VirCom Chat with Vito Montone.
Interviewed by Flyby
Moderated by red5
Transcripts sent by BILBO13 and Karyll

[Editor's note: Thanks to Karyll and BILBO13 for these transcripts. This chat has been edited, spell checked and efforts made to interpret some puzzling posts. Any errors are my own-jdb_educator]


   
    W. Vito Montone, Founder, COO & Chairman      Some of the 50+ Beach chat watchers

[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I want to say a few things first, OK?
red5 : Itz all yours Mr. Flyby
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : thanks
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Welcome my friends and fellow citizens,
Flyby reporting here from one of my favorite surfing spots in Cybertown: Sunset Beach.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : We have 4-5' swells that break from the
north shore. Ideal surfing conditions...
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : On behalf of our Founder Hawk, my dear friend red5, the Cybertown City Council and all the citizens of our great city, I want to introduce to you, Mr. Vito Montone.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask you a few questions about the upcoming event: Vir-Con.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Before I do, however, I would like to share with our citizens a bit of your background. Quite impressive, I might add! ©¿©¬
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : W. Vito Montone, Founder, COO & Chairman, served as Executive Producer at Paramount Digital Entertainment.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : While there he led development of the
next generation of entertainment on the web. He also created & produced the Judge Joe Brown Interactive Broadband Trial for Paramount Studios.
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : lol
[Club Owner] jeremy321 [2387] : wow
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Mr. Montone was Executive Producer of Check it Out!, Inc. (CIOI) a web-based marketing company delivering value-added marketing opportunities to radio advertisers.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : He also produced three multi-million dollar award-winning CD-ROM projects for Disney Interactive: 101 Dalmatians Animated StoryBook, MathQuest with Aladdin featuring Robin Williams and Hades Challenge.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Mr. Montone created & produced the ground-breaking award-winning broadband website, Concept: Cure for Digital Domain and General Motors, as well as created and produced the CBS affiliate television show ENTERTAINMENT ATLANTA?.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : An entrepreneur at heart, his previous experiences include: President of Montech, a forerunner in video-teleconferencing, which served clients IBM, AT&T and RCA among others.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : At eighteen, Mr. Montone passed up a degree in Architecture from Georgia Tech University to consult with Fortune 500 companies in the field of acoustical engineering and went on to write ten books, and assisted in launching two publishing companies and three professional associations
in that field.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Additionally, he served in management positions at several successful arts
organizations.
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : man..
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : That's quite an impressive resume' Vito. Thank you for taking the time to share with us information for the upcoming Vir-Con Convention!
[Elder] florenze [18489] : *clap clap* welcome to CT Vito :-)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : welcome sir!!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : congrats :-)
VitoMontone [50] : No thank you for pulling this together and everyone for coming!
[Block Leader] WEB-WIZARD [2445] : way to go Vito ^
[Club Assistant] Mortice [8396] : wow great
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : just a few questions now, OK?
[Elder] florenze [18489] : *clap clap* welcome to CT Vito :-)
VitoMontone [50] : It much more an honor for me to be here with you...
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : all set?
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : What did you do before you started Vir-Con?
VitoMontone [50] : ... the place that inspired me.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : many welcomes hands CT Vito S**
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : our community is the coolest
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : welcome to CT Vito
VitoMontone [50] : As you so graciously shared, some TV, CD-ROMs Startrek.com and etonline.com.
VitoMontone [50] : I write with my partner and have been smitten with
the idea for virtual conventions for some time now.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : we love celebrities
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[Elder] Jan_AQ [16069] : <--- thinks this is so cool
VitoMontone [50] : Celebrities, the very heart of the stories!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : what is your partner's name?
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Flyby?
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : darn
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : LOL
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : j/k
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : lol
VitoMontone [50] : Kim Castle in life and in creativity!
[Colony_Deputy] twoaz1 [16948] : lol
red5 : ...: nice try Fly ;)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : gave it a shot
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : What is the long-range plan for Vir-Con?
VitoMontone [50] : Actually Vir-Con is the nickname of the Star Trek conventions.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I see
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : what would the non-nickname be called?
VitoMontone [50] : We hope to have a long and happy relationship with
Star Trek and Viacom Consumer Products.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
VitoMontone [50] : The Official 3D Virtual Star Trek Convention...
