HAZRAT QAMAR ALI DARVESH ( RAHMATHULLAHI ALAIH )
PLACE : SHIVAPUR, PUNE ( CITY )
MAHARASHTRA ( STATE ).INDIA
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh was a Sufi, a Greek word derived from the root, `Sophia', meaning `wisdom'. Sufis are a mystical sect who embrace the esoteric philosophy and doctrine of pure Islam. In the final degrees of Sufism the candidate is initiated into the `mysteries' -- the innermost workings of nature and acquires `divine' powers.
Life
Eight hundred years ago, a Muslim family consisting of a father, mother and son, arrived from the West of India to live in the nearby village of Darodi. At that time a gymnasium existed on the spot where the shrine now stands. Two large stones were used by wrestlers for exercise purposes. A group of men would surround a stone and lift it to strengthen their hands, wrists and forearms. The boy's parents insisted that their son visit the gymnasium and indulge in the manly sports. But the boy, Qamar Ali Darvesh, was not like the others.
The young boy's interests lay in other directions. He exhibited a hypersensitive nature and appeared to possess strange paranormal powers even at an early age. Being the `outcast' of the gymnasium he continually suffered the mockery of the other members. His lack of interest in competitive sport plus his physical inadequacy branded him a `weakling' in the eyes of the more athletically minded. "You think I'm stupid and weak... that I'm not capable of being like you" he one day replied. "Let me tell you this. With all your strength you will not be able to lift the rocks in the manner I prescribe unless you repeat my name".
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh then proclaimed that the large rock could be raised with just eleven finger tips touching it, but only if his name was loudly called. Likewise, the smaller rock could be raised by using nine finger tips. From that day forward the stones could be raised in the prescribed manner only by applying that formula.
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh became a Sufi, a Greek word derived from the root, `Sophia', meaning `wisdom'. Sufis are a mystical sect who embrace the esoteric philosophy and doctrine of pure Islam. In the final degrees of Sufism the candidate is initiated into the `mysteries' -- the innermost workings of nature and acquires `divine' powers.
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh passed from this world at an early age of 18 years and was afterwards proclaimed a saint. His tomb at Shivapur has become a place of pilgrimage since that time and the rocks are ceremoniously levitated by the faithful and others who visit the shrine.
Anyone, believer, non-believer, any member of any faith, an agnostic, a heathen or a sceptic can partake in the levitation ritual; these things have no bearing on the phenomenon whatsoever, thus eliminating the theory of `mind over matter', the power of belief or strength through faith.
The curious may wonder also why the rocks have not been vandalised or removed from the temple enclosure. Stories state that over the years many have tried to do exactly that. Those who have attempted to desecrate a holy place have always met with disaster.
An additional phenomenon should be mentioned. In the valley just below the shrine water spurts from a wall of rock which forms the source of a series of baths. The water contains healing properties and pilgrims use the baths regularly.
Many spiritual centres and healing centres at `key' points around the earth exhibit high electro-magnetic field activity which is capable of producing diverse forms of psychic phenomenon in humans. Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Sedona in the USA are some examples.
A more `scientific' approach to the explanation of the levitating rocks may be relative to the generation of the exact amount of bio-energy complemented by the sound frequencies which resonate with the particular vibrations of the rocks.
Could Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh have been aware of such things? Modern physics today is only beginning to rediscover that which was fundamental to Indian metaphysics millennia ago.
MIRACLES OF THE STONES OF HAZRAT QAMAR ALI DARVESH ( RA ).
Two large stones, rounded in contour, sit close to each other. A group of men (no women are allowed to partake) will approach either of the stones. The largest, weighing about 70 kilograms, requires 11 men. The other, slightly less in weight, needs nine men, no more, no less, to surround it.
The tip of the index finger of the right hand is then used to touch the rock around the line of its horizontal circumference. When the name of the saint is voiced in unison, holding the lst syllable as long as possible without running out of breath -- "Qamar Ali Darve-e-e-e-e-e-sh" the giant rock suddenly springs to life and ascends into the air to a height of approximately two metres and remains in that position until the partakers run out of breath. Then it plummets to the earth with a dull, heavy thud. If these conditions are not met, the rock will not budge from its position on the ground.
This ceremonial raising of the rocks, with perhaps a little Western scepticism at first looking for some rational and logical clue, although instinctively this is pointless, When you investigate enigmas in India over a period of time you realise that logic and rationalism are inadequate procedures by which to evaluate phenomenon outside the scheme of normal things.
