2921 VW: It's not your metaverse if you can't build there. Some metaverse provinces offer building tools and sandboxes where you can build without buying land.

It's not your metaverse if you can't build there.  

Some metaverse provinces offer building tools and sandboxes 

where you can build without buying land.

To get the feel for metaverse life you need to go to a platform where you can build.  If you don't know how to build you can find some freebies and put them out to suit you.   

• Watch on YouTube
• A sample of building in Second Life
• Yes, it was made and posted in 2006.
• Virtual worlds are a lot like the metaverse they are describing.
• Maybe it is déjà vu all over again.

Sandbox: the lowercase kind

• Not this: The Sandbox (Game)
• A sandbox (lowercase) means an area of a virtual world where people can build without owning land.  
• That works to let new people see if they like building without spending any money.
• It also lets content creators build in a grid without having to pay for land.
• How can I find sandboxes and freebies in the hypergrid worlds?

2021 #VW: Starting in OpenSim and specifically for starting in Kitely. Reducing the barriers to entry.

An instructional set for starting in OpenSim worlds 

and specifically for starting in Kitely.  

Reducing the barriers to entry.

Video instructions for starting in Kitely

• Moving Around in OpenSim Worlds
• Watch on YouTube

The entire set

• Starting in OpenSim virtual worlds
• by Carla Kincaid-Yoshikawa

Topics

• Using Firestorm to Enter OpenSim (Kitely) 3D World
• All by Carla Kincaid-Yoshikawa
• Moving Around in OpenSim Worlds
• Carla Kincaid-Yoshikawa
• Finding and Using Interactive Objects in OpenSim 3D Worlds
• Accessing Resources
• Using Zoom and Camera Controls in OpenSim 3D Worlds
• Communicating in OpenSim 3D Worlds
• Change Time of Day In OpenSim 3D World

2030 WW: Starting in 3DWW: Simplified screen controls for new people, especially guests.

Simplified 3DWW2020 screen controls 
for new people, especially guests.

Beginner-friendly revisions to 3DWebWorldz are explained.

Beginner buttons for 3DWW

Click image to enlarge

• Hover the cursor over a button to see what it does.
• 
  
• You can enter the three dimensional place 3DWebWorldz as a guest.
• No registration, nothing to install--it runs in your browser.
• Since you don't register, the system won't know you when you come back.
• And you don't want to try everything the place has to offer anyway.
• So the buttons on the starter screen only do what a guest can reasonably do. 
• Even those are more than you will want to do on your first visit.
• So after the break I will tell about the buttons in use clusters.
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary

Contents

• Move, walk around
• Talk
• Chat (Type)
• Events
• View
• Lighting adjustment
• Fix the wonkies

2020 #VWEDU: A campus grid for a graduate school. An independent grid using the Kitely organization system

A campus grid for a graduate school.  
An independent grid using the Kitely organization system.

A separate grid.  Managed by an organization.  Separate login page, with information about the organization, not about a grid.  But all the tech work is handled by Kitely.  And it has some places open to the Hypergrid. 

Online people attend a presentation

• VR-on Marian Island
• Hosting projects of the MALET program:
• Suny Empire State College MALET program
• Help to get started in virtual reality
• Change your avatar
• Start to build
• FAQ

2019 #VWEDU #DTA: Communications tips for OpenSimulator. A DTA content page

Communications tips for OpenSimulator.
A DTA content page

Communications content page for Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) in OpenSimulator.  This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).

The Empty Classroom

Communicating elsewhere

• Sure, back in the old days, you put students in a classroom to communicate with them.
• Students have other means of communication.  Are schools catching up?

