VZConnections Town Meeting - April 30th, 2000

From Reno Project

Taken from the official VZNews website:

Here are the minutes from the public meeting held on Sunday, 4/30/00. The meetings are usually held at Noon PST(VZT) each Sunday in front of the Village Apartments.

This week's topic was: General Questions.

These transcripts have been edited to show basically the questions asked and the answers given. If you desire a full copy of the original transcript, please send me eMail requesting one and I will eMail it to you asap. My eMail address is Newsdesk@vzmembers.com

(Thanks to Cherry Pie and Guide Raine for logging this weeks transcript for the newspaper.)

Caretaker Alana: Can I ask that everyone please ghost so that we can start the meeting? Thank you<grin>

Michael (Avaterra): Any CTs up there that would like to join us ...? <g> Just the three of us ...? Kind of lonely. Delilah is at the airport ... any guides? Raine... <grin> Get down. And Mr Templeton, of course! Mr Templeton is the project manager for VZscifi.

Michael (Avaterra): So, less lonely down here now <grin>

Cherry Pie: Aloha guys..<grin><grin>

Michael (Avaterra): The topic for today's town meeting is "general stuff" ... in other words, all questions are welcome. Next week's topic will be VZscifi.

Caretaker Alana: Cherry Pie has graciously offered her assistance today<grin>

Cherry Pie: *** Kenn's Name List Manager :: Version 1.02.1 *** Registered to Cherry Pie Welcome to a drawing! Starting new list -- Please register now... To register, ESP a $ to me, Cherry Pie esp me $ if you have questions guys....

Mr. Templeton: Before you start, just to say thanks to all the team -- guides, caretakers and others -- for the help you have given launching vzscifi.

Michael (Avaterra): Thank you. <grin> Everyone did an awesome job with the VZscifi launch.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Peapod -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Peapod: I have a question about the museum security. Cherry pie and I were testing the links today, I was able to go from room to room where I shouldn't. So anyway, can someone check the linking security in the museum?

Michael (Avaterra): I didn't understand the question. <grin> You were able to go to <linked> locales even though you weren't an owner of that other turf?

Peapod: Okay, on the museum tour we're supposed to follow cherry pie through the links. I was able to go through the links ven though I wasn't following, and I shouldn't have been able to. I hope that's clear, I don't know how to better explain it.

Michael (Avaterra): Okay, will look into it ... CP, let's try this tomorrow with an unpowered avatar, please.

Cherry Pie: okies...

Cherry Pie: *** Kenn's Name List Manager *** Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Heners_UK -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Heners_UK: My question regards the hotspots window feature. When will the Hotspots window be updated with links that reflect the more frequently used locales? Such as Turf buildings and the known bingo/game locales Also - has a customisable interface for this window been considered?

Michael (Avaterra): We've been talking about a more customizable interface, but this is not planned for the near future. As for the hotlink list ... this will soon be updated. 'fraid I don't have an exact date, but I am certain we will see this prior to the release of 3.1 are you all using the hotlinks frequently?

Heners_UK: I am I use it to beam to the ATM's which are near my turf K - thx - might be a good idea to have a vote or something for the links

Michael (Avaterra): Yes ... the pages for polls are almost done now, just have to be approved.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Frenzy -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Frenzy: this is a personal question I am trying to be good but I keep getting harassed by a select few how do I stop it I'm tired of fighting<sigh> and don't tell me to save text because when I get upset I usually just close this

Michael (Avaterra): By ignoring them ... that is probably the most efficient way. Alternatively, you can send an email to Selara or myself, with some details.

Frenzy: I have tried Michael I'm just about ready to give up I'm sorry

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Anna70*7 -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Anna70*7: my q has to do with the telaporter in the scfi locale ok seems everytime i try to use it to go to were the heads were it says locale not avail anymore also the only way it is visable is when you come down from a turf

Mr. Templeton: This is the one in the apartment/spacecraft block, I belivee?