To lift the stone Elevn people should say the name Qamar Ali Darvesh pointing eleven fingers to the stone. Other than the name of the sufi saint the stones cannot be lifted. This is the miracle even today at dargah sharief.
How to reach
Shivapur is a small vilage very close to the city of Pune.Being on the Mumbai-Banglore highway the village is very well connected.
From Pune take Satara road,after Katraj ghat or the new Katraj tunnel keep looking at the right.
Around 5 kms after the tunnel or ghat look out on right for the entrance gate written "Khed-Shivapur".
PLACE : SHIVAPUR, PUNE ( CITY )
MAHARASHTRA ( STATE ).INDIA
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh was a Sufi, a Greek word derived from the root, `Sophia', meaning `wisdom'. Sufis are a mystical sect who embrace the esoteric philosophy and doctrine of pure Islam. In the final degrees of Sufism the candidate is initiated into the `mysteries' -- the innermost workings of nature and acquires `divine' powers.
Life
Eight hundred years ago, a Muslim family consisting of a father, mother and son, arrived from the West of India to live in the nearby village of Darodi. At that time a gymnasium existed on the spot where the shrine now stands. Two large stones were used by wrestlers for exercise purposes. A group of men would surround a stone and lift it to strengthen their hands, wrists and forearms. The boy's parents insisted that their son visit the gymnasium and indulge in the manly sports. But the boy, Qamar Ali Darvesh, was not like the others.
The young boy's interests lay in other directions. He exhibited a hypersensitive nature and appeared to possess strange paranormal powers even at an early age. Being the `outcast' of the gymnasium he continually suffered the mockery of the other members. His lack of interest in competitive sport plus his physical inadequacy branded him a `weakling' in the eyes of the more athletically minded. "You think I'm stupid and weak... that I'm not capable of being like you" he one day replied. "Let me tell you this. With all your strength you will not be able to lift the rocks in the manner I prescribe unless you repeat my name".
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh then proclaimed that the large rock could be raised with just eleven finger tips touching it, but only if his name was loudly called. Likewise, the smaller rock could be raised by using nine finger tips. From that day forward the stones could be raised in the prescribed manner only by applying that formula.
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh became a Sufi, a Greek word derived from the root, `Sophia', meaning `wisdom'. Sufis are a mystical sect who embrace the esoteric philosophy and doctrine of pure Islam. In the final degrees of Sufism the candidate is initiated into the `mysteries' -- the innermost workings of nature and acquires `divine' powers.
Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh passed from this world at an early age of 18 years and was afterwards proclaimed a saint. His tomb at Shivapur has become a place of pilgrimage since that time and the rocks are ceremoniously levitated by the faithful and others who visit the shrine.
Anyone, believer, non-believer, any member of any faith, an agnostic, a heathen or a sceptic can partake in the levitation ritual; these things have no bearing on the phenomenon whatsoever, thus eliminating the theory of `mind over matter', the power of belief or strength through faith.
The curious may wonder also why the rocks have not been vandalised or removed from the temple enclosure. Stories state that over the years many have tried to do exactly that. Those who have attempted to desecrate a holy place have always met with disaster.
An additional phenomenon should be mentioned. In the valley just below the shrine water spurts from a wall of rock which forms the source of a series of baths. The water contains healing properties and pilgrims use the baths regularly.
Many spiritual centres and healing centres at `key' points around the earth exhibit high electro-magnetic field activity which is capable of producing diverse forms of psychic phenomenon in humans. Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Sedona in the USA are some examples.
A more `scientific' approach to the explanation of the levitating rocks may be relative to the generation of the exact amount of bio-energy complemented by the sound frequencies which resonate with the particular vibrations of the rocks.
Could Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh have been aware of such things? Modern physics today is only beginning to rediscover that which was fundamental to Indian metaphysics millennia ago.
MIRACLES OF THE STONES OF HAZRAT QAMAR ALI DARVESH ( RA ).
Two large stones, rounded in contour, sit close to each other. A group of men (no women are allowed to partake) will approach either of the stones. The largest, weighing about 70 kilograms, requires 11 men. The other, slightly less in weight, needs nine men, no more, no less, to surround it.
The tip of the index finger of the right hand is then used to touch the rock around the line of its horizontal circumference. When the name of the saint is voiced in unison, holding the lst syllable as long as possible without running out of breath -- "Qamar Ali Darve-e-e-e-e-e-sh" the giant rock suddenly springs to life and ascends into the air to a height of approximately two metres and remains in that position until the partakers run out of breath. Then it plummets to the earth with a dull, heavy thud. If these conditions are not met, the rock will not budge from its position on the ground.
