by
Steve Lazarowitz
July 2001
EXPLORING ACTIVE WORLDS
I've spent a good part of the last month in a fantasy world. A stunning place filled with beautiful art, peaceful music, wonderful poetry and interesting people. An altogether amazing place that doesn't really exist, but for all that, has become as real to me as my home. It is part of a much larger place called Active Worlds.
If you have never been there, it would be folly for me to attempt to describe it. It is a virtual, three dimensional, alternate reality that exists on the Internet. It is also a chat software in which each participant owns an avatar that represents them, an image that other people see within this alternate reality.
Active Worlds is not a single world, but a collection of worlds, each like a separate channel. For a fee, you can build your own reality, or you can just visit and explore the myriad worlds set up by others. I have explored Mars, Atlantis, Yellowstone National Park, a place called Alpha World and my favorite of all, Castles.
You go to the web page and download the software for free. There are two versions, one for faster machines with better video cards and one for older machines that runs in less detail. The download is fairly easily accomplished. When you run the program, it asks you to log in. You can log in as a tourist or, if you decide, you may become a citizen. Anyone can wander around the worlds as a tourist for free, but joining is cheap and does give you a number of attractive benefits. For me, there was no question. I spent the twenty dollars and signed up for a year.
Each world has avatars to choose from. This is how others will see you, just as you see them walking and talking at the AW Gate when you first appear. As a tourist you may choose on each world from one of two avatars, male or female. As a citizen, you have a much larger selection.
Move with the arrows and walk around taking in the world. Wait for the images to download the first time and the next time will be faster. Welcome to Active Worlds.
There are literally hundreds of worlds to choose from. On some, if you are a citizen, you can build your own dwelling. This is something I will eventually do, just because I love the idea of a virtual world being built in the same way a real one might. I love to explore and see what other builders have done. I love to talk to people on different worlds. Keep in mind, each world has its own set of rules, so profanity or sexual talk might not be welcome on some of them.
I've already made several friends in Active Worlds and had a great deal of fun exploring, but my favorite place to hang out is Castles.
Castles is owned by the wonderful artist and poet Belladora. Indeed the entire world is a work of art, beautiful to behold, serene and entertaining. The people I've met are wonderful, friendly, helpful and creative. I felt at home immediately, as the regulars welcomed me with open arms. A short time later, Belladora named an avatar for me, an honor I carry with me whenever I return.
Don't take my word for any of it. Go to Belladora's page ( http://www.belladora.com ) and use the links to download Active Worlds. I'm sending you there instead of the home page, because Belladora and her world are worth supporting and this is just one way to support it. Stop and look at her art or read her poetry. Download Active Worlds and visit Castles. If you're there on the right day (which is just about any day), look for Nagennif. I wear the name and avatar. Read some poetry. See some paintings.
If you're a citizen and I'm not around, you can even send me a telegram.
But whether you join or not, don't miss this totally engaging and entertaining experience.
Webpage & Graphics by Samandi Adams
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