|| -------- -- -----  A E R I E   O B L I V I A N A . singular book of text wandertainment by Frank Edward Nora ------------------- ----------- GET ALL OBLIVIANA--ISSUE 002--PART 2 <-------  ||  OsoaWeek  ||  Get All Obliviana  ||  Issue 002  ||  -------> (Cup OWga002b, Created v3 (10/3/99), Copyright 1999) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Sat 5/15/99 * 1:45 AM Over the past two days I've done three Stormjaunts, on 5, 13, and 30. Absolutely remarkable results. Deepen Your Presence. It's really weird, the reaction I've had to this new kind of Stormjaunting, using the fingers to set the Storms. The feelings come almost immediately. Heavyness, vague sensing of a new sort, hands hot... I noticed the numb mouth a little, and I also noticed an effect on my neck and shoulders. One thought I had was that maybe doing all 209 Storms would do something for you. Should I release Stormjaunting info in v2? Maybe. Sun 5/16/99 * 2:19 PM I finished editing the long SR Cupline "Foreman Ittener Pier" yesterday, and then I wandered around the Garden State Plaza mall. Today, I plan on getting most of the rest of SR done, and ready to be translated into Aerie format. I've been thinking quite a lot about the overall nature of Obliviana. Specifically--how am I gonna get people into it? I have come again to the idea that "Fonosta is the Key". Fonosta has been a major idea in Obliviana since OsoaWeek001. In the almost five years since then, I have tried to implement numerous different versions of Fonosta, none of which quite made it. One cornerstone idea of Fonosta has been registration. Sending information in to Obliviana for Obliviana to keep track of. This idea, I believe, is somewhat flawed. FONOSTA REGISTRATION FLAWS [1] I went to some web game site, and I was mildly interested in it, but as soon as I saw some kind of registration screen, I violently closed the browser window it was in. [2] I went on HSX--the Hollywood Stock Exchange--for the first time in many months. I entered my username and password, and looked at what I had, bought "Mystery Men" stock (because I felt like doing something, anything), and then left. This is germaine because HSX is really cool, really well-implemented, and something that I like. But after a few weeks (probably over a year ago), it failed to retain my attention. [3] In fact, most websites that I initially liked failed to remain interesting enough to me for me to go back on a regular basis. The sites I go on regularly are: [a] TheForce.net, for Phantom Menace info, and since the movie is coming out this Wednesday, I don't think I'll be going on it much more. [b] Ebay. There are two items that I desperately want to get. One is a certain Tomy Pocketgame from the 70s. The other is a Walt Disney World poster from the early days, depicting three hotels that were planned, but never built, as well as some other abandoned creations (I believe the Western River Expedition is on there). I still have never seen the Pocketgame for sale. And till today, I never saw the WDW thing. But a few hours ago, I found one on sale. It's in pretty bad shape, and the opening bid is $150. But I will definitely bid on it. I may not go up to $500, like I did to get my Contemporary Resort litho... but I digress... [c] Retrogames. This is the latest in a series of emulation sites that have been my main window on the world of emulation. I used to go on the Mac-only Emulation.net, but it's gotten lame. I went on DavesClassics.com for awhile, but these days it's always getting shut down by legal problems and shit. [4] So the point of all this is that personalized information on a website is no guarantee of return visits. I think that my tastes are generally representative of a lot of people out there. [5] Beyond all this, I don't have the capacity to have real online information. When I was registering Fonostas last summer, it was an amazingly tedious process. I would have to automate it with an online database and stuff--but I don't have the resources right now to make that happen. And I don't think it would be the right way to go anyway. [6] Videogame as canfle flame--just you and the game--meditative--addictive... [7] Registration serves several functions--recordkeeping and verification are the big functions. By storing the records online, the user doesn't have to worry about keeping the records. And by storing data on a central server, which the user cannot alter, it somewhat eliminates "cheating". For example, the game "Diablo" was very susceptible to cheating because the games were played without a central server database. A game like "Ultima Online" is very secure, because all the data is held in an official server. In fact, people have been selling their avatars--I heard of one case where an avatar went for thousands of dollars. [8] I want Obliviana to involve people without the need for a central server. So, the recordkeeping cannot be overly burdensome, and as well, verification will have to NOT be needed. Okay. So I have a general direction now... a new kind of Fonosta ... idea: a little "shrine" where various Obliviana things are displayed... and the container where scraps of paper with records on them are put... I want Obliviana to be something that people get into to "Deepen Your Presence". One big idea is to Stormjaunt on all 209 Storms. This is something that would be pretty easy for people to keep a record on. I like the idea of "displaying" a certain Obliviana thing--either in a "shrine" or as worn buttons or whatever--and the length of the display--days, weeks, months... would have some meaning. 3:30 PM I think that I need to address the issue of Stormjaunting as it relates to the rest of Obliviana. First of all, I need to clarify the term "Stormjaunting". This term has always meant basically the same thing--what was, in older Obliviana parlance, "Zoning". But I am now changing the meaning of the term a little. Stormjaunting is now focused on the "finger method". So, Stormjaunting refers to setting a Storm on your fingers, and then doing stuff. See, previously, Stormjaunting referred to going on some kind of adventure. Now, Stormjaunting means setting a Storm on your fingers, and then doing any of a wide range of activities. But I need to further clarify this. One needs to do SOMETHING once the Storm has been set. The activities are centered upon Friction Enhancers, the central one being Deepnotice. Deepnotice can be done just about anywhere and in any circumstance. Even in bed in a dark room, memories and imagination can be Deepnoticed. Other major FEs are Deepcompare and Neverbeen. These are also very basic FEs. FEs such as Pebbleswitch and Mallball are less basic, because they require certain situations in order to do them. But here, the issue of Stormjaunting vs. the rest of Obliviana comes into view again. There is the basic idea of Stormjaunting, and then there are the specific cultural elements of Obliviana. At the very closest to Stormjaunting is the FE Deepnotice. Farther out is Severe Repair, Zope, Superior, etc. The issue here is, if someone is interested in Stormjaunting, why should they be interested in, say, Severe Repair. This is where Obliviana as a little world/culture of its own comes into play. Stormjaunting by itself would indeed be a very potent thing. But it is balanced by the rest of the Obliviana world. So, the question then is, is the rest of Obliviana in synch