This ceremonial raising of the rocks, with perhaps a little Western scepticism at first looking for some rational and logical clue, although instinctively this is pointless, When you investigate enigmas in India over a period of time you realise that logic and rationalism are inadequate procedures by which to evaluate phenomenon outside the scheme of normal things.
To lift the stone Elevn people should say the name Qamar Ali Darvesh pointing eleven fingers to the stone. Other than the name of the sufi saint the stones cannot be lifted. This is the miracle even today at dargah sharief.
How to reach
Shivapur is a small vilage very close to the city of Pune.Being on the Mumbai-Banglore highway the village is very well connected.
From Pune take Satara road,after Katraj ghat or the new Katraj tunnel keep looking at the right.
Around 5 kms after the tunnel or ghat look out on right for the entrance gate written "Khed-Shivapur".
Sibyll Kalff (born 1967 Bonn, Germany) is a German mixed-media artist and musician whose work follows the tradition of Fluxus and Dadaism. The breadth of her artwork consists of paintings, artists books, works on paper, sketchbooks, collage books, and video art. Also her original compositions within music follows the genre of blues with a strong folk influence.
Biography
Kalff, who was raised in Bonn, was taught art privately during 1983 to 1987 by the painter Insea Hohlt-Sahm, before going to art school at the summer academy for fine arts in Trier and the Fachhochschule Cologne from 1987 to 1988. After a short travel to Nepal, her first group show was at Kunsthaus Rhenania in Cologne during May 1991 for an exhibition called "No Germans To The Front." Over the next few year, she would head to London, Portugal, Morocco, Paris, and New York City to work on her art and music career.
After the next few years, Kalff had group and solo shows in a diverse range of places including the STORM gallery in Amsterdam during November 1991, the Ehrenfelder Kunststage in Cologne during June 1992, the Galerie am Schlachthof at Cologne during February 1993, the Galerie Cornelius Hertz at Bremen from March 1995 to June 1995, the Joe Doe Gallery at Brooklyn during October 1999, the galery thor zimmermann in cologne during July 2001, FLUXFACTORY in New York City during May 2006, the Abaton Garage Gallery in New Jersey during December 2006 to January 2007, The Core in Portland during July 2007, the University Art Gallery at the University of California in Irvine during June 2008, the F.U.E.L. Collection in Philadelphia during December 2008, Artists Space during December 2008, the Petersburg Project Space in Amsterdam during June 2009, and the Artestudio Morandi at Ponte Nossa, Bergamo, Italy during July 2009.
Also Kalff has been involved in a variety of projects involving sound art, artists books, conceptual photography, as well as various works on paper.
Works
Kalff's best known works, which has been described as being complex and varied, has been compared to the work of Dieter Roth and Gerhard Richter in terms of its use of humor and personal history to craft narratives that reflect themes of travel, whimsy, living in the moment, and cultural understanding in the vein of members of the Beat Generation.
Biography
Kalff, who was raised in Bonn, was taught art privately during 1983 to 1987 by the painter Insea Hohlt-Sahm, before going to art school at the summer academy for fine arts in Trier and the Fachhochschule Cologne from 1987 to 1988. After a short travel to Nepal, her first group show was at Kunsthaus Rhenania in Cologne during May 1991 for an exhibition called "No Germans To The Front." Over the next few year, she would head to London, Portugal, Morocco, Paris, and New York City to work on her art and music career.
After the next few years, Kalff had group and solo shows in a diverse range of places including the STORM gallery in Amsterdam during November 1991, the Ehrenfelder Kunststage in Cologne during June 1992, the Galerie am Schlachthof at Cologne during February 1993, the Galerie Cornelius Hertz at Bremen from March 1995 to June 1995, the Joe Doe Gallery at Brooklyn during October 1999, the galery thor zimmermann in cologne during July 2001, FLUXFACTORY in New York City during May 2006, the Abaton Garage Gallery in New Jersey during December 2006 to January 2007, The Core in Portland during July 2007, the University Art Gallery at the University of California in Irvine during June 2008, the F.U.E.L. Collection in Philadelphia during December 2008, Artists Space during December 2008, the Petersburg Project Space in Amsterdam during June 2009, and the Artestudio Morandi at Ponte Nossa, Bergamo, Italy during July 2009.
Also Kalff has been involved in a variety of projects involving sound art, artists books, conceptual photography, as well as various works on paper.
Works
Kalff's best known works, which has been described as being complex and varied, has been compared to the work of Dieter Roth and Gerhard Richter in terms of its use of humor and personal history to craft narratives that reflect themes of travel, whimsy, living in the moment, and cultural understanding in the vein of members of the Beat Generation.
