Bob Jones was the name of a shared account that was used during the beta period of WorldsAway on the CompuServe forums to help keep conversations on track. Members had no idea of how WorldsAway was going to be, outside of some limited press materials such as the Director demo that ended up being somewhat different to the final release. They would often let their imaginations run wild, to the extent where things were being derailed. Bob Jones was created by Scott Moore (Oracle Teresias) to help inform the members of what was going on in an anonymous way and keep the conversation on track.

This is an archive of these posts. They take place in 1995 and range from July 11th, 1995 until August 17th, 1995. There is one post that came later on October 12th, 1995 but it appears to be an outlier as this is after the beta had concluded.

In addition to public posts, there are private emails featured here from Bob Jones to prospective members. To protect peoples privacy, CompuServe ID's and real names are censored.

July

11th

FOSSI CONFIDENTIAL
BOB "THE INFORMATION FILTER" JONES CIS ACCOUNT

ABSTRACT:
This document provides Member Support an introduction to the Bob Jones CIS account, it's purpose and use. Includes the public letter of introduction to be posted to the WorldsAway CIS Forum.

OBJECTIVE:
To provide external customers with some information regarding the world, the client software and the server software within the limits of the FOSSI Proprietary Information Agreement.

WHY:
External customers are debating how they think the world should work in the forum. Since they have no knowledge of any aspect of the world, these discussions tend to reduce to the picking of imaginary nits.

HOW:
Because these discussions diverge so far from what is being implemented, they are of little use to Cultural Technologies. By allowing certain questions to be answered, it is hoped the customers will engage in discussions closer to what is being implemented and, in turn, provide valuable customer feedback to development prior to the release of the product.

A bogus account (xxxxx,xxxx) is being used to provide this information to prevent regularly used accounts from being flooded with questions. It will be publicly posted that this is a bogus account, that private e-mail will not be answered, but publicly posted questions will.

Information provided through the Bob Jones account (xxxxx,xxxx) will be the responsibility of the judgement of the account holder. The account holder will consult the appropriate World Development, Engineering, Marketing, etc. groups for advice on material that may be questionable for release prior to any possible release.

MISCELLANY:
- This is not a Customer Service, it's a development service.
- This is mainly for use during the time that the world is not in general release.
- The account will be acknowledged publicly that it is a bogus name.
- The account will be used by one person.
- Anything Bob says publicly may be discussed freely by the Sysops. No additional information a subject, however, should be provided.
- Currently, the Bob Jones account (xxxxx,xxxx) is held by Scott Moore.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message posted to WorldsAway Community Forum:

Hello all!

You may have seen some of my postings around the forum. It's been decided that I be sure to formally introduce myself to you all. I'm Bob Jones (xxxxx,xxxx), part of the World Development Team at the Cultural Technologies Division of Fujitsu. I've been chosen as a information liaison and this account is here to help provide you with some information prior to the actual release of WorldsAway.

We don't want to stop the free flow of ideas you have been generating in the forum, but we figure a little extra info about what we are planning here and there might help focus some of the discussions and, thus, help us in world planning and development. We are really trying to make this your world and incorporate ideas as we can. Keep them coming; we are listening! Mainly, I plan to keep doing what I started: planting a few seeds and interjecting little tid-bits of information now and again.

A word of warning, Bob Jones is not my real name, he is here for forum use only (and will not be used for any other reason). Others may take over answering questions at another time and we want to make sure you have a consistent point of contact for information. I will do my best to answer direct questions, but I must stay within the limits our Proprietary Information Agreements and not give away any fun surprises. Also, because the product is still under development, what I tell you now may change later. I will try to keep you up to date if anything I tell you has changed.

Please do not send private e-mail to this account, it will be ignored. Instead, post your questions to the forum so everyone can benefit from the answer.

Bob Jones
WorldsAway Development Staff Member
Fujitsu Cultural Technologies

PS: I'm sorry, but I can't give out any dates at this time.

