What's Up

    The following article might sound more like a travel brochure
than a piece about computers. Ok, so I guess that was the
intention. I've just got to tell you about the coolest place I've
ever been with my computer.

    Sit tight in your desk chair, loosen up those typing fingers and
get a grip on that mouse, cause we're going to Alpha World!

    "What or where is Alpha World?" you ask. It's a computer
service that is totally free for anyone with a connection to the
Internet, anywhere in the "real" world. First you need to go to
the Alpha World pages on the World Wide Web.
[ http://www.worlds.net/alphaworld/ ] There you will find a file,
called awb130.exe, to download, that will install the Alpha World
Browser. This is a program that allows your computer to hook
up to the Alpha World server, and gives you a fully interactive
window into a whole new dimension of reality. If you have trouble
getting the file from the FTP server (it's usually very busy) I'd be
glad to Email you a copy. Just send your request to
[ james@rainbow-akron.com ].

    You might have heard of "chat" on the Internet. This is a form
of real time communication, where you type messages at your
computer and they appear on the screen of the person you're
chatting with, and vise-versa. That's all fine and well, but imagine
if you could share an experience of 3D virtual reality with the
people you are in conversation with; make new friends from all
over the globe, roaming the streets of a cyber city, or hanging
out on the dance floor of an imaginary night club. You can even
visit Yellowstone National Park and see Old Faithful. This, by the
way, is where a lot of gay Alpha travelers hang out. (It figures!)
That's Alpha World.

    When you go there, you have a 3D character, called an avatar.
He or she might not look just like you, but you have about 15 or 20
different looks to choose from. This is your body in Alpha World.
You can "see" through your avatar's eyes, and "hear" what your
avatar would hear in conversations (as printed text on your screen).
There are buildings, streets, trees, rivers, lakes, parks, museums,
and all sorts of other physical objects to see, just like any real city.
You can even create your own landmarks in Alpha World. The land
and building permits are free, and whatever you erect will stay there,
for everyone else to see and enjoy --even when you are not using
the service. Much of the scenery of Alpha World was put there by
other ordinary Alpha World users.                                            ===>