The Mouse Trap - GLORIA STERN

Welcome to The Mouse Trap

Where you will find all manner of things of interest to members of the new media creative community.

News of the Interactive World

Activities

BIG NEWS, Ready, set, go. This is the expo season. We reported from Siggraph. Imagine, if you will, the largest area you can possibly think of - like acres. Within, put all manner of electronic graphics: Adventure, action, sports, simulation, strategy, educational and juvenile programs - and maybe you will come close.
Add to that, brilliant color, sound, animation, 3D and movement - lots of movement. Slip in some supportive companies, periodicals, accessories, ancillary programs and ... well, it's your imagination we are dealing with here.
What excites me most are the programmable bots, ranging from simple, bright programs for young children in Mattell's Me2Cam due out in the fall, which enables the young player to photograph him/herself with a digital camera and place the image on the screen in one of six scenarios, to Motivate, a real time animation software program based on a proprietary engine that allows the player to program the character which then reacts spontaneously by way of artificial intelligence. The most dramatic and innovative game is the one Peter Molyneux has built, Black and White, his fabulous new AI software program that leads you through the creation of a world, its inhabitants and to watch over and direct that world, a monster to emulate you - one that you train and one that takes his clue from your actions, an alter ego, of sorts.
The next expo awaiting us is the DV Expo January 24th - 26th in Burbank, California. We will be reporting on Digital Video, 3D Animation, Web Videowhat the camcorder promises us next. ]
This is how it happens, folks. I started learning basic with my TRS-80. Remember those? The first ones had 80 columns! The technology has been coming up right behind me as I plugged away (excuse the pun, please). I learned HTML just in time for all the software that makes it unnecessary. The same is true for VRML. Now, we have animation, AI and 3D creations via software programs that anyone can use. Imagine!
As soon as the bandwidth pipe is broad enough, we'll be getting ready for movies. Have that digital camera ready. I am just grateful for Dragon Speaking Naturally to transpose all my notes when my thoughts get ahewad of my fingers.
Realnames.com announced a process that enables the searcher to type a real name in the location slot. For example; you won't have to remember that very long URL. Typing in "The Mouse Trap" will get you to this page. Try it next time. My ID at Geocities is .../cywriter
The BookExpo reinforced the seldom heard concept that the use of the written word is definitely growing. Books, books and more books. Book authors, book sellers, electronic books, distributors, reviewers, publishers, agents, and purveyors of ancillary sales. (Yes, The Force is with us) Now, multiply that by all the languages in the world and you will have some idea of the scope of the conference.
Tracking down expos can be unending. No question, the industry has all the hoopla that goes with the entertainment business.
One of our venues got caught up in merger mania (I never promised we could escape!): GameSages, the premier game site on the web. I love the slogan "The Cure For The Common Code". Among the reviews, cheats and articles you can find interviews with game designers. Our most recent contribution is a review of Stephen King's CD Game "F-13". If you really want to know what I thought of it, check it out.
The Bi-Monthly Live Mousetrap Chat is going well, providing a center for the community of new media creators. We are adding a like facility for our writers. Our Live chat is proceeding with enthusiasm and innovation. The downside is our writer's program has proven to be highly customized and our class members are striding ahead have a tendency to string out.

The news is: internet commerce is no longer an oxymoron.
In addition, I checked in to the OnLine Learning Conference. In the brochure, the claim is made that on-line learning will grow 700% to the year 2001. Anything 700% impresses me! And to think the Virtual Classroom was there before the store was opened!

Features

Our site for Scripps Howard, Upstaged By Reality, featuring Cassandra Lee in an innovative mix of cartoon and video program built for the web. Like the early days of anything - it is innovative and controversial, but Cassandra was great. We had lots of fun and are glad we did it. It is a combination of images and word cues,-- innovative, but homey! It is now being presented in health facilities as a positive and cheery message. That's a novelty in itself.