12th

Reply to WA Planner #11054

>> In the demo, I noticed a scroll bar on the portion of the screen where the text balloons will be. Does this mean that we will be able to scroll backwards? <<

This is harmless enough.  At this time, the dialouge section is scrollable.  I don't expect it to change, however, it may.

>> If so, approximately how many lines of text will be available? <<

This, I am afraid, is not available at this time.  I know this will be changing as we fine tune the system so I would hate to give you an answer now that would be wrong later.

Bob "Scrolling along" Jones

Reply to Wa Planner #11076

>> After following the threads in this forum, are there any ideas which are likely to be implemented? <<

There are lots of ideas to be implemented.  Some have been started in the forum, some are already thought up on our end and develop parallels in the forum (great minds think alike).  As for telling you which ideas, we plan to implement.  That would spoil yours and our fun when you discover things in the world.

Bob "Walks between Raindrops" Jones

PS: I don't see why anyone would be be so interested in chicken and rice, but that's what we eat here...everyday.

First reply to WA Planner #11036

Wow!  That's an awful lot of questions.  There are others with questions also, so I am going to answer a few at a time over the week, okay?

As for telling you what I can and can't talk about.  This is mainly to help with discussions about the world, what it will kinda be like and some specifics to help your discussions about what you want to see in the world.  This helps us get refined ideas from the forum.  Development topics such as software code specifics are definitly out.  Business topics such as PR and Marketing are not likely to be answered either.  That information will come through press releases.

I mentioned it elsewhere and will repeat it here, that I plan to maintain a FAQ to refer common questions to.

Now on to your questions!

>> Can you give us any feel for some of the design parameters? <<

That's really vauge.  If you have a more specific question, I might be able to help.  

>> Anticipated visitors per day? <<
>> Peak number of visitors? <<

This is something that I cannot discuss.  It is information which is not released.

>> How many region, areas, pages? <<

We call each screen a Locale and all I can tell you about the number of them is that it is growing all the time.  Even when everyone is let in, the number will continue to grow.

Bob "More Coffee!" Jones

14th

>> I've been told that there will only be two types of bodies in the program; dragon and human. Will and can there be more? <<

Isis,

I am not allowed to say what type of bodies will be available in the world.  Initially, the offering will be limited, but can grow over time.

Bob "two left feet" Jones

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxx,

Thank you for your inquiry July 12th, regarding legal issues surrounding Fujitsu's WorldsAway product.

I just happened to catch your mail as I was clearing out my mail box.  I recommend you post questions to the forum (it may be done so privately) in the future.  I am unable to keep up with private mail in addition to forum mail.  I appreciate your cooperation.

Our legal department is aware of the legal implications regarding the use and support of this project.  I regret to inform you that they do not feel they need additional assistance.  Thank you for the offer.

I would like to welcome you to the forum and encourage your efforts regarding the in-world legal issues.  Your posts have been level-headed and insightful.  They have been a source of inspiration to the World Planning Team.  Although we have no intention of forcing any legal method upon the population, we do intend to guide some to ensure it is a workable system.

If you have further questions, feel free to post them in the forum privately or publicly, so others may benefit from the answer.

Sincerely,
Bob Jones
World Planning Team
Fujitsu Cultural Technology

This is a continuation of MarvL initial question post (#11036):

>> What design areas have slowed down completion of the Alpha? <<

I am very sorry that I can't discuss any problems we may or may not be having.  I am sure you understand that every project has it's own set of problems, but such information is not allowed to be released at all.

>> Is there any sort of testing sequence that you can share with us? << 

Internally?  No.  Externally?  Well, I can tell you that we have the mind-set that once the world is open to the public for any reason, it cannot be pulled or destroyed.  We feel that the external testers (those who signed up from this forum) will be developing the first inkling of a society.  Since we _want_ to foster a society, we don't want to disrupt the world.  It is very important that the world is maintainable before the gates open even a little.

