Roblox, a free online game created in 2006, revolves around virtual Places created by players. Roblox is still in Public Alpha, despite having over 300,000 members. Using Roblox Studio or Solo Mode, users piece together interconnecting blocks, much like those used in popular Lego sets. Some minor differences occur, such as what holds the pieces together (Studs, Welds, Glue), how the piece interacts with the environment (CanCollide, Friction) and how the piece behaves in general (Anchored, Locked).
ROBLOX also allows for in-game coding using Lua. Lua can create simple scripts such a dissapering brick, to a complicated flying machine. Not many users of the community can use the Lua language, but due to Model Sharing, the vehicles are made freely to anyone in the community. Lua also codes everything except the physics.
Players also have the option to buy a feature called "Builders Club", which gives the person special upgrades such as the ability to create 10 places, the ability to sell shirts, and the ability to earn Robux. Non- Builders Club players earn Tickets. Players can earn Tickets/Robux by getting their Place visited, or simply by logging in. (Players who subscribe to Builders Club earn 15 Robux a day, even if they don't sign in.)
Players can customize their avatars. They can change their character's colors, or wear Shirts, Pants, or Hats. Players can upload their own shirts and pants, but Hats must be bought with Tickets/Robux. Some hats can be bought with both. The Hats are constantly being taken on and off the Catalog, and their prices change from time to time. Players can earn different badges for things they achieve in ROBLOX. They can earn fighting badges, place visit badges, and many more.
Contests
The ROBLOX developers occasionally hold contests, usually based on how well someone constructs something, with the exception of the "Builderman's place design contest", where players had to design a level for ROBLOX's main character, Builderman. Before Builders Club became public, the contest's prize would be a subscription to Builders Club. Now they give out Tix/Robux prizes, or even Hats on occasion. ROBLOX so far has had Fighting contests, Funny Video contests, Building contests, Egg Hunting Contests, Picture Contest. and even Place Design contests. Most contests are announced on the Developers blog, A.K.A the Roblog. currently the contest is done but prizes will be awrded on monday april 28 2008
Currently, Roblox is holding a contest called Spring Block Party. It is a general, all-around contest. It is mostly a Picture contest, but you can also upload a News Article too. They will give out prizes to the participants, and more to certain players who make it on the Ro-Blog.
ROBLOX Studio
ROBLOX Studio is the most used and recommended way to build and edit a place. Players can activate/deactivate the physics in this mode, and also build with undo options. Players can also build and edit in Solo mode, but if something falls, there is no way to fix it. Also, the camera is much more versatile in Studio. The camera can fly through anything, and turn anywhere. When editing in Solo mode, the camera follows the player, giving less perspective on construction.
ROBLOX also allows for in-game coding using Lua. Lua can create simple scripts such a dissapering brick, to a complicated flying machine. Not many users of the community can use the Lua language, but due to Model Sharing, the vehicles are made freely to anyone in the community. Lua also codes everything except the physics.
Players also have the option to buy a feature called "Builders Club", which gives the person special upgrades such as the ability to create 10 places, the ability to sell shirts, and the ability to earn Robux. Non- Builders Club players earn Tickets. Players can earn Tickets/Robux by getting their Place visited, or simply by logging in. (Players who subscribe to Builders Club earn 15 Robux a day, even if they don't sign in.)
Players can customize their avatars. They can change their character's colors, or wear Shirts, Pants, or Hats. Players can upload their own shirts and pants, but Hats must be bought with Tickets/Robux. Some hats can be bought with both. The Hats are constantly being taken on and off the Catalog, and their prices change from time to time. Players can earn different badges for things they achieve in ROBLOX. They can earn fighting badges, place visit badges, and many more.
Contests
The ROBLOX developers occasionally hold contests, usually based on how well someone constructs something, with the exception of the "Builderman's place design contest", where players had to design a level for ROBLOX's main character, Builderman. Before Builders Club became public, the contest's prize would be a subscription to Builders Club. Now they give out Tix/Robux prizes, or even Hats on occasion. ROBLOX so far has had Fighting contests, Funny Video contests, Building contests, Egg Hunting Contests, Picture Contest. and even Place Design contests. Most contests are announced on the Developers blog, A.K.A the Roblog. currently the contest is done but prizes will be awrded on monday april 28 2008
Currently, Roblox is holding a contest called Spring Block Party. It is a general, all-around contest. It is mostly a Picture contest, but you can also upload a News Article too. They will give out prizes to the participants, and more to certain players who make it on the Ro-Blog.
ROBLOX Studio
ROBLOX Studio is the most used and recommended way to build and edit a place. Players can activate/deactivate the physics in this mode, and also build with undo options. Players can also build and edit in Solo mode, but if something falls, there is no way to fix it. Also, the camera is much more versatile in Studio. The camera can fly through anything, and turn anywhere. When editing in Solo mode, the camera follows the player, giving less perspective on construction.
Computer Assisted Selling is using system that provides all the information available on a computer system, including the Internet, for lead generation, and selling to a lead, prospect or customer.
It is a new emerging trend in sales systems. It could be considered as a neologism, however 'Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions, new phenomena, or old ideas that have taken on a new cultural context.'
