Noticeboard: Susan3D.com now a free resource -- models, avatars and textures formatted for Activeworlds

Hey everyone.  Coming out of the woodwork to share a link that has come across my radar.

Cy Award-winning artist Susan 3D (formerly Lady Murasaki) has made her online resource -- http://www.susan3d.com -- free to use.  She has designed many objects, textures, avatars, and other resources such as tutorials during her time in AW and I expect that opening the site up to everyone will be very valuable to the remaining private world owners.

In addition to this, she will continue to post resources to the site.  See this AWForum Thread today for the most recent updates.

Noticeboard: GZModels Holiday Sale

From the AW Forums:

GZModels is pleased to announce its Holiday Sale. Starting Nov 26th through 11:59 pm January 2nd, 2012, all models in GZModels world will be 25% off. While you are there don't forget to check out out latest arrival, Hibiscus Bushes. These gorgeous plants have just arrived from the tropical regions of VR to grace your world with beauty and color. Fifteen varieties to choose from in a wide range of colors. GZModels! Where the magic of modeling come to life. We believe it's the little details that breathe life into a world. ;o)

Teleport: GZModels World

Noticeboard: Pelican3D Citizenship Promotion

Pelican3D is making a generous offer for AW users that are actively recruiting new citizens...

For ANYONE who recruits 3 NEW people to become cttizens between Dec. 1st 2011 and Mar 1st 2012, they will receive a $100.00 gift certificate to pelican3d models (standard terms of agreement apply). No deceptions allowed. Citizenship must be from a tourist who hasnt been a citizen before. Citizenships will be authenticated thru AWI.

The offer certainly sounds generous, as $100 can get you quite a few nice objects and even some very complete sets!

As an aside, these are the sorts of promotions that AWI would stand to benefit from if they took the initiative to reach out to their supporters.  AW benefits from the citizenship referrals, Pelican benefits from good publicity and increased exposure, and the people actively participating in a market in AW increases. What's not to like?

Noticeboard: AW User Conducting Survey

Hey everyone!  A fellow AW user -- Absolute Monarch -- is conducting a survey through his university and I'd like to help get the word out.

Quote: "I'm conducting some research on video games and would love it if you could help. You don't need to be a player of games to participate; you can have never played a video game in your life and I would still need your help. All you have to do is click the link below and complete the survey. It will take you 20-30 minutes."

Link: https://anupsych.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0ARwEhz5Pyc0r2Y

Noticeboard: JAM Logo Contest

The JAMs are holding a contest for a new logo, and offering a nice prize (~$20) for the 1st and 2nd place winners.  It sounds like anything is fair game, as long as it is at least 480 pixels wide and features JAM or Just Ask Me in the image.

Entries can be submitted to the JAM blog on the AW Forums.

Good luck!

Noticeboard: New models from Susan 3D

Hey everyone, we don't get too much news about new models available these days, so I like to share it as I come across it.

Susan 3D released an "Antique French Sink, Cabinet, and Mirror Set" this week, available for $8.00 USD.  The modeler's description: "The cabinet features a painted black finish with gilt trim, white porcelain bowl with an elegant gold design, marble top, and gold faucets. The mirror/picture object is a separate model for versatility."

It looks like a fine and elegant piece (specifically the trim on the cabinet itself) and hopefully is agreeable to those of you who purchase objects.

Noticeboard: Free Particle Set from JonBee

JonBee has released a set of free particles on the AW forums.  There wasn't much description given, but it sounds like a useful set of letters, numbers, and symbols to add some useful signage to builds.

You can see the forum thread by clicking here or download the set directly here.

Noticeboard: AWExpo Cancelled, Texpo Announced

A bit of ruckus was caused earlier this week when GSK announced that in a joint decision with AWI, the 2011 AWExpo will be cancelled.  The AWExpo had a rough start out of the gate, and despite general community support the struggles came to a climax last week when a vandal took advantage of a Caretaker's privilege password to damage the world.  The Expo world closed in the following days and GSK looked to step down -- even making plans for a successor so that the expo could continue... but AWI did not accept the proposal, and thus the event will be ending.

Builders who have already made a booth have until Monday to save their progress before the world OP is closed.

In light of this decision, citizen Xandrah (Xandrake on the forums) has offered their private, P-100 sized world (RF3D world) up for a community expo that AWI won't be hosting.  The premise of this new event is essentially the same as the AWExpo, with the only difference being that the event dates have been bumped to mid-July and the attendance will likely be lower since AWI has pulled support from an Expo this year.

ActiveWorlds Technology Expo Dates

• June 30th - July 10th
• Registration is open; telegram Xandrah in-world
• Booth Building is Open
• Building Guidelines:
• If you have a plot please only build within your plot space.
• Please make sure your booth is to do with Active Worlds.
• If your booth is not about Active Worlds it will be deleted.
• July 11th
• Texpo Begins
• July 16th
• Texpo Ends

I am not sure yet if AWBuilder will be participating in the Texpo as I have a rather full schedule leading up to the event, but if I do I'll announce it here.  Hoping to see some good things come of it, and we wish it well. :)

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.)