with Stormjaunting? I think it definitely is. Little World of Racetracks is built on the Forge of Wander, which is central to Stormjaunting. Octagon, which LWOR also relates to, is an aspect of Obliviana that I am still delving into. The more entertainment-oriented elements, such as Zope and Severe Repair, do indeed have the same "tone" as Stoemjaunting--strangeness, exploration, being iconoclastic, etc. The overarching idea in Obliviana is to bring all of these elements together into "One Big Idea". I have, for a long time now, envisioned Obliviana as something which is a small part of a person's life, as opposed to a cultlike thing that is way too intrusive. The "Little" in Little World of Racetracks points to this same direction. Mon 5/17/99 * 10:55 PM I'm feeling a little discouraged again. Discouragement is something I am very used to. I will not give up, however. I'm fretting about, generally, how the heck I'm gonna get that small core audience I need to get things rolling--a few hundred people. I know from experience that it's hard for me to get people I know into Obliviana. So I have to focus on people that I don't know. I have that ad in Wired Magazine coming out, but it will probably only generate in the hundred of hits, so I better have something on the site to give such people a reason to remember Obliviana and come back. Looking at the various elements of Obliviana, which parts are strong enough for a person to tell a friend about it? Well, thinking about it a little, I realize that of the stuff I have on there now or soon--OsoaWeek, Severe Repair, Superior, Zope, etc.--that there is nothing that would really encourage a person to tell a friend. But Stormjaunting, and the "Little World" aspect--these are a bit stronger. But I have to think in these terms--enthusiasm. I need people to get enthused over Obliviana. And unfortunately, raw content is not something to get enthused by. I remember being really enthused by HSX (Hollywood Stock Exchange, hsx.com). It's a free web-based stock exchange-type game, where the stocks are movies and bonds are actors, that kind of stuff. I told a lot of people about this site, and I played it myself a little. It wasn't really the fun of it that got me enthused--it was the idea. The idea that you could work at something a little bit at a time, working toward something larger. That you were ranked in the whole system. That you could get all sorts of cool information about movies coming in the near and distant future. I was very enthused about HSX, and I did get several other people into it. But I only remained interested in it for a month or two. I might relate this a little to the chatroom experience. When I first got America Online (and it's all I had--no Internet)--I was into chatrooms intensely for about two months. I have found that many, many people I have talked to had the same experience. But I'm sure there are those people who are avid HSX and AOL chat room users for years and years. Whatever. One thing is for sure--people are not going to get excited about Obliviana just because there's great written entertainment content. I need an angle--and I do have one, in Stormjaunting. But I want to create something a bit larger that just Stormjaunting--I want to bring all of Obliviana together into one cool thing. I have made many attempts to do this. Little World of Racetracks as an online world was my most recent major attempt, from last summer. I tried to create a Fonosta system where people could register their Fonosta and "live" in a certain part of LWOR. But it really didn't work. One reason it didn't work is because the idea was a little overambitious--it required that I personally do a lot of clerical work to get the data online--work that is better and much easier done by computer programs. But I don't have the resources--money, time, expertise--to make such a system work. But as I said a few days ago, I don't think that even if I did computerize my system of last summer that it would have worked. So I am now working on this new idea. The idea of a person maintaining their own Fonosta. Stormjaunting itself is a massively potent thing. I could, I think, promote Stormjaunting by itself and make it work. But I have all this other great stuff. So--I think that a system with Stormjaunting alone woruld be lacking, and the other stuff I have in Obliviana is what it would be lacking. Stormjaunting is somthing that is hard to bring yourself to do. I know this from personal experience. And the few people I have introduced it too have not hounded me for more information on it. So a support structure is needed. For example, a kind of "personal development chart", like a set of goals and stuff, which allow one to "rise up" as they get more and more into Stormjaunting. But then there is the idea of Obliviana as a "little culture". The idea here is that as people get into Stormjaunting they will also get into the little culture. Now THIS is somthing that sounds a little cultlike. But let me talk about the cult dynamic. I do believe that it is the same driving force that is behind "cult followings" of movies, comics, videogames, etc. and religious cults. So I don't want to reject the cult dynamic out of hand. I am fully devoted to making sure that Obliviana never becomes a religious cult. I have written extensively on this topic, and I am very much aware of how such a disaster could occur. So I need to use the cult dynamic in such a way that it helps me build the Obliviana that I envision. I want people to be into Obliviana--to read my stuff and do Stormjaunting and play my games and everything else and have a good time being into Obliviana. Stormjaunting is, I have observed, mystical, perhaps a little druglike, wonderful, confusing, tiring, exhilarating. It is undeniably cool. But if I just come right out and say, like, Stormjaunting is this absolutely revolutionary thing that's gonna change your life, it's gonna turn people off. By putting it on equal terms with the other elements of Obliviana, I am taking some of the pressure off of Stormjaunting. So what do I define Obliviana as? Right now, Obliviana is defined as a book. I need to design the "Obliviana Experience". It will be a cool thing beyond just Stormjaunting... I'll define stuff to do to "advance"... and incorporate the entertainment content... Sat 5/22/99 * 4:46 PM I saw Phantom Menace again last night, at midnight. Totally awesome. I discovered online yesterday that Issue 2 of "Zope's Big Atomic Party", from 1986, is in the University of Michigan Library. I also discovered, much to my chagrin, that there is a Zope.com, with the programming thing called "Zope". Most upsetting. So I've been thinking about the current issue in Obliviana a great deal. I thought of having the idea of becoming a "Stormjaunter" as perhaps a central idea. This idea was somewhat inspired by the Star Wars Jedi Knight ideas... to take that sort of idea that people are familiar with... not specifically Star Wars, but the idea of getting into a practice, like karate or judo or whatever... Another idea I had was to return to the idea of your Fonosta as your character in LWOR, but with a less formal system of recordkeeping. I have only about two weeks until Aerie v2 is due. I am on track with SR and ZP, but I will need most of that time to get these two things done. But in recent days, I have been very much consumed by this more