VitoMontone [50] : ...kinda long!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : but worth it!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[Club Assistant] Mortice [8396] : virtual conventions will be the way to go for the future of many world wide trade fairs and business
VitoMontone [50] : However, virtual-conventions, llc has a five-year plan to role out 24 virtual conventions
VitoMontone [50] : Yes, we have two divisions planned, one,
VitoMontone [50] : entertainment, two
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : 24? That's a big undertaking
VitoMontone [50] : business to consumer like E3, Comdex, etc.
[Beach Deputy] craigie [10726] : sure sounds pretty cool
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : What kinds of events will be at the Virtual Convention?
[Elder] Jan_AQ [16069] whispers : !!!!!!!!
VitoMontone [50] : We try our virtual conventions to a RW event, so streaming video is at the heart
VitoMontone [50] : but we can do many things that RW can't.
VitoMontone [50] : Live Trivia Contests
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : seamless streaming video....how cool
VitoMontone [50] : Virtual Pursuit
VitoMontone [50] : sorry RL :(
red5 : *We will take questions from the audience at the end of the chat.
*
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : wondered what RW was
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : but then I wonder about lots of stuff
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Who will be live and is it true that people can participate at the real life event thru this virtual event?
VitoMontone [50] : We can also have a virtual mall and a place for people to post their fan auctions!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : right on
VitoMontone [50] : There is a connection to the RL convention,
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : what kind?
VitoMontone [50] : Some attendees can post questions down to the stage in Las Vegas.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I see
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : Could you explain the different pass structures?
VitoMontone [50] : Otherwise we each have our own unique experience
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : personalized
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : to a degree
VitoMontone [50] : Sure, there is a free mall pass
VitoMontone [50] : General Admission that can participate in all activities including video
VitoMontone [50] : Then Preferred with Green Room Access to private celebrity chats,
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
VitoMontone [50] : close view of the streaming video
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I see
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : What kind of avatars are there?
VitoMontone [50] : Ability to ask questions and post auctions.
VitoMontone [50] : There's one more!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : interactive
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : ok
VitoMontone [50] : The Latimum, ST most precious metal,
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : hmmmm
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : my wheels are turning
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : How do you register and bring your alias from CT?
VitoMontone [50] : all access, all avatars and a surprise chat and autograph photos.
VitoMontone [50] : We have all Paramount approved avatars - quite some feat- I'll tell you!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I'll bet
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : How much of a discount will the Cytonians get?
VitoMontone [50] : 60 to choose from, male/female, races and TV series!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : that's great!!
VitoMontone [50] : CT gets 10% off through 7/31/02!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
red5 : Hey Fly...let him answer some of the questions you already asked. LOL
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : thought I was
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : sorry
red5 : LOL n/p Mr. Fly
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
VitoMontone [50] : In honor of CT as my inspiration, we have prevented anyone from using CT nicks that registered at CT before 5/9 th!
 [City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : great
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : that IS an honor
VitoMontone [50] : So CT members can jump from here and use their name, but if they go straight to our site first it won't work.
VitoMontone [50] : Yes, this project has eaten over a year of my life :)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I see
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : lol
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : heart and soul
VitoMontone [50] : I care deeply about CT and always tell blaxxun so!!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : right on
VitoMontone [50] : I want to make sure it's always here.
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : as we all do :-)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : and we thank you for that...we ALL want CT to stay forever
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : whooo clap clap
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : you bet
VitoMontone [50] : And it finds a permanent home and to be a vital part of the future.
[Block Leader] Paul_2001 [5627] : GO HAWK GO!
VitoMontone [50] : I do believe that we can bring the world closer
together!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : go CT go
[City Council] diverDestiny [29009] : Hello VitoMontone, I would like to introduce myself as one of the City Council people and Colony Leader of Virtual Worlds
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : yes sir
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
VitoMontone [50] : I have been astounded by the people who have come from here to visit our Lobby in just a few days!
VitoMontone [50] : We have nearly spanned the world already!
VitoMontone [50] : www.vir-con.net
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
VitoMontone [50] : Hello diverDestiny, thanks for coming.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : One final question: Probably the most important question I have asked you all day. It's a time-honored question that I've asked many celebrities. Then we can take questions from our citizens, OK?
