3D Planets

[Bruce Lehmann]

In an era where it seems that there are new virtual communities popping out from everywhere, it is easy to forget about the ones that are already around. Back in the late 90’s there was Colony City, which became Cybertown; a Blaxxun VRML based virtual 3D community. More VRML communities came along and some, like Cybertown, still exist.
That’s where we come to 3D Planets. When a lot of other Blaxxun based communities have died or are virtual ghost towns, 3D Planets is thriving. Not only is it a well designed community; the owners have taken the Blaxxun server platform and improved on it. Their forward thinking has made this community, in my opinion, the most interesting and viable community of its type. Like a lot of the other virtual communities such as Second Life, There, Twinity and others, you can go to clubs, buy items and objects, own a 3D home, or even an entire asteroid. There is a theater that shows movies (even recent ones), a shopping mall where you can upload your VRML creations and sell them for virtual money, recreation areas and clubs. It has a friendly staff to help people and active, concerned owners that see to it that it stays updated, modern, family friendly and open to all. There are also interactive games.

Unlike a lot of the other communities mentioned above, all of this is absolutely free without any sort of “tiered” membership setup where a basic membership is free but the goodies cost you. All of the money exchanged is virtual and can be earned in several ways; as in jobs, duties, creating objects and selling them and you can earn virtual money by merely logging in. You can then use it to upgrade your home, buy furniture and items, etc. Offered only by 3D Planets and a definite plus for those of us who like to build our own virtual worlds and environments, there is a section called the Oort Cloud. This is an area that builders can upload their worlds and showcase them there. As it is a VRML based platform, the world building can be done with the creators preferred 3D modeling software and not be limited to “in world” tools.

And finally, you can login and not use the 3D interface and still chat and interact with other members. An option I don’t see in the other communities. This makes it usable even for people on dial-up and other slower internet connections. The creators of 3D Planets keep this option for that reason.
I first joined in 2003. Since then it has grown and prospered. What started out as a 3D community has since added a Ning based social page called 3DPNet where the members can gather and interact. It started out as a member’s only page but has since been opened up to all.

There is also a 3D Planets Toolbar for internet explorer which allows member messaging, direct access to their log in page and, like others, will let you follow RSS feeds, give you local weather, check for incoming mail, and other options.
With all that is going on there, I feel that it will be around for a long time, even when some of the late-comers have long gone.
All of the new and not-so-new virtual platforms out there are unique in their own way. I find Second Life to be, at times, very visually stunning environment. Vivaty, an X3D platform, is also great looking, Other platforms, like Kaneva, Twinity and others are fun and interesting. A lot of these places, however, as they grow, take more computer power and require a broadband connection. Entropia, for example, requires almost a gaming-level computer to use. It is nice to see a 3D community that puts a small footprint on your processor and still provides a lively, active and safe place to enjoy virtual reality and social chat together.

[alain]

I must say that when we decided to begin "MixED" , with the idea to change each time of platform ,
and when we began our first exhibition on 3DPlanest ,
it had been a great pleasure to go there , and the guys
( indeed , Deighv ) where very very friendly !

Re thanx ! It is well done and works well !

[MIxED]

thank you 3D planet for its reception and his help during the first exposure of MIxED ...

[isa]

and pleasure for us to go back , thank Deighv ..:)

[Deighv]

Wow, a Very nice review Omind, Big thanks!

It is because of reviews and comments like this that we at 3D Planets will continue to offer everyone a free, family-safe environment without all the mindgames, paranoia, and hassles that are found in some other blaxxun communities.

We have a great bunch of members in 3D Planets and because we treat our members with the respect they deserve we have never found it necessary to implement any kind of Security presence, which IMHO is the root of many problems found elsewhere. We are Very proud of that fact and I suspect other communities are envious that we have had to ban only 13 members in over 5 years, some comms have been known to ban that many in a week, hehe :) BTW, the last ban was over a year and a half ago.

Our upper management is also pared to a minimum, above the Planet Leaders (DL/CL) there are only 4 people, Toxic and myself who are the Founders (Ancient One), Heather (another Ancient One) who oversees the daily needs of the three residential Planets and Dancerbabe715 (Places Director) who oversees the Community Places. Because of this we don't have the power-mongering and infighting that has destroyed many communities. Since our community is self-governing we have never seen the need for extraneous staff that perform little or no useful function other than to fill a title.

I would like to thank Alain, isa, and all the other members of MIxED for their very kind words and for helping to promote 3D Planets on their various blogs, sites and forums.

We may not be the biggest blaxxun community but we like to think that we have the most heart, and we should see our 10,000th member before years end.

The biggest thank-you goes out to all of our members and staff for it is them who have made 3D Planets what it is today :)

[Catman]

I am truly proud to say I am (and have been for some time) a member of 3DP. I can even brag that I made the Favicon LOL!!

I am also proud to call Deighv a good friend of mine, and our own little Ning community, WCN - Wildlife1.Com. Deighv has been a lot of help there as well.

Keep up the great work Deighv and Terry! ^5