>> Are there particular areas that should be pounded on during the Beta? <<

EVERYTHING!  If you can break it, go for it (and tell us how you did it please).  Just take it a little easy on the support folks in and out of the world, they are here to help you and are doing their best. 

>> Is there some sort of homework that we can do before the Beta? <<

Empty your mind of all expectations.  It's a brand new world with physics and interactions which may not match the world you are used to.  For lab work, I would suggest spending lots of time with five-year-old children.

Bob "empty-headed" Jones

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

Thank you for your post voicing your concerns about my intention in this forum.

I understand your frustration at not getting the information you would like about the world.  This is largely why I have come into the forum: to answer questions I can answer, or at least let everyone know what questions can't be answered.  Until this time, we at Fujitsu didn't have a good way to filter the information to keep vital competitive information from leaking out.  I am that filter.  Since I am close to world planning, development and support, I will be able to handle questions in a way that attempts to satisfy both Fujitsu and our customers.  Until my official announcement, I only able to hint at information and so very little information was released, but I hope to change that as much as I am allowed.

For future reference, a FAQ is being built up as I get questions starting from the time I made my official announcement.  I regret that I am unable to  always cruise the forums and answer any questions not directed to me.  My work in this forum is in addition to the duties I have to get the world closer to release.  If you have specific questions, please post them to me in the forum.  At the very least, I will let you know if I not allowed to release the information.

Sincerely,
Bob Jones
World Planning Team
Fujitsu Cultural Technologies

17th

Reply to Fair Witness #11038

>> As such, the IDs should be associated with the HEADS, not with the avatars. <<

Thank you for the suggestion, I will pass it on.

>> Will there be a Who command that IDs everybody on the screen for everybody that is watching?<<

I am afraid I can't give out information on some commands as their nature is in such flux that I could spend most of my time correcting what I have said.  It's better that I don't answer at all.  There will be a way to identify the Avatar name of someone on screen, but I can't disclose the specifics right now.

>> How will be verify who we are dealing with, to detect spoofing? <<

Via the name of the Avatar.  We are making sure there are no loopholes in the use of names which would allow fool-proof spoofing (that which would be undetectable by even careful observation).  

>> Finally, do you actually _have_ Alpha access to WorldsAway <<

Yes...  I'm part of the World Planning and Development Team.  
Can I test things?  Yes. I can specify things even.  
Will I test things for customers?  I am afraid you will have to wait to get into the world and test things for yourself.  
Will I tell you about the world?  No.  Somethings can't be discussed at this time and others are suprises.

Bob "Not in the face!" Jones

Response to #11399

xxxxxx, 

As with any product which has not yet been released, there is going to be a lot of information which simply cannot be discussed.  Much of this has to do with preventing competition from getting information which they may use to their advantage.  Some of it is in such flux that I hate to give out incorrect information which would only serve to upset those who based expectations on it.  

I apologize for the inconvenience this causes our customers; but I would rather be able to tell you that I can't answer certain questions because they are a company secret, not decided upon or a surprise than allow customers to build false expectations which we might not meet or, worse, ignore you altogether.  

Although each group on the project has their own limitations on what information can and cannot be released, I draw the line on what gets out to the forum.  This is especially true when it comes to the content of the world.  It's as though you can play NetHack, but don't have the list of all the little things it will do.  There is a reason they are called spoilers.  I would rather err on the side of not  satisfying your curiousity now than spoil any fun for you later.

I hope that gives you some idea of where I am coming from.  I hate being ignored and prefer to at least know what I can't know now.  

Now, thanks for your questions, I'll answer as much as I can.

>> How will turfs be available?  Will we have to rent them or buy them, or are they allotted one-per-avatar?  Will it be possible to expand them?  <<

Turfs will be pregenerated for Avatars.  We want Avatars to be able to do their own interior decorating, but there will probably be some basic starters to work from.  We haven't decided on the best model for owning a turf.  We want Avatars to have a place to call home, but don't want to use up our server real estate with empty turfs.  Multiple turfs per Avatar something I haven't heard anyone discuss which means no one has thought of it yet or there are no serious objections.  There would probably be an economic model for expanding turfs too.

