It's a double feature this month as Kiwi chats with imply KN and Karten.
 Kiwi: Welcome to you both. Can I ask where you're each from?
Impy: Originally Cleveland, Ohio, now Indianapolis, Indiana.
Karten: Indianapolis, IN.
Kiwi: How long have you been a part of Active Worlds?
Impy: Ten years as of last January.
Karten: Since January of 2000 as well.
Kiwi: Did you both meet in AW?
Impy: Yup.
Karten: Yeah, we did.
Kiwi: Karten you're involved with the TechTalks aren't you? Can you tell us a little about what you do?
Karten: I was acting as the moderator for chrispeg, opening and closing each talk session and trying at times to keep a little semblance of order.
Kiwi: How did you both find AW?
Impy: A friend brought me in from OuterWorlds.
Karten: A RL friend told me about it.
Kiwi: If you had to leave AW, what would you tell others about your experiences here?
Impy: AW has its ups and downs, its good side and bad side. But mostly it's great. For me it's been a way to meet and get to know people I probably wouldn't have because of my circumstances in real life. I'm disabled so it's difficult for me to get out often; AW has given me a way to meet people without the inconvenience of trying to get places.
Karten: I agree with Impy, AW does have its good and bad side. It's a great way to meet people and do things I wouldn't have had I not found it.
Kiwi: Impy I know you love the CAVs like me ;-) What would you both like to see added to them?
Impy: Personally, I'd love to see some of the same options for female CAVs that the male CAVs have - clothing wise. Yeah, I've made CAVs in dresses, but that's not me IRL. I'm a casual dresser. I'd also like to see hats for women. Have you ever seen Flagg's PAV? It has a fedora - I'd LOVE to have that for the female CAVs, or cowboy hats - or even just baseball caps.
Kiwi: ^5 on that Impy ;-)
Impy: On the other hand, I'd love to see the CAV system evolve to a point where both male and female have more than just pointed elf ears, although those are great. There was some talk back when they were introduced about the possibility of making animals, aliens, etc - if I remember correctly. I'd love to see that. Not that I'm disappointed with the CAV system as it is, but I can envision so much more in my imagination, you know?
Karten: Impy pretty much said it on this one.
Kiwi: How would you advertise AW to bring more people here?
Impy: Depends on the budget, realistically. TV, newspaper, magazine ads are outrageously expensive. On the other hand, there are a lot of people in AW who use Facebook, and they have friends, plus there are thousands who use it world wide, all the time. I haven't thoroughly looked into pricing, but I think advertising on there could be feasible.
Karten: Yea, spread the word where possible that doesn't cost anything, since AWI has already tried the paid advertising and were not at all satisfied with the results. Word of mouth and online friendly networking.
Kiwi: Where do you both like to hang out and why?
Impy: Mostly the Gate, some in AWMix07, a few private worlds. Why? Because of my friends there and they are good worlds for different reasons.
Karten: Mainly in my world ReginaDN, communicating via gram. Some in Gate and some in PeaceCity (another universe) where I have management and technical responsibilities.
Kiwi: What keeps you both coming back?
Impy: LOL! For one thing, my friends, for another, it's sort of like, well for me anyway, an addiction. I've tried to quit, but, there's just no other place on the Internet that's as fun. And like I said earlier, I don't get out much because of my disability.
Karten: Not much else to do, and my primary work is with AW, hosting and such. www.dcfservices.info (shameless plug)
Kiwi: Hahahha at plug
Kiwi: Do you both build?
Impy: I build in spurts, now. I got burned out on it a long time ago. I've had several worlds in 10 years. I have started building again on specific projects, but it's really been years and I'm rusty - but all the new build commands are like "Wow" and I'm learning - slowly.
Karten: [I build] some, though I am more an engineer builder, adjusting others' or modifying and moving others' builds.
Kiwi: Karten you're a Peacekeeper right? And you're a Gatekeeper Impy?
Do you enjoy your roles in both organizations?
Impy: I was a GK for two years - this time around, but not at the moment. I've been one three times in the last 10 years.
Karten: Been a Peacekeeper since June 2002 and still very much enjoy helping the AW community [by being one].
Included links for anyone who might like to apply.
Peacekeepers https://peacekeeper.net/
Gatekeepers https://org.activeworlds.com//gks/
These people volunteer their time to help others.
Kiwi: I love AWSchool with all the information and tutorials. I learn something there everyday. What other worlds would you suggest people go and see?
Impy: Alpha has a lot of great builds in it... some of them are awe inspiring. For instance, the citizen m i k e has a build in there of The Sydney Opera House; it's extremely and accurately detailed, at least on the outside. He admits it's not perfect inside, but who cares? It's fabulous. I wish I could remember the coords. LOL.. I'm getting old and I'm not answering these questions while in AW.
Kiwi: m i k e is an awesome builder for sure.
Impy: It's so hard to come up with worlds to suggest... there are so many which cry out to be seen for various reasons - builds, communities, themes, people. It's hard to choose.
Karten: AWSchool for learning to build as you said, but beyond that look around for what catches their eye and interest. There are many different themes and worlds around.
Kiwi: What would you like others in AW to know about you both?
Impy: Honestly? I may come across sarcastic and cranky at times - who doesn't get cranky? But you know what? I really do give a damn about AW.
Karten: I am committed to the AW system, in AW universe and others, and expect it to be around for long time, regardless of apparent size. My education is in teaching instrumental music, and perhaps math, but have not done any of that since 1975. My first computer was a second hand hobby kit I bought in January 1980 I think, and it's gone from there.
Kiwi: What advice would you give to new citizens?
Impy: Be patient. You'll learn AW. Talk to people, get to know them. First impressions may not always be the best ones, but on the whole, people in AW are good people.
Karten: Yup be patient, and learn what's going on and what can be done, before making a strong negative decision.
Thanks so much guys. I totally agree AW rocks ;-) Great place to unwind.
Been great getting to know you both a little better. Have a great day.
Learn more about your community in future Meet Our Citizens articles.
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