The Virtual Classroom

The Virtual Classroom offers distance learning courses. We are currently in process with: "Writing the Crime/Detective Novel" and "Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy".
In conjunction, we have been writing a column at Police Writer's Club If you missed either program, we will be teaching them both again when we have the numbers so speak up if you're interested. Our courses at The Virtual Classroom are based on my book Do The Write Thing: Making The Transition to Professional Registration is ongoing. The book is generally available and can be found at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

Student Spotlight

Our students are distinguishing themselves. So much so, that we have added a new section of the Mouse Trap that features students and graduates. AJ Farrar announces that his work is featured in the anthology "Cop Tales, 2000" published by 38 Special Press. You can find it in your bookstore. Mail cywrite@juno.com with your questions.

Mouse Trap News

Those who are committed to high quality storytelling on the new media will be glad to hear that Roberto Landeros (7th Guest) and David Wheeler (11th Hour) have rceived recognition for their DVD shot Hollywood style from the Malia Conference (the digital equivalent of the Oscars).
Roberto, chief honcho of Aftermath Media, reports that Tender Loving Care is now licensed in the US as well as in Europe. Congratulations, Roberto and David.
Great news from E3 '99. Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption and Soldier of Fortune were nominated for Best PC Game of the show. Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption was also nominated for Best RPG. That's quite a coup, Ray.

Andrew Nelson's MPOG, Clicking Anastasia is now on line and ready for players. Andrew has moved to the west coast from Tennessee. His new company Storybox will be up on the web shortly. Andrew is the creator of Titanic - no, not that one, the one before that one, the CD, not the movie - but if you want to see where the glorious graphics for the movie sets came from, check out the computer game Andrew designed at Cyberflix.

Here at The Mouse Trap we play a very different kind of a game. It is sort of a scavenger hunt only in this event you get to visit the best of the designer's web sites and will have the opportunity rap with them about their work in a live chat. You will be eligible for awards as you participate. We've talked to our guests and persuaded them to create some surprises.

We are currently planning the next Mouse Trap event and have some stars of the interactive world lined up. If you would like to be e-nudged when it happens, just drop us a line at cywrite@juno.com with "Chat reminder" in the body of the message. We'll be happy to have you.

We have been asked to come back this fall to Conejo Valley Adult Center where we will be teaching our classes in The Craft of Writing. We look forward to an inspiring time with our students. I always seem to learn more than the students I teach!

The Writer's Guru

For finding the answer to those tough research questions, or finding just the right person to give you the information you need, for inquiries about grammar, syntax, and spelling, or even to dispel a lingering curiosity about some subject that is difficult to pin down, The Writer's Guru can help you find the answer, or if the Guru doesn't know, (highly unlikely - so he says) he can provide a link to someone who does.
We have collected and/or inherited more than a hundred computer magazines from 1995 to 1999 covering a broad variety of subjects: audio, video, product information, reviews, processes, applications, interviews and ground breaking, notable events. If you're interested, contact us at cywrite@juno.com with your request in the body. Many of the periodicals are first editions.
The questions writers ask are frequently off beat and interesting. You may have more than a few answers, yourself. For example: Do you happen to know someone who is a scuba diver and can tell you how deep you can dive on a single tank? (300 feet). Or what does "foolscap" mean? And, please explain object-oriented. There's a question for you.

The only payment involved is paying the Guru a visit. If you haven't a question, you might just be able to provide an answer.

Our Book

Do the Write Thing: Making The Transition to Professional is the little book that grew. It started literary life a handbook for the clients of my agency and as word got out, it made its way to the hands of those writers - who "have manuscript, needing sale."

An unusual bookstore that offers volumes right off the internet is Xlibris. If you prefer snail mail for transactions, visit the book's home page for details.

Win-win

Now that you have read this far, we would like to reward you. Join our brand new Deja News - Mouse Trap Board Room and start a new thread.
Oh, yes, one more thing. Our book: Do the Write Thing: Making the Transition to Professional, will be the text in a brand new course based on the tips and guidance for those writers who are ready to get their work published.
If you haven't tried distance learning, you still have time to join the 700%.

This is a win/win situation. We are offering a free tear sheet (via e-mail) "The Ten Most Common Submission Mistakes" to all who send us a request at cywrite@juno.com. We will be happy to send you a copy.

