[Now hopelessly out of date, due to a real-world project that intervened; included for historical interest and general planning... 1/31/95 M. Strata Rose ] Virtual Cityª Network Timeline [project start date was May 1st, 1993 ¥ completed item + currently ongoing] 0 - 3 months [May - July] ¥ Locate fast network connection for main server ¥ Set up server, configure network utilities ¥ Internet registration, domain setup & administration ¥ Install Mosaic, LambdaMOO, compiling environments ¥ Set up home TCP/IP connection for full network access to server ¥ Tool familiarization (compiling, testing, join mailing lists, etc) ¥ Facilities design & capability screening-- identify initial candidates to support ¥ Goal & project definition (ongoing) ¥ Design initial city structure ¥ Research extant Internet multimedia tools ¥ Research extant real-time interactive Internet tools ¥ Meet & discuss project with LambdaMOO implementors ¥ Meet with other MOO implementors & explore MOO technology ¥ Read existing MOO & MUD scholarly papers ¥ Detail work on sample city environments ¥ Create sample city frameworks in MOO ¥ Initial map of city ¥ Identification of city Ôbots & other autonomous agents ¥ Object handling policy setting, initial technology design for marketplace & free object stores 3 - 6 months [Aug - Oct] ¥ Identify concurrent income opportunities to fund project (consulting, book opportunities) ¥ Refine initial city design ¥ Install new revisions of MOO server software as they become available + Set up servers of supported multimedia extensions (HTTP/WWW, Netjam, IRC, Gopher, Whiteboard, anonymous FTP, WAIS, PGP/Privacy Enhanced Mail) + Trademark Virtual City as applied to various terms (int. classes 009, 042) ¥ computer & manual search at sunnyvale patent library ¥ design initial packaging + have XXX review forms file initial intent to use forms in 009 post Virtual Cityª Network FAQ & online restaurant browse service file initial intent to use forms & alleged use form in 042 (misc service) small print run of labels & folder covers provide copy of browser alpha for nominal media fee to colleagues, file alleged use in 009 [Nov - Jan] ¥ Initial framing design of Tcl/Tk (Motif/X) client browser + Initial design of extensions to MOO out-of-band server communication facility + Identify potential office space and transition work to said space Build first pass of MOO out-of-band server comm facility Prototype Tcl/Tk client browser Expand timeline, identify separate projects, create detailed timelines Get back to volunteer staff, assign projects; open database to VC build team + Begin community outreach ¥ Assist Internet Art Gallery project & provide online space ¥ Assist Digital Cashª initiative ¥ Ongoing refinement of project plan with industry & technology representatives Create alt.virtual-city-network newsgroup + Create FAQ & post for comments Articles in Whole Earth Review, WIRED, poss. Technology Review, other pubs, & on net + Build commuter transit timetables for Bay Area, set up automated server Build ba.food restaurant WAIS database, set up server + Evaluate object oriented languages for longterm transition implementation of VCN Create first draft of VCMTA architecture based on current (LambdaMOO) technology + Create business plan, review w/various parties + Explore various funding scenarios Formal incorporation of VirtualNet Build alpha version of browser, open Virtual Cityª Network for public logins 6 - 9 months [Nov - Jan] First advertising run in major publications (submit by Nov for Jan publications) Build first pass Virtual Cityª Marketplace, allow nonprofit & individual ÒforsaleÓ ads only (as per AUP) Nonprofit & gov't location building in Business District + Identify potential major customers of Marketplace service & virtual office space Relocate development effort to office space (hopefully in previous stage) Explore vendor donations or loans of equipment for development Add extended services to out-of-band MOO services Implement Lambda-based VCMTA for distributed server hosts Create draft of VCMTA architecture reflecting final choice of OOL (prob Kaleida ScriptX) Begin implementation of top 3 funding scenarios concurrently Develop marketing strategies based on feedback from mailing lists & current users Aggressive marketing to previously identified potential lessees of virtual space Finalize city templates & offer city-building (instantiation services) on a turnkey basis Identify potential employees on a task/development area basis Transition T1 link to non-AUP (commercial) link switchover from VIRTUAL.NET domain to VIRTUAL-CITY.COM Open Virtual Cityª Marketplace and Business District for full commerce First draft VCN expanded architecture blueprint in selected OOL Join development program of vendor OOL Begin development of client browsers in OOL Hire first 2 developers & mktg person Marketing plan timelines & schedules 9 - 12 months [Feb - Apr] Client OOL browser beta Build extended servers in OOL Explore consumer electronics capabilities & design CE browser VCMTA bridging between Lambda VCMTA and OOL VCMTA; Lambda services should be fully accessible from client OOL browser Transition main services from LambdaMOO to OOL servers [Copyright 1993 M. Strata Rose, all rights reserved.]