NewLively FAQ

• • General

    • Why did you create newlively?

      In November 2008, when we were informed about the closure of Google Lively, we were among all those users who felt disheartened. In Google Lively we made many friends and this way of networking in Lively had become a part of our life. We felt that it was imperative to do something for the benefit of all Lively users. We wanted to lead current Lively users out of disappointment and distress, and allow them to return to the space where friendships and 'homes' were once established. To this end we created Newlively. Taking into consideration that Lively users had formed strong emotional attachment to 'Lively', we were therefore willing to do our utmost best to make the spirit of Newlively resemble the original Lively as closely as possible. Although we were fully aware that this project would involve a large amount of work, we felt that as long our users were happy, our efforts would become extremely valuable.

    • Who are the people behind creating newlively?

      A group of Lively fans who are not from Mars! They all have their respective jobs. However, as one may have gathered, they work in various fields of 3D and computer programming. It is the common interest and ambition that they share which motivates them to work together as a team. Otherwise, it would be impossible to produce the initial version of this release in such a short time.

    • What intentions you have for newlively? Are you looking at it to generate revenue?

      We created Newlively for three reasons: 1) to restore to Lively users their lost meeting place; 2) to put to test the strength of our executive management; 3) to prove to ourselves that our skills and abilities are in fact cutting-edge. It was by chance that we came up with the idea to create Newlively. It was our commitment to responsible customer care on a long-term basis that ultimately made us decide to do our best to create Newlively. At the current instance we have not yet discussed money matters. Rather, we prefer to think considerably about how to provide good customer service to the original Lively users. These users are a bunch of lovely and cultivated people who expect a first-class service. When these users are happy, we will then strive to keep our cost down to a reasonable level by employing cutting-edge technology and efficiency in our organizational management. Thus, we believe that gaining a profit would just be the result of our good customer service strategy.

    • Where are you located?

      In Beijing, China. Our offices have a splendid view towards the Bird's Nest (where the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony took place). However, we are not far away from the offices of Google China.

    • Who is funding newlively?

      The majority of the team members come from one enterprise. This enterprise provides the funding for the project.

    • How long did it take to create newlively?

      From decision-making to the release of the trial version, it took approximately one month.

    • Where are you up to in developing newlively?

      Due to the brief time spent in developing it, we have only achieved implementing the main functions of Lively. These functions enable users to create their own rooms, to purchase household furniture to decorate their rooms, to choose an avatar and to change their clothes. While all the basic functions are fulfilled, the availability of styles and avatar's performance are yet to improve. We believe that the situation will considerably improve very soon.

    • What resources will you need to get newlively to go from beta to production?

      The most important resources for the perfection of this product is attributed to the support of our users. We hope that the users would understand our challenges in testing the product and also hope that the original team of people who furnished us with the content would assist us too. (Fortunately, we have received assistance from many content providers who made contact with us and gave us some structures for the platform.) In addition, we also welcome the Lively community to give us more support.

  • Technical

    • What tools are used for content development? Exporters? Code Editors?

      The content providers can use almost any mainstream 3D software to construct the model. These include 3Ds Max, Maya, Sketchup, Blender, etc. Then, through an export interface, a X3D/VRML97 document is created. In the future detailed documentation will be published to explain how content providers can developed such technological know-how.

    • What standards is it based on?

      Compatible with the X3D/VRML97 standard.

    • What resources are available for information on using the platform?

      At the same time when information on the User Generated Content system will be released, we will publish some other documents on computer technology advising content providers on how to use Newlively and on the journey to develop the product.

  • Legal

    • Why duplicate Lively when there could be possible copyright violations?

      People are often emotionally attached to previous experiences and situations. Thus, if we create a 3D environment including room skeletons and an avatar that is already familiar to users, we help them by lessening the impact of loneliness and disappointment. After the closure of Lively, there is no greater happiness than to duplicate Lively for the sake of the Lively users. We understand that this activity would generate a certain degree of legal risk. However, whenever we remember the disheartenment and disappointment of so many Lively users, we feel that this risk is worth taking and the users will support us. Google is a great company. Its greatness is based upon quality customer care. What we create is similar to Google Lively, which the users liked. Based on this, there should be no problems. We are willing to prove it. The concept of Google Lively is great and good. Besides, we do not use any code whatsoever from Google Lively. The entire platform was created new from scratch, using a different technology altogether. Only the concept and the interface remains as close to Google Lively as possible, and the amount of work involved in doing this is quite insignificant in comparison to the creation of the entire system. Moreover, in our understanding of these kinds of platforms, copyright privileges should go to the content providers. As long as these content providers are willing to transfer the platform to Newlively, there will be no issues.
      
      After the Lively users are resettled into this new platform, we will gradually incorporate more functions to enhance the experience of our users.
      
      Our intention is not to replicate Google Lively, but to reproduce the Google innovative spirit and its complete respect for its users.

  • Acknowledgement：
    
    Thanks to Yee Ming ,Mary Chan and oriste for their kind assistance.