Michael (Avaterra): Oh! Okay, I know what the problem is ... John, this is a biggie .. the exit region of the turfs is set to the former teleporter locale, I think. We can't change the exit regions of the turfs already rented ... But we can fix the former locale.. Anna , thanks for pointing this out ... it'll get fixed within the next few days <grin>

Mr. Templeton: Thanks Micahel, On that note, you can now 'escape' your apartments without using a teleporter

Caretaker Cuz: you can also enter the planet from the tubes and then to heads

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- GregF -- Congratulations to the winner! --

GregF: Okay, when will be able to fully access all the planets in the VZscifi Locale?

Mr. Templeton: Ok. Technos is now fully open. Harvax will be next and that's planned for the next few weeks And others will follow

GregF: and will the Heads Vendo In VZscifi be back again?

Mr. Templeton: The Heads vendo is now inside Technos which is where it was always meant to be thanks for asking

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Jalore (MedSupport) -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Jalore (MedSupport): I have a idea for an enhancment of ignore feature. What about a full ignore=such as a ignore list and thoughs avatars in that list you can't see threre text or esp you can take them out and into the list at any time. Just a thought for future upgrades ty<bow>

Michael (Avaterra): I can only say that I fully agree ... it's on my wish list too. Also a permanent ignore list would be nice ... It's on the development list for future updates. Thanks for the suggestion <grin>

Michael (Avaterra): While we wait for the next person ... I'd like to let you know that we will be starting to hire new guides in May .. If you have submitted an application already, then we still have it. PLEASE DO NOT RE-APPLY! <grin>We have all applications on file, none of them got lost.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Marty1 -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Marty1: Does VZone have a secured server and if so why is some one able to get my full name, address and phone number from my account that is in your files and should not viewed by any one but VZone management just how safe is my info here

Michael (Avaterra): Hmm -- why do you think this information was gained from Avaterra's database? The only people that have access to the member/billing database are Avaterra employees and customer support. Inworld staff (CTs and Guides) don't have access either.. Avaterra does use a secure server. Yes. Your personal information is secure - just make sure you do not give anyone your password, and do not use it for any otherpages other than ours. just recently we heard about someone offering a "chat service" that asked for VZones password and account information. The person claimed it was a chat server run by us - it was not, and it is not. The person then used the information to "hack" into people's Avaterra accounts. And Avaterra staff will NEVER ask your passwords!

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Serafin -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Sarafin: If and when you wanted (and when approved<g>) to be a guide, are there specific shifts you work or is it flexible. Does it have to be the same time each week is what I am wondering.

Michael (Avaterra): Both... guides can pick their shift times, but must work three shifts at 2 hours each per week. So it is up to the guide to pipck their times, but htey must stick to these times. They can change thgeir times later on just not weekly. So yes, has to be the same time each week.

Michael (Avaterra): By the way, some of you asked about Selara -- she had an accident and is currently on pain meds. So she hasn't been inworld the past week, and not answered email. She will, hopefully, be back next week.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- DoWhat? -- Congratulations to the winner! --

DoWhat?: I was helping a newbie set up a turf and they glued a container to the floor. I had to them tell them that the contents were not safeand showed them by opening the glued box. Can ya'll please add a LOCK/UNLOCK to the pull down list which will disable OPEN? <grin>

Michael (Avaterra): We actually have containers that work this way ... I demonstrated them at a PSU meeting a few weeks ago - the problem is that you crash when you change the combination for the lock. Until this is resolved, we can't release them. Unfortunately. But we are pushing to get this glitch fixed -- and then these containers will be available.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- **Daddy'§ Little @ngel** -- Congratulations to the winner! --

**Daddy'§ Little @ngel**: ya know when avie's need to page a guide and they realy need one and so they page them and the thing says guide not avalible that gets realy anoing\

Michael (Avaterra): Yes, we don't have enough guides ... we are starting to hire additional guides in May .. and June.

**Daddy'§ Little @ngel**: well there is a way to get them why not start now

Michael (Avaterra): We are still preparing the guide training ... actually, let me tell you a bit about this. New guides will have to pass two interviews, and they will have to attend classes that will take place in an extra world (a test world). When (and only if) they pass training, they will get a "guide book" in the VZones. so guide training will be much more complex than it used to be in the past.

