Thursday, June 30, 2011

Web - How to Refresh Images

The trick behind AW television stations that use rotating jpgs is pretty simple in AW... but how about on webpages?  Unfortunately, there's nothing as simple as 'create picture' to manipulate images, but a snippet of Javascript should work just as well.

<IMG src="image_name.jpg" width="309" height="309" border="1" name="refresh">
<SCRIPT language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
<!--
var t = 120 // interval in seconds
image = "image_name.jpg" //name of the image
function Start() {
tmp = new Date();
tmp = "?"+tmp.getTime()
document.images["refresh"].src = image+tmp
setTimeout("Start()", t*1000)
}
Start();
// -->
</SCRIPT>
<!-- Code End -->

I don't know much about Javascript, but I found this online and was able to re-purpose it down to what we'd find useful around here.  When we apply the code above to WTV, for example, the result is an image that refreshes... every 10 seconds.  Exactly what we coded, right!? :)



Just pop that into your page and replace the jpg source, and it should refresh the image every 10 seconds.  This is ideal for tv stations that want the slideshow to work on webpages, and it also has other applications (such as webcams).

Noticeboard: WTV Opens, Help Wanted

WTV opened today after some initial planning by Watson and the staff of WolfW1 world.  As announced today in the Activeworlds Forums, Shadow Creature and Watson. plans to build the station up in the coming weeks, and is looking for helpers and volunteers.  I dealt quite a bit in AW television back in the day as a senior staff member at VWTV... and know firsthand that there's a lot of work to be done on an endeavor such as this, so feel free to offer your skillset because they could surely use actors, builders, designers, writers... maybe even an audience member!

WTV takes after the tv stations of the past by using rotating jpgs to create a 'slideshow.'  In AW, this is achieved by applying an update parameter to the picture command.  Simply apply the following code to the action line of any object that accepts the picture command, and you'll see the image below:



Something unique that WTV appears to be attempting is that they are looking to run multiple channels of their programming at the same time.  Hopefully they'll be busy enough to justify the many channels!  AWBuilder wishes this new endeavor luck, and encourages any interested in participating to visit WolfW1 World in Activeworlds or the website at http://wolfw1.net/.

(Note: If you're viewing this on the frontpage with the related TV post, the image above may be breaking because the script is attempting to run twice on the same page. Simply read this post on its own page to correct the issue.)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Weekly Poll #1: V4 Rights in Alphaworld

For some time I've wanted to integrate viewer opinion on the blog, and I've suspected that the easiest way to do so would be through polls... but indecisive me, I never quite decided on how I wanted the polls to be formatted on here.  I did some tooling around today and I'm pretty happy with where they're at now.  It's not eating up too much of the page there. :)

I'll try to make this a regular thing, changing the poll topic every week or so.  Readers will have the chance to vote and comment on the related posts.

Weekly Poll #1: V4 Rights in Alphaworld
With the ongoing absence of Tom comes also the absence of his many services, one of which being the bot that managed special rights in Alphaworld.

The bot was well known for its dramatic setting at Pamozo Island -- where it would cycle through citizen numbers in the rights list upon request.  This is necessary because of a technical restriction in the rights list that only allows so many characters (and consequently citizen numbers) to be included in the list. The bot helped us to get around this by adding a citizen number to the end of the list when they wanted to use v4 rights, and then bumping the first person on the list off.

There's currently a debate on the forums about what should be done now that this bot is currently offline... because its been reported that it would be at least mid-July before AWI could restore the bot.  Many users feel that the right should be open for all builders, while others want a line to be drawn. What do you think?  Is what we have the best solution?  Feel free to vote, and if you're not represented in the poll... feel free to leave a comment!

Noticeboard: GZModels offering Fourth of July Specials

GZModels by Zarolene is offering a special object bundle that is summer-themed in time for the Fourth of July weekend.  The bundle includes everything you'd expect to be at a summer party... I'd recommend checking it out if you're looking for some objects this weekend.  The deal ends at the end of the day on July 5.


"When you think of the Fourth of July you think of grilling! So I have put this special patio grill bundle together. Bundle includes my Patio Grill Set, Grilled Meats, Carving Set, Side Dishes, Picnic Tables and Patio Furniture set. This Bundle is an $85.00 value at the Special price of $50.00 starting at 11:59 PM VRT June 28th thru 11:59 PM VRT July 5th. - Forum Announcement"

Those interested in this sale can followup on it by teleporting to GZModels World and viewing the sign at the world's ground zero.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Universe Spy during Community Photograph

AWPortal's Community Spy offers a very handy graph to show us the exact numbers during the Community Photograph yesterday.  Check it out below:


Looks like we hit around 120 in the Gate and over 150 in the universe.  That's a nice change of pace these days, huh? :P

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Activeworlds 16th Birthday - Community Photograph Part 4

Happy Saturday everyone!  Activeworlds turns 16 on June 28, and we've opened up a week full of festivities with an annual event... the community photograph!  Over 115 users were in AWGate Saturday for the photo.  I was able to take a ton of screenshots before and after the arrival time, and I'm just gonna dump them all into a few posts.  Each post will only contain 10 shots so the loading time for the page isn't miserable.


Activeworlds 16 Birthday Photograph (Part 4)
Photos within this post should have names removed.  I also increased my total avatars visible, but some errors occurred on some where they wouldn't load.  Click on each image to zoom-in to a wide format (1600 px) image.










Activeworlds 16th Birthday - Community Photograph Part 3

Happy Saturday everyone!  Activeworlds turns 16 on June 28, and we've opened up a week full of festivities with an annual event... the community photograph!  Over 115 users were in AWGate Saturday for the photo.  I was able to take a ton of screenshots before and after the arrival time, and I'm just gonna dump them all into a few posts.  Each post will only contain 10 shots so the loading time for the page isn't miserable.


