Acknowledgements for Those Supporting TWUMOO
Acknowledgements for Those Supporting TWUMOO
Developing a virtual world---an alternative universe, so to speak---demands many minds, many hands, many spirits. From the philosophical and theoretical views that we build upon to the fingers that keyboard the code (ultimately creating a reality in a space where none had formerly been) to the kind words and support that embolden us to forge on, countless sources, many people, and great kindnesses have gone into TWU's MOO Project. These ideas, persons, and actions must not go unacknowledged, for they reflect the heart of our polis, the framework of our community.
First, we would like to thank the many spirits.
Foremost among them is Dr. Beverley Byers-Pevitts, past Vice President of Academic Affairs and former Interim President who funded the MOO Project and has made clear in numerous conversations and presentations that she believes in us and in what we are trying to accomplish. Without her support, this project simply would not exist.
Other administrators, too, have helped us along our way and should be remembered for their kindnesses. Among them are Dr. Suzann Buckley, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who has been one of the first people on our campus to find ways to utilize the virtual space we have created; Dr. Hugh Burns, the Chair of the Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Languages, who has found ways to provide the precious commodity of time for us to develop TWUMOO and the encouragement and intellectual support such a project as this requires; Dr. Brenda Phillips, Program Director of Women's Studies, who has lent her expertise by advising us on administrating grants and projects; Ms. Elizabeth Snapp, the Director of TWU Libraries, who has shared her time and resources to develop the Women's Collection of Electronic Texts; and last, but not least, Mr. Tom Graf, Director of Information Technology Services, who has provided technological resources to the project, as well as allowing us to work with Pat Nolan, a valued member of his staff.
Outside the TWU community, we need to remember Mr. Jan Rune Holmevik and Dr. Cynthia Haynes, the wizards of LinguaMOO, who have given shelter to TWUMOO while it waited for its own server space and have advised in its development. We would also like to mention our many, many friends from the Computers and Writing Community who have visited our MOO and provided encouragement and moral support for the project. We thank you.
Second, we would like to thank the many hands.
The MOO Team's graduate students who have labored hard in the project deserve much recognition in the development of TWUMOO: Annie Olson, whose brilliant mind and keen design capabilities have given shape to the MOO landscape and spun its web; Susie Crowson, whose insight has guided wise choices into its documentation and building; Carl Clark, whose wry wit and detailed eye have caused us to question our assumptions about our designs and fine tune our words; and Cecie Huddleston, whose interest and expertise in web design and digital photography helped to build the various archives. To these words of thanks we must add another "MOO Team" member, Pat Nolan, Systems Engineer of Information Technology Services, whose intellect and love of learning have been our boon. We applaud you.
Last, we would like to thank the many minds.
These are the people, both living and dead, whose ideas about women, computer technology, MOOs, virtuality, cyberia, reality, community, and collaboration have informed our decisions about how to create this MOO. Here are just a few: Jan Rune Holmevik, Cynthia Haynes, Cynthia Selfe, Gail Hawisher, Amy Bruckman, Sandye Thompson, Hugh Burns, John Barber, Victor Vitanza, Donna Haraway, Howard Rheingold, Jay David Bolter, George Landow, Plato, Espen Aarseth, Sherry Turkle, George Dyson, Lillian Bridwell-Bowles, Michael Joyce, Nancy Kaplan, Becky Rickly, Nancy Tuana, Aristotle, Alfred North Whitehead, William Gibson, Pat Cadigan, Joan Tornow, Michael Day, Judi Kirkpatrick, Susan Lang, Traci Gardner, Eric Crump, and Mick Doherty. Our world is literally--and virtually--your worlds. We salute you.
