Community Gathering in Second Life: Six Months On

Date: Monday, September 1, 2008 Time: 1:00 to 4:00 PM+ Second Life Time (PDT); 2:00 to 5:00 PM+ Cavern Time (MDT); 8PM to Midnight+ GMT

Place: Explorers Community Center

A Community Gathering of Uru Explorers will be held to mark six months since the Feb 4th announcement of MOUL’s closure and the migration of many to Second Life. The event begins with an hour or so of informal chat on the current state of the Community, both collectively and as individuals. This will be a time to reflect, reconnect, and look forward. This will be followed, of course, by dance.

Eleri is on a panel about the Uru community, with The World that Players Wouldn't Let Die, at the 2008 Austin Game Designer Conference. Eleri has provided a small survey, comprising of seven questions, for the said community, so that Eleri can be more informed as the conference approaches.

Another month closer to MORE and another newsletter, yes the GoMe August Newsletter is now ready, in PDF format, for download. This month we have a new puzzle feature also we have some interesting views, by explorers, on why Uru.

Plus we would like to offer our free Newsletter e-mailing service. Feel free to pop along to our sign up page, KI numbers not required, and receive the next edition directly in to your Inbox.

Newsletter feedback:

We are planning to do some changes to the Newsletter, to better reflect the needs of the cavern community for the next edition. Please if you can spare us a few moments and answer these questions and post your comments (Both positive and negative regarding the Newsletter). Please be honest, as this will help us to keep the newsletter fresh.

General questions:

#1 Do you read the newsletter each month?

• Yes
• No (Please comment on why not?)

#2 Do you like the August Newsletter?

• Yes
• No (please comment on what things should be improved for you to like it)

Length

The current edition has 5 pages….

#3 Could we make the Newsletter longer? What would be the maximum number of pages for you to still be interested in reading it?

#4 Could we make the Newsletter shorter? What would be the minimum number of pages for you to still be interested in reading it?

Content

#5 Do you think that the current content of the Newsletter fulfils your need to be informed of the Uru community?

• Yes, the newsletter is perfect.
• Yes, but it covers only my basic needs. I’d appreciate more diversity of articles. (Please comment on what things are missing.)
• No. Reading it is a waste of my time. (Please comment on what things are useless.)

#6 Would you like more content about the different Guilds and groups?

• No. Keep it just Guild of Messengers news related.
• Yes, I want to know more about what each guild and group are doing.

#7 Do you appreciate our new feature: Puzzle section?

• It is a fun thing to do, continue having this feature.
• It is a good concept but this particular first puzzle was not good.
• Useless feature. Keep the Newsletter News oriented.

#8 What other types of content would be good to include?(Multiple answers and answers not on this list are welcomed)

• Interviews
• Spotlight on average explorers
• Spotlight on key Guild people
• Short Stories
• A continuing story
• A comic strip

Frequency

#9 How often should the Newsletter be released?

• Once a month is fine
• Twice a month
• Once every 2 months.

Look

#10 What do you think of the look of the Newsletter.

• I like it a lot.
• It’s ok but could be better (please comment on what could be better)
• I don’t like it. It’s just not good looking. (Please comment on what is the problem)

#11 The Newsletter is a PDF file. Would you prefer to read a less fancy, plain text Newsletter?

• Yes
• No

Thank you for your help in improving the Newsletter.

Mystonline Guilds Forum.

• Subject: Special project initiated by "The Moderators Group"
• Delegate: moderator "veralun"
• Main Goal: to find a way to gather links to all important threads on Mystonline Forums.

Present Object: to gather a group of knowledgeable Guild delegates that would be able to recognize important threads that would be used to create a centralized list.

Delegates: so far (beside "veralun" from the Moderators Group) = none

Beta test List:

Update Person: Artic_Wagon

Thread linky to Mystonline Forums/The Guilds/Ideas For Threads Of Special interest

Today saw a status report on the MORE restoration project with Chogon, of Cyan posting the update on the MOUL Forms. The details of this welcome update range from what has been done, to what is in hand, like the payment method and also what has to be completed before MORE goes online. Chogon also, briefly, touches on other Cyan related projects.

In collaboration with the Guild of Archivists, I am expanding the Writer's Ring forums at DPWR to provide a gathering place for people interested in the nature of Story and Canon in Uru and those who want to add to it.

It's my hope that these forums will provide a good central place to discuss what Story is, the nature of being In Cavern and talk about what makes a good story (fan-run or otherwise) in Uru. Also, hopefully it will be a place for storytellers, plot designers and role-players to gather to collaborate and discuss their art. When the FCAL process for story elements is finally up, I hope this will become a place to discuss how to best fit stories into the FCAL process, as well as to discuss when is best to not bother with the FCAL and just do your own thing.

If you are interested in Story in Uru, Canon, role-playing, constructing D'ni history and all of the other fan-run story goodness, come by the forums and start a thread or join in with the threads that are there.

Blade Lakem

Writer's Ring Administrator

Shorah!

The Guild of Archivists is currently seeking assistance in a number of areas. We are looking for story-minded individuals who are interested in taking an active role in helping to develop the role of the GoA in MORE, as well as expanding the Archive on DPWR. As always, we are also looking for detail-oriented people interested in helping with the day-to-day operation of the Guild and maintenance of the Archive.

We currently have two project management positions open: a Chat Log Project Manager and a D'ni/Surface History Project Manager. The Chat Log manager will be responsible for coordinating with the Guild of Messengers through BladeLakem (our GoMe liaison), as well as through direct communication where appropriate, to establish the specific details of how this cross-Guild project should be executed. Ability to attend GoMe meetings where the chat log project is to be discussed is ideal. The Chat Log manager will also be responsible for overseeing the chat log section of the Archive once this project is underway, and may enlist the assistance of as many other individuals as necessary to ensure that it is properly maintained.

