Starter Bell Update

An update for the (DS) Starter Bell adds a new feature. To get the update (103.1), go to an inworld Bit Bucket location, wear your Starter Bell, then accept a new (DS) Starter Bell Package.

An inworld Bit Bucket Giver is located at Diamond Synthesis Pots & Buckets

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blung/229/30/21

This update adds the ability to schedule a contest to start at a specific time.

HorrorBall @ 2010 FFF

Diamond Synthesis and Triple J Fishing are proud to be at the 7Seas 2010 Fall Fishing Festival. Come to our HorrorBall (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Iridium/85/134/21), our booth that is, and catch a (DS) Blackboard.

On Saturday night, 7Seas will host the yearly Child's Play Charity Rally! Six hours during which any and all profits 7Seas earns go to the Child's Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org).

The 2010 Fall Fishing Festival runs from Friday, October 22 through Monday, October 25.


About HorrorBall

Horrorball is a haunted house experience which includes zombies, blood, mayhem, execution devices, and violent images. If you are offended by these things, please do not enter HorrorBall.

Please turn off facelights or any local lights on your avatar.

For maximimum viewing experience...
- Set World -> Environment Settings -> Midnight
- Particles On
- Sound On
- Walk sowly so that everything can rez
- Approach objects of interest slowly to get local sound effects

Follow the footprints. There are three levels - the entry level, the second level beyond the web, and Gallows Hill in middle of the second level.

If you dare, you may play the following roles by sitting on objects. Nice way to pass time while fishing.
- Zombie Autopsy
- Captured in Spider Web
- Captured in Spider Cocoon
- On meat hook
- Hung (room for two)
- Fried in electric chair

There are picture poseballs (little skulls) in front of the portraits. Photo op!!!!!

Horrorball is designed to minimize lag. No sensors, or collision detectors are used. Sound is localized so as not to disturb neighboring parcels.

Horrorball is a creation of Diamond Synthesis.

Questions? Ask diamond Marchant.

(A few zombies were harmed in the creation of this attraction.)

Blackboard

The (DS) Blackboard by Diamond Synthesis is a 7Seas-compatible fishing contest board.

You can use the Blackboard to replace the 7Seas board for unlimited (baited) solo contests. You can host novelty contests where the score for each catch differs from the 7Seas defaults. Or you can run a Blackboard along side a 7Seas board and have the Blackboard keep track of certain catches, such as most SURs.

- Can be used as a replacement for the 7Seas contest board or run along side it.

- Allows you to change the score for each type of catch (rarity), enabling new types of contests.

- Displays the scores of all fishers using paged floating and keeps track of ties.

- Supports solo unlimited (baited) contests.

- Includes optional Eraser Scorekeeper for constant display of top 5 scores.

- Configurable via notecard.

- Configurable applause at contest end.

- Broadcasts the top 5 scores to scorekeepers and full results at contest end.

- For security, works only with contest pots and auto-starters that you own.

- Supports broadcasting key to plug-ins.

- Uses group permissions to enable admins.

- Based on the 7Seas OpenTracker script, hence, same security as the 7Seas board.

- Modify, copy, no transfer.

- Updates available at a Diamond Synthesis Bit Bucket

- Available at Diamond Synthesis Pots & Buckets

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blung/229/30/21

and Second Life Marketplace (https://marketplace.secondlife.com/, search for Blackboard Contest Board)

Starter Bell

The (DS) Starter Bell by Diamond Synthesis is a 7Seas Fishing Contest Board Plug-In that auto starts and synchronizes contest boards such as the 7Seas Fishing Contest Board or the (DS) Blackboard.

For example, to start a contest at 2 pm, you set the scheduled start time to 2 pm and click "Auto Start" on the menu. The contest starts automatically at 2 pm, allowing you to focus on hosting your contest. Your fishers can watch the countdown to know when to start casting.

- Simple to use, just rez, touch, and click "Start Now" or "Auto Start"

- Starts a contest at a specific time, accepts 12-hour or 24-hour time format

- Starts a contest after a pre-start period, 1 minute to 24 hours

- Synchronizes starting multiple boards

- For security, only starts boards you own

- Bell rotates and displays time-remaining during countdown

- Bell rings at "one minute to start" and at start

- Can be locked to a specific board

- Seven color options selectable from menu

- Optional holder

- Copy permission

- Group permissions allow menu access and use by others

- Script update available at a Diamond Synthesis Bit Bucket

- Available at Diamond Synthesis Pots & Buckets

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blung/229/30/21

and Second Life Marketplace (https://marketplace.secondlife.com/, search for Starter Bell)

Diamond Display for the Nemo

The Diamond Display for the Nemo is a replacement HUD for the Nemo Type R sailboat. You must have object and texture editing skills in order to install the display.