general Obliviana issue. Right now, I feel a wanderlust, I feel like going out into to the world. But I must work on Obliviana. This is a vital time for Obliviana, and I cannot squander precious time. So, I want to decide just how far I can afford to go with this other stuff right now... One thing is for sure. If I release only SR and ZP in v2, most folks who visit Obliviana will not have the moitvation to return or tell other people about Obliviana. This is why I do want some "hook" element in place in v2. The "hook" in Obliviana is the system of, for lack of a better term, "personal development". This is a system that a person will "administer" themselves. But I have to address the issue of grabbing a person's attention. In terms of the incredible competition for attention online, I think that I have but one thing that can compete--Stormjaunting. That is, an idea that can be related in a few seconds that will stick in someone's mind and motivate them to return to Obliviana and tell other people about it. My wanderlust is growing. And daylight has only a few more hours. I think I shall go for a drive and ponder this matter... 10:58 PM I Stormjaunted on 188. Got lost a few times, cool. Montclair Bookstore, Willowbrook Mall... I am faced with a big problem here. I have all this great stuff in Obliviana, but I have no way of getting people into it. It's getting more and more frustrating. In fact, in the past few weeks, my confidence has been shaken quite a bit. I try and try and try, but still no answer. The Wired ad will be out in two weeks. I know it will generate hits, but perhaps only in the hundreds. Right now, someone going to Obliviana will not be very impressed. The site right now requires too much energy to get into. So I want the site to be... I need the site to have a "hook" to get people to come back. I keep on trying, and I keep on failing to come up with the right solution. People need a point of reference in order to understand something. I've been over this issue and hundreds of other issues relating to Obliviana numerous times. Right now, I'm feeling weird. I think it does relate to the Stormjaunt today. That is, the "Storm" is still winding down. I did zero it out earlier, but it keeps moving for awhile. I am faced with despair. But I have to keep on moving. I have to keep on trying until I get Obliviana moving! "In Obliviana, you will learn about a magic power that you already have. It is called Stormjaunting, and it will open up a whole new world for you." 11:31 PM I guess I'm just mentally exhausted right now. The past few days have been pretty crazy, seeing Phantom Menace 3 times, having my sleep schedule all messed up, etc. May 22, 1999. Wow. It's 1999. It'll be the Summer of 1999 in about one month. This is the target time for Obliviana to be a real company. But my goal now for that time is for Obliviana to be off to a good start. To have the right idea, presented in the right way. To get people INTO Obliviana. I know the nature of the core idea in Obliviana. Fonosta is the key--this is something I've known for a long time. So I can focus on Fonosta. It's not like I'm trying to create something from scratch--I have all the elements, and I have to put them together the right way. And, of course, I have developed numerous variations of Obliviana/Fonosta. Let me go over some general issues: [1] Fonosta is a "database" which stores information. But it is more than a database--its form--the KIND of data that is in it--shapes Obliviana. [2] Fonosta is all about creating a new identity for yourself. It is clear to me now that I should focus this identity on the idea of becoming a Stormjaunter. BECOME A STORMJAUNTER IN OBLIVIANA! [3] As I mentioned earlier, I think that Stormjaunting is similar to other kinds of arts and practices--like martial arts, games of skill, etc. When you start off you are a novice, and you continually increase your skill and knowledge, eventually becoming a Stormjaunt "Master" (or whatever the terminology is to be). [4] Stormjaunting is about, at a very basic level, breaking out of the ruts of your life. But Stormjaunting is a specific thing. [5] One big aspect here is the demands place on the Stormjaunter. In the past, I have mistakenly thought that you could just give people some basic tools, and they could use them to do things on their own. But when it comes to something like Obliviana, I have to be very, very specific. So, Stormjaunting has to be very specific. It has to be a system that is easy to follow, with clear challenges and rewards. [6] In the past, I have attempted to create systems which would involve some kind of central recordkeeping. The ultimate example of this type of thing would be an online database with an interface, like many websites have, where a Stormjaunter can add data and review it, both keeping the data "cheat free" and relieving the user of the burdens of recordkeeping. But I both don't have the resources to create this kind of site, and also, I think that an alternate system may be better. [7] The point of Stormjaunting is to develop your own Stormjaunting skills, and to have fun Stormjaunting. So in terms of the "cheating" aspect, this really isn't as much of an issue. You are doing it for yourself. [8] Recordkeeping is another thing. But the sort of record that have to be kept are not all that tough. You gotta record, at a basic level, some data about your Stormjaunts. [9] It is clear that I need to create a system of challenges and rewards, and I have done a great deal of work on this type of thing. The whole Jot system dealt with this issue. Sun 5/23/99 * 3:41 PM Okay. So I know what I have to do. But the specifics are still very vague... Stormjaunting is something that... you go on Stormjaunts... and they can be good or bad... and the better you get, the better your Stormjaunts will be... What is the exact relationship between Stormjaunting and Fonosta? Fonosta is a record... Fonosta is a part of Stormjaunting... it is both a record and a thing representing the "shape" of Obliviana. And it is also about identity, with choices made as to specific elements in it. Uh... I gotta get moving here. I'm still kinda out of it. I have to get going! Okay. So, I need a system that is instantly compelling. GET MAGIC POWERS NOW. Is this the direction I want to go in? DEEPEN YOUR PRESENCE. Remember that one? From a week or so ago. Jot system. Trading Jots. That whole thing. And the system I was working on right before I came up with the Aerie idea... I should go back to that... 4:04 PM I was just reading from GAO1, from February 22, when I had my breakthrough of the new Jot system. 8x2x5. And I just now realized that these number relate to the hands. 8 (non-thumb) finger, 2 thumbs, 5 total digits. Interesting. Also, here is something from 2/12/99: ----------- [1] Stormjaunting [2] Fonosta Device/Identity [3] Wanderings/Friction Enhancers [4] Severe Repair/Superior/WTTWVM/etc.--entertainment content [5] Little World of Racetracks/community ------------------- These are the major aspects of Obliviana. 