From CompuServe's WorldsAway to The Microsoft Network's V-Chat, it seems as though everyone is building virtual worlds that let people chat over the Net. The problem? They're a lot like sanitized shopping malls, with tight controls over "bad language" and the appearance of individuals' avatars.
So what a surprise that the one exception comes from Time Warner. Introduced last November, Time Warner's The Palace allows users to speak without fear of censorship and to fully customize their avatars. Even better, the software is available for US$20, so that anyone can create a virtual world on the Net, just as today anyone can put up a Web server.
Finally, an escape from text-based MUDs! On the Web at www.thepalace.com/.
ELECTRIC WORD
Five-Star Avatar Hotel
