Nexeus Fatale

Over the previous two weeks, I had several domain problems with avaverse.org (and its associated domains), rendering the website inoperable. I am happy to announce that these problems have been resolved and the website is back up and running.  The Avaverse is an open content project for virtual world builders and creators.  Currently all of the content are items I’ve created, but will begin taking submitted content very soon.

To read more about my thoughts on The Avaverse, read my initial thoughts of the project or visit www.avaverse.org.

Behind the scenes I’ve been working a lot on The Avaverse, an open source multi-platform content distribution project of mine. While the initial feedback has been great, I’ve been working on considerations for content submissions. At the root of this problem is the conversation of license rights and ownership, a conversation that I would like to open to the public. One of the goals of the project is the distribution of content and make all sorts of open content available.  There’s also a need to protect the content creators rights along with protecting the rights of those whom use the content (so there are not any confusions between individuals). I’m anticipating publishing a submission requirement within a week which would more than likely require that submitted content must use some form of Creative Commons License (they also have GNU GPL, and GNU LGPL versions of the CC licence). I don’t want the project to become a sort of advertising scheme or means, which means that the submission requirement would remove advertisement such as land marks, but allow people to place a readme containing their name, contact information and web address.  I wish I could make my submission requirement really simple (much like Wordpress’ requirements for plugin’s), but due to the diverse nature of Second Life and all of the possible content that can be submitted I want to make sure I’m as clear as possible and don’t harm anyone in the process.

I would love to hear what other’s think.

As far as content, earlier this week I’ve released a hardwood texture for public consumption, and working on several scripts for public release.

In a world haunted by walled gardens and proprietary software and devices, the promise of open source and interoperability shines like a bright light (not the finest metaphor, but it serves it purpose).

Adam Broitman (http://amediacirc.us/2007/12/13/and-the-openness-2008-award-goes-to/)

“free” items seem to have a “final” and “consumerist” utility–its utility ends upon its “consumption;” whereas “open” items are constantly evolving–their usefulness transforms and adapts to new situations and scenarios.

Eloh Eliot (http://eloheliot.blogspot.com/2007/12/open-versus-free.html)

“Through my content creation process, I’ve come across many frustrations, many of it includes reliable resources for new residents, reliable resources for content creation, and clear help for many questions for Second Life… As a content creator, I feel that content should be accessible to everyone. While freebies are used primarily for marketing and promotional intentions, I would like to take it a bit further.”

Nexeus Fatale (http://www.nexeusfatale.com/journal/my-new-approach-to-second-life/)

These three quotes explain the core motivation for my new project The Avaverse. There is a plethora of open content available in many forms such as open source software, podsafe music, and Creative Common’s Attribution license. Open software and content aids in all expansion of the web by allowing consumer consumption, the creation of new developer tools, and access for hobbyists to learn new items. It also makes the web more accessible to new users and creates new forms of participation. While open has its benefits, many are still hesitant to the idea, open source seems to be synonymous with free including free’s lack of consumer utility. Open source can be an income generator; Wordpress and the recent purchase of MySQL by Sun Microsystems are examples of how open source software can be used as a legitimate business model. These applications have helped transform the Internet, the way business is conducted online, and the ability to develop new, useable, cross platform applications, and to help create a more usable web.

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