5:28 PM I'm reading from GAO1 about "Bo" (Basic Obliviana). Notes: [1] The thought occurred to me to call the elements the "Octot", "Duot", and "Pentot". [2] Instead of direct competition between Jots, some kind of "wall", Breakout-like--and breaking through it is the goal. You can remove pieces from yours, or add pieces to the opponent's wall--or both... [3] A big Jotset, if split from an oppoenents attack--then perhaps the smaller part of the split can be "scattered"--that is, reduced to 1-Jotsets. This would be a disadvantage for larger Jotsets. [4] Bo games need to be encodable into ASCII. In other words, the system must be able to be written in ASCII text, so elements which require drawing on paper which would not be readily written in ASCII would not be good... [5] Raw elements could exist, such as B, C, x, 3, etc. These could be brought into Jotsets, switched into and out of Jotsets, etc. [6] The "side elements" could be replaced by single Jot elements--such as x's and o's (Duots) for time, Octots for something and Pentots for something else. [7] Octlyphs, Dulyphs, Pentlyphs... Octolyphs, Dulphys, Pentalyphs--all Glyphs! Octoglyph, Duoglyph, Pentaglyph... [8] I think that the "side items" should be totally replaced by "loose" Glyphs. This makes total sense, and it makes the system more unified. It also allows for potential complexity with a simple basis. For example, 8glyphs (new term) on the 5-side, 2glyphs on the 8-side, etc. 7:05 PM Okay. In GAO1, I went from Bo to the whole Scrip idea, and then to Aerie. Scrip IS an awesome idea. And I do want to pursue it. But I must get back to Bo. I'll keep calling it Bo for now, but I will have to come up with a new name for it... First of all now, I want to re-establish the parameters of Bo: ***** [1] Bo ("Basic Obliviana") is a pen-and-paper game that will be the basis for many things in Obliviana. Bo itself is the simplest variation, the basic variation, the "original" game. [2] Bo must be so simple to learn that one person who knows it can, just from memory, easily teach someone else how to play it in a matter of minutes. It is to contain very simple basic ideas, which in combinations produce a rich complexity. The classic boardgame "Go" has a similar structure--very simple basic rules with fantastically complex interactions. I want Bo to not only be easy to learn, but also easy to play, however, unlike Go, which is not at all easy to play. [3] Bo is based on Octagon. Octagon is an octagon where each point is connected to all other points, resulting in 80 divided sectors. These sectors are subdivided in three ways--8-wise, 2-wise, and 5-wise. [4] The basic components in Bo are called "Glyphs", and there are 15 in all--8 of the 8-glyphs, 2 of the 2-glyphs, and 5 of the 5-glyphs. The 8-glyphs are represented by the capital letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. The 2-glyphs are represented by the lowercase letters "x" and "o". The 5-Glyphs are represented by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Hence, the full set: "ABCDEFGHxo12345". [5] "Jots" are the basic units in the game. Each Jot is composed of three Glyphs--one 8-glyph, one 2-glyph, and one 5-glyph. Hence, there are 80 possible Jots, corresponding exactly to the 80 sectors within Octagon. [6] Jots are combined to form "Jotsets". A Jotset contains two or more Jots. Jots themselves are written left to right, 8-2-5. Some examples of Jots are: Fo3, Ax5, Bo3, Bx1, etc. Some example Josets are: Ex4 Fx1 Go1 Ao3 Do2 Fo1 Fo4 Ex1 Do4 Do1 [7] The nature of a Jotset is determined by "patterns" in each of the three columns. Order matters. And, the top and bottom Glyph in a column do NOT touch. The two kinds of patterns are Matches and Straights. These patterns are similar to poker patterns. Matches are two or more of the same Glyph touching. Straights are two or more of the same Glyph touching in sequence. [8] Straights can be going either way. But an individual straight cannot contain both rising and falling elements. Hence, "1232" contains two straights: "123", a forward-3-straight, and "32", a backward-2-straight. "1232" is NOT a 4-straight. 9:28 PM Well, I just added OsoaWeek208 to Aerie--the first Cup to bear a "Revised" tag at the top. So v2 is officially begun! I also changed the Book 16 Cup, so that OW208 is no longer listed as "skipped". I also decided that I will go with Severe Repair as it now stands--Cuplines 1 thru 26. I have 4 more Cuplines, 27 thru 30, but they are in need of a lot of work, and at this point, with only two weeks to go, I have to get moving with translation into Aerie format, which is going to be very time-consuming. Also, if I'm going to be working on Bo and other stuff besides SR, I really gotta move SR to the next stage. 10:18 PM I was reading some old notes and they mentioned Riddler.com as a site I had lost all interest in. So I checked it out just now, and indeed, it does suck. But WHY does it suck? Well, it has no style, for one. The art and design is dull. And it's slow. Whatver. Who cares... Obliviana will not suck... it will rule... Anyway, I realized that on my Stormjaunt yesterday I was "hitting" the wrong Flip! It should have been Flip 1, but I was keying Flip 3. Later on, I got all messed-up mentally, and fucked-up stuff happened, like when I drove to this restaurant to pick up dinner I missed the turn and drove a few more miles and wound up in Newark! Around here, in urban North Jersey, a few miles makes a lot of difference. But anyway, I really had no idea I was keying a wrong Pilferid (hey! I got to use that term!). And it makes total sense that doing such a thing would cause disruptions. Wow. Cool. Another experiment. 10:29 PM I'm making a Sonic the Hedgehog music CD from MP3s. Cool, eh? Anyway, let me get back to Bo. Bo, as I have defined it so far, is potentially a very flexible system, which is awesome. But I do need to define some more play dynamics, even at the basic level. To clarify, I want to define some very basic play mechanics, which are even more low-level than Bo itself. And of course, these basic mechanics will apply to expanded games beyond Bo. So let me look at the Bo System from a wider perspective. [1] I want Bo to be the basis of Fonosta. Therefore, it needs to be able to work in the context of Fonosta Device--conveying a large amount of information in a small space. [2] There are 80 basic Jots. When you get into Jotsets, there are 6,400 possible 2-Jotsets, around twice that number when order is figured in (minus duplicates)! And 512,000 3-Jotsets, around 6x with order. And 40,960,000 4-Jotsets, 24x. And so on. These are astronomical numbers. 80 is sufficient for the type of encoding I am going to need. [3] Basically, the 15 Glyphs are each going to have a basic meaning in Obliviana. Their basic combinations form the 80 Jots. [4] In terms of a game system, Jotsets can be seen as "pieces". The big question is the nature of "additional elements". If I am going to put a rectangle around a Jotset, that is an additional element. Barbs, as I was considering in GAO1, are another example. And loose Glyphs are yet another. Also, the idea of boards with different sectors... So what about this issue? Will there be additional elements? I think so. I like the idea of adding "time" to a Jotset, allowing it to do moves now, or to save them up for use in future turns. I would like to not have Barbs, and instead use loose Glyphs. One dynamic could be "throwing off" a Glyph to then gain "time". But Glyphs would have other functions as well, such as possibly providing a "buffer zone" between Jots, as Barbs were meant to do. 11:26 PM I very much like the idea of loose Glyphs as opposed to "Barbs". Also, as opposed to the Barb idea, I think that only the left and right