SoftBrands, Inc., provides software solutions for businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries worldwide. The company has approximately 5,000 customers in more than 100 countries actively using its products. SoftBrands is headquartered in Minneapolis with branch offices in Europe, India, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Company Overview
SoftBrands offers software, consulting, implementation, installation and ongoing support to manufacturers. The company has a strategic partnership with SAP, and its FourthShift Edition manufacturing software solutions extends SAP Business One enterprise software to small and midsized enterprises as well as divisions of larger enterprises.
SoftBrands also sells enterprise software to hotels and resorts, offering full-featured, Internet-native property management system (PMS) and central reservation system (CRS) products. In addition to offering solutions that help hotels manage their operations efficiently, the company develops tools to drive demand into hotels through improved central reservation systems, distribution capabilities, web booking engines and customer relationship management and sales force automation capabilities.
Other SoftBrands facts
* Approximately 5,000 customers worldwide
* Major operations in the U.S., Europe, India, China and Africa
* Common stock trades on the NYSE Alternext market under trading symbol SBN
* The company is an SAP Gold Partner
Products
SoftBrands Manufacturing
SoftBrands principal products for the manufacturing market include:
* FourthShift Edition for SAP Business One provides manufacturing functionality in key vertical segments within the process and make-to-stock sector with SAP’s Business One software solution.
* FourthShift is a comprehensive manufacturing management system designed to work with Microsoft operating systems (Windows NT/XT/2000) and is primarily offered with a SQL Server database engine.
* FourthShift Edition PPS is designed for discrete manufacturers in the European market.
* Evolution provides functionality and tools specifically suited to converter manufacturers.
SoftBrands Hospitality
SoftBrands principal products for the Hospitality marketing include property management systems and central reservation systems:
* Epitome is a full-featured property management system for multi-property hotel groups and chains built on the Microsoft .NET platform.
* Medallion is a property management system designed primarily for independent hotels.
* Core is a central reservation system that offers complete central reservations, channel management and call center management capabilities.
* Mosaik BI is a business intelligence offering that improves hoteliers’ ability to analyze and improve the performance of their hotels on both a property-by-property and cross-property basis.
* The company also sells, installs and supports third-party business applications in areas such as customer relationship management (CRM), spa and golf.
History
SoftBrands was founded in 1984 as Fourth Shift Corporation, which provided ERP systems to manufacturers. In 2001, the company was acquired by AremisSoft. Shortly after the acquisition, the SEC started investigating AremisSoft on allegations of fraud. Its management team resigned and AremisSoft filed for bankruptcy in 2002. SoftBrands emerged as an independent company and successfully raised capital to continue its operations. In 2005 SoftBrands registered its common stock and again became a public company. In August 2006, SoftBrands acquired Hotel Information Systems. As of its fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the company had nearly $100 million in revenues.
Company Overview
SoftBrands offers software, consulting, implementation, installation and ongoing support to manufacturers. The company has a strategic partnership with SAP, and its FourthShift Edition manufacturing software solutions extends SAP Business One enterprise software to small and midsized enterprises as well as divisions of larger enterprises.
SoftBrands also sells enterprise software to hotels and resorts, offering full-featured, Internet-native property management system (PMS) and central reservation system (CRS) products. In addition to offering solutions that help hotels manage their operations efficiently, the company develops tools to drive demand into hotels through improved central reservation systems, distribution capabilities, web booking engines and customer relationship management and sales force automation capabilities.
Other SoftBrands facts
* Approximately 5,000 customers worldwide
* Major operations in the U.S., Europe, India, China and Africa
* Common stock trades on the NYSE Alternext market under trading symbol SBN
* The company is an SAP Gold Partner
Products
SoftBrands Manufacturing
SoftBrands principal products for the manufacturing market include:
* FourthShift Edition for SAP Business One provides manufacturing functionality in key vertical segments within the process and make-to-stock sector with SAP’s Business One software solution.
* FourthShift is a comprehensive manufacturing management system designed to work with Microsoft operating systems (Windows NT/XT/2000) and is primarily offered with a SQL Server database engine.
* FourthShift Edition PPS is designed for discrete manufacturers in the European market.
* Evolution provides functionality and tools specifically suited to converter manufacturers.
SoftBrands Hospitality
SoftBrands principal products for the Hospitality marketing include property management systems and central reservation systems:
* Epitome is a full-featured property management system for multi-property hotel groups and chains built on the Microsoft .NET platform.
