Virtual World Offer

**D* G* <g*@gmail.com>**

I’ve been chatting with a few folks and thought I’d make this open-ended
offer.   I’m going to be officially “in-world” this afternoon between 2-4
EST if you’re interested in chatting about how virtual software works or
anything else about online-publishing.  Call it an open-meeting and virtual
get-together.  I will be working there on and off for most of today so feel
free to pop in.

Here are some things you need to know.

You really do need a headset.  If you don’t have one then the rest of us
will hear an echo and go nuts trying to talk.  This is a fully-featured
verbal system so this is the only hard-and-fixed rule.

Stop all other software from running in the background - things like
automatic back-up software.  Close all open apps.  Your processor is going
to work overtime on this so reduce everything  you can.   Hardwire to your
router if possible for best sound quality and consistency.

When you get to the launch URL  - click the “launch” button.  The server
admin button is password-protected and you won’t get in there.

This will prompt you to download a file called Wonderland.jnlp   This is a
java script language program that will run on any OS.  Click OK

It will probably ask you to “have access to your computer”.  Click “allow”
(making sure all your firewalls and security systems agree).  No idea how
Windows systems and Security Systems are going to respond to this - you’re
on your own with that.

It will then open up a new Wonderland window with login module.  Enter a
username (suggest your real name because we’ll be chatting) and make sure
you’re trying to login as a “guest’ and not a registered user.

This will then start to grind and load.  It isn’t fast. (Again - I suggest
being hard-wired to your router for this and for best sound processing)

You’ll start to see an avatar load (you can modify this at any time while
in-world) and a sky.   Because of the graphic quantities of data - it will
seem like forever.   It usually takes a minute or two.  Wait until you can
see everything before you modify anything.

You’ll “suddenly” see a landscape appear and this means you’re now
in-world.  A few more seconds and you can control your avatar a few seconds
after that and the sound should kick in.  You can now walk around etc.

Several points - the “avatar’ can be modified at any time by going to
Edit>Avatar. But your name can’t be changed - what you sign in with is what
you get (and your computer remembers this so I suggest you use your real
name so we all know who you are).

You can walk around within the system or use the Placemarks menu to “jump”
around quickly and easily.

Problem Solving

There are three main issues that bother users.

The first is a fully black screen that won’t open up the world.  This
usually means that either your video card isn’t up to the task or your
javascript language module is too old and needs upgrading.   I can’t help
you with the video card but Sun has the updated script and a Google on
“update javascript” should pull up the url.

The second is sound.  As I said, you must have a headset to separate your
mic and speakers or the rest of us will hear an echo.  If your name doesn’t
go red over your head when  you speak, your system isn’t working.  Go to
Tools>Audio>Test Audio and a popup will help you sort out your system
configuration.

The third is a slow computer or slow connection.  Again, I can’t help you
but  you’ll have to try it to see if your system works.

Here’s the current address http://174.129.14.200:8080/wonderland-web-front/

C'mon over and see one possible future of computing.

Doug

-- 
Doug Green
Editor-in-Chief,
SGF Publishing
http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com
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