VitoMontone [50] : OK
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : ready?
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : What is your favorite ice cream?
VitoMontone [50] : You had me going... mmmm,
red5 : LOL
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : lmao
VitoMontone [50] : mocha chip!
[City Advisor] Vialle [26822] : *clap clap clap*
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : ©¿©¬
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : had to do it
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
red5 : Time for questions from the audience
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : we can open the floor if anyone has questions for Vito
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : oh
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
VitoMontone [50] : I love ice cream... unfortunately I'm now on a low
carb diet!
red5 : LOL
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I love it too
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
VitoMontone [50] : Carbolite, rules!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : lol
[City Council] Koalabear [21606] : Welcome to CT Vito ... Will Vir-Con's online Community be a short term project, as in this year only or a annual event
VitoMontone [50] : Annually at least!
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : What do you like the most about Star Trek?
VitoMontone [50] : The Lobby will stay online persistently.
VitoMontone [50] : The people and how they care equally for everyone!~
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : just like CT
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : Is it possibly that CT and your site could do combine project here in CT?
VitoMontone [50] : That has always been my hope and discussions with blaxxun, we just need to help them through their tough spot.
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : Is a plugin required to view the streaming
videos?
[City Advisor] Vialle [26822] : wonderful!
VitoMontone [50] : This year: Windows Media player.
VitoMontone [50] : We hope to add QT next year.
red5 : ...: what tastes better pineapple jucie or pickle jucie?
VitoMontone [50] : Pineapple of course!
[CERB Chief] Wovencroft [19716] : Can you tell us who Nemesis is -the new trailers currently being shown?
VitoMontone [50] : Sorry no.
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : hi Vito :-) I am from Norway am a student and we use conference at the UNI on cam to cam. Are there any universes that use your tech in 3d VRML ?
VitoMontone [50] : I believe blaxxun can be used for distance learning, yes.
VitoMontone [50] : It is a part of our business-to-consumer plans.
[Club Assistant] Mortice [8396] : the prospect of CT type representations of Star Trek ships and cities is awesome!
red5 : Any other questions?
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : yes it is. when do you propose this will be in full implementation?
VitoMontone [50] : The first convention is rapidly approaching, Aug 2-4, 2002
[Elder] Warper [11365] : Vito, How do we pay for the Starfleet AV upgrade?
VitoMontone [50] : We will just showing the other rooms and fun activities in July!
VitoMontone [50] : Click on Upgrade on the PADD and pick your avatar and pay with a CC.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
red5 : cc=credit card...not city cash. lol
VitoMontone [50] : Oh, sorry, yes, NOT city cash.
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : lol
[CERB Chief] Wovencroft [19716] : Vito, are you looking for VRML creators to help in any way with your project?
VitoMontone [50] : After this convention, we will be creating a demand for that expertise.
[Club Owner] jeremy321 [2387] : I have a question! Do you watch the old star trek?
VitoMontone [50] : I have, yes!
VitoMontone [50] : But I'm no expert on trivia.
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : LOL
[Block Leader] WEB-WIZARD [2445] : who hasn't???
VitoMontone [50] : Very young people!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : lol
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : some
[Block Leader] Paul_2001 [5627] : lol
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : that's part of our charm
red5 : Any other questions from the audience?
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : so theoretically this should attract thousands of trekkies no?
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : What race rocks the most Vito?
VitoMontone [50] : Our hope is 10's of thousands yes.
VitoMontone [50] : Worldwide.
VitoMontone [50] : How many people can afford to fly to Vegas and drop $1,500 per person?
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : Vito you say this is word wide, do you know if any off this gonna happen in Scandinavia ? We are strong buyers here lol :-)
VitoMontone [50] : I like the Vulcans, but you can't beat a good a Risan!
[CERB Chief] Wovencroft [19716] : <-- prefers Tribbles, but not sure they are a race.
VitoMontone [50] : We have had people already reserve their screen name from Norway!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : the trouble with Tribbles
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : fascinating
VitoMontone [50] : Not much you can DO with a Tribble!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : yeah
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : cool :-)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : rascals
[Block Leader] WEB-WIZARD [2445] : are there plans for live chat with Star Trek personalities?
VitoMontone [50] : Yes, in a range from public to very private!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : like one on one?
