Advice

ERIC SPELLMAN'S WEB ADVICE COLUMN

Life in a Virtual World

This week ERIC SPELLMAN looks at simulation sites online

Computer simulation has come a long way in the last 10 years. With computer speeds doubling every couple of years, scientists can now simulate some of the most complex mathematical scenarios in seconds.

With the advent of the Web, programmers have discovered a new simulation playground: Cyberspace. To see what I mean visit my two favourite sites in this arena: DaliWorld and Runescape.

First, let's visit Daliworld. Please note the ".net" at the end of the address. If you accidentally type ".com" you'll be visiting a large Salvador Dali website (great site, but not what we're talking about). Daliworld is a massive online virtual aquarium. Their motto: "Why search for life when you can create it?"

The premise is simple: You create your own fish and let them swim around in a virtual environment. What makes this idea exciting is that your fish can "swim out" of your computer and into computers of other users around the globe! Likewise, their fish can swim into your computer. Sound confusing? Just try it.

From the DaliWorld homepage, click on the hyperlink "Enter DaliWorld." Before you do, though, move your mouse over the starfish for an interesting watery effect. Once inside the site, hit the "Download" button" on the left. Fill out the requisite forms, read the terms and conditions, and then download the 12 megabyte "unified" version. Once downloaded, double-click on the DaliWorld icon on your desktop.

A screen will pop up asking you to fill out some profiles and parameters. After all that work, you then hit the OK button and jump into your own virtual aquarium. Remember, if you're on the Internet, fish from other virtual aquariums can swim into yours!

An amazing variety of fish are available, and if you watch long enough, you'll see the diversity. Clicking on a fish will cause you to "follow" it. Right-clicking on a fish will display its profile. Each fish's profile lists who created them, their birthday, and other aquariums they've visited.

While you cannot affect the fish in your aquarium, you can create more. For a listing of the various types of fish available, check out the DaliWorld site.

Interestingly enough, each fish's movements are not random. The technology behind this site is simply amazing. Each fish is autonomous, governed by a complex set of rules and self-learning behaviours. The older a fish gets, the more "experience" it has.

And if the technology doesn't amaze you, well, then just accept it for the simple aesthetic, relaxing program that it is.

Another site delving into "artificial life" is Runescape. Modelling themselves after Everquest and Ultima Online, Runescape offers a massively multiplayer game (MMG) where you can interact with other live players. The fantasy setting lends itself well to this environment.

The main difference between Runescape and the other two games is cost. As you may have guessed, Runescape is free (as long as you can deal with the pop-up ads every now and then). Everquest and Ultima Online have a monthly fee (around £6-7) to play. If you think you might be interested in playing an MMG, check Runescape first.

One of the fascinating aspects of this game is the ability to play it without downloading anything. When you play online, the entire game is loaded dynamically while you wait.

You are then presented with a few servers to pick from. Choose the server with the fewest people logged on. Fewer people equate to improved gameplay through speedy updates. After clicking on a server, the system will ask if you are a new player or not. The first time you visit the site, you will need to pick a "name." It's not as easy as it sounds. The good ones have already been taken, so you may need to be a little creative.

Once logged on, explore your surroundings. You can enter buildings, trade items with other players and outfit yourself with better clothes and armour. Note the little icons in the upper right hand corner of the screen. They allow you to change your options, view your "friends list", cast a spell, check your health, and adjust your inventory.

Before you get too deep into this world, I recommend reading the online manuals and help files. They go a long ways toward answering many of your questions. I learned that little lesson the hard way. After accumulating a large amount of valuable items, I was killed by a giant scorpion. I lost everything.

It's also a good idea to find a friend that has been around a while. You are much likelier to survive as a group than a lone rogue. Depending on who you talk to, you may receive a quest. If you are successful (and survive) the quest, you could build up some serious reward money.

Runescape is not all about fighting, though. You can choose to make your living trading items to other players, mining ore, fishing, cooking food, etc. Once again, read the online manuals.

Runescape has many options to play with and is being updated on a monthly basis. If you have a spare hour or so, check it out. And, oh, by the way, if you run across a little brown-headed guy named EricValiant, don't kill him …

I'll see you in Cyberspace!

Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to
receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellman.com with subscribe in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website:
www.EricSpellmann.com

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ERIC SPELLMAN'S WEB ADVICE COLUMN Life in a Virtual World This week ERIC SPELLMAN looks at simulation sites online Computer simulation has come a long way in the last 10 years. With computer speeds doubling every couple of years, scientists can now simulate some of the most complex mathematical scenarios in seconds. With the advent of the Web, programmers have discovered a new simulation playground: Cyberspace. To see what I mean visit my two favourite sites in this arena: DaliWorld and Runescape. First, let's visit Daliworld. Please note the ".net" at the end of the address. If you accidentally type ".com" you'll be visiting a large Salvador Dali website (great site, but not what we're talking about). Daliworld is a massive online virtual aquarium. Their motto: "Why search for life when you can create it?" The premise is simple: You create your own fish and let them swim around in a virtual environment. What makes this idea exciting is that your fish can "swim out" of your computer and into computers of other users around the globe! Likewise, their fish can swim into your computer. Sound confusing? Just try it. From the DaliWorld homepage, click on the hyperlink "Enter DaliWorld." Before you do, though, move your mouse over the starfish for an interesting watery effect. Once inside the site, hit the "Download" button" on the left. Fill out the requisite forms, read the terms and conditions, and then download the 12 megabyte "unified" version. Once downloaded, double-click on the DaliWorld icon on your desktop. A screen will pop up asking you to fill out some profiles and parameters. After all that work, you then hit the OK button and jump into your own virtual aquarium. Remember, if you're on the Internet, fish from other virtual aquariums can swim into yours! An amazing variety of fish are available, and if you watch long enough, you'll see the diversity. Clicking on a fish will cause you to "follow" it. Right-clicking on a fish will display its profile. Each fish's profile lists who created them, their birthday, and other aquariums they've visited. While you cannot affect the fish in your aquarium, you can create more. For a listing of the various types of fish available, check out the DaliWorld site. Interestingly enough, each fish's movements are not random. The technology behind this site is simply amazing. Each fish is autonomous, governed by a complex set of rules and self-learning behaviours. The older a fish gets, the more "experience" it has. And if the technology doesn't amaze you, well, then just accept it for the simple aesthetic, relaxing program that it is. Another site delving into "artificial life" is Runescape. Modelling themselves after Everquest and Ultima Online, Runescape offers a massively multiplayer game (MMG) where you can interact with other live players. The fantasy setting lends itself well to this environment. The main difference between Runescape and the other two games is cost. As you may have guessed, Runescape is free (as long as you can deal with the pop-up ads every now and then). Everquest and Ultima Online have a monthly fee (around £6-7) to play. If you think you might be interested in playing an MMG, check Runescape first. One of the fascinating aspects of this game is the ability to play it without downloading anything. When you play online, the entire game is loaded dynamically while you wait. You are then presented with a few servers to pick from. Choose the server with the fewest people logged on. Fewer people equate to improved gameplay through speedy updates. After clicking on a server, the system will ask if you are a new player or not. The first time you visit the site, you will need to pick a "name." It's not as easy as it sounds. The good ones have already been taken, so you may need to be a little creative. Once logged on, explore your surroundings. You can enter buildings, trade items with other players and outfit yourself with better clothes and armour. Note the little icons in the upper right hand corner of the screen. They allow you to change your options, view your "friends list", cast a spell, check your health, and adjust your inventory. Before you get too deep into this world, I recommend reading the online manuals and help files. They go a long ways toward answering many of your questions. I learned that little lesson the hard way. After accumulating a large amount of valuable items, I was killed by a giant scorpion. I lost everything. It's also a good idea to find a friend that has been around a while. You are much likelier to survive as a group than a lone rogue. Depending on who you talk to, you may receive a quest. If you are successful (and survive) the quest, you could build up some serious reward money. Runescape is not all about fighting, though. You can choose to make your living trading items to other players, mining ore, fishing, cooking food, etc. Once again, read the online manuals. Runescape has many options to play with and is being updated on a monthly basis. If you have a spare hour or so, check it out. And, oh, by the way, if you run across a little brown-headed guy named EricValiant, don't kill him … I'll see you in Cyberspace! Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellman.com with subscribe in the subject. Or, you can sign up at his website: www.EricSpellmann.com © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.