This display uses colored tick marks to indicate the different points of sail.

You can get the Diamond Display here... http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blung/231/30/21

You can purchase a Nemo Type R sailboat here... http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nantucket Yacht Club/62/77/22

Contest Fishin' Skool

Contest Fishing Tips

In the 7Seas Fishing Game, the server determines what you catch on each cast. But a fishing contest involves many casts, and there is a lot you can do to improve your chances of winning. Here are some tips for solo fishing, team fishing, and hosting.

Solo Contests

1. Get to Level 5 as quickly as possible. At level 5 and above, your expected XP is 1.42 per cast, which is the maximum.

2. Make sure you have enough bait for the entire contest. Every ten minutes you cast about 22 times, so figure it out. For example, a 60 minute contest requires about 132 baits. Buy and load bait prior to the contest, preferably in a lag-free sim.

3. Start casting with bait before the contest starts. Ideally, you want a catch right at the moment a contest begins. Many contests are decided by one point so make sure you get in all your casts.

4. Use autocast but monitor what is happening, as sometimes autocasting stops when the server is temporarily unavailable due to lag.

5. Reduce the chance that you will crash. If your computer gets compute bound or if your network connection is flaky, you may become disconnected from Second Life and lose casts. Learn from experience what causes you to crash and don't do those things during a contest.

6. Cut your losses. If you find yourself more than N points behind with N minutes left, you may choose to "unbait" and save your bait for the next contest. For example, if the contest pays the top 5 and your are 11 points behind 5th place with 10 minutes left, you might choose to unbait. Of course, anything can happen in fishing, so you may choose to never give up.

7. For high lag contests with lots of fishers:

a) Arrive early so you rez everything before the contest starts. Set your draw distance as low as possible (64m).

b) Remove all unnecessary scripted items. Do you really need that AO or shoe resize script?

c) Once settled, do not move. Put your camera on one thing, such as the contest board, and leave it there. Do not look around.

d) Expect that the scoreboard does not keep up and may lose some of your catches. This is the same for everyone so it is not unfair.

e) Do not give up because your catches are not being recorded on the scoreboard. Sometimes it just takes a while.

8. Keep Fishing! Although it seems like fishing is "streaky", the fact is... the servers that determine what you catch don't know anything about your fishing history. Regardless of what happened in the last contest, you have the same chance of catching a SUR on the next cast as anyone else. You won't win a contest if you don't fish.... so keep fishing!

Team Contests

In a team contest, you join a team of 3 fishers and your scores are combined. There is a 10 minute team formation period followed by the contest. Because of lag during the team formation period, it is best to use "invite" mode.

1. Organize ahead of time. Become a captain and recruit two other fishers for your team.

2. When the team formation period starts,

a) if you are a captain, click the board, select "Start", put your team in "invite" mode, name your team, and invite your team mates. Use these commands in chat. Prepare ahead of time and then use copy/paste.

/7 mode invite
/7 name YOUR_TEAM_NAME
/7 invite 1ST_TEAM_MATE_NAME
/7 invite 2ND_TEAM_MATE_NAME

b) if you are not a captain, wait for the invite dialog to appear, than accept.

3. Never give up. No matter what happens, keep fishing. If you crash, get back ASAP.



Hosting

A fishing host determines contest policy and they can do what they want. If you don't like the way a contest is run, don't fish there.

The following tips are suggestions for making a contest attractive to the most people.

1. Announce your contest in 7Seas Social Chat at least an hour or more ahead of time. Provide all pertinent information (start time, contest type, duration, starting pot, payout, slurl). Follow Seven's announcement etiquette (http://7seasfishing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=504).

2. Notice when other contests are ending and plan your start time so that people have time to get there.

3. Don't restrict who can attend your contest unless required by your sim policies.

4. Start on time. This means you will finish on time and allow people to get to the next contest.

5. Do not use a buyin or house rake. People are happy to contribute to the pot voluntarily.

6. Do not fish competitively in your own contests.

7. Use a contest pot to accept donations and give out prizes. Manually tracking down winners and adjusting for ties is tedious.

Scorekeeper Bracelet

The (DS) Scorekeeper Bracelet was a custom prize at the 7Seas Fishiversay 2010, April 16-19, 2010, at the Diamond Synthesis/Triple J booth. This four day event had over 40 booths of fishy customs, dance parties, contests, and a concert, all in celebration of two years of 7Seas fishing. A good time was had by all.

During a contest, the bracelet shows the top 5 leaders and the time remaining. Touch to get the menu, then select gold or silver finish, change text color, or turn the display on or off.