Lost Boys - More New Content Creators Coming!

As SpotON3D is growing and developing we are running into more great and well known content creators among many of us. Jorie Muircastle and Myca Amaterasu, two professional 3D sculpt artists, are a couple of creators that match that description. Their goal is to reaching out to the community, not as competition, but expanding and sharing the market, helping others to build, create or just use and save their 3D sculpt maps. I went to their store in SL to visit with them. They were very hospitable, even giving me some of their great 3D maps as a gift to use in my builds! Thanks guys!

So here is a bit of our conversation.

Jorie Muircastle: we are in our store ... Lost Boys inc.. still under construction, my manager and partner will be here in a moment.

While we were waiting I turned and zoomed around my camera. The store is built in a futuristic environment, in a cosmos looking sky, and the building had glowy glass.Then Myca arrived.

Jorie Muircastle: This is Myca, we often sculp side by side.

Arkad Baxton: I see you guys have some nice work here. Is it the main profile of your business? Maps.

Jorie Muircastle: yes, mostly. We do textures, sculpt maps, various builder kits
Myca Amaterasu: Jorie dos the best stuff. He takes on the larger more detailed projects IMO.
Arkad Baxton: When did you start to do that in SL?

Jorie Muircastle: I think from day one I was building and trying to sculpt. (It) was hard at first and at some points (I) gave up and bought kits, but the huge expense is what got me to start a store to provide more affordable kits for folks. Our new product line is showing what can be done with Curvy 3D, a new sculpt program.
Arkad Baxton: Can you tell me some more about that program?

Myca Amaterasu: I, myself use a set of programs, but right now out of 12 years worth of experience Curvy has the look and feel of a program that takes an edge.
Jorie Muircastle: We are working close with the programmer, Iggie Memo.

Then I asked them to tell me more about their business and their philosophy.

Jorie Muircastle: what drove us is, as a builder you can easily spend 3000+ for supplies to build 1 couch that looks like everyone else’s, trying to complete in prim conservation. It would kill a newcomer to SL.
Myca Amaterasu: I’m a little deferring then Jorie. I put a set of products out for the users to use and learn from, but I don’t keep them out forever. I actually put them in storage, so after some time it helps give folks a set of unique items of their own.

Arkad Baxton: What do you see in Spoton3D as to developing your business.
Jorie Muircastle: I was seeing an education ground in a place to help people- reach a creative potential the old world way by providing a lot of tips and experience for the new people. This may sound, odd, but I like how it was organized, not cluttered. The bare essentials were out for people to get started, the information centers.... the rest is like a pioneering ground for people to explore and build on. It is really artist friendly, and right off the bat, I was shown that its about putting creativity in people’s hand. But, I also like that there was an amount of security... so that people do not have to fear about their stuff getting stolen by copy bots... making it.. well... a safer feeling to be there.
Myca Amaterasu: Well my self ,I have been in many markets and have been in many 3d worlds. I have even worked with motion capture developers and set up my own grid for a sand box. Right now Spoton has me curious. I am wrapping up some projects here and on the web and then plan to "dive into" spoton and see what it offers.
Jorie Muircastle: Normally we do not allow our products, per our TOS, to be used on other grids, but we felt secure enough that we do extend to Spoton3d, and welcome our customers to use our content there... we have modified our ToS to cover it.

Arkad Baxton: What do you think of the Double Dutch Delivery system as idea? Buying it on one place and having the product on both grids.
Jorie Muircastle: I think its an excellent idea. It is actually convenient too. Sometimes exporting content from one grid to another can be a pain in the tushy... it sort of makes it painless.. order what you want.. and run with it.. hassle free.
Myca Amaterasu: That is a brilliant idea I think myself. Its a shame that so few have actually looked in to that. So far the only others I know that have is realXtend and OS or Hippo grid.

Arkad Baxton: Knowing Spoton3D what is your plans for the near future on that grid and with their services? How do you see it working for you?
Jorie Muircastle: after we get things settled here, with the move and settling on the new island, we plan to open a small shop on Spoton and offer our products there as well. It works for us in the fact of it being another adventure in fun and creation.
Myca Amaterasu: well with anything young ... I like to get my paws in early it gives me a chance to really see where its going to head. I know Jorie is excited about it. I am as well and yes I have about a terabyte worth of content that I will bring over to spot on in the upcoming session. I think Spoton has a chance in media , and that’s a lot coming from me, so I know you will find Jorie and myself there soon.