* Medallion is a property management system designed primarily for independent hotels.
* Core is a central reservation system that offers complete central reservations, channel management and call center management capabilities.
* Mosaik BI is a business intelligence offering that improves hoteliers’ ability to analyze and improve the performance of their hotels on both a property-by-property and cross-property basis.
* The company also sells, installs and supports third-party business applications in areas such as customer relationship management (CRM), spa and golf.
History
SoftBrands was founded in 1984 as Fourth Shift Corporation, which provided ERP systems to manufacturers. In 2001, the company was acquired by AremisSoft. Shortly after the acquisition, the SEC started investigating AremisSoft on allegations of fraud. Its management team resigned and AremisSoft filed for bankruptcy in 2002. SoftBrands emerged as an independent company and successfully raised capital to continue its operations. In 2005 SoftBrands registered its common stock and again became a public company. In August 2006, SoftBrands acquired Hotel Information Systems. As of its fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the company had nearly $100 million in revenues.
WeDigTV is an advanced internet television provider which launched in February 2007. It uses modern technology and broadband capability in such a way that it allows the viewer to take part in the shows they are viewing as a contestant would on television. WeDigTV have named this concept TV-2, and claim to be the world's first bearer of the idea. It uses a mix of specifically filmed and recorded clips and archive footage.
With a growing selection of old and new gameshows currently available, the viewer takes the place of a contestant in a modified version of the real show. Using combinations of Flash Player and streaming video featuring the authentic hosts of the programmes, the players are replaced by red and blue animated avatars. WeDigTV currently only supports one player, and the player is always the red avatar. Either the player plays against the computer, or the blue avatar simply does nothing whatsoever depending on the mechanics of the given show.
Upon starting the game, the player can choose two different ways to 'view' - Free to View, or Pay To View. Free to View allows the player to play free of charge, however the games are separated by a number of interactive advertisements. These cease to appear in Pay to View, and should the player gain a high score and therefore a good position on the given show's leaderboard, they will be eligible for cash prizes at the end of the given calendar month. Scoring methods vary depending on the game one is playing.
WeDigTV's concept is powered by The JD Project.
On 4 March 2008 it was announced that WeDigTV had been nominated for an Emmy Award. On 10 April, the site won the "Best Interactive Channel" award.
The Network Guide
As of 2009, WeDigTV's Network Guide consists of the following:
Channel 0: WeDigTV Information
Launched: 14 September 2007
Looping video of WeDigTV presenters welcoming you to WeDigTV and discussing how to use the website.
Channel 1: Deal or No Deal
Launched: 14 September 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Noel Edmonds. A player plays through the entire show, and at the end of each round must predict The Banker's offers, rate the given offer and then keep calm. The more effectively these are completed, the higher the player will score. Scoring is not at all swayed by the discovery of big boxes. Even after the player has dealt, she must still play through the rest of the game and predict and rate the Banker's offers, but no longer has to play the portion involving heart-rate control.
Channel 2: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Launched: 14 September 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Chris Tarrant. A player plays through the entire show, playing for points instead of pounds. A time limit of 30 seconds is given to answer each question, and time bonus points are given depending on how quickly questions are answered. Reaching a milestone (£1,000, £32,000, £1,000,000) without using a lifeline will double the score.
Channel 3: Family Fortunes
Launched: 7 February 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Vernon Kay. Players play through two regular rounds, one Double Money round, and then the Big Money round, should the player have beaten their opponents. If the opponents have the higher score, the game ends after the Double Money round. Points are awarded on the rank of each given answer. Finding mystery prizes by finding the top answers in the main game boosts a player's score, scoring 200 in the Big Money round boosts it even more, and finding the "top bonus" gives it an additional boost.
Channel 4: Countdown
Launched: 7 February 2007
Hosted by Des Lynam, Carol Vorderman, and Susie Dent. A player plays through two letters rounds, a numbers round to follow each letters round, and a Countdown Conundrum. Scores are determined on length of words in the case of the letters games, and on how quickly solutions are spotted, with extra points given if Susie or Carol cannot beat the player's given solution.
Channel 5: The Price is Right
Launched: 17 May 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Joe Pasquale. A player plays through three pricing rounds, a pricing game for each time he or she wins the pricing round, the Showcase Showdown, and the Showcase. Points are awarded for getting the closest value to the prize shown without going over, and for progress in the pricing games. In the Showcase Showdown, the player must pass a certain "threshold" with his or her spins to advance to the Showcase. The threshold(starting at 90) is lower(by 10) for each pricing game won.