Activeworlds 16 Birthday Photograph (Part 3)
Photos starting with this post should have names removed.  I also increased my total avatars visible, but some errors occurred on some where they wouldn't load.  Click on each image to zoom-in to a wide format (1600 px) image.










Activeworlds 16th Birthday - Community Photograph Part 2

Happy Saturday everyone!  Activeworlds turns 16 on June 28, and we've opened up a week full of festivities with an annual event... the community photograph!  Over 115 users were in AWGate Saturday for the photo.  I was able to take a ton of screenshots before and after the arrival time, and I'm just gonna dump them all into a few posts.  Each post will only contain 10 shots so the loading time for the page isn't miserable.


Activeworlds 16 Birthday Photograph (Part 2)
These photos were taken before the stated arrival time and before I disabled usernames.  Some avatars may not have loaded in some photos because I had the settings reduced when I first arrived.  Click on each image to zoom-in to a wide format (1600 px) image.










Activeworlds 16th Birthday - Community Photograph Part 1

Happy Saturday everyone!  Activeworlds turns 16 on June 28, and we've opened up a week full of festivities with an annual event... the community photograph!  Over 115 users were in AWGate Saturday for the photo.  I was able to take a ton of screenshots before and after the arrival time, and I'm just gonna dump them all into a few posts.  Each post will only contain 10 shots so the loading time for the page isn't miserable.


Activeworlds 16 Birthday Photograph (Part 1)
These photos were taken before the stated arrival time and before I disabled usernames.  Some avatars may not have loaded in some photos because I had the settings reduced when I first arrived.  Click on each image to zoom-in to a wide format (1600 px) image.











Friday, June 24, 2011

Activeworlds 16th Birthday Week Schedule

Hey everyone!  Bach Zhaa has posted the schedule of events for AW's 16th birthday next week, and I'm reposting it here to help get the word out.

Note:  If you're looking for events or looking to advertise your event, I recommend that you register with AWPortals, because you will have access to view and create events on the AWPortals Events Calendar and you will also receive a weekend newsletter.

Events for Activeworlds 16 Birthday
Events are listed by order of occurrence. VRT time is GMT (-2)
Please leave a comment if you know of events that have not been posted, and I will add them!

  • Tuesday, June 28, 2011
  • Wednesday, June 29, 2011
    • Cypress Hollow Parade
      • The Parade will be in AWTeen, in the city of Cypress Hollow
      • Float Building Site:  ^jump float building

Happy Birthday to AW, and have a good week!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Question: What social features would you like to see in Activeworlds?

There's a discussion going on in the Wishlist forums about a new 'Do Not Disturb' button which is decidedly anti-social... but never the less the potential improvement afforded an opportunity for further 'status' types of suggestions, so I took it. :)  I personally would like to see the option for various statuses (AFK, DND, BRB, Building, etc.) and an associated icon in the exact same way that 'AFK' currently behaves.

While commenting on the thread, it also came to me that AW is pretty lacking on the social side of things.  What was the last big social improvement... being able to see sent telegrams?  Yeesh.

What do you all think should be added?  We tend to talk a lot about the technical and practical side of things here, without ever getting into personal interaction.  Let me know by commenting on the post below. :)

Thanks!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Noticeboard: AD&DRPG Summer Solstice Event (6/17 - 6/21)

AD&DRPG is running an event through the Summer Solstice that doubles player skill experience gains, and quadruples player spell experience gains!  Skill/Spell gains are a factor in obtaining better equipment in the game, so this is certainly good news for players who are working on skills this weekend!

The Summer Solstice (in the northern hemisphere) is on June 21 this year (at 5:16 pm GMT) though I would expect the event will run through the end of the day. ;)

While we're on the topic of AD&DRPG, I may release another video this weekend of my work in the world.  I haven't had much time to build this week because of summer classes, but I get a few hours of break over the weekend. :P

Happy gaming, everyone!

Noticeboard: AWExpo Dates Set

Despite some rocky beginnings this year, AWExpo 2011 will be occuring and the schedule for participants to get involved and set up has been set.  If you manage an AW organization or would like to show what you as an individual have been creating in Activeworlds, this event is for you!  Content Creators and Organizations both are invited to come and present themselves at the Expo.



Pre-Show Schedule
----

More info about the upcoming expo can be found at their homepage, http://awexpo.in/.  If you have any further questions, GSK is the man to contact. Hope to see everyone out at the show in August!  We'll be there, and encourage you to be as well!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

AD&DRPG Visual Renovations - Traloria and Traloria Sewers

Hey everyone... my work continues in AD&DRPG world and has focused on the large town of Traloria.  I had started on Traloria as of the last photo blog, but really underestimated how long it would take to work on.  I'm still not quite done there, but I've completed several areas, including the popular sewer dungeon.  Take a look:

This isn't actually Traloria, but an unrelated dungeon.  Mostly untouched, I've made simple changes for lighting and effects.

The main square in Traloria has been completely redone.  A fire-lit path leads past interactive characters and shops.

A market now exists in the main square, where players can purchase items and join the Traloria Army.

A chamber within the Traloria Sewers where the various tunnels flow out.  Look out for that dragon!

A safe-haven within the sewers, where players can heal and purchase special equipment.  There are various helpful characters around as well.

Many familiar areas have received mostly cosmetic changes.  I really wanted to eliminate all paper-thin walls.

Some areas, such as this stream next to the path, exist purely for detailing to make the dungeon more interesting.