If you would like to check out Curvey3D, you can try the demo, click here:

http://www.curvy3d.com/

And to check out SpotON3D go to http://spotON3D.com for your FREE FOREVER account.

The Questions You Should Ask When Expanding to OpenSim Grids

If SpotON3D is not the grid for you, that kewl. It would be impossible for any one company or grid to meet the demand of such a diverse and passionate community. We still want to help out anyway we can. These questions are designed to help you evaluate the risks and limits as you explore all your options, rather than eliminate any grids.

QUESTIONS TO ASK … THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Does the gird have a certified https:// website?

2. Under About US or CONTACT US do you find a reference to real world contact information, i.e. phone, email that associates with their dot com, physical mail address -not a post office box.

3. Do the founders/exec staff use real identities or game character names?

4. Are you given contact information that clearly identifies the owners, their physical address, a working phone number and email addresses that are answered within 3 to 7 days?

5. If needed, would you have enough information make a complaint to the Better Business Bureau or even the legal authorities where you live?

6. Do they have a user verification system to minimize griefing risks?

7. Do they have a working economy? If so, is it based upon trading one virtual currency for another, like VWallet for Lindens? If so, can you identify the person(s) behind that system in real world terms?

8. Do they have a system in place and staff to deal with griefing and copy bot risks?

9. How do they handle minors on the grid? Is the grid segregated to keep kids that might come in out of areas they should not be in? How would they handle a report of a pedophile? What is their stance on child avatars?

10. How are payments for land & products handled – through a recognized subscription service like PayPal or manually?

11. Can you cash out via trusted money system like PayPal?

12. Do they provide records of all payments for product, services and land rentals?

13. Do they have a TOS in place?

14. Is the grid’s structure based on a peer-2-peer hosting or a hosted solution? A peer2peer grid is where you host your own sim and link up to their central asset server for storage of the communities content? Or is it a fully hosted solution like Second Life® or SpotON3D™? If the second is true, then is the grid hosted on someone’s home server system or a professional co-location?

15. What would happen to your content if you were to have to leave? Would they reserve The right to continue to use, distribute or sell your content on their grid or through a web based selling system, or would it only exist in the inventories of those you sold to and your own avatars?

16. Does the grid have a system in place to report and/or resolve social and legal disputes through?

17. What is the grid's stance on legal Intellectual Property Rights? Some folks believe simply don't believe in IP or copyrights and see no reason to respect such laws. You need to ask subtle questions to determine where they truly stand in this issue if you hope to use the grid in question as a secure selling destination. The easiest way to do this is to ask if its okay to bring in sculpts and textures you've purchased from SL. If they don't ask you to get the permissions of the original seller, or have a 'no see-no hear-no speak" stance on such things, then that is most likely a good example of how much they would respect your work in someone else's hands.

SUMMARY
We hope these questions help you in your exploration of the many wonderful grids available on through the Virtual World community. SpotON3D will be hosting community events for all the virtual would community in hopes that we can rebuild bridges to the many folks who have left out of heartache, frustration and financial redress. These are hard times indeed, but together we can make something even better - let the phoenix rise again.

Response to Linden Lab Blogs & Press Releases

The latest news out of LL has raised a lot of concerns for our community. Many mourn the loss of so many of our favorite Lindens - our last touchstone to Linden Lab. Many wonder what got us here. Gwyneth Llewelyn has written a very timely and accurate blog that pretty much summarizes the last six years and why LL's future is in question. This is a must read for anyone involved in SL: http://gwynethllewelyn.net/2010/06/10/reset-and-do-a-180%C2%BA-turn/

WHY DIDN'T BUSINESS COME BACK TO SL?
Many think the reason is because of the recession or the technology learning curve, but others believe its more about LL's long history of stepping on toes - not just of their business and educational users, but of each and every class of user on their grid. You don't refused meetings with Fortune 50 and 500 companies and garner good will or be taken seriously in the world of enterprise business. The kind of bad will that creates runs so deep that you'll never get a chance at it again. And that's the shame of this, because its not that this could not be done, or that these people didn't want it. Its always boiled down to the arrogance factor. That whole, "You're not important enough for me to listen or respond to." attitude. As a 15 year veteran of the 3D Web I've seen this more than I'd care to admit. But, I also know that this is a necessary transition that I’ve been warning close colleagues and friends about for the last 18 months.