Gloria Stern cywrite@juno.com Latest Update: January 5, 2002 (Watch for our new web page design. I know we have been saying that for a while. It is just a matter of having the time.)

Activities
	BIG NEWS, Ready, set, go. This is the expo season. We reported from Siggraph. Imagine, if you will, the largest area you can possibly think of - like acres. Within, put all manner of electronic graphics: Adventure, action, sports, simulation, strategy, educational and juvenile programs - and maybe you will come close. Add to that, brilliant color, sound, animation, 3D and movement - lots of movement. Slip in some supportive companies, periodicals, accessories, ancillary programs and ... well, it's your imagination we are dealing with here. What excites me most are the programmable bots, ranging from simple, bright programs for young children in Mattell's Me2Cam due out in the fall, which enables the young player to photograph him/herself with a digital camera and place the image on the screen in one of six scenarios, to Motivate, a real time animation software program based on a proprietary engine that allows the player to program the character which then reacts spontaneously by way of artificial intelligence. The most dramatic and innovative game is the one Peter Molyneux has built, Black and White, his fabulous new AI software program that leads you through the creation of a world, its inhabitants and to watch over and direct that world, a monster to emulate you - one that you train and one that takes his clue from your actions, an alter ego, of sorts. The next expo awaiting us is the DV Expo January 24th - 26th in Burbank, California. We will be reporting on Digital Video, 3D Animation, Web Videowhat the camcorder promises us next. ] This is how it happens, folks. I started learning basic with my TRS-80. Remember those? The first ones had 80 columns! The technology has been coming up right behind me as I plugged away (excuse the pun, please). I learned HTML just in time for all the software that makes it unnecessary. The same is true for VRML. Now, we have animation, AI and 3D creations via software programs that anyone can use. Imagine! As soon as the bandwidth pipe is broad enough, we'll be getting ready for movies. Have that digital camera ready. I am just grateful for Dragon Speaking Naturally to transpose all my notes when my thoughts get ahewad of my fingers. Realnames.com announced a process that enables the searcher to type a real name in the location slot. For example; you won't have to remember that very long URL. Typing in "The Mouse Trap" will get you to this page. Try it next time. My ID at Geocities is .../cywriter The BookExpo reinforced the seldom heard concept that the use of the written word is definitely growing. Books, books and more books. Book authors, book sellers, electronic books, distributors, reviewers, publishers, agents, and purveyors of ancillary sales. (Yes, The Force is with us) Now, multiply that by all the languages in the world and you will have some idea of the scope of the conference. Tracking down expos can be unending. No question, the industry has all the hoopla that goes with the entertainment business. One of our venues got caught up in merger mania (I never promised we could escape!): GameSages, the premier game site on the web. I love the slogan "The Cure For The Common Code". Among the reviews, cheats and articles you can find interviews with game designers. Our most recent contribution is a review of Stephen King's CD Game "F-13". If you really want to know what I thought of it, check it out. The Bi-Monthly Live Mousetrap Chat is going well, providing a center for the community of new media creators. We are adding a like facility for our writers. Our Live chat is proceeding with enthusiasm and innovation. The downside is our writer's program has proven to be highly customized and our class members are striding ahead have a tendency to string out. The news is: internet commerce is no longer an oxymoron. In addition, I checked in to the OnLine Learning Conference. In the brochure, the claim is made that on-line learning will grow 700% to the year 2001. Anything 700% impresses me! And to think the Virtual Classroom was there before the store was opened!
Features
	Our site for Scripps Howard, Upstaged By Reality, featuring Cassandra Lee in an innovative mix of cartoon and video program built for the web. Like the early days of anything - it is innovative and controversial, but Cassandra was great. We had lots of fun and are glad we did it. It is a combination of images and word cues,-- innovative, but homey! It is now being presented in health facilities as a positive and cheery message. That's a novelty in itself.
The Virtual Classroom
	The Virtual Classroom offers distance learning courses. We are currently in process with: "Writing the Crime/Detective Novel" and "Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy". In conjunction, we have been writing a column at Police Writer's Club If you missed either program, we will be teaching them both again when we have the numbers so speak up if you're interested. Our courses at The Virtual Classroom are based on my book Do The Write Thing: Making The Transition to Professional Registration is ongoing. The book is generally available and can be found at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
