Update: I've created a blog where you can see how things are going and provide feedback or comments. Please go to http://arpsdirectory.blogspot.com/
NOTE: E-mail address has been changed, contact arps.directory (at) googlemail.com instead.
Hi All,
Do you own, or are you involved in running, a Role-play or Activity SIM? TalTECH is sponsoring the creation of a directory of SIMs that will be made available to Second Life players at no cost. The intent is a single point of reference where both new members and old can find interesting new RP and activity locations.
If you are responsible for such a SIM and would like to see your SIM included, read on. If you’re a role player or regularly use an activity SIM, let the owner know. Let’s get as many of excellent SIM\'s in second life listed as possible.
An RP SIM is defined as a SIM where role playing is encouraged. The setting is irrelevant; it doesn\'t matter if it’s futuristic, medieval or anything else. An activity SIM is a SIM that is dedicated to specific activities, for example horse riding, car racing or winter sports. In either case, the main activity of the SIM must not be commercial; if your SIM\'s activity is shopping you won\'t be included. Listings for adult activity SIM\'s will be taken under advisement.
The directory will be distributed as books, like many of the magazines currently distributed in SL. The basic listing for a SIM will be one page and for the first issue listings will be limited to two pages maximum, see below for listing options for future issues. For the first issue there will be no charge for any listings.
What you must supply: One or two images that will make up your SIM’s page(s) in the book. The book will be 3:4 ratio so ideal image size will be 384 by 512. Remember to make sure your pages have full permissions set for the next owner or they will not be included. Your first page must clearly state both the name of the SIM, its location and the name of an AV that may be contacted by readers. You should also include some text describing the purpose of the SIM, the idea being to sell your SIM to readers.
One page submissions will automatically be included in the next issue, two page submissions will not unless it is decided to waive fees for the second issue.
Your images should be named by your SIM name plus a page number, for example for a RP SIM named “The Kingdom of the Ice Lolly” (for example) submitting two pages, the image names should be “Kingdom of the Ice Lolly Page 1” and “Kingdom of the Ice Lolly Page 2” (leading words such as the, a etc may be omitted). Once your pages are prepared, go to the following SLURL:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Galleria/92/199/405
You will find two monoliths near that point (just outside the entrance), drop your images onto the monolith that is appropriate for your SIM type, please do not submit your SIM to both monoliths. There is also a notice board next to the monoliths that displays the submission due date and the expected publication date. Any submissions after the submission due date (28th June for the first issue) will be carried over to the next issue. Publication date may vary depending on demand.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME PAGES VIA INVENTORY; PAGES SUBMITTED THROUGH ANY OTHER MEANS THAT THE MONOLITHS MAY BE LOST.
NOTE: The following section does not apply to the first issue.
Currently it is intended that a publication be made every two months. For future publications the following charge scale will be introduced. No charge will be made for a single page listing, however since it is intended that single page listings be carried over from one month to the next, a 100L$ fee will be charged for updating such a listing (if your SIM is not already listed, there will be no charge for adding its initial page). For each additional page a charge of 300L$ will be made, up to a maximum of four pages. One feature listing per publication will be available via slexchange (price to be determined) and will allow for up to eight pages at the start of the book plus space on the cover, it will still be up to the submitter to supply images (cover images may need to be supplied out of the game).
Payment will be made via tokens available from an in-game vendor or slexchange, the appropriate number of these tokens and your images should be placed in a single prim named after your SIM and submitted to a monolith. You may buy tokens in advance but you must not include excess tokens in the prim, if you do the extra tokens will not be returned. No refund will be made if excess tokens are bought but publication of the directory cesses.
Questions and comments can be posted here or addresses to the following email address: arps.directory (at) googlemail.com (note the dots in the first part of the address), please do not IM me in game unless it’s urgent, and then the email address will probably be answered faster.
If you would like to host a vendor for the directories, please email the address above with the subject “Vendor Placement”. Note that I will not pay for placement of a vendor and there will be no commission from sales, as the directory will be free (just in case anyone asks). It is planned to use a network vendor so that all sites can be updated easily, but I don’t know yet which one or how many prims it will require. Hopefully we will be able to arrange it so you can place your own vendor.
I think that about covers it. The monoliths are available now, get working on those images.
Thanks.
Talwyn Mills (CEO TalTECH)
NOTE: E-mail address has been changed, contact arps.directory (at) googlemail.com instead.