Prize range from free citizenships to worlds to cash awards. For more information please see the web site.
http://www.eoe-magical.org/contest.htm

The Cy Awards

 The Cy Awards are our way of showing our community members the recognition they deserve for taking the extra step to enhance our virtual environment. The awards cover several categories including technical innovations, artistic endeavors, and social/cultural activities.

We wish to recognize the contributions that are made, both personally and professionally, to improving and expanding upon the experience that is Active Worlds. So many people give so much of themselves , their skills and considerable time to our community; always out of their passion for all that is Active Worlds, and we hope that this tradition of recognition will show them how much their efforts mean to the community.

We hope you will be able to join us Saturday the 16th of January at 9:00PM VRT in AWCC for the awards presentation and gala celebration.
cyawards@awcommunity.org
http://www.awcommunity.org/cyawards
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?awcc

AWTeen Report- Pokemon In AW

We have been receiving submissions of articles from members of our AWTeen Community that are on subjects of interest to our teen users. So, as often as we can, we will be including their articles. This month's report on the Pokemon craze in AW comes from linuxman.

The world is being taken over by the new hit game, Pokemon. Ask any child what a Pokemon is and they'll tell you without hesitation. Many worlds or towns in AW are devoted to these little creatures and here are some of the best places to visit:
Worlds
Pokemon
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?pokemon
Towns
Mars 664n 852w
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?mars_664n_852w
Mars 672n 843w
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?mars_672n_843w
AW 29970n 19e
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?aw_29970n_19e

If you run around AW you're sure to find a pokemon town or ask a kid if he builds in a Pokemon town and you're sure to find one. If you do run around a pokemon town or one of these worlds you're sure to begin to love these little creatures.

Peacekeeper's Caution

We'd like to urge everyone in the community to use caution in passing out your personal information, email address or ICQ number to *just anyone*. Also, please show caution and courtesy when exchanging executable files, as there are some rather unpleasant viruses available at the moment, namely Netbus and Back Orifice. If you think you have been the victim of a viral infection, please contact the Peacekeepers for assistance and more information.
peacekeeper@activeworlds.com

We Wanna Hear From You!

 If you would like to write an article for the newsletter or have a project you would like to share with the community through this newsletter, please contact us (newsletter@activeworlds.com) to find out more about participating.

Help/Contact Information

Need Help With AW?

 http://www.activeworlds.com/help
support@activeworlds.com

Wanna Take Building Lessons?
Beginners - AWSchool
 http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?awschool
Intermediate/Advanced - AWUniv
 http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?awuniv
Clase de Construcción en Español - Spanish
 http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?spanish
Missing Pieces?
 If you can't find the object you need to finish your project, then try one of the many building yards other community members have created! Teleports courtesy of The Real Pops (AW 8985S 187W).
http://objects.activeworlds.com/cgi-bin/teleport.cgi?aw_8985s_187w

Community Resources
Web Sites
 The Official Active Worlds Web Site
http://www.activeworlds.com

The Active Worlds Web Ring
http://www.activeworlds.com/awwr

The Active Worlds Community Pages
http://www.awcommunity.org

The Active Worlds Yellow Pages
http://193.91.151.80/awyp/default.asp

Active Seach
http://www.horrorhorizon.net/search/

Newsgroups
AWCommunity
news://news.activeworlds.com/awcommunity

WorldBuilders
news://news.activeworlds.com/worldbuilders

The Wishlist
news://news.activeworlds.com/wishlist

AW Contact Information

Circle of Fire Studios, Inc.
cof@activeworlds.com

Billing Questions
billing@activeworlds.com

Technical Support
support@activeworlds.com

Newsletter
newsletter@activeworlds.com

Amart
amart@activeworlds.com

Active Worlds Commitment To Education Program
edu@activeworlds.com

Gate Keepers
http://www.colony.co.uk/pages/gatekeep.htm
gatekeepers@activeworlds.com
The Gate Keepers are citizens of Active Worlds who have decided to devote an amount of their own time to helping new users of the system to get used to the software, the environment, and the culture of ActiveWorlds.

Peacekeepers
http://www.activeworlds.com/peace.htm
peacekeeper@activeworlds.com
The Peacekeepers are citizens of Active Worlds who have volunteered to devote time to aiding new users and assisting all users in disputes and try to prevent harassment of any user by others regardless of the form, be it verbal abuse and harassment, racism or vandalism.

SMILE : ) COF  LOVES YOU!


The staff at Circle of Fire Studios, Inc.
http://www.activeworlds.com
cof@activeworlds.com