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- 11 Sep 2004
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The Web Browser
The built in web browser is an important feature often overlooked by world owners. I prefer to keep my web browser closed when I'm exploring a world and maybe you do too but the fact is that there's a lot of visitors who keep it open. I base this argument on the survey on the Jaffa site. I made a small page with links to the build list and a survey. The amount of votes proves that there are people out there that like to see the worlds small page. On that small page you could put advertising, surveys, a contact email address, links to the build list, a link to your main world site, teleport links within your world... you can pretty much do anything and it's not as difficult as you'd think.
Guidelines
Your small page shouldn't contain any images. Images are of a set width and since the OW browser can be resized your image can become obscured. If you only have text the text wraps to whatever size the browser is.
Try to use colours and background pictures with care. It's very difficult to read green on a yellow background so try and pick colours that allow visitors to read the text clearly. The default black text on a white background was picked for a reason ;o), but that doesn't mean you can't make it pretty.
Index Page Ideas
Public Build Worlds
You could put a link to your object list or even put the object list into the small window if you prefer. You could put surveys/polls asking visitors to rate your world/object list/skybox. You should put the name of the world owner and a contact method somewhere, that way if your visitors have any problems they can email or IM you. Onlinestatus.org provides a free service that lets you put a small icon on your page displaying whether you're online or offline. It works with all of the major IM networks. Visitors would just need to click on the icon to start an IM session with you.
Dead Worlds
If you don't use your world anymore or rarely visit OW why not give someone else the chance to run your world? You could give them caretaker rights or even just eminent domain and they could build up your world. By putting a small paragraph and an email address on the small page other people could have a chance to do something that you're unable to do yourself.
Chat Worlds
Even if your visitors can't build in your world they can still chat. Why not make a nice area for them to chat in and in the small index a link to a forum or pinboard. That way your visitors could always be in contact even if they aren't in the universe at the same time.
If you'd like some help with creating a small index or even some help with making a site for your world contact me (Freaks) and I'll be happy to help. Won't cost you a penny :o).