This information can be data available from:
* Directories of companies: including Directory, Telephone directory, and other listings.
* Directories of people: like LinkedIn, Plaxo
* Directories of people and companies: example: ZoomInfo
* Financial information on companies: examples: Hoovers,
* Information about visitors on the company website and the website pages visited.
All this information is available online from the Internet, and can be used before and during the lead generation and sales process.
CAS versus CRM
The Customer Relationship Management “CRM” term implies that the software, not the sales pro, will be “managing” the customer relationship, which is the essence of the job of a salesman.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) was originally called Sales Force Automation (SFA).
Sales Force Automation implies the automation of the sales process, making the Salesman or Sales rep. obsolete, which didn't make it popular with sales people.
The term CRM is mainly for building and maintaining a relationship with existing customers. However both existing customers and new leads have to be handled.
Many CRM initiatives have failed because implementation was limited to software installation without alignment to a customer-centric strategy.
A CRM requires manual input, which is too often expected of the salesman. One could argue that this turns a sales professional into an untrained data entry typist and thus a possible waste of a valuable resource.
The best salesmen often don't use a CRM but keep their data in an excel sheet or a bunch of word/text files, indicating that the current CRM systems don't go hand in hand with top sales professionals.
The term Computer Assisted Selling indicates it will assist sales professionals to sell. The goal is to help, not to replace, the sales people.
And CAS is customer-centric.
Additionally the process of selling is both to existing customers, as to new leads.
CAS is for knowing about the potential customer before he becomes a customer.
Computer Assisted Selling overview
Advantages of CAS
A CRM mainly requires data input from the sales team concerning the customers, whereas a CAS system will mainly be used as a source of information for helping the lead generation and sales process.
The goal of a CAS is to aggregate data, all possible data concerning the lead or the customer, in order to understand their environment and situation. Thus a CAS becomes the single point of information for the sales rep. The benefit is in the amount of data at the salesman can obtain without much effort. Information to be used during the lead generation or sales process in order to give the lead or customer the feeling the salesman thoroughly understands their problems and their needs.
Disadvantages of CAS
As a CAS is customer- and lead-centric, and it is less appropriate for sales organizations selling into B2C markets.
A Computer Assisted Selling system is mainly intended for B2B businesses, where every lead and customer is a unique case.
Trend reports and aggregated data on the entire lead or customer population for sales managers is not the main goal and probably not included.
Website visitor intelligence
As the website is a part of any B2B sales process for the potential buyer to get information, the visits on the website needs to be monitored.
Data available from website visits:
* Company name
* Pages visited
* Time on pages
* Most visited pages
* Click path
* Language used
* Country of origin
* Origin on Internet: previous website
* Origin on Internet: search terms used
* Returning visitors
This type of data is similar to web analytics, but enhanced with reverse DNS lookup in order to find the company names.
All this data is by visiting company, allowing to investigate by company in order to qualify as a lead or not.
Technology change
A Sales Force Automation system could be using any type of file system: before 1985.
The Customer Relationship systems are all based upon Relational database systems: after 1985. This allowed retrieving any data from any field or record in the system.
Whereas a Computer Assisted Selling system is mainly using the Internet and data mining as the basis, combined with a Relational Data base system. Additionally free form fields allow for more flexibility, as the primary goal is no longer mailings, but interaction with the potential customer.
Interaction for building a real relationship and obtaining customer retention.
It is a new emerging trend in sales systems. It could be considered as a neologism, however 'Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions, new phenomena, or old ideas that have taken on a new cultural context.'
This information can be data available from:
* Directories of companies: including Directory, Telephone directory, and other listings.
* Directories of people: like LinkedIn, Plaxo
* Directories of people and companies: example: ZoomInfo
* Financial information on companies: examples: Hoovers,
* Information about visitors on the company website and the website pages visited.
All this information is available online from the Internet, and can be used before and during the lead generation and sales process.
CAS versus CRM
The Customer Relationship Management “CRM” term implies that the software, not the sales pro, will be “managing” the customer relationship, which is the essence of the job of a salesman.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) was originally called Sales Force Automation (SFA).
Sales Force Automation implies the automation of the sales process, making the Salesman or Sales rep. obsolete, which didn't make it popular with sales people.
The term CRM is mainly for building and maintaining a relationship with existing customers. However both existing customers and new leads have to be handled.
Many CRM initiatives have failed because implementation was limited to software installation without alignment to a customer-centric strategy.
A CRM requires manual input, which is too often expected of the salesman. One could argue that this turns a sales professional into an untrained data entry typist and thus a possible waste of a valuable resource.
The best salesmen often don't use a CRM but keep their data in an excel sheet or a bunch of word/text files, indicating that the current CRM systems don't go hand in hand with top sales professionals.
The term Computer Assisted Selling indicates it will assist sales professionals to sell. The goal is to help, not to replace, the sales people.
And CAS is customer-centric.
Additionally the process of selling is both to existing customers, as to new leads.
CAS is for knowing about the potential customer before he becomes a customer.
