Now you can immerse yourself in a virtual reality chat and conference
environment (VRML 2.0 open standards). Below are actual screenshots of
the virtual world that awaits you. Regular visitors to this site,
click here for the
Business Park Conference Center VRML Chat And Conferences, or you
may also wish to see the
VRML in full-screen nonchat mode. If this is your first time here,
or if you need a VRML knowledge touchup, please keep reading.
Boring Stuff To Read Before Using VRML (All Visitors):
The bulk of this is specific to Windows 95/98/NT. Towards the bottom
of this page is specific information for other OS's (mostly Linux and
UNIX flavors).
Boring Stuff To Read Before Using VRML (Blaxxun Specific):
Windows 95/98/NT users, you'll need
Blaxxun Contact (version 5.x) to enter the Business Park
Conference Center. As with any software, download and install at own
risk. After installing, select the OpenGL version, the graphic
rendering is almost like photography. This standard virtual reality
(VRML 2.0) browser is only currently available in Windows PC and NT
versions, but we've heard from friends on Linux and UNIX flavors
running WinE (and similar Windows emulators) that it works for them
too. You might also choose to
annoy the folks at Blaxxun by E.Mailing them and asking
when the Mac version will be available. Voice synthesis support is
fully enabled, adding an extra depth to the VRML chat experience.
System requirements aren't all that advanced: Windows 95/98/NT (or
Linux/UNIX flavors with Windows emulation), 32M RAM (or more), AMD 166
(133 is OK with graphic acceleration) or Pentium 233 (166 is OK with
graphic acceleration), a current version of either Netscape or
Internet Explorer, minimum dialup (or any 'Net connection) of 28.8K
and a monitor set to 32-bit color (800x600 is best for VRML, 16-bit
color will work, but the graphics look nasty). Graphic acceleration
isn't needed, but will speed the graphic rendering, increase the
overall quality of the graphics and make walking, jumping and beaming
faster.
Don't forget to grab an avatar (access avatar selections through the
tab with the four yellow rectangles) or just use the generic blue one
by right clicking on the screen, then selecting "view my avatar". If
you choose a non generic avatar, Blaxxun Contact will remember your
selection on future visits. Though supported, fully customized avatars
of larger than 50K are not encouraged, they slow down the world for
everyone in it. Selections from the Avatar Library are all nicely
under this limit. About how to move easily: Select an object, center
the crosshairs on it, touch (and hold) the F3 on your keyboard, wait
for the crosshairs to change to ROUNDED crosshairs, click the object
once, then release your F3 key. You can also beam to a friend's avatar
by selecting their chatname in the chatpanel, then right click it and
select "beam to". You may select to ignore other avatars through the
chat panel (right click on their chatname and select "ignore"). This
is handy when several meetings are going on at once. Rarely, an avatar
becomes stuck in an object. Try backing up one step. If your avatar
falls over, or begins walking crooked, use CONTROL+SHIFT+U Key to
straighten it up. We've labeled the first viewpoint as "Main Pavillion
Start Here" so that if you become lost or disoriented you can return
to the large central Pavillion and reorient yourself. You will be
facing north if you use this option. The CyberCafe Forest is to the
left (north west), the Bungalow is to the back (south east). Right
click the VRML screen to get to the viewpoints menu. Use of other
viewpoint options is not recommended. Under no circumstance should you
use the Viewpoint Tour option. The Business Park Conference Center
contains nearly one-thousand objects, and you don't really
want to see all of them in 15-second shots, takes about twenty minutes
and may only be aborted with great difficulty. If an attack of the
"duhs" sets in and you do try it, abort it by closing your browser
(may require CONTROL+ALT+DELETE, ie, don't do it).
Some people may experience this error "Line 25891 contains an error"
followed by a blank or black screen. There is no error, just close the
browser, reboot it and start again. This error is suspected of being
caused by older versions of Blaxxun, though it is only reproduced with
difficulty. Right clicking the screen and accessing the settings, then
the general preferrences, then the cache menus, then select "clear
cache" may also help this problem. Internet Explorer (that demon-seed
browser from MicroSoft) seems to have more problems with this.
First-time visitors of the 3D Chat may experience a one-time download
of several minutes, but be patient, it's worth it. Blaxxun Contact
will save a copy of the file according to your choices in the general
preferences (right click the screen, select the settings, then
preferences menus).
Now that you've read all the boring stuff above (and got the VRML 2.0
browser best for your system), enter the 3D chat and conference
environment of the Business Park Conference Center. Prepare to be
dazzled!!!
© copyright 1996, 2001, Pacoima Ranch Offices. All rights reserved.
Best in any Generation 6 Browser (Netscape 6.x+, Mozilla
0.9x+, Internet Explorer 5.5x+, Opera 5.x+ and WebTV Classic or Deluxe
Spring 2001). For best viewing, we recommend Internet Explorer 5.5x+
or 6.x+ and Opera 5.x+. These fonts are used throughout the site
(click the name, unzip and install if you are missing any--Windows
only, please) Arial, Arial Black, Arial Rounded MT
Bold, Times New Roman, and Verdana.