Channel 6: Bullseye
Launched: 13 April 2007
Archive version of the gameshow hosted by Jim Bowen (archive video only) and Tony Green (both archive video and new audio, saying some lines that Jim would usually say). A players plays as both members of a team through five throws in the Category Question round, a specially-designed round in which the thrower must reach a total with his darts that starts at 20 and rises by 20 each time to earn the question, Bully's Board as on the show, and the 101 gamble using anywhere between two darts and six. Scoring is based on hitting the chosen categories or required scores, answering questions correctly, and the value of the prizes hit. A bonus is given for a successful 101 gamble depending on how many darts the player chose to use.
Channel 7: Blockbusters
Launched: 7 February 2007
Archive version of the UK gameshow hosted by Bob Holness. A player plays as the white team against the blue team through the second round, the third round if he or she has won the second (the first round is only available on Pay to View), and the Gold Run if successful in both rounds. Scoring is based on how quickly the player wins the rounds and any times he gets an answer wrong or doesn't ring in. The Gold Run is worth double if solved with no passes.
Channel 8: Catchphrase
Launched: 7 February 2007
Archive version of the UK gameshow hosted by Roy Walker. Players play through one Main Round, one Ready Money round, and the Super Catchphrase. Scoring is determined on how quickly the player buzzes in, how quickly they answer each given Super Catchphrase and whether any passes were made in the final round.
Channel 9: TV-2 Ad Experience
Launched: 12 November 2007
Advertisement only channel highlighting the appeal of interaction in the adverts.
Channel 10: Join WeDigTV
Launched: 12 November 2007
Allows viewers to sign up, which allows them to hear of and play new launches ahead of standard users.
Channel 99: Terms and Conditions
Launched: 14 September 2007
Reads about the methods of scoring and conditions needed to be eligible for the cash prizes offered.
YouDigTV
In April 2007, a new section to the website, called YouDigTV was added. These took rounds from the selection of shows available at the time and allowed the user to add their own touch to them in some way, for example, a Catchphrase tool allowed an uploaded image to be placed behind the Bonus Catchphrase squares, or a 9-letter word could be cryptically jumbled up to go into a Conundrum Round on a Countdown mini-game. These were then fed to the player as a simple hyperlink which could then be sent to friends to play. As these became more popular, the tools were eventually allocated their own separate site, www.wedigtv.com/youdigtv.
However, support for many of these tools was removed in late 2007, only Bullseye's 101 Challenge and Spin TV still remain, but links stored from the past games can still be played simply by putting them into the address bar. Recently they have been all added to the menu again.
New Content
On 2 December 2007, WeDigTV announced the commence of work on a brand new show concept called Heart Beaters. Using specially filmed real internal body footage, it is set to be a gameshow in which the player has to find certain organs by answering questions. Later, in January, Death Penalty and Mind Sets were also announced, and one other show remains undisclosed. The shows were scheduled for launch in 2008, although this did not happen. Unlike the above sets of gameshows, the new TV-2 exclusive games will only be available in Free to View, after WeDigTV were unimpressed with the initial performance of Pay to View (formerely Play to Win). Mind Sets is also set to be the first WeDigTV game in which two-player modes are supported, however this is not thought to be compulsory. The release of the games is set to coincide with the site's expansion into the United States and Germany, where new versions of the website will debut initially only including these shows.
In addition to this, WeDigTV hope to be expanding their catalogue of remade gameshows from TV. Taken from the Celebs page of the now defunct Alpha website, it reads that the company hopes to be negotiating with Ant and Dec, Les Dennis and Des O'Connor among others. Premium basis and High Definition content was also thought to be in the pipeline.
Evolution and Criticism
While being a very fresh, exciting new product - WeDigTV carries downsides due to the genre's originality. Its infant stages appeared very promising indeed, however, since its most major overhaul (to BETA) which occurred on 14 September 2007 (to the current front end of the website - which saw the debut of WeDigTV Information, Deal or No Deal and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), the general opinion of the website has gone down in approval, due to longer loading times, poorer picture quality and a sharp increase in the number of times the shows crash or behave in a strange manner. This can range from a series of long pauses, normally when the player's avatar is on the screen, to a fault ruining the game (two examples of this are Carol picking blank tiles on Countdown and answer boxes failing to appear on Blockbusters), bugs which did not appear before the makeover. The general poor performance of the website seems to be similar regardless of connection speed, with only loading times being improved on faster speeds.