sides should be able to have the same number of attachments as the number of Jots in the Jotset. The top and the bottom should each have, perhaps, one "slot". So, the number of attachments per Jotset level: 1: 4 2: 6 3: 8 4: 10 5: 12 6: 14 7: 16 8: 18 etc. But I also see the possibility of "stringing" Glyphs off from the initial attachment. And also, the top and bottom attachments could have a different meaning in the system. Perhaps "Strings" could extend without limit, though there will be other limits in specific game environments. In terms of "throwing off for time", perhaps the entire string would have to be cast off. Strings could also possibly exist away from Jotsets. Also, in terms of creating new Jots, perhaps the Glyphs will have to be attached to the Jot doing the creating. Thu 5/27/99 * 12:42 AM When I think of the key to Obliviana, a vision of a bridge I go over every day comes to mind... between Lyndhurst and Nutley... and I see the bridge in my mind's eye... and only just now did I make the connection, of Obliviana as a bridge... Hmm... but some more concrete visions... the idea of Fonosta Device, of many different variations on its graphical language. The idea of archetype symbols, and then many ways to represent them. Fonosta Device, its Glyphs like a little language... The idea of "Your Fonosta Device"... that phrase received in a single moment, in my apartment in Iselin, walking from bathroom to bedroom... "Your Fonosta Device"... each Stormjaunter having his or her own Fonosta Device... and the development of it is the central activity, the central purpose, the central motivation... This much of my vision for Obliviana has been well established for many years now. And I have tried many times to make Fonosta Device a reality. But I have not succeeded. In order for Fonosta Device to work, it needs to be a full system, easy to get into yet endlessly fascinating and complex. Fonosta Device involves a symbolic language. At the heart of the system, each Stormjaunter (SJ) has their own Fonosta Device, which is static at any given moment, but which can change over time. Perhaps it would be better to limit change to certain "change times", such as every week, every 13 weeks, etc. A system such as this would imply a "working" Device or Devices, which could be changed at any time, and which serves as the basis of the major changes in a Stormjaunter's Device. So, the backbone of the system is a SJ's Fonosta Device, which only changes at determined times. I think that the 13-week (546 Tarb) Trick Sojourn (TS) is the right time period. In this system, a SJ would work during a TS for the next update, at the beginning of the next TS. This system would then have the "monolithic" main Fonosta Device (FD), and then also the "working" Device or Devices. In general, SJs "earn" Jots and Glyphs by doing things, and these symbols are placed in working Devices. Through "trading up" to bigger and better Jots and Glyphs, the elements of the main FD are developed. Now, in the past I strived for a system of verification--but I see now that this is not the right system. So, I now seek a system where SJs are fully in charge of their own FD, with the main purpose of FD being for themselves. In this system, cheating would be somewhat like cheating at solitaire. As well, the system as I am envisioning it would allow SJs to become very aware of the aspects of the system, and a "false" FD could very well stick out like a sore thumb. This dynamic would limit the scope of cheating, and even if some SJs cheat, since the main purpose is personal, it will not ruin the system if there are some bad apples in Obliviana. Direct trading of Glyphs and Jots will not be a part of the system. But I do intend for "Scrip" to be a part of the system. Scrip is something that I was very excited about a few months ago, before I got the Aerie idea. And now, I believe that Scrip is indeed a vital component for FD and all of Obliviana. Scrip is paper-based, with 2-part "forms", of which there will be "standard issues", as well as personalized and SJ-made variations. The idea is that in order to "bloom" a piece of Scrip, an action must be performed. Once the action is performed, the Scrip is divided into two parts, one to be kept, and one to be traded. The part that is kept is then stored, and it becomes a Glyph. 1:39 AM Star Wars CDs... Anyway, I think I have made progress here. The Scrip system is the "low end" of the system, and the main Fonosta Device is the "high-end". In other words, Scrip is where the data begins, and FD is where it eventually winds up. Scrip collecting is going to be one of many aspects of the Obliviana system. Little World of Racetracks is another part of the system. LWOR, in its 15 Racetracks, will encode aspects of Obliviana. The 15 Racetracks will be associated with the 15 basic Glyphs. Each Racetrack is to be associated with a Revolver, and this relationship is already established, for the most part. In addition, I see different sorts of Friction Enhancers being associated with the 15 Racetracks and Glyphs. I hope to see Stormjaunters taking a liking and having an affinity for some aspects of Obliviana over other aspects, but I also hope that overall, all parts of Obliviana will have "Adherents". I still need to develop the specific nature of the Glyphs and Jots. But this overall structure I have developed here just now is very helpful in the development of the symbolic system, because it defines the extent of the system... Progress, again progress... Goodnight! Thu 5/27/99 * 11:14 PM Okay. So the issue here is whether or not I am going to create a fictional environment in which to introduce Obliviana. Let me clarify... I believe that this was the idea that directly led to Aerie--the idea that I should "release" Obliviana in a fictional world. In other words, I would develop Obliviana to the point that it is ready to be released, and then write a story or a series of stories, in which fictional characters get into Obliviana. This issue may not be as germaine as I thought a few minutes ago. If I get to the point of writing the stories, then I should have the right Obliviana idea, or at least an idea that I THINK is right. Let me back up for a minute here. I developed some ideas yesterday that I think are very close to the "right" idea. It was more like refinement than development, since I've had these ideas for a long time. This process is trying. Here it is, May 27, 1999, and I'm still struggling. It is upsetting, but I know I must keep on working till I get it right... So let me talk about the idea vs. the execution of the idea. In other words, if I do create the right idea, does it matter if people get into it? Yes, it does matter. I see Obliviana as a good thing for people. But it is also clearly a way for me to make money, for me to gain fame, for me to boost my ego, to get recognition of my genius, all that. I am not philosophically against being self-centered somewhat in this matter. But I am very much aware of the deleterious effects of fame and fortune, and I don't want to knowingly walk right into a place that I know will harm me... I was looking into taking a trip to Greenland today... there is only one direct flight from the Americas to Greenland each week, Tuesdays from Ottawa. There's a cool-looking place called Hotel Arctic up there, at Disko Bay, I believe. I'd love to go there man, it looks really