Communicate with other people

• Details after the break.
• Search on page: Ctrl F, search bar top of page
• If you want help on a term you find here, use search to find all instances.
• To learn to use these skills, use them inworld.  
• DTA content pages: The plan: Initial DTA content on the web here. Can be used from here or copied for use elsewhere
• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (vitrual worlds): Summary

Local--avatars near you

• Local chat
• Instant Message (IM)
• Local Voice
• Local voice fixes

Remote (or local)--avatars anywhere,

• Instant message
• Group message
• Notecard (receive) 
• Notecard (receive embedded)
• Notecard (send)
• IM logs 

Hypergrid communications 

• Local: same as ingrid
• Remote: Same as ingrid, but less reliable

• #VWEDU: update 10/24/2019: OpenSim conference seeks presenters. Free Ghost Story Radio Stream (Seanchai Library ). OpenSim land increase.

2019 #VWEDU #DTA: Ingrid (within a grid) Travel tips for OpenSimulator . A DTA content page

Ingrid (within a grid) Travel tips 
for OpenSimulator. 
A DTA content page

Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) instructions. Easy search and little text. Set up for quick answers to specific questions.      

Walkin Teleports

• Destinations at the bottom

Contents

• Grid geography and travel effects.
• Somebody gives you the destination. 
• Destination in landmark (LM)
• Destination in Firestorm hop
• Destination as sim name
• Walkin Teleport
• How to get back home
• Nearby group of people
• Place you can zoom to in the viewer.
• Nearby specific person
• Follow a tour
• Place on the World Map
• Go and sit
• Can't move, want out.
• Just walk faster.
• Some of these travel methods depend on viewer settings:
• Firestorm settings for beginners. A DTA content page
• Search on page: Ctrl+f gets search bar near the top.  Enter search term.
• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (virtual worlds): Summary

2019 #VWEDU: #DTA: Basic skills needed for attending a meeting or class in a virtual world. DTA content page

Basic skills needed 
for attending a meeting or class 
in a virtual world 
DTA content

Digital Teaching Assistant instructions to be given to people coming to a virtual world for a class or a meeting.  To avoid the steep learning curve, the only instructions given are for the actions needed in these activities.  This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).

Firestorm bottom left controls 

Click image to enlarge

• These instructions require the following settings:
• Firestorm settings for beginners. A DTA content page
• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (virtual worlds): Summary

Contents

• Read and send local chat
• Walk: turn, walk forward
• Interact with things: Sit, stand, click
• View control: Zoom,look around without moving your avatar
• Offer friend connection to local avatars
• Use private IM with local avatars.
• Use a web link sent in chat
• Use voice to communicate
• Read a notecard sent to you
• Rename things in inventory
• Search on page: Ctrl+f gets search bar near top.  

Possible uses of this page

• Send new people to this page.
• Copy this page to your own help file.
• Put these items into your own DTA.
• Note public domain notice.

2019 NEW: New to OpenSimulator? You can find freebies, sandboxes, and free land in Kitely Search

You can find freebies, sandboxes, 
and free land in Kitely Search

• Search services in Kitely, on the web and inworld.

Search page in Kitely

Click image to enlarge

• Other grids may offer similar services--I have not checked.
• Kitely now fills the search panels on the viewer. Events, places, and classifieds benefit

On the web

• Places with freebies
• Places with sandboxes
• DIY: Kitely Explore Worlds
• Use the search bar, upper left.

Inworld Kitely 

• Click Ctrl f
• For free land, click the places tab.
• In the search bar, enter free land.
• For people, groups, etc., click the appropriate tab

• Update 9/19/2019 OpenSim grid stats, VWMOOC2019 continues. Firestorm split is off

2019 #VWEDU: #DTA: DTA content pages: The plan: Initial DTA content on the web here. Can be used from here or copied for use elsewhere.

The plan: Initial DTA content on the web here. 
Can be used from here 
or copied for use elsewhere.
Updated 10/25/2019

Preliminary plan for Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) content pages to support development.   This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).

The Empty Classroom

Learning online

• Uses: By DTA and solo
• Design:  template and style

What is a DTA content page?