The look of the website after the change has also been shunned, after being dubbed "unfriendly" on internet forums. BBC Click reporter Kate Russell praised the initial gaming sections of the website in her November 2007 review, but slashed the original presenters on the WeDigTV Information channel. WeDigTV appeared to take this on board, as they were replaced by former Quiz Call host Derek Gibbons and a co-host on 13 December. Five more versions of the WeDigTV Information channel in various languages were introduced in February 2008, although all games remained in English. These channels were removed in March 2009, reverting back to solely English, and putting any further evolution of the website into doubt.
Despite its problems, the site has developed a cult following because of the nature of its content, and, in its prime (circa November 2007), attracted around 2-3 million unique hits per month in the UK. It is unknown how it performs currently.
With a growing selection of old and new gameshows currently available, the viewer takes the place of a contestant in a modified version of the real show. Using combinations of Flash Player and streaming video featuring the authentic hosts of the programmes, the players are replaced by red and blue animated avatars. WeDigTV currently only supports one player, and the player is always the red avatar. Either the player plays against the computer, or the blue avatar simply does nothing whatsoever depending on the mechanics of the given show.
Upon starting the game, the player can choose two different ways to 'view' - Free to View, or Pay To View. Free to View allows the player to play free of charge, however the games are separated by a number of interactive advertisements. These cease to appear in Pay to View, and should the player gain a high score and therefore a good position on the given show's leaderboard, they will be eligible for cash prizes at the end of the given calendar month. Scoring methods vary depending on the game one is playing.
WeDigTV's concept is powered by The JD Project.
On 4 March 2008 it was announced that WeDigTV had been nominated for an Emmy Award. On 10 April, the site won the "Best Interactive Channel" award.
The Network Guide
As of 2009, WeDigTV's Network Guide consists of the following:
Channel 0: WeDigTV Information
Launched: 14 September 2007
Looping video of WeDigTV presenters welcoming you to WeDigTV and discussing how to use the website.
Channel 1: Deal or No Deal
Launched: 14 September 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Noel Edmonds. A player plays through the entire show, and at the end of each round must predict The Banker's offers, rate the given offer and then keep calm. The more effectively these are completed, the higher the player will score. Scoring is not at all swayed by the discovery of big boxes. Even after the player has dealt, she must still play through the rest of the game and predict and rate the Banker's offers, but no longer has to play the portion involving heart-rate control.
Channel 2: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Launched: 14 September 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Chris Tarrant. A player plays through the entire show, playing for points instead of pounds. A time limit of 30 seconds is given to answer each question, and time bonus points are given depending on how quickly questions are answered. Reaching a milestone (£1,000, £32,000, £1,000,000) without using a lifeline will double the score.
Channel 3: Family Fortunes
Launched: 7 February 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Vernon Kay. Players play through two regular rounds, one Double Money round, and then the Big Money round, should the player have beaten their opponents. If the opponents have the higher score, the game ends after the Double Money round. Points are awarded on the rank of each given answer. Finding mystery prizes by finding the top answers in the main game boosts a player's score, scoring 200 in the Big Money round boosts it even more, and finding the "top bonus" gives it an additional boost.
Channel 4: Countdown
Launched: 7 February 2007
Hosted by Des Lynam, Carol Vorderman, and Susie Dent. A player plays through two letters rounds, a numbers round to follow each letters round, and a Countdown Conundrum. Scores are determined on length of words in the case of the letters games, and on how quickly solutions are spotted, with extra points given if Susie or Carol cannot beat the player's given solution.
Channel 5: The Price is Right
Launched: 17 May 2007
UK Version of the gameshow hosted by Joe Pasquale. A player plays through three pricing rounds, a pricing game for each time he or she wins the pricing round, the Showcase Showdown, and the Showcase. Points are awarded for getting the closest value to the prize shown without going over, and for progress in the pricing games. In the Showcase Showdown, the player must pass a certain "threshold" with his or her spins to advance to the Showcase. The threshold(starting at 90) is lower(by 10) for each pricing game won.
Channel 6: Bullseye
Launched: 13 April 2007
Archive version of the gameshow hosted by Jim Bowen (archive video only) and Tony Green (both archive video and new audio, saying some lines that Jim would usually say). A players plays as both members of a team through five throws in the Category Question round, a specially-designed round in which the thrower must reach a total with his darts that starts at 20 and rises by 20 each time to earn the question, Bully's Board as on the show, and the 101 gamble using anywhere between two darts and six. Scoring is based on hitting the chosen categories or required scores, answering questions correctly, and the value of the prizes hit. A bonus is given for a successful 101 gamble depending on how many darts the player chose to use.