awesome! Anyway, here I am. I have been at this quest of mine for many years. Aerie is a breakthrough. And I need very much to be working on Aerie v2 right now. But I have to get to the next level with the Fonosta idea. I can't take it anymore. I gotta break through on this issue. Now, I think that the work I did yesterday, with Scrip and all that, has gotten me very close to breaking through. But I am not there yet. I do think that... well... there are a few issues here. There is the need to come up with the right idea, and there is also the need to get people into Obliviana. I hope that these two goals will meet--that people will get into Obliviana because the idea is great. But I might have to work hard to get people into Obliviana even if the idea is great. Or--if the idea is truly great, it will have to be very new, and people are always resistant to new things. I love the Scrip idea. So let me get into that a little. SCRIP The idea of Obliviana Scrip is somewhat complex, because it touches on many different ideas. Let me go over the aspects. [1] Firstly, Scrip is a means of recording information. The recording of data has been an irksome issue for me--specifically, the management of Stormjaunter's data. I had originally intended for data to be stored by Obliviana in an online database. But I have ultimately rejected that idea on philosophical grounds. Also, I don't have the resources to implement such a system, but my philosophical problem with the idea goes beyond my lack of resources. The idea of Scrip is that data is recorded on these little pieces of paper, and these are then easily stored, physically, in one location. It could be a box or a bag or a photo album. Data in this form is not easy to instantly analyze, as it would be in a computer database, but it is there, and it CAN be analyzed if need be. And, of course, such data CAN be digitized as well. But I have wanted for a long time, again philosophically, for Obliviana to be a system that can be implemented without computer technology, a system that could have been implemented, say, 200 years ago. And with paper and pens as the main tools needed, such a system could easily have been implemented not only 200 years ago, but even further back. [2] Scrip is the backbone of the Fonosta System. It is the place where the data is created. But the data does not stop there. Instead of being entered into a computer database, the data is entered into the Fonosta Symbolic System, in which large amounts of data can be represented by a small number of graphical symbols. This is a system that I have not yet developed, but I have a good idea of what such a system will be like. Fonosta Device is at the other end of the system from Scrip. Every Stormjaunter will have a Fonosta Device, a set of graphical symbols which will represent graphically all of the Scrip that a player has. And each piece of Scrip represents an "accomplishment" in Obliviana. [3] Another major aspect of Scrip is the idea that each Stormjaunter will have customized Scrip. Every piece of Scrip has two parts--the part that is kept and the part that is traded. Basically, upon "blooming", a piece of Scrip is divided into two parts, physically, One part is to be kept by the SJ permanently. The other part is deliberately meant to be traded to another SJ, in exchange for Scrip. The implications here are quite wonderful. On the one hand, each piece of traded Scrip represents an "accomplishment" in Obliviana, and it has value in that aspect. Another major aspect is the aesthetic aspect. SJs will have total freedom in creating Scrip that is aesthetically appealing. And yet another aspect is the reputation, or "fame", of the SJ--the idea being that Scrip from a "famous" Stormjaunter will have value in that regard as well. [4] Wow. A lot of ideas here, a lot of aspects. And another aspect is the idea of "factions" within Obliviana--centered on different Core ideas, such as Racetracks, Revolvers, Friction Enhancer types, etc. In this aspect, each SJ will likely be into Scrip from one "faction" more than another. [5] Scrip design has a very rich potential. Scrip can be created using just about any kind of paper and any kind of technique. Very basic Scrip can be designed on computer and printed on inkjet printers. And there can be hand-done elements. Metallic paint, spray paint, airbrush, coffee, etc. The potential is awesome. [6] All Scrip will have certain common elements, and in this it will have the power of "themes and variations" that is at the heart of many collecting fads, such as collectible card games and Beanie Babies. And added to this are the other aspects--"factions", fame, and "accomplishments". [7] Here's an example: A 7-layer Mallball, which will have one piece of Scrip. The Scrip could be done on an inkjet printer, and then hand-colored with watercoler paints. The final result would be a single piece of tradable Scrip that would be interesting to other SJs in a number of ways. [8] I foresee Scrip "swap meets", where SJs get together to trade Scrip. And absolutely, some pieces of Scrip will be far more desirable than others. One piece of really great Scrip could be traded for multiple pieces of lesser Scrip. And SJs could trade not only Scrip they have made, but also other pieces of tradable Scrip in their collection. The idea of buying and selling Scrip for money is an idea that I thought about today. I think that this is inevitable, but it is dangerous in that it would potentially encourage some SJs to "cheat". Such cheating could involve several deceptions, such as not really doing the accomplishment listed on the Scrip. As well, Scrip could be counterfeited. These cheating scenarios can be checked by several factors. First of all, in terms of aesthetics, this cannot really be faked. If a piece of Scrip looks great, it looks great, period. As far as the fame of a SJ goes, this cannot be faked, but the factors that contribute to that fame could be faked somwhat. Countefeiting can be checked by some of the graphical characteristics of the Scrip--that is, Scrip creators could build in elements which would allow them to authenticate a piece of Scrip. And I do intend for there to be a signature on every piece of Scrip, and this in itself adds to the ability to authenticate Scrip. [9] The Scrip System depends on the overall Fonosta System, and indeed, the overall Obliviana System. The big idea in Obliviana is to "Deepen Your Presence" by Stormjaunting. Some big "rules" are: [a] Each piece of Scrip "represents" a single Stormjaunt. The Scrip must be carried during the entire Stormjaunt. [b] Every Stormjaunt is done on a specific Storm, and this Storm must be listed on the Scrip. I have, in the past, thought about having accomplishments that are not related to Stormjaunting as being acceptible in the system, but now, I have decided that the Obliviana System is based on Stormjaunts. So instead of the word "accomplishment", I will now use the word "Stormjaunt". [c] I have in my mouth right now (12:08 AM, 5/28/99) the last two mints from the tin of Brown & Haley Extra Strength Cinnamons. This tin has been sitting next to my keyboard here for many, many months. Okay... Fri 5/28/99 * 12:10 AM As you can probably tell, I'm in a weird state of mind. But I gotta get movin' here. So where am I at? I think this whole Scrip idea is awesome. The big missing ingredient is the Fonosta Symbolic