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On March 3rd, 2004, in Norfolk, Virginia at Old Dominion University, I attended
a real-life Whyville Town Hall Meeting where I met the one and only City Worker Superid! There he spoke on a variety of subjects, including:
How Whyville Got Started
Security On Whyville
Whyville Growth
Chatting On Whyville
and What attracts members to join Whyville...and stay...
Now, we spoke about more, but from those five topics I can branch off and
describe everything!
How Whyville Got Started -- Whyville was started as a science educational
website for children in march of 1999. But of course, it didn't just pop up as
the lovely website we all know and love. Much thought went into it beforehand.
Whyville's computer code is, in superid's words, "Quite sophisticated."
Now, I don't understand much computer jargon, so can't go into much detail, but
take the little head's floating around as proof. Secondly, how many educational
sites are their out there that are actually fun? I spend lots of time on
Whyville, don't you?
Security on Whyville -- Security on Whyville is very high-tech, and keeps
us all safe. As superid said, there aren't many sites out there that would let
kids that are known to be kids chat. So, to keep us safe, and let us chat,
Whyville Staff has taken many precautions.
The Call Box: Ever use this nifty device? I recommend finding out how to
properly. For example, silence can be used so you don't have to hear a
certain person for the rest of your visit on Whyville, use this if a person is
harassing you or the like. Vaporize can be used so you not only don't
have to hear the person, but you don't have to see the person either! 911
Report is to alert City Hall if there is evidence of a serious
problem, for example, scamming, asking for personal information, swearing...
etc. The Whyville Chat filters are always changing and adapting, so I recommend
you just don't bother swearing or bothering other people, unless you want to
part with clams, get duct taped, or even be banned.
Whyville Growth -- Whyville has been growing steadily since it opened in
1999, and without one marketing ploy! It all started out by word of mouth, and
continued that way. I know! I tell all my friends about Whyville. If Whyville
continues this way, we should have about one million members around mid-summer!
Mostly middle-school kids are joining, and most of them are... girls!
Chatting On Whyville -- We spoke about chatting on Whyville, like why its
necessary. To really learn, you need to be able to discuss the different aspects
of what you are trying to learn. If you don't understand something, it makes it
easier if you are able to ask for help.
What attracts people to join and stay at Whyville? -- Fashions -- Chatting --
Activities
People start Whyville... they want to look good. They stay for their friends and
they nifty activities, like the Whyville Times, Solstice Safari, GeoDig... you
know, those fun things we all take part in. Even the Why-Pox is fun -- annoying,
but fun. :D
We get sucked into Whyville. I mean, I'm addicted... I have friends who don't
get Whyville, but still get on everyday, and know they will continue to get on til they figure it out. I know that once they figure it out, they won't be
leaving.
Whyville is challenging; if we enjoy something, we won't quit. I know I am
having trouble with... well, WASA in general... but it's challenging, so I don't
give up. Because of the activities, we stay.
Other things -- I made sure I asked about one thing that bugged me: the Senator
Elections! It's a mess, so I asked if there was any way that the next time the
elections roll around we can have a separate petition area for the senatorial
platforms. Just to keep it organized, because it was difficult to find them.
Well, I'd better get going. I recommend you try and go to a Town Meeting if
there is ever one near you. Lots of fun! Especially if you get to sit between
the Dean of Physics and your little sister. ;)
Now my mom is in love with Whyville! I am buying a Whyville tank top next month!
:D LOL!
This is Firecat, saying adios.
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