**Daddy'§ Little @ngel**: why do we have to pay rent on apt.?

Michael (Avaterra): I ask my landlord the same question every month ... Well, let me put it this way .... an apartment takes up extra space, in some cases a large amount, on the server, and by charging a token sum, we make sure that people don't rent 100 turfs.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- *Ãútúm* -- Congratulations to the winner! --

*Ãútúm*: when goin to rid of anv 99 vendo? since its 2000 now lol

Michael (Avaterra): Good question to ask Caretaker Kyla.. <grin> suggest it to her .. she's in charge of the "knickknack" vendos - she started to rotate them -- and well, anniversary 99 vendo ... sounds like its a bit outdated. Just a tad. <g>

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Creep -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Creep: I would like to ask Alana if the new lizard lounge in delphi could get the old delphi lounge as a tribute in our third room<grin>

Caretaker Alana: Hmm hehe I don't know... <grin> Talk to John, and I will discuss something with him.Or we can all meet<grin>

Michael (Avaterra): It's probably up to Delphi ....

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- *LipGlow* -- Congratulations to the winner! --

*LipGlow*: I have one question, will VioletRose aka Golden Poppy, that stole all my stuff from my atp. ever get kicked out? she stole a lot from people in zv it happened to my friend also

Michael (Avaterra): When did this happen? Just recently?

*LipGlow*: last night she stole beebunny and my stuff from our apt.

Michael (Avaterra): Okay, please put the details in an email and send it to Selara --- at selara@avaterra.com

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Zandra -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Zandra: maybe, possibly, could you think about moving the private elevator to the members services side of cc turfs? so i dont have to lag to death on my way home?? plleeeeeeeeeessse with sugar on it even

Michael (Avaterra): Would it not mean that people then occupied the locale with the guide lounge? We "could" (technically) move the private elevator to the "other side" of the building, but still, wouldn't people then occupy the locale where the entrance to the guide lounge is? I think the purpose of chatting in the elevator locale is that people are seen by others ... if we moved the private elevator to the other side, then those who want to be seen... wouldn't they just move also? I understand the problem... I am just not sure if moving the private elevator would help in the long run.

Michael (Avaterra): Okay ...No promise ... but I think we could try this by *adding* a private elevator to the OTHER side also. so there would be two ... But this isn't a promise, I need/want to check with Delilah first.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- *EVIL* Chittaranjan -- Congratulations to the winner! --

*EVIL* Chittaranjan: ok, in the vendos why oh why are all the items sooo sooo dam boring? i think u should have an S&M vendo, u could have gimp masks, chains, whip loads of cool stuff!!! pleeeese for me miky<grin><grin><grin><grin><grin> pleeeeeeeeeeese?

Michael (Avaterra): Nope -- no such items in this world, sorry. <grin> No guns either ... we covered this two weeks ago ... And like WK points out, this wouldn't be PG13 (at all). Well, I think if you're "into" this kind of stuff, you might get more pleasure from it in real world. <grin> Frankly, we don't want avatars running around with whips, chains and other "tools".

*EVIL* Chittaranjan: lol or those items only in your personal turf miky?

Michael (Avaterra): My private turf ... is an almost normal turf, no special items in there. <grin> Would you like my personal opinion? I think sex, in any form or shape, is something for real world -- but this is just my personal opinion.

Mr. Templeton: Just to mention, if members have questions realting to VZSciFi, feel free to send them to vzscifimailinglist@avaterra.com. Thanks. You won't be added to the mailing list unless you ask to be.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Androcles -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Androcles: Someone told me that there is an object-vendo in Sci Fi which can only be seen by people who have patched their copy of the VZones client. Is that true?

Caretaker Cuz: not anymore <grin>

Androcles: But it was? Was it put there on purpose?

Caretaker Cuz: yes but that vendo is now visible and the item can be bought which was intended in the first place

Androcles: To see who was patched?

Caretaker Cuz: no, having it made invisible was an oops

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- DallasStarsGal -- Congratulations to the winner! --

DallasStarsGal: HOWDY <wave> No Question No Complaining, **Dont Faint** just wanted to say HI and Thanks for all the new STUFF <bow> lol

Michael (Avaterra): Thank you! *faints*

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- Roniko Matt -- Congratulations to the winner! --

Roniko Matt: do you have any plans for a new world besides DS and VZ?