• DTA content pages are offered for instruction on using virtual worlds for education. 
• The page is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).
• That means anyone can use it as is or modified with or without credit to the source.
• Digicoach might send people to this page with specific search terms.
• Educators might put this page on their own site and send students there.
• Educators might use this text in their own version of Digicoach.
• Viewer developers might use these pages in the Help system
• These content pages will be revised as needed or as improvements are identified.
• The pages are designed to maximize ease of search and minimize text.  
• The user is expected have an active viewer screen while reading the instructions 
• The user is expected to follow each step after reading the instructions.
• Published DTA content pages are cited here:
• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (virtual worlds): Summary

Why on the web?

• Easily available to everyone.
• Easily revised or copied
• Directly usable as is
• Easily given to students via web link
• Uses hypertext to provide optional background links

2019 #VWEDU: #DTA: Firestorm settings for beginners. A DTA content page

Firestorm settings for beginners. 
A DTA content page

Suggested changes in Firestorm settings for use with students in educational places.   This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).

How to search FS Prefs

• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (virtual worlds): Summary
• A Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) in MUVE (virtual world): What would it do?

How to search Firestorm preferences

• Top line of Firestorm, Avatar (full left), click Avatar
• On drop-down menu click Preferences. 
• To search preferences panel:  Use the white bar at the top of the panel.
• Type part of the setting and the panel will show settings that match.
• See graphic above.
• Details on Preferences: Viewer 3.3+ Preferences window, Summary
• Using viewer: Firestorm for OpenSimulator set to Viewer 5 (drop-down menus) 

Key terms

• Name tags
• Enable voice
• Media
• Movement
• View
• World Map
• Notifications
• Buttons
• Search this page: Ctrl+f opens search bar near top of page.

• #VWEDU: update 8/15/2019 CVL Presents ACRL Sunday Tour. OpenSim users split on impact of Firestorm fork.

2019 #VWEDU: #DTA: Newcomer welcome coach (1): Basic skills needed promptly

Newcomer welcome coach (1):   
Basic skills needed promptly 

The newcomer welcome coach teaches the skills needed to get started in OpenSimulator. This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).

The Empty Classroom

They study on the web

"What do I do now?"

• That's usually the first reaction people have when they arrive in a virtual world.
• Educators want to get students past that point fast.
• We can give them written instructions: 
• The Secret of the Instruction Manual  If you want to keep a secret, put it in the instruction manual
• A DTA  Welcome Coach (DTAW) can give JIT training just when the student needs it.
• Create the need for the instruction.  Give the instruction.  Have the learner practice.

What do we need to create a welcome DAT?

• The Digital Teaching Assistant (DTA) for MUVES (virtual worlds): Summary
• List of basic skills to be taught.
• Brief instructions for each skill.
• Selection method to let learner chose what to learn next (or revisit).
• Situations in the welcome MUVE that create a need for each skill.

• Using viewer: Firestorm for OpenSimulator set to Viewer 5 (drop-down menus) 

2019 NEW: Considering virtual worlds? Considering Hypergrid? Here is information you may want

Considering virtual worlds?  
Considering Hypergrid?  
Here is information you may want

Virtual worlds are readily available and (on OpenSim) at low cost.  For some areas of interest, there are existing communities that can help you get started.  For example, there is a large and active educational community.

Dancing at 

Kitely Welcome Center

What does it cost?

• Nothing if you just want to meet people and look around
• Nothing if you just want to try building. (There are free sandboxes for that.)
• Sandboxes in Kitely
• Probably nothing if you want to start with a place of your own. 
• (Free rental places are often available.)
• And there are rental places at a few dollars.
• Rental places in Kitely
• Other Grids also have rental places and sandboxes.
  I use the Kitely listing because it is available on the web.

Is there a steep learning curve?

• Only if you want to become a skilled creator.  
• Lots of there are lots of things available as  freebies
• Freebie places in Kitely
• You can also buy things  for a few dollars per item.
• Kitely Market

What do people do in virtual worlds?

• After the break

• #VWEDU: update 8/8/2019 OpenSim users split about impact of Firestorm fork. Encore Escape reenacts Woodstock.

