Habitat Emails
These are logs/diary entries which were taken from Chip Morningstars Habitat Archives.
July 1985
July 18th
Taken from worldComments.
From dragon Thu Jul 18 17:13:15 1985 Subject: microworld (no, not a serious name suggestion) An idea, though... In addition to avatars (which might have different modes of seeing/moving/etc), one might have tools in the other world, such as binoculars (or a telescope, lacking 3-D capability). Perhaps the normal view would be as in Rescue, Eidolon or Koronis Rift, about 90 degrees and not very far away. A telescopic view would present about the same amount of detail, but distribute it differently so that one could see a long distance in a very narrow cone (say 10 degrees). Objects and terrain could have several additional non-visual dimensions of information, such as temperature, reflectivity and metallic content. Thus, different modes of "seeing" might give entirely different views from the same terrain. Electromagnetic scanners, such as radar, would show a metallic object as being substantially brighter than a non-metallic one, for instance. Infrared would show lakes as dark spots, and volcanoes, hot springs or subterranean nuclear power stations as brighter highlights. We should also be careful not to rule out non-human modes of vision (and other sensory apparatus). Many non-human or semi-human races in D&D have infravision, for example, and would see in the infrared spectrum as well underground as a normal human might above ground. In True Names, one of the characters takes off (from the high mountain [satellite] meeting place) as an eagle. This might be represented on a home computer as a flight simulator with a very narrow field of view, and different (but not unrealistic) flight dynamics. The narrow field graphics might provide a certain amount of disorientation, until one "got used to the form", so to speak. Just an idea... Charlie
May 1986
May 14th
Taken from demo.aric.t.
From aric Wed May 14 10:03:13 1986 Subject: CES presentation Randy and I talked yesterday about ideas for the CES presentation. Following are some of the ideas that came out of that discussion... Purpose of demonstration: Show off avatars (variety, capabilities) Show off objects (variety, portability, containership...) Show off Regions (variety) Show off Telecommunications (multiple players, shared host) Show off potential for game play Possible demonstration: Begin with avatar at home... Scene: Inside of avatar home. Surroundings include; fishtank, answering machine, avatar, chair, window. Answering machine is blinking indicating that it has a message. Action: Avatar can move things around the house and then later moves to answering machine and gets message that FRIENDX is coming over. Moments later, doorbell rings and FRIENDX arrives. Conversation follows regarding visit to...fountain, park, atm, arcade. Avatars decide to travel to arcade. Avatars leave house via front door. Scene: Front of house. Surroundings include home, Sun, trees, mailbox. Flag is up on mailbox. Action: Avatar opens mailbox and retrieves letter. Avatar can read contents if desired. Flag lowers on mailbox. Avatar realizes that he has no cash, and requests that they stop at atm on the way to the arcade. Scene: Next region over. Contains convenient teleport booth, fire hydrant, trees. Action: Avatars walk to teleport booth and ZAP tm. to side of bank. (we could set destination choice with function keys to get us to any region desired!) Scene: Outside of Bank. Brick wall in back and ATM attached to wall. Action Avatar performs correct mumbo jumbo and Tokens arrive. Avatars are now ready to go to the arcade. Scene: Park. Lots of trees and bushes Action: Walk through Scene: Arcade. Contains targets and guns Action: Shoot targets together, for points, sound effects. Scene: Outside of Cave. Dark entrance with stonework around edge. Action: Decision as to whether to travel inside. Scene: Inside of Cave. Dark background with Rocks on floor and stalagtites hanging from roof. A locked treasure chest lies on the floor here. Action: Use target gun to shoot Rocks, Stalagtite, Treasure chest. When the chest is opened (there should also be a key around somewhere) a gem will be found inside. Avatars should decide who gets the gem. This is a preliminary layout for a possible demonstration, but many new objects need to be added in order to give us a larger range of possible actions. I think that using a scripting system in important in order to view all of the possible variations that we can present. --aric
November 1986
November 11th
Taken from janetEst.
From quantum Tue Nov 11 09:16:37 1986
Received: from shem by moth; 11 NOV 86 09:16:37 PST
From: quantum (Janet Hunter, Quantum Computer Services)
To: chip
Received: by shem; 11 NOV 86 09:16:36 PST
Subject: Time estimates
Status: RO
Chip,
Here are my time estimates for the
Beta Test Prequisite Tasks:
6 Capacity Monitor - 2 days
target 11/14
7 Rebuild Regionproc - done 11/11
15 Oracle response - 1 day
target 11/17
16 Bank acct utility - 1 day
target 11/16
18 Text input utility - 1 day
target 11/19
67 Avatar to ghost - done
68 Online-only ghosts - done
69 Exclude non-beta testers - done
40 Msg of the day - 1 day
target 11/20 (?)
72 create avatar w/ token - .5 day
target 11/14
OOPS: Target date for #16 should be
11/18, not 11/16.
Note: Question mark on target date for
#40 is because it is assigned to
both you and me.
April 1987
April 19th
Taken from newprocedure.t.
From nancy Sun Apr 19 19:02:01 1987 Subject: Friday meeting outcome file notes 4/17/87 Habitat team meeting w/sda In order to achieve release into beta test and to revise project completion plan with better time estimates-- 1. confirmed commitment to daily playtesting w/QL at 5:30 (our time)--Aric, Chip & Randy will let me know of any conflict not allowing them to be on. 2. revised playtest debriefing procedure: a hard copy bug reporting form will be created by Chip for distribution to all playtesters. completed forms will be turned in to Randy asap (next morning fax from Janet) for him to maintain tracking system; Chip will review with him Randy's assignment of disposition daily. so, rather than the on-line PC debriefings immediately following a playtest & conference calls after receipt of the tapes to review the list, Randy will maintain a bug tracking system to, 1) improve efficient use of everyone's time, 2) improve response to reported bugs, and 3) improve communication & confidence between us & QL. I'll discuss this procedure revision w/Janet & Rob during the scheduled 10:00 conference call Monday morning. Assuming their agreement, Cathy & I will review the bug tracking reports via near-daily conference calls & flag ones needing discussion among the team. 3. established daily status reports: Aric & Randy will mail to Chip (copying each other & sda & me) at the end of each day a brief list of their accomplishments for the day, notes explaining significant delays in any tasks, and a list of tasks expected to be undertaken the next day, including time estimated to complete. Chip, including his own tasks, will issue a Habitat daily status summary of accomplishments relative to start of alpha, start of beta, & estimated time to release. 4. reduced frequency of entire team QL conference calls: to be scheduled by Cathy & me as needed, usually at 1:00 our time. We'll discuss this process with her on Thursday when she's here. 5. established weekly Habitat team meetings on Friday afternoons, to review accomplishments of the week & goals for the next.