Michael (Avaterra): New zones, yes. New worlds --- yes and no. There will be a new, special-interest zone, it will be kind of seperate, but together with VZc on the same server. we will announce more information soon.

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- DeeZee (PLD) -- Congratulations to the winner! --

DeeZee (PLD): I missed alot of the meeting so I hope this hasnt been asked why has the pawn machine been taken out of the body spray area in variations? it causes a traffic jam in the head spray area

Michael (Avaterra): Actually, I don't know .... Cuz? Alana?

Caretaker Cuz: I was not aware of anything being removed

Michael (Avaterra): It's possible that there was a tech conflict with the paint ticket vendo. Was it removed just recently?

Caretaker Cuz: I will check right after town meeting if you want M

Michael (Avaterra): yes, please. <grin>

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- l-lerbal Greens -- Congratulations to the winner! --

l-lerbal Greens: I am a student and cant make the custom painting times I was wondering if they were done at any other time then 9am?

Caretaker Alana: There are also impromptu sessions at various times. Usually they are advertised in the public forum a few hours prior if possible.

Michael (Avaterra): The Caretakers who offer the paint parties do them in their private/spare time... so they choose times that work best for them -- suggesting different times to them is the best way, I'd say. <grin>

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- The Green Hornet -- Congratulations to the winner! --

The Green Hornet: What is being done and will be done about Guides/Caretakers that do "favors" or show favoritism to their friends inworld?

Michael (Avaterra): you can email me and give me some times that'd work for you... sometime this week (not Monday). michael@avaterra.com If you oberve caretakers, guides or other staff doing favours for their friends, in whatever form, please get in touch with me. I will need details ... and some kind of "proof". Also, whatever you tell me will remain between the avatar and I ... And if anyone feels that I am showing favouritism towards anyone, please get in touch with Delilah ...

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- CT -- Congratulations to the winner! --

CT: k, real question has been answered but i thunk of another one ... How would one go about creating a "host of the month" award... not sure if you're all aware of what the hosts voluntarily contribute and the time they put in but i've seen some very patient hosts

Michael (Avaterra): we are, we are ... How would we pick the host of the month? Would it have to be an item for the host, or would a mention do ...? I like the idea ... of a non-materialistic award ... <grin>

Caretaker Alana: We had a host appreciation event not too long ago.

CT: perhaps on a website... linked to the weekly schedule <shrug> : or ask all the espers that just gave me ideas <grin><grin> at this point perhaps honorable mention in the newspaper or a quick pat on the avi back would probably tickle alot of hosts

Guide Raine: maybe the players could submit theur votes for the host they think is the best of the month?

Caretaker Alana: I think that would be fun ...to have a pic and a name in the paper a monthly feature

Michael (Avaterra): Or a glued down item in a public locale with the name of the Host of Month on it.

Caretaker Alana: Oh good idea!<grin>

Michael (Avaterra): Convince Caretaker Colors ... and if she agrees, I'll approve .. <grin>

Caretaker Cuz: The newspaper can print it if it is a program that gets approved.

CT: ooo that's sounds good

Cherry Pie: Selecting 1 random name from the list... -- The selected name is -- L@dy Dr@cul -- Congratulations to the winner! --

L@dy Dr@cul: I have emailed you a few times Michael <sigh> but with someone spoofing email accounts in my name you may assume it is him but my question is this He's been doing this to a few other people too. I have contacted all you have told me to contact, and ummmmm lol I got laughed at so, who else do I go to, or what else do I do

Michael (Avaterra): Let's meet this week and talk about this - I will have some more info for you. I'll need Robert there too ... Robert has been working on this issue, and discovered a few things

L@dy Dr@cul: okies just let me know when the best time is and I will be there

Michael (Avaterra): alright

Michael (Avaterra): Thanks everyone for coming! Next week's topic is VZscifi and other projects managed by Avaterra UK.

Ange: bye everyone<wave>

Mr. Templeton: thanks ta

Caretaker Cuz: Ciao everyone!

Michael (Avaterra): Thanks everyone! Have a wonderful day ... <grin>

Guide Raine: bye all <grin><wave>