The D'ni/Surface History manager will be responsible for heading up a Guild of Archivists effort to create a comprehensive timeline of information stretching from the earliest recorded information about the D'ni to the most recent happenings in the Cavern in MOUL. When MORE launches, this person will be responsible for ensuring that events in the Cavern are properly recorded for future reference. As with the Chat Log manager, the D'ni/Surface History manager may enlist the assistance of as many other individuals as needed to ensure that their duties are properly carried out. Further details regarding the exact plan for executing this project is available in the Guild Projects section of the DPWR forums.

In the interests of ensuring open and steady communication with the other Guilds, the GoA is also looking for individuals to act as liaisons to the other community Guilds currently in operation. We are currently in need of liaisons to the Guild of Writers, the Guild of Cartographers, and the Guild of Greeters. Volunteers for D'ni Linguistic Fellowship and D'ni Zoological Society liaisons would also be appreciated. Liaisons would be responsible for relaying information between the GoA and the target Guild regarding policies, procedures, and project concepts that relate to both Guilds. Liaisons will need to stay in touch with the leadership at the Guild of Archivists to ensure that proper information is being relayed to other Guilds regarding our stance on projects in development, and are encouraged to seek the assistance of others in the completion of their duties should any interaction become too overwhelming for them to handle (for example, the Chat Log project is to be handled by a separate individual at the GoA, rather than laying everything on the shoulders of the GoMe liaison).

Those interested in taking on any of these roles should contact Alahmnat via Private Message on DPWR.net.

News revealed today could see the sale of GameTap, the subscription based PC gaming service provider. A spokesperson for Turner Broadcasting revealed that there were no final decisions made, as they are considering various options.

The first Mysterium was held in July of 2000... what better way to celebrate the 10th annual gathering of MYST fans than a return to the birthplace of D'ni?

No, Not Garternay, you Myst Nerds!

Mysterium 10 will take place in Spokane, Washington; home of Cyan Worlds, Inc!

What we know: ~The gathering will happen sometime between June 1 and Sept 1, 2009 ~It will formally run Noon Friday to Noon Sunday, with informal stuff happening Thursday evening through Sunday evening. ~ There will be a registration fee again in 2009

What we don't know: ~ How much registration will be ~ What activities will be taking place ~ Who, if any, "Special Guests" will attend ~ If Cyan will officially participate. ~ Anything else.

We will be polling the community extensively to gather information on what people want to see and do, looking to find a balance between social time and activity time, fun and relaxation, games and learning. All while minimising the amount of thumb-twiddling time.

We want to draw on the talents and strengths of the whole community to make the 10th Mysterium the most amazing gathering ever, and a springboard for growth over the next 10 years!

Your Mysterium 2009 Co-Chairs:

Gary "Alahmnat" Buddell and C. "Eleri" Hamilton

In The "It's Never Too Early" Category:

We will be opening up for City Hosting Submissions in early 2009 for Mysterium 2010. If you live in the CENTRAL North American time zone, please consider hosting Mysterium (official requirements announced at submission time.) We will announce the location and dates of Mysterium 2010 the last day of Mysterium 2009. One whole year to plan!

The Cavern Today is currently working on a Video Podcast! It will be a great opportunity to show new Ages and Parties around in MORE.

The first Pilot Episode is ready to be watched at http://uruvideopodcast.bplaced.net/ If the Site is too slow, or you having any other Problem and can't watch it from there, please try our Beta Live Stream at http://www.mogulus.com/tctlive. This is a Live Stream that we are currently working on.

Also, for your convenience, on YouTube

Also please leave us feedback about the Podcast and the Live Stream by e-mailing dhelayan@dhelayansjourney.net

It’s not often we get some Myst news, but Cyan Worlds are working on a Myst port for the iPhone, iMyst.

iMyst:
This is a small project that probably a very few of you know about. We are porting Myst to the iPhone. Ok, before some of you start groaning, this is an outside funded project that is keeping a few developers employed… but it is really more than that. It is an interesting and fun project. This is also a very small team with three of us (which includes Derek, Rand (not Randy) and myself).
- Mark Deforest

• MarkD’s Post at the Myst Online Forums.
• Wired Article on iMyst
• iMyst Digg Article

It has been late in arriving but the GoMe July Newsletter is finally ready for you to download, at you pleasure. In this issue we look at the announcement of MORE plus we say a heartfelt goodbye to David R Sweeney aka CAGrayWolf.

Plus a friendly reminder that you could sign up here, KI numbers not required, and receive your copy directly into your Inbox.

Cyan Worlds employee Chogon has posted a status report conserning Cyan's development team. The ...

Recently, the Guild of Writers held a minor proposal to remove the inactive Guild Councillor of Sound and Vision, Chaos Song. The required 20% of active forum members have cast their ballots and the count is currently a landslide 57 in favor of removal and 0 rejecting.

With all that's left to clear up the Sound and Vision post being the last few days of the required two week period, the Guild Council has posted a new proposal to restructure the Sound and Vision post into a new Creative Direction position that we hope will be able to guide the Guild into MORE and beyond!

All Writers, Maintainers, Messengers, Cartographers, Fine Artists, and folks not affiliated with any Guild are welcome to come and read, discuss, debate, and vote on the new proposal!

Hoikas Guild of Writers GC of Tool Development