Student Spotlight
	Our students are distinguishing themselves. So much so, that we have added a new section of the Mouse Trap that features students and graduates. AJ Farrar announces that his work is featured in the anthology "Cop Tales, 2000" published by 38 Special Press. You can find it in your bookstore. Mail cywrite@juno.com with your questions.
Mouse Trap News
	Those who are committed to high quality storytelling on the new media will be glad to hear that Roberto Landeros (7th Guest) and David Wheeler (11th Hour) have rceived recognition for their DVD shot Hollywood style from the Malia Conference (the digital equivalent of the Oscars). Roberto, chief honcho of Aftermath Media, reports that Tender Loving Care is now licensed in the US as well as in Europe. Congratulations, Roberto and David. Great news from E3 '99. Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption and Soldier of Fortune were nominated for Best PC Game of the show. Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption was also nominated for Best RPG. That's quite a coup, Ray. Andrew Nelson's MPOG, Clicking Anastasia is now on line and ready for players. Andrew has moved to the west coast from Tennessee. His new company Storybox will be up on the web shortly. Andrew is the creator of Titanic - no, not that one, the one before that one, the CD, not the movie - but if you want to see where the glorious graphics for the movie sets came from, check out the computer game Andrew designed at Cyberflix. Here at The Mouse Trap we play a very different kind of a game. It is sort of a scavenger hunt only in this event you get to visit the best of the designer's web sites and will have the opportunity rap with them about their work in a live chat. You will be eligible for awards as you participate. We've talked to our guests and persuaded them to create some surprises. We are currently planning the next Mouse Trap event and have some stars of the interactive world lined up. If you would like to be e-nudged when it happens, just drop us a line at cywrite@juno.com with "Chat reminder" in the body of the message. We'll be happy to have you. We have been asked to come back this fall to Conejo Valley Adult Center where we will be teaching our classes in The Craft of Writing. We look forward to an inspiring time with our students. I always seem to learn more than the students I teach!
The Writer's Guru
	For finding the answer to those tough research questions, or finding just the right person to give you the information you need, for inquiries about grammar, syntax, and spelling, or even to dispel a lingering curiosity about some subject that is difficult to pin down, The Writer's Guru can help you find the answer, or if the Guru doesn't know, (highly unlikely - so he says) he can provide a link to someone who does. We have collected and/or inherited more than a hundred computer magazines from 1995 to 1999 covering a broad variety of subjects: audio, video, product information, reviews, processes, applications, interviews and ground breaking, notable events. If you're interested, contact us at cywrite@juno.com with your request in the body. Many of the periodicals are first editions. The questions writers ask are frequently off beat and interesting. You may have more than a few answers, yourself. For example: Do you happen to know someone who is a scuba diver and can tell you how deep you can dive on a single tank? (300 feet). Or what does "foolscap" mean? And, please explain object-oriented. There's a question for you. The only payment involved is paying the Guru a visit. If you haven't a question, you might just be able to provide an answer.
Our Book
	Do the Write Thing: Making The Transition to Professional is the little book that grew. It started literary life a handbook for the clients of my agency and as word got out, it made its way to the hands of those writers - who "have manuscript, needing sale." An unusual bookstore that offers volumes right off the internet is Xlibris. If you prefer snail mail for transactions, visit the book's home page for details.
Win-win
	Now that you have read this far, we would like to reward you. Join our brand new Deja News - Mouse Trap Board Room and start a new thread. Oh, yes, one more thing. Our book: Do the Write Thing: Making the Transition to Professional, will be the text in a brand new course based on the tips and guidance for those writers who are ready to get their work published. If you haven't tried distance learning, you still have time to join the 700%. This is a win/win situation. We are offering a free tear sheet (via e-mail) "The Ten Most Common Submission Mistakes" to all who send us a request at cywrite@juno.com. We will be happy to send you a copy.
Gloria Stern cywrite@juno.com	Latest Update: January 5, 2002 (Watch for our new web page design. I know we have been saying that for a while. It is just a matter of having the time.)