Computer Assisted Selling overview
Advantages of CAS
A CRM mainly requires data input from the sales team concerning the customers, whereas a CAS system will mainly be used as a source of information for helping the lead generation and sales process.
The goal of a CAS is to aggregate data, all possible data concerning the lead or the customer, in order to understand their environment and situation. Thus a CAS becomes the single point of information for the sales rep. The benefit is in the amount of data at the salesman can obtain without much effort. Information to be used during the lead generation or sales process in order to give the lead or customer the feeling the salesman thoroughly understands their problems and their needs.
Disadvantages of CAS
As a CAS is customer- and lead-centric, and it is less appropriate for sales organizations selling into B2C markets.
A Computer Assisted Selling system is mainly intended for B2B businesses, where every lead and customer is a unique case.
Trend reports and aggregated data on the entire lead or customer population for sales managers is not the main goal and probably not included.
Website visitor intelligence
As the website is a part of any B2B sales process for the potential buyer to get information, the visits on the website needs to be monitored.
Data available from website visits:
* Company name
* Pages visited
* Time on pages
* Most visited pages
* Click path
* Language used
* Country of origin
* Origin on Internet: previous website
* Origin on Internet: search terms used
* Returning visitors
This type of data is similar to web analytics, but enhanced with reverse DNS lookup in order to find the company names.
All this data is by visiting company, allowing to investigate by company in order to qualify as a lead or not.
Technology change
A Sales Force Automation system could be using any type of file system: before 1985.
The Customer Relationship systems are all based upon Relational database systems: after 1985. This allowed retrieving any data from any field or record in the system.
Whereas a Computer Assisted Selling system is mainly using the Internet and data mining as the basis, combined with a Relational Data base system. Additionally free form fields allow for more flexibility, as the primary goal is no longer mailings, but interaction with the potential customer.
Interaction for building a real relationship and obtaining customer retention.
ConQuest VEGAS is a three day gaming convention run by Avalon Game Conventions since 2008. It is held each April in Las Vegas, Nevada. ConQuest VEGAS is run on the weekend directly before or after the GAMA Trade Show each year. The show is run in coordination and cooperation with GAMA.
Features:
* SciFi/Fantasy Miniatures
* Board and Card gaming
* Role Playing Events
* Regional RPGA events
History
ConQuest VEGAS was founded in 2008 by: Gabriel Vega, John Diesel, Roxanne Diesel, John Wootress, Jason Coffey, Alexis Randall, Keisha Patterson, and Anthony Gallela.
* ConQuest VEGAS 2008 at the Ballys Hotel. Special guests included: Peter Adkison, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Stephen V. Cole, Matthew Sprange, Kelly George and Anthony Gallela.
Features:
* SciFi/Fantasy Miniatures
* Board and Card gaming
* Role Playing Events
* Regional RPGA events
History
ConQuest VEGAS was founded in 2008 by: Gabriel Vega, John Diesel, Roxanne Diesel, John Wootress, Jason Coffey, Alexis Randall, Keisha Patterson, and Anthony Gallela.
* ConQuest VEGAS 2008 at the Ballys Hotel. Special guests included: Peter Adkison, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Stephen V. Cole, Matthew Sprange, Kelly George and Anthony Gallela.
ConQuest NW is a three day gaming convention run by Avalon Game Conventions since 2006. It is held each February in Seattle, Washington.
Features:
* Advanced Squad Leader Northwest Championships
* Role Playing by Emerald City Game Fest
* Board and Card gaming
* Historical and Sci/Fi Fantasy Miniatures
* Regional RPGA events
History
ConQuest NW was founded in 2006 by: Gabriel Vega, John Diesel, Roxanne Diesel, Shelley Rial, Andrew Lockwood, John Wootress, and Kevin Ellingson.
* ConQuest NW 2008 at the Sheraton Bellevue Seattle East Hotel. Special guests included: James Ernest, and Adam Starkweather.
* ConQuest NW 2007 at the Sheraton Bellevue Seattle East Hotel. Special guests included: Dave Arneson, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Adam Starkweather, and Daniel Stahl.
* ConQuest NW 2006 at the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel. Special guests included: Peter Adkison, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Alex Flag, and Anthony Gallela.
Features:
* Advanced Squad Leader Northwest Championships
* Role Playing by Emerald City Game Fest
* Board and Card gaming
* Historical and Sci/Fi Fantasy Miniatures
* Regional RPGA events
History
ConQuest NW was founded in 2006 by: Gabriel Vega, John Diesel, Roxanne Diesel, Shelley Rial, Andrew Lockwood, John Wootress, and Kevin Ellingson.
* ConQuest NW 2008 at the Sheraton Bellevue Seattle East Hotel. Special guests included: James Ernest, and Adam Starkweather.
* ConQuest NW 2007 at the Sheraton Bellevue Seattle East Hotel. Special guests included: Dave Arneson, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Adam Starkweather, and Daniel Stahl.
* ConQuest NW 2006 at the Seattle Airport Marriott Hotel. Special guests included: Peter Adkison, Nicole Lindroos, James Ernest, Chris Pramas, Alex Flag, and Anthony Gallela.