2019 EDU: PROMO: Beginner's building in OpenSim: Chimp Versus Chair, Prim Sculptor

Beginner's building in OpenSim:
Chimp Versus Chair, Prim Sculptor 

Videos illustrating building in OpenSimulator and links to instructions on how to start building.

• Watch on YouTube
• With Orhalla Zander as the chimp.
• This won't teach you how to build.  
• I hope it shows you what you can do when you know how to build.

• MUVE update 4/11/2019 VWBPE Immersive sessions continue. Funding sources for education

2018 EDU: Use social 3D on the web: what you need to know

Use social 3D on the web: 
what you need to know

Social 3D activities are social activities in virtual three-dimensional spaces.  Some such spaces are coming available on the web, meaning that you can visit them in your browser with no preparation.

Web-world for nonprofits 

and public service organizations

Two Web worlds in public beta

• 3DWebWorldz
• CybaLOUNGE
• Yes, these links take you to flat web pages in your browser.
• You can you can enter either of these as a guest, without registering.
• But you will need to pick a name and, in CybaLONGE, pick an avatar
• And if you want to connect with friends, you will have to register. 
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary
• To get the best results, use Chrome.  
• Firefox may work, but may have trouble with voice.

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More after the break

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Metaverse events, recent and upcoming

• Registration Deadline for the Rockcliffe Conference is August 31
• -
• HYPERGRIDABLE grids open 24/7: Interactive spreadsheet for Hypergridders.
• Events on the Hypergrid: HYPEvents
• Hypergrid Destinations
• IMA Social Web and Virtual World Events, Music, and Meeting Calendar
• HYPERGRID EVENTS
• OpenSimWorld Events
• Entertainment on the Hypergrid
• Opensim AAM Virtual Performers
• Promotion for virtual worlds and everything in 'em
• Selby's daily events and news collection:  Virtual worlds are real 
• Comedy Videos from the virtual worlds
• Web-world videos

Metaverse places and activities

• List of Social VR/Virtual Worlds by Ryan Schultz
• Search this blog with the search bar, upper left.
• Hypergrid Writer's Community
• Metaverse Jobs; Job Listings
• IMA projects
• 3D WEBSITES A2Z
• 3D web-worlds of the browser (G+ community) 
• Web-worlds, 3D virtual worlds running in a browser. Summary
• Virtual Outworlding news collection 
• Destination guide: OpenSimWorld
• Hyperica, Directory of Opensimulator hypergrid destinations
• WELCOME TO SEANCHAI LIBRARIES
• Hypergrid-related articles in this blog

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2017 NEW: HG: Shop smart in OpenSim: Check the freebies, check the prices.

Smart shopping in OpenSim: 
Check the freebies, check the prices.

Suggestions for smart shopping in OpenSim.

Executive  summary (action items)

• Check the local freebies before you buy.
• Check Kitely Market for competitive prices.
• Kitely Market can deliver to most grids on the Hypergrid
• And to some that are not.  

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• (More after the break, scroll down!)

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Metaverse events, current and upcoming

• Art of the Artists: Slartist@UWA Machinima Challenge (L$350,000 Prize Pool) Create a film with a work of art.
• A web page you can walk into
• Hypergrid Writer's Community
• IMA Blog
• 3D web-worlds of the browser (G+ community)
• Mal Burns: Inworld Review
• Try a browser-based virtual world
• Selby's daily news collection:  Virtual worlds are real   
• Virtual Outworlding news collection 
• Events on the Hypergrid: HYPEvents
• Entertainment on the Hypergrid
• HYPERGRID EVENTS
• Destination guide: OpenSimWorld
• Hyperica, Directory of Opensimulator hypergrid destinations
• Opensim AAM Virtual Performers
• WELCOME TO SEANCHAI LIBRARIES
• Virtual world G+ communities:  Communities virtual worlds G+
• In a virtual world, your deodorant never fails.

