Latest Info

Worlds is an evolving technology. New features are regularly added and new worlds are created. The program checks for automatic upgrades on a weekly basis, and you can also choose to check for upgrade at any time by choosing 'Upgrade Now' from the Options menu.

What's New?

Version 1903

Minor bug-fixes from 1900:

- We fixed the “filth filter” from replacing valid text with curse symbols.

- Shaper stability should be improved

- The null pointer exception from whisper boxes that led to crashes should be caught now.

- Lost keystrokes due to errors in the keyboard focus are resolved.

- States where main chat became unusable are fixed.

- The “blinking chat box” problem is mitigated.

Version 1900

Some major upgrades to improve reliability and performance. We upgraded the underlying Java implementation to version 1.4.2_05, and recompiled all the Java code with the latest Java compiler. We also reduced the number of simultaneous background downloads, and fixed a bug that would cause whisper boxes to become "grayed out" and unable to regain focus. We also changed the default number of visible avatars from 8 to 24 by popular demand. Due to the size of this upgrade, it is not being offered as an auto-upgrade from previous versions. Also, since we updated Java itself, it makes it impossible for us to update users who downloaded the "minimal download" of Worlds that uses Microsoft's Java virtual machine. Version 1900 is available by downloading the full version from www.worlds.com. We'll keep the smaller download available, but we're not going to be upgrading that version going forward.

Version 1890

Fixed the upgrade process to no longer check the tables.dat file, which caused a lot of upgrades to fail in the past.

This version makes the cache directory more self-healing. It will detect if WorldsPlayer did not shut down normally the last time it was run, and if so , it will automatically flush the cache. Also, the default cache size was changed to a maximum of 1,000 files. This should reduce the times you need to manually delete your cachedir folder.

There were also some changes made related to localized versions of Worlds.

Version 1886

Version 1886 fixes an incompatibility with old versions of the Microsoft Java virtual machine introduced in 1884; this would affect some users who had downloaded the “small” version of Worlds.

Version 1884

Version 1884 contains just a couple of bug fixes:

· User-created avatars added into Worlds will now alphabetize correctly in the VIP avatar menus.

· A problem with the client’s detection of your VIP status has been fixed.

Version 1881

Version 1881 fixes some long standing bugs and compatibility issues.

New features in 1881:

· Users with large hard drives and Windows XP will no longer experience a low-memory error.

· The cache directory has been enhanced and should perform more reliably.

· We updated the avatars included with the initial download.

· The default settings have been changed to non-colored chat.

· A focus problem between windows and non-colored chat was addressed.

· Fixed a crash that was affecting BTOpenWorld version 8.

· Removed restriction on remotely hosted PosabaleShapes / avatars. http:// protocol avatars or PosableShape objects are now permitted.

· The recorder now works with non-colored chat.

Version 1877

The 1872 upgrade is a major one: Not only have we introduced new features and changed the way avatars are handled, we've also enabled dynamic world loading and externalized world building by packaging the WorldsShaper for external use. Unlike previous versions, external world building is now freely available and does not require payment or registration.

New features in 1872:

· Avatars and their actions are now dynamically loaded from our servers - this enables us to add new avatars and actions without requiring a client side update. This will also allow users to view avatars of special guests such as the Aerosmith band members, and watch their unique actions. The way this works, is once you've downloaded a particular avatar, it will be cached into your program's cache, and will load immediately the next time.

· Proxy support menu has been added to the options menu to ease the setup of the program to work via a proxy server or firewall.

· Added click-ability to the ad cube at bottom left of interface for future projects.

· We have also released the Aerosmith World upgrade which opens up the portal to Joe Perry's Bone Yard world - please download the upgrade to Aerosmith world, and then go the Band members' room and download the Bone Yard. Note: This world is for VIP members ONLY!

Shaper test info:

If you've been using the unofficial version of the WorldsShaper, your worlds will no longer be hostable (ie, you will no longer be able to share the space and interact in them with others). If you want to participate in the Shaper test, please read the following notes carefully:

· To participate in the Shaper test, choose Enable Shaper from the options menu.

· The trial is free during beta, Worlds.com reserves the right to disable the accounts created during the beta, at the end of the test cycle.

· You will be required to download a new bundle as part of the Shaper test.

· Worlds will host the worlds you create if the world adheres to Worlds terms of decency. You will need to post your world on a web site of your own - Worlds 'hosting' merely means that the servers will relay the content and the interactivity among the users.

· Technical support for the Shaper is limited to a support forum which will be monitored by Worlds staff. Email support is NOT available for the Shaper. During the beta trial, problems may be reported to beta@worlds.com. Please do not send operational questions to this address. The Shaper comes with detailed online Help file.

How to become a Beta Tester:

We welcome any interested member to become a beta tester for Worlds. For a chance to have a 'sneak preview' of new features and worlds. We ask that you report any problems you encounter while using the beta update to beta@worlds.com. The procedure to become a beta tester changed on July 24, 1999. If you became a beta tester before then, you'll need to change your TestAutoUpgrade line to the new value stated below.

Worlds makes beta versions available from time to time, to its beta testers. After a couple of weeks of testing, beta versions are made available to all users; beta users see new features a little sooner, in exchange for reporting any bugs they find. If you would like to be a beta tester, and you are willing to put up with some bugs in order to do so, edit the file WORLDS.INI using Notepad. After the line that says "[Gamma]", insert a lines that says "TestAutoupgrade=2", and "TestWorldAutoUpgrade=2" and save the file. The next time you start the program it'll notify you if any beta versions are available.