System. So let me work on that. FONOSTA SYMBOLIC SYSTEM In Obliviana, Stormjaunting is the basic activity. Folks who Stormjaunt are called Stormjaunters. Stormjaunts are recorded on Obliviana Scrip, and then each Stormjaunt is entered into the Fonosta Symbolic System as a Glyph. Each basic Glyph represents a single Stormjaunt. Ultimately, each SJ has a Fonosta Device, which graphically depicts all of the Stormjaunts he or she has been on. Since the number of Stormjaunts a SJ has completed can potentially run into the hundreds or even thousands, depicting every single Glyph is impractical--both in terms of creating the Fonosta Device, and in terms of "reading" it. A Fonosta Device is meant to be able to convey a great amount of information with a relatively small number of Glyphs. In order to accomplish this, Glyphs need to be able to "transform"--many basic Glyphs becoming one "larger" Glyph. I have been down this road before--let me try and find my writing from the last time I dealt with this issue... I have found the writing. It is in GAO1, starting at 11/11/98, a little over six months ago. Now I'll read it... Okay. I've read some of the writing, and I have a major comment. What I was calling Wanderings back then I am now calling Stormjaunts. And my comment is that Stormjaunts must be standardized. The idea of custom Stormjaunts and Stormjaunt variations must be held to a minimum. Philosophically, I do want people to create their own Stormjaunt types, but a strong set of standard Stormjaunts is absolutely essential! Terminology: Blooming, Passing Through, Going Through, etc. Okay. By 12/7/98 I was moving away from this issue and to the Ciffipur Pathway issue, CP as an "online Wandering". The writing there does contain a number of vital ideas. But one of the central tasks I defined--assigning an archetypal Stormjaunt to each of the 80 sectors--this I still have to do. I have to go to bed soon, but in general, how am I going to get this set of 80? Well, quite clearly, I need to assign very basic archetypes to the 15 basic elements--8, 2, and 5. Oh well. Goodnight. Sat 5/29/99 * 12:20 AM Yeah, the trip, where are we goin', London, Vegas, drive across the country...? Anyway, here I am. I do think that the work I did last night is very much the direction I have to go in. The basic meanings of 8x2x5, I need to develop them... It occurred to me today that the definitons need not be absolute and cold, but rather, they can be general ideas, and then each aspect will continue to grow and develop its own identity. What I do need to figure out right now is the relationships between 8, 2, and 5. 8 is clearly the "big one". The 8 basic divisions are the main divisions. So the question here is the nature of 2 and 5... Well, 2 subdivides each 8-part into two. This implies a binary kind of idea. Inside and outside. Inner and Outer. This sounds good... In this context, the outer would be the Railroad that encircles LWOR, and idea I have had for a long time. So the Obliviana Railway would be the "o". And the Obliviana Waterway would be the "x". In this system, as in LWOR, the 8 and 5 are closely related, while the 2 is quite different. So what about 5? 1,2,3,4,5. 8 and 5 hav to be very different kinds of ideas. 8 is about overall themes and ideas and philosophies and styles. Maybe 5 can be about specific things? The extent of the ideas in the 8x2x5 are Obliviana in nature. In other words, I do not seek to encode everything in the world, just Obliviana stuff. I really have to find my old notes relating to this subject. 1:31 AM Well, I found the motherlode of writing on this subject, in OsoaWeek151, from almost two years ago. It's interesting how I move away from ideas in Obliviana and then move back to them. My ideas two years ago were extremely similar to what I have now--but my ideas today are much better. Back in '97, I was thinking too broadly. I wanted Stormjaunting to be able to encompass just about anything. Now, I believe that Stormjaunting should be more focused. Now, when it comes to the 8 basic divisions in Obliviana, there will be a number of different subject that are split into 8. One such subject is Revolver, and it is already pretty well established which Revolvers go with which Facets. Another subject is the basic approach to Obliviana and Stormjaunting. THis is a very important aspect here. Stormjaunting is now more tightly defined. It must include the setting of a Storm and the "holding" of Scrip. Also, I do want to involve Jukewand. The new Jukewand idea is that you must have some container to put the Scrip in for the duration of the Stormjaunt. So, in the context of these limitations, I believe that different approaches to Stormjaunting will naturally occur. One split I can see is preparing vs. winging it. Another split is making things vs. not making things and just doing it for the experience. I also have to distinguish between "official" Stormjaunts--ones which have all the lements in place--and "casual" Stormjaunts, which might lack Scrip or Storms. But I want to discourage this idea--I think that with blank Scrip, all that needs be done is to "Jukewand" the Scrip, and then fill in the data once the Stormjaunt is over. Mon 5/31/99 * 9:06 PM Stormjaunt to Wild West City yesteray. Off work today, Memorial Day. Working hard on SR for Aerie. Just finished the alphabetical SR Cup list. Just started on Cupline 14 "To Vixenway" in the converting. Also, I'm late on the latest OsoaWeek, and the next one is due tomorrow! And the Wired Magazine Ad will be out this week, most likely, since I picked up the June issue on the 6th of this month, so I'm assuming that July will come out around the same time in June... I have been thinking a great deal about the issue of getting people into Obliviana. And I have determined that Scrip is indeed the way to go. Of course, Scrip is just one part of the Fonosta System, but it is a part that can, I believe, get people into Obliviana. So I have to figure out the extent of the overall system I need to have in place at the time of the introduction of Scrip. I had the idea today of Scrip that a SJ would put up on a wall and display for a number of days as a Stormjaunt. This is one possible idea for some basic Scrip Stormjaunts. Let me get into some specifics about Scrip... OBLIVIANA SCRIP [1] The official size for Scrip is standard business card size--3.5 by 2 inches. This aspect ratio is very close to 11-to-19. To make it exact, the height would have to be 2 and a little less than 1/32 inches. This is a tiny amount, an considering how many resources there are for all aspects of business cards--printing, storing, organizing, etc.--I think it behooves me to make allow the standard to be slightly off. And since printing and cutting are not totally exact, there is a little bit of variance in business card size anyway. So it's not a problem. [2] All Obliviana Scrip starts off, actually, at 7 by 2 inches--since each piece of Scrip has the "Keeping" and the "Trading" half. The left half is kept, and the right half is traded. (Idea: Signature spanning the cut line, for authenticating purposes... but authentication may not be a major issue, and such a split signture could be quite aesthetically unpleasing...) Tue 6/1/99 * 1:06 AM [3] Themes and variations are very important here. So perhaps a circle and some lines, for example, as standard elements, which can be executed in nearly infinite variations. [4] As far as the similarities and differences betwen the Keeping and the Trading, I think that they should be very similar. No purpose is served by making them all that different. However, I would like to "mirror" the elements--so that if the circle is on the right on the Keeping, it is on the left on the Trading. So, the same elements, but arranged differently. Tradings are the ones that are going to be changing hands, in circulation, etc. Keepings should be kept by the Stormjaunter, always. 