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2017 IMA: IMA WG23 Marketing and Outreach: Resources for free outreach

IMA WG23 Marketing and Outreach: 
Resources for free outreach

IMA WG23 Marketing and Outreach aims at at the objective of bringing more new people into virtual worlds.  That is an objective of great interest to content creators, content aggregators, and grid owners.  Here I point out some ways we can use social media to publicize what is available virtual worlds and to show people how to get there.

• WG23: Marketing and Outreach is not organized yet.  
• Here I show ways we can use social media for marketing and outreach.  
• I don't have time to organize this WG, but I am available to help.
• Articles on promotion in this blog
• Articles on writing and blogging in this blog
• Community onboarding for the virtual worlds: Using a web-world

Social media tools

• Videos
• Blogs
• G+ groups
• Still pictures
• Coming soon:  Web-worlds
• Other social media

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• (More after the break, scroll down!)

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Metaverse events, current and upcoming

• IMA Blog
• 3D web-worlds of the browser (G+ community)
• Public service web-world by CybaLounge. Virtual worlders, this one is for us
• OSCC presentation videos available
• CRASH! Site, the musical under development by people like us
• Mal Burns: Inworld Review
• Try a browser-based virtual world
• Selby's daily news collection:  Virtual worlds are real   
• Virtual Outworlding news collection 
• Events on the Hypergrid: HYPEvents
• Entertainment on the Hypergrid
• HYPERGRID EVENTS
• Destination guide: OpenSimWorld
• Hyperica, Directory of Opensimulator hypergrid destinations
• Opensim AAM Virtual Performers
• WELCOME TO SEANCHAI LIBRARIES
• Virtual world G+ communities:  Communities virtual worlds G+
• MOSES software development
• In a virtual world, your deodorant never fails.

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2016 NEW: OSHG: Want to find out about virtual worlds? The quick and easy way

Want to find out about virtual worlds?  
The quick and easy way

Quick and easy ways for people to find out about virtual worlds.

• Start at the outposts, where you can chat with the natives on your browser.
• Virtual worlds are mostly made of communities.
• So check some virtual world communities with outposts on Google+.
• This link will find some  Communities virtual worlds g+
• Pick some that fit your interests, join, and ask about their activities
• Or join this general community: Opensim Virtual and ask about your interests.
• If you have a particular interest, make a Google query like this:
• sailing virtual worlds
• Or, for the cutting edge, drop by my little web-world (below the break).

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• (More after the break, scroll down!)

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Metaverse events, current and upcoming

Anaphora Short Poetry Workshop-Tue 5/9,7pm SLT

This week Short Poetry Workshop presents the Anaphora, which is the opposite of the Epistrophe workshop we did last week. The Anaphora is a poetry term for the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of each line of a poem to create a rhythm. So come down to Short Poetry Library to learn, write and share the Anaphora. . East Cookie, Cookie (183, 120, 21)

• http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/160/134/21/ 

• May 14 WIP show cancelled because it falls on to Mother's day.
• IMA Blog
• 3D web-worlds of the browser (G+ community)
• Public service web-world by CybaLounge. Virtual worlders, this one is for us
• Singer Girl built a web-world.
• Want to try Halcyon?  Infinite Metaverse Alliance test grid 
• Javascript for beginners
• Learn Javascript for programmers
• OSCC presentation videos available
• CRASH! Site, the musical under development by people like us
• Mal Burns: Inworld Review
• Try a browser-based virtual world
• Selby's daily news collection:  Virtual worlds are real   
• Virtual Outworlding news collection 
• Events on the Hypergrid: HYPEvents
• Entertainment on the Hypergrid
• HYPERGRID EVENTS
• Destination guide: OpenSimWorld
• Opensim AAM Virtual Performers
• WELCOME TO SEANCHAI LIBRARIES
• Virtual world G+ communities:  Communities virtual worlds G+
• MOSES software development
• In a virtual world, your deodorant never fails.

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