Only +Architect and above are able to build public projects, be they areas or quests. +Architects have successfully completed +Welcomed, +Beginning Builder, +Jacked Up, subscribed to the majordomo announcement list, and completed an +Apprentice project. Completing the first four requirements should take no more than a couple of hours, and the +Apprentice project (the new builder's home) generally only takes a day or so, and during that time the new builder is practicing what they have learned and stretching their building wings.

If you are a +Architect, you can apply to build a public project by filling out our handy dandyCGI form, or for the CGI-impaired, by downloading a text version of the application. Filling out an application does not automatically signify approval of the project, approval or denial is granted by Jenn or another of the +Gods, via @mail after the form has been recieved. Most quests that are applied for are granted approval. The primary reason for the approval process is to ensure that we do not wind up with 7 different hospitals, or three different playgrounds, as well as to keep an eye on how large a project someone is creating. Generally, new +Architects will be requested to keep their first few projects on the small to medium size.

In general, quests or areas of a pornographic or extremely violent nature will not be approved.

Okay, I Got My Form Approved. Now What?

A quest/area form being approved does not automatically mean that the completed quest will be approved for public linking. All that it means is that you have been given the go-ahead to build your project. So once you have recieved that, you should build the quest or area.

All quests and/or public areas must be built into their own owner-group. Using @achown is the easiest way to do this. Quests with elements NOT owned by the owner group will not be approved for linking.

After you have built your quest, contact your +Grammar Nazi and +Builder Nazi, and request that they go over your quest when they have a spare moment. The +GN and +BN will run through the quest and @mail you with any errors in building logic or grammar/spelling that they run across. You will need to fix the errors before the quest will be linked. After you have fixed any errors, or if your building is error free, contact Jenn for a final lookover and playtesting. After Jenn has gone through the quest with a playtester, and triple checked logic and grammar, she will discuss with you the best place to link the quest, and then the quest/area will be linked in and the announcement list will be notified of the new area.

When you have built at least three public areas, you will be promoted to +City Architect, with an increase in quota and the right to swagger slightly about your accomplishments.

What Are Some Of The More Common Building Errors?

Things to watch out for are:

• Poor spelling and grammar. The dictionary is your friend, keep one handy when building. A couple of very common spelling/grammar errors include: using "it's" instead of "its" as the possessive form of "it". Using "who's" instead of "whose" as the possessive form of "who".
• Run on sentences that just go on and on and don't really lead anywhere at all (Like this one)
• Excessive use of the word 'YOU' in @descriptions. Try to use it sparingly, if at all.
• Poor @locks. If you are having difficulty setting a lock, request assistance!
• Undescribed exits
• Poor aliasing of exits. 'Go North To The Pillow Pile;gnttpp' is a good example. North, pillow, pile, and pillow pile should also be aliases for this one.
• Missing @succs and @osuccs on exits.
• Finishing quests in the emergency room or cemetary. Those rooms are link_ok, but they are NOT suitable places to send people who have successfully completed a quest. They are places to send people if they make a faulty choice during a quest.
• Finishing quests by sending people through an exit with a target of *HOME* or *RETURN*. This is extremely confusing and disorienting to questers.
• Failing to @lock your quest's owner-group and reward groups. If you don't @lock an owner-group, any player can add themselves to it and change things within the quest. If you don't @lock a reward group, then any player can @add themselves to the group without completing the quest.

Start small and don't try to run before you can even crawl. Build a one or two room miniquest. Attend the building classes, or study the logs. Study the help files. Ask a +Tutor for a building lesson. Practice practice practice. The only way that you become a great builder is by practicing, learning at every opportunity, and reading the help files.

A word of encouragement: every single person on Aurora was once a new builder. Jenn shudders with horror when she remembers some of her early, botched attempts at building. A certain God blushes whenever he is reminded of a failed miniquest that he built once. Everyone creates at least one truly terrible project before they get the hang of things. Don't let it discourage you if you do the same. Don't be discouraged if your +BN finds 5 dozen faulty @locks in your first large quest. You WILL get the hang of it with time and practice.

For more info you can mail Jenn at jenn@aurora.org.au