Channel 7: Blockbusters
Launched: 7 February 2007
Archive version of the UK gameshow hosted by Bob Holness. A player plays as the white team against the blue team through the second round, the third round if he or she has won the second (the first round is only available on Pay to View), and the Gold Run if successful in both rounds. Scoring is based on how quickly the player wins the rounds and any times he gets an answer wrong or doesn't ring in. The Gold Run is worth double if solved with no passes.
Channel 8: Catchphrase
Launched: 7 February 2007
Archive version of the UK gameshow hosted by Roy Walker. Players play through one Main Round, one Ready Money round, and the Super Catchphrase. Scoring is determined on how quickly the player buzzes in, how quickly they answer each given Super Catchphrase and whether any passes were made in the final round.
Channel 9: TV-2 Ad Experience
Launched: 12 November 2007
Advertisement only channel highlighting the appeal of interaction in the adverts.
Channel 10: Join WeDigTV
Launched: 12 November 2007
Allows viewers to sign up, which allows them to hear of and play new launches ahead of standard users.
Channel 99: Terms and Conditions
Launched: 14 September 2007
Reads about the methods of scoring and conditions needed to be eligible for the cash prizes offered.
YouDigTV
In April 2007, a new section to the website, called YouDigTV was added. These took rounds from the selection of shows available at the time and allowed the user to add their own touch to them in some way, for example, a Catchphrase tool allowed an uploaded image to be placed behind the Bonus Catchphrase squares, or a 9-letter word could be cryptically jumbled up to go into a Conundrum Round on a Countdown mini-game. These were then fed to the player as a simple hyperlink which could then be sent to friends to play. As these became more popular, the tools were eventually allocated their own separate site, www.wedigtv.com/youdigtv.
However, support for many of these tools was removed in late 2007, only Bullseye's 101 Challenge and Spin TV still remain, but links stored from the past games can still be played simply by putting them into the address bar. Recently they have been all added to the menu again.
New Content
On 2 December 2007, WeDigTV announced the commence of work on a brand new show concept called Heart Beaters. Using specially filmed real internal body footage, it is set to be a gameshow in which the player has to find certain organs by answering questions. Later, in January, Death Penalty and Mind Sets were also announced, and one other show remains undisclosed. The shows were scheduled for launch in 2008, although this did not happen. Unlike the above sets of gameshows, the new TV-2 exclusive games will only be available in Free to View, after WeDigTV were unimpressed with the initial performance of Pay to View (formerely Play to Win). Mind Sets is also set to be the first WeDigTV game in which two-player modes are supported, however this is not thought to be compulsory. The release of the games is set to coincide with the site's expansion into the United States and Germany, where new versions of the website will debut initially only including these shows.
In addition to this, WeDigTV hope to be expanding their catalogue of remade gameshows from TV. Taken from the Celebs page of the now defunct Alpha website, it reads that the company hopes to be negotiating with Ant and Dec, Les Dennis and Des O'Connor among others. Premium basis and High Definition content was also thought to be in the pipeline.
Evolution and Criticism
While being a very fresh, exciting new product - WeDigTV carries downsides due to the genre's originality. Its infant stages appeared very promising indeed, however, since its most major overhaul (to BETA) which occurred on 14 September 2007 (to the current front end of the website - which saw the debut of WeDigTV Information, Deal or No Deal and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), the general opinion of the website has gone down in approval, due to longer loading times, poorer picture quality and a sharp increase in the number of times the shows crash or behave in a strange manner. This can range from a series of long pauses, normally when the player's avatar is on the screen, to a fault ruining the game (two examples of this are Carol picking blank tiles on Countdown and answer boxes failing to appear on Blockbusters), bugs which did not appear before the makeover. The general poor performance of the website seems to be similar regardless of connection speed, with only loading times being improved on faster speeds.
The look of the website after the change has also been shunned, after being dubbed "unfriendly" on internet forums. BBC Click reporter Kate Russell praised the initial gaming sections of the website in her November 2007 review, but slashed the original presenters on the WeDigTV Information channel. WeDigTV appeared to take this on board, as they were replaced by former Quiz Call host Derek Gibbons and a co-host on 13 December. Five more versions of the WeDigTV Information channel in various languages were introduced in February 2008, although all games remained in English. These channels were removed in March 2009, reverting back to solely English, and putting any further evolution of the website into doubt.
Despite its problems, the site has developed a cult following because of the nature of its content, and, in its prime (circa November 2007), attracted around 2-3 million unique hits per month in the UK. It is unknown how it performs currently.