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.

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

----

• Booth Registration
• Now until August 12
• Register Now: Click here
• Booth Building
• Now until August 22
• Users can build in-world or import a custom booth.
• Guidelines: http://awexpo.in/2011-building-guidelines/
• Custom content: http://upload.awexpo.in/
• AWExpo
• August 26, 27, 28

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!

Noticeboard: Upcoming Build Contest in Yellow

Yellow world will be hosting a build contest in the near future, and they would like your help in choosing the contest theme.  Contest winners will receive V4 rights. They're split between the following themes:

Steampunk -- using physics and such to make fantastic machines and structures a la Victoriana. Haven't heard of steampunk? This ought to be a real winner for AW builders! Go to http://www.steampunktribune.com/2011_02_01_archive.html for some mind blowing stuff that will tickle any good builder's fancy

Building a better mousetrap -- physics and use of objects, action commands, etc.

Elemental theme -- each build would pick one of the basic elements water, fire, earth or air as the inspiration.

If you would like to throw in your two cents, I'm sure Ozman would appreciate the feedback.  Just visit this forum thread to contribute.

Noticeboard: VR Farm Seeks Modeler

VR Farm Ground Zero Area

VR Farm -- the farming simulation game in Active Worlds -- is looking for a new modeler to assist in continued development of the world.  Potential modelers should expect to be designing new crops and other farm-themed objects.

Prospective modelers should telegram DM Mercury to help, or visit the forums online at http://forums.mercuryonlinegames.com/

Noticeboard: AWTours seeking Language Translators

LINK: http://forums.activeworlds.com/showthread.php?t=15173

A nice feature of Blogger is the ability to see where my viewers are from; apparently I have them from all over the world. :)  Since that's the case, I figure that some of you may be able to help us out in AWTours... Urbane Chaos is looking for some help to translate helpful signs in AWTours to other languages so as to serve as many viewers as possible.  It's not a big job and would probably be nothing at all for someone who is fluent. :)

Full text of the request below:

 In AWTours, I've been working on a non-english speaking help area. I'm looking for people who could help translate two signs into different languages. We have a few languages covered already, but in order to best serve the community, I'd like to have as many translations as possible. 

Personally, I don't trust the translation programs for what I'm doing, as I've seen them make several mistakes in the past.

If anyone can help, that would be great! 

The signs read as follows:

The header sign:
__________ Speaking Visitors (Example, "German Speaking Visitors")

The information sign: 

Welcome to AWTours!

This world is dedicated to showcasing the best of Active Worlds.

If you need help in your language, either use the translator here or teleport to AWGate and ask a GateKeeper for assistance.

If anyone can stop by and lend a hand, I'm sure UC would appreciate it. :)

Noticeboard: AlphaMapper Facebook Contest!

Clear out your schedule for this upcoming Saturday, because you'll need the free time for a new contest coming to the AlphaMapper Facebook Page!

Sometime after 12:01 VRT on Saturday, an image will be posted on that Facebook page.  The image will be a screen capture from AlphaMapper itself... and once it is up, the game is on!  It will be up to fans of the page to scramble to find exactly what part of Alphaworld that the image came from!  If you're unfamiliar with AlphaMapper, it is a great utility that you can use to see 'satellite images' of Alphaworld.  The utility allows you to find coordinates in the world and save a web link that you can use to visit the location again on the map!  These web links will be used in the contest -- when you find the correct coordinates, just navigate to the top of AlphaMapper and click 'Link to Location.'  A link will appear, and you can submit that link to win the contest!

The winner of this contest will recieve a one month citizenship.

You have to be a fan of the AlphaMapper Facebook Page to participate in the contest, so get to it!  Byte keeps the page updated often, and he's made some really exciting progress towards the next update of the AlphaMapper!  So as I said, get to it, and good luck everyone! :)

UPDATE: You no longer have to be a fan of the Facebook page to participate, and Byte has added Twitter to the mix as well!  This forum thread has all of the details -- submission will be handled by e-mail now, and the content will only be posted to the Facebook or Twitter pages.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AlphaMapper/159877450713342
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlphaMapper

Noticeboard: AWTours Meeting TODAY at 6pm VRT

Hey everyone!  Bach Zhaa will be hosting a meeting to get volunteers together for a new effort in AWTours world today @ 6pm VRT.

Alternatively, if you cannot make this meeting, you can post your opinions in this forum thread.  I myself cannot make the meeting, so that's what I will be doing. :)  I'll probably CC those thoughts over here as well later tonight, that will all depend on how much free time I have before my next class.

Later!