6/4/99 * 8:34 PM Website Ideas Welcome to Obliviana. Don't leave just yet. Stimulating entertainment is mere moments away. Welcome to Obliviana. Don't leave just yet. I want you to jump right into Severe Repair. I think you might love it. Um... I think that perhaps I should just have the Quasi-Random SR list right there in index.htm. I mean, the splash page I have now is okay, but it's pretty typical. So I'll simply have the list... maybe a few buttons along the top to go elsewhere in the site... Non-Aerie stuff: The three sets of Obliviana Trading Cards are definite. OsoaWeek, of course, perhaps with a little more navigation. I also want to consider Obliviana School, and also the two gif animations of LWOR and Lucky Storm. And the Storm Pelters. The thing is, I want Obliviana to be as appealing as possible to first-time visitors. I finished converting Severe Repair into Aeire format last night--the raw conversion at least. I still need to do some support stuff. But I might leave it pretty sparse for now. "Severe Repair is a completely original work of fiction by Frank Edward Nora. It's a sci-fi universe... "Let me tell you something. Severe Repair is AWESOME. It's a sci-fi universe, a thing somewhat like these worlds, but also very different: Star Wars universe, Marvel Comics universe, Dr. Who universe, Zelazny's Amber universe, Twin Peaks universe. It's a completely original science fiction epic by creative genius (and Lord of Obliviana) Frank Edward Nora. If you get the chance, it's definitely worth checking out! Yes!" Hi there. Severe Repair is right here, right now. Think of the list below as a stack of comic books or video tapes--grab one at random and get into it! Don't wait a second longer--browse and choose, baby! 9:15 PM Well, this is the direction I'm gonna go in. I've been feeling pretty desperate for the last week or so, knowing that my Wired ad was gonna be out soon, and also knowing that I had to come up with a way to grab people's attention. The Obliviana site as it is right now is too vague and difficult to maintain attention. Sat 6/5/99 * 7:53 PM I pretty much finished everything for v2 and the overall website, except for Cup AO (the home Cup of Aerie) and the Aerie Obliviana Guide articles (like What's New, stats, etc.) I decided to put the "official title" on AO in red (#FF3300)--the red I started using on my LinkExchange banner. I did this because Cup AO needed to look visually distinct from the other Cups. I was considering some kind of text pattern or something, but I think the use of the red solves the problem pretty much. 8:20 PM Unfortunately, I'm having trouble with my web host, and I can't FTP to the server. But this is a somewhat minor problem--if I can't solve the problem, I'll get a new host, but it will take a few days to get going. I reformatted Cup AO, and it's pretty much done now. So all I have to do is the new articles in AO Guide. So, what are these articles going to be, specifically? [1] Introduction to Version Two [2] Release Notes for Version Two [3] What's New? Sun 6/6/99 * 4:17 AM Well, I combined Release Notes and What's New. Aerie v2 is all done. I'm still having trouble with the web host, but I've uploaded much of the new stuff. I just talked to someone there, and hopefully I'll be able to get it done soon. I'm a bit torn about whether to finish the job, and have the new site active, today, or wait for tomorrow. Back in 1986 on this date, I was prevented from getting started on 6/6, and instead got started on 6/7. But considering all these problems, I think I should go ahead and get it up if I can. 4:28 AM Well, I'm still having trouble. Looks like I have no choice but to wait. Oh well... 6/9/99 * 12:10 AM Well, I got the new website totally up early on 6/7/99--before 1:00 AM. Wired Magazine still isn't out yet. I sent an email to the sci-fi editor at About.com (formerly Miningco.com) about Severe Repair. I helped my sister-in-law Carrie get set up on mp3.com. It's pretty awesome. A great way to host mp3's for free. I thought about producing music and/or other stuff for mp3.com, with "Trash the Airport Meadow" as my band name. I think I can come up with something good. I could use my old Little Frankie Nora stuff, but I think I'd have to do some work on those songs. So, where am I at? I'm pretty high on the success of getting Aerie v2 done, and also getting Carrie on mp3.com. But I have to get reoriented here. Summer 1999 is coming. Scrip. I love it, and at the same time I feel weird about it. It's a great idea, but it must exist in the context of all of Obliviana. I think that I want Obliviana to be more like casual with a strong basis, as opposed to being so rule-oriented. I don't know. I want it to be something people can get into gradually, and not have to make a commitment to it. I'm feeling a little blank right now. I don't want to drift now that v2 is done. My plans for v3 are less specific than my plans for v2 were. And I can't wait around for people to start taking notice of the current site. In fact, too much attention might distract from me implementing Stormjaunting, and that would be a very bad thing. So let me get very specific here--Stormjaunting is the thing that I have to implement. So I think I should endeavor to have a Stormjaunting Revolver in Aerie v3. I have to go to bed soon, but I want to go over the main areas of Stormjaunting. STORMJAUNTING [1] Stormjaunting is a form of "super occult amusement". It is meant as a recreational activity, and it does have a supernatural edge. [2] At the core of Stormjaunting is the Stormjaunt itself. A Stormjaunt is a "little trip" that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Stormjaunts start with deciding on a main Friction Enhancer--some goal to be accomplished. Then a piece of Stormjaunt Scrip is either printed out, or a predone one is filled out. You gotta have the Scrip to start the Storm, since it is the record, and it must be carried all during the Storm. Then you select and set a "Storm" using the finger method. The Storm is recorded on the Scrip before it is set. Then you do the main Friction Enhancer, and then you end the Storm using zero-zero, and then you sign and finalize the Scrip. [3] I have decided that Official Stormjaunts will require Scrip and the setting of a Storm. I think that the use of Storms in a more casual way is absolutely cool, but I have to establish the structured Stormjaunt as the core "pillar" of Stormjaunting. [4] There could be a Friction Enhancer that is called "Free Wander" or something, and which involves no specific goals. But this could be the basis of official Stormjaunts. [5] Beyond the actual act of Stormjaunting, there is the whole area surrounding it, including Scrip collecting, recordkeeping, and, of course, the Fonosta Device! Well, I gotta go to bed. But this is a good start. -------> ------------------- ----------- -------- -- -----