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : we read typo's well
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I majored in typo
VitoMontone [50] : No, no that private! Can you imagine that they would charge me?
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : even me! lol
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : got a c
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
VitoMontone [50] : I'm just got a home, so you can leave me messages there.
red5 : Do you have any more questions Mr. Flyby?
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : LOL, so you mean we can have private chats with Tribbles?
red5 : BTW: If anyone wants to volunteer, leave me an inbox message.
VitoMontone [50] : Yes, definitely, Tribbles :)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : cool
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : :o)
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : Bring the universal translator lol
red5 : To volunteer to help out at the convention. inbox red5 please.
red5 : help out virtually :-)
red5 : Ok...thatz all folks!
VitoMontone [50] : Thanks for coming, I hope to see you in the Lobby and later at the convention!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : thank you so much for this Vito
Karyll : Wow that was great. Thank you everyone.
[Elder] florenze [18489] : *claps claps*
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : It's been a pleasure
VitoMontone [50] : Your welcome!
[Elder] florenze [18489] : thank you for coming Vito
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : Ty I got a bit wiser to lol lol
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : yes, thanks
[Club Owner] jeremy321 [2387] : claps claps
VitoMontone [50] : Thank you for being CT!
[Wizard] jdb_educator [27550] : Enjoyed it, Vito :)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : you bet
BLACK_ZOMBIE [1129] : *watches the crowd through his smoky gray braids*
[City Council] diverDestiny [29009] : nice to meet you Vito
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : we are CT and we are Proud
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : clap clap. Good, now I wanna go learn more on this stuff !
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : thank you all for coming tonight
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : you have all been just great
[Editor's note: And just a taste of the edited after no moderation chat]
 ** chat no longer moderated **
[this has been edited]
[Beach Deputy] craigie [10726] : :)
[Club Assistant] DR..Pepper [463] : what u doing
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : coool
A_cunning_fox [0] : ty
[Club Assistant] XxMiss_PerfectxX [1776] : yay!
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : sheesh
[Beach Deputy] craigie [10726] : about time I can talk
[Club Assistant] Mortice [8396] : the time comes when a wafting feeling
of goodwill
janeforyou waves hello to everyone
[Elder] Justen2000 [5708] : ty red
[Club Assistant] DR..Pepper [463] : boobys
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : hi Miss Poifect!
[Block Leader] Bad_girl_ [13048] : rofl
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : let the flood begin lol
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : great job folks
[Club Assistant] XxMiss_PerfectxX [1776] : ok, what the heck was that?
[City Advisor] Vialle [26822] : chaos reigns again
[Club Assistant] Mortice [8396] : ahh
[Beach Deputy] craigie [10726] : :)
[Elder] florenze [18489] : Hi everyone! :-)
[Colony Leader] Karyll [28332] : that was great.. thank you everyone
[Employment Deputy] the_gibo [9405] : muhaha
[Block Deputy] x_FireFall_x [3823] : Attention all snerts: Please go to
SnertTown civilization for snerts. Thank you, CT
staff
[Club Assistant] XxMiss_PerfectxX [1776] : *hiccup*
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : chaos vi? nah lol
[CERB Chief] Wovencroft [19716] : LOL Vialle!
[Employment Deputy] the_gibo [9405] : flood ...flood, lol
[Elder] Justen2000 [5708] : so how's everyone today?
[Club Owner] jeremy321 [2387] : cool
[Beach Deputy] flash_1 [7625] : Welcome to the Cybertown VitoMontone
[COM] red5 [42777] : Great Chat!
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : let there be chaos
[COM] red5 [42777] : Thanx so oooooo much Fly
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : you bet red
[Beach Manager] 5of12 [20125] : Vito hang on to your hat
[Elder] markx_qc [13209] : wtg fly :-)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : I love it
[CERB Chief] Wovencroft [19716] : Hiya Red!
[COM] red5 [42777] : Thank you Vito for doing the CHAT
[Neighborhood Deputy] janeforyou [7662] : And I got a bit wiser from
Vito :-)
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : thank you once again Vito and very nice
meeting you
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : hello Hawk
[Founder] Hawk [56598] : Hi Fly
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : saw you coming in
Founder] Hawk [56598] : and all
[City Advisor] Flyby [37620] : please inbox red5 for questions about how
you can help