IS SpotON3D YOUR NEW EXPANSION DESTINATION?
Over the last 18 months, me, (Tessa Kinney-Johnson aka Tessa Harrington in virtual), my business partner, Stevan Lieberman of Greenberg & Lieberman, an IP attorney, and our team of programmers have been working tirelessly to create a solution for business, education and even social users. We’re not talking a poor man’s substitute, but rather a truly redefined 3D Web experience. We don’t expect to fit everyone’s ideal, but hope many of you will check us and give us an opportunity to show you our vision for the new face of the 3D Web.

HOW WE HOPE TO HELP THE METAVERSE COMMUNITY -
COMMUNITY SANDBOXES TO CHECK BACKUPS & NO UPLOAD FEES!
We still want to help out anyway we can even if you decide we're not your new home. We have created a sandbox in SL and have several community sandboxes available on the SpotON3D grid for those who need rezzing, packing and unpacking space. Here you can then test out your backups to make sure they have come over well in a more secure and professional environment.

NO UPLOAD FEES FOR PAID MEMBER ACCOUNTS
There are no upload fees for paid members, so the only price of admission is a paid membership of $2.99 a month to the SpotON3D grid and to joining the SpotON3D group in SL and the SpotON3D HELP group in SpotON3D. Yes, you will hear a few announcements about our presentations during the month. I hope you can understand the need for such things.

NO IP RIGHTS ISSUES
Our TOS clearly states we have no rights to your content except to support the delivery and storage of purchases made by our users of your products.

CONTENT PROTECTION AT THE FRONT DOOR & MORE MAKE SPOTON3D FAR MORE SECURE
We redirect all non-SpotON3D clients to an locked down region, so you'll not have much worry about your content being ripping by the use of a client.

NEED REFERENCES? LOOK AT WHAT SOME OF THE ELITE OF SL & VIRTUAL WORLDS SAY ABOUT SpotON3D!
"Another strength of @spoton3d: leverages Amazon cloud computing so customers can boost scalability to 100 avatars or more based on need." - Erica Driver of Think Balm.com

"This company has clearly given a lot of thought to their platform especially in the areas of copyright, intellectual property, cost and user experience for both Enterprise and Education." - Shambles Guru (SL™) of International Schools Island

"I heard a lot about how SpotOn3D is really making sure that content creators can safely sell their products and be sure that it is not easily copied and pirated. Technically and theoretically it remains impossible to make it 100% proof, but many should be happy with 99% solution." - Jani Pirkola - Virtual worlds specialist, Research program coordinator at CIE.fi. One of the founders of Maxping.org magazine.

"Well right now Tessa you are top of my list regading an alternative grid to work in!"
Lilith Heart of Heart Designs in SL

AND THE LIST GOES ON OF THOSE WHO ENDORSE THE SPOTON3D GRID:

Chris Badger, formerly of Forterra
Light Sequent Educational Instructor Training Specialist
Sexat Uralia of Virtual Helping Hands & Texas University
Yehoo Newall, Security Specialist
David K., Formerly Dj Linden- SLE Project Manager of Linden Labs
Matt Fiertze of First Link, Inc, V-Business group the best practices and standards frameworks group for Virtual Worlds
Stringray9798 with the American Cancer Society
Luna Bliss & Dakota Callahan of Bliss Gardens
Lilith Heart of Heart Garden
Steffi Villota & Dark Hennesy of DeeTalez
Madddyyy Schnook of SL Guide
Lindy Low of Grid Gear on SpotON3D
Nazz Lane SL Resident and Blogger
Angelo Biondi of Second Inventory
Ariella Languish of Framedin3D.com

We of coarse do this in hopes that you'll make us your new home for your expansion beyond any one grid. We hope you'll see the value in the work we've done, forgive our growing pains as we push forward our very aggressive technology to do list, and give us constructive feedback on how we can make your experience better.