Two notes on turfs: I'm not sure when to expect them, so they may not be there on day one and don't expect to be able to do MOO style customization to your turf.

That leads us to your next question:

>> If we want to build, say, a business location, a church or something huge and complex for adventure gaming purposes, is there an in-world system for the construction of such places, will we have to ask the oracles to go through "in-house" (as Lee Abraham calls it) to see about user-designed areas, or is it just plain out impossible? <<

We are not allowing ourselves to say anything is impossible.  It's mostly a matter of can we implement it in time and does it best serve the world.  Direct user customization is not entirely out of the question, but is not likely to happen (at varying levels) for a long long while.  Any additions to the world would be handled by the World Planning Team (along with the artists, engineers, QA, Member Support, etc...).  That doesn't mean we won't listen to what you want.  If a lot of people want new construction, it has a greater chance of happening than if only a few people want it.

The short answer is, at the beginning, requests for construction will have to go through the Acolytes and Oracles (who will pass it on for review).  We can't predict how this will change once the world is released.

>> What ideas are there for environment alternatives to Kymer?  Is it possible for a user to have an avatar in each environment, or is one the limit, even in other environments? <<

Unfortunately, this falls smack into the category of what we don't want the competition to know what we are up to.  We have thought of LOTS on this subject and are excited about some of the possibilities.  Since it's something that literally doesn't exist, however, it's very difficult to talk about.  If other such environments were to exist, you might have different Avatars in each environment or you might use one Avatar to go through different environments (and since they might be so different, we have joked about virtual passports and customs).  In the mean time, we are trying to get one world into existence.

>> Here's a basic one: precisely what actions is an avatar capable of?  Picking things up, putting them down, walking, talking, using items, spec-ing and ESPing all leap to mind.  Are there others? <<

Yes.  We want to focus on maximizing the use of expression.  One of the important features are gestures and facial expressions.  Most of them are described and shown in the demo on on the Compuserve CD.  I can give you a short list of examples: jumping, waving, showing (pointing), smiling, frowning, scowling.  What else can an Avatar do?  For acting on an object, these are tied to what the object is allowed to do: doors can be opened, closed or passed through; boxes can be opened, closed, carried.  I can't speak precisely because we are making sure there is room for the Avatars to grow.  How?  We aren't sure, some of it might be up to you.  We do know it's important to design everything with room to grow.

Bob "green thumb" Jones

xxx,

>> It is there any intention of having a minimum age limit for participation in WA itself? <<

We don't want to exclude families from participating in WorldsAway so we do not have an official minimum age limit.  We advocate parental discretion to know and regulate what their children are doing on-line.  If there is to be an area considered adult oriented, there would be a minimum age required to conform with current laws (at least US laws).

Bob "only this many years old" Jones

This is the final installment of MarvL's list of questions (#11036)

>> Can you PLEASE either change the *Enter WorldsAway Now+*
to say *Under Construction*, or even better, provide a status screen
with a timeline and a progress report.  <<

This is not something I personally can control.  Please check Rena's update on this subject in message #11487

>> Is there any portion of the Client Software will be useful offline? <<

Currently, the client is only the gateway and environment repository (image and sound data) for the world.  In the future, we may incorporate more functions which might be useful off-line.  On the other hand, we don't want to fall victim to "featuritis" so we are focusing on making the client do what it is supposed to do best, connect you to the world.  In light of that, it may be a while before we incorporate off-line utilities into the world.  We also need to see how the world is being used before we code a bunch of things.

>> Will we be able to use Off Line Readers to get at the Precedents,
Napkin Backs, Art Work, etc. Or will everything have to be online? <<

Access to the world is currently only through the full graphical client and there is not an off-line reader in the client.  Right now everything will have to be on-line, but, so far, both clients will allow cut-and-paste input.  It's not the hands-off solution you may have been looking for, but it'll save a little time.

Bob "typing cramps" Jones