DANCE QUEENS - Sim Dance System Analysis 110917
Most Dance Queens members use the INTAN system in their club or home as the system for controlling their couples dancing. Many also use the INTAN as the individual dance ball. This system became available in 2008 and swept through SL removing pose balls from clubs and homes.
I have developed a set of criteria for comparing Systems so that advanced dancers like us can both select the best System and provide feedback to System makers. I have identified what I think are the most important attributes that a System needs. This is listed below. If you have additional criteria, please let me know.
There are a number of dance Systems available. If you would like to participate in the testing of them, please let me know. Once Systems are tested, we will provide this information to all DANCE QUEENS members and the Dance Systems makers.
Most Dance Queens members use the INTAN system in their club or home as the system for controlling their couples dancing. Many also use the INTAN as the individual dance ball. This system became available in 2008 and swept through SL removing pose balls from clubs and homes.
I have developed a set of criteria for comparing Systems so that advanced dancers like us can both select the best System and provide feedback to System makers. I have identified what I think are the most important attributes that a System needs. This is listed below. If you have additional criteria, please let me know.
There are a number of dance Systems available. If you would like to participate in the testing of them, please let me know. Once Systems are tested, we will provide this information to all DANCE QUEENS members and the Dance Systems makers.
xxxx
Nottoo
================================
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN A DANCE SYSTEM
Dance Systems are used differently by different people. The list below are all the criteria for Dance Systems. For any person some categories may be essential and others unimportant. The list is developed with the name of the category followed by the ultimate capability.
Below is the current analysis of Dance Systems. The Systems are:
1. INTAN System - Couples, Feminine and Masculine Dance Balls - by Nottoo Wise on 110831
2. TIS Hybrid Dance Machine - by Nottoo Wise on 110905
*****
I. CAPACITY
A. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DANCES IN THE DANCE SYSTEM - UNLIMITED
Currently there are about 200 MOCAP couples dances and thousands of MOCAP individual dances in SL.
1. INTAN System - The maximum number of animations known in a properly working INTAN is 160 couples, 422 female and 50 male dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - The test was with 7 couples and 350 female dances and the Dance system worked properly. At 650 individual dances the Dance System did not work (Stack Heap).
B. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DANCERS DANCING SIMULTANEOUSLY - 100
The most avatars I have ever seen on one sim at a time is 94.
1. INTAN System - Defaults are 15 couples, 30 female and 30 male simultaneously.
2. TIS Hybrid - Default is 50 people dancing with potential expansion to 100.
*****
II. SYSTEM SET-UP
A. EASE OF SET-UP - VERY SIMPLE
Set-up of the system is done by rezzing an object.
1. INTAN System - Requires rezzing of the couples dance ball, female dance ball and male dance ball. Dances are then added to the dance balls using the edit function. The Couples Dance Ball requires adition of notecards and can involve detailed notecard editing to get the desired menu order. It is not a simple process.
2. TIS Hybrid - the set up process is relatively simple and involves rezzing the dance ball, adding the dances in a manual or semi-automated process and making adjustments to the dance names. It is a relatively simple process.
B. DANCE LOADING PROCESS - AUTOMATIC
Select a folder and all the contents are loaded automatically.
1. INTAN System - Dances area added one at a time if non-copy or in bulk if copy. Most couples dances are non-Copy. Adding is done by drag and drop. Dances must first be taken from a pose ball or purchased in 'INTAN-Ready' form.
2. TIS Hybrid - Two ways are used. One uses a script added to the pose balls. Two uses drag and drop and works fine.
C. NOTECARD LOADING (If used) - AUTOMATIC
Notecards are automatically created when needed.
1. INTAN System - Notecards are created outside the Couples Dance Ball and added. Notecards must be gotten from the INTAN website and requires registration. Customized notecards can be made but it is a very complex process. Notecards are added to the INTAN Couples Dance Ball by drag and drop. Notecards are not required for the Female and Male Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - No notecards are required. A relatively simple process for managing the dances is done through the TIS website.
D. DANCE LIST - AUTOMATIC
A listing of the Dance Ball's contents is made automatically when needed. This is important to have when shopping for new dances.
1. INTAN System - The only way to make a list of dances is to edit the Dance Balls and make a manual list from the dances displayed.
2. TIS Hybrid - The dance list is displayed on the website.
E. ACCESSING DANCES - AVAILABLE SIM-WIDE
Dancing should be available sim-wide
1. INTAN System - Dancing can be initiated sim-wide either from the Dance Balls or from 'Dance Anyplace' objects.
2. TIS Hybrid - Dancing can be initiated sim-wide either from the Dance Ball or from Calling Posts
F. NUMBER OF PRIMS IN SYSTEM - ZERO
For users who are prims short the Dance System should have as few prims as possible.
1. INTAN System - 3 prims for the Dance Balls and 2 prims for each 'Dance Anyplace' object.
2. TIS Hybrid - 3 prims for the Dance Ball and 2 prims for each Calling Post
*****
III. USE OF SYSTEM
A. STARTING TO DANCE - VERY EASY
Ideally one click should be enough to dance.
1. INTAN System - One click on the Couples Dance Ball rezzes two pose ball. Each dancer hops on a pose ball and accepts the invitation to dance. This starts the couples dance and brings up a menu of dances available with 6 dances on the first page and 9 on subsequent pages. One click on the female or male dance ball gives an invitation to dance. When the invitation is accepted dancing begins and a menu appears to select dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - One click of the Dance Ball give a menu to choose Couple or Individual dancing. Choosing couples gives two rezzed pose ball that the dancers hop on then a menu listing the dances appears to select dances.
B. CHANGING COUPLES DANCES - VERY EASY
If all dances are not visible at one time, then the fewest clicks possible to start a dance is desirable.
1. INTAN System - Varies from 1 to many clicks depending on the number of dances in the Dance System. The dance list is not looped.
2. TIS Hybrid - Varies from 1 to many clicks depending on the number of dances in the Dance System. The dance list is not looped.
C. SYNCING DANCES - AUTOMATIC
Syncing should be automatic or as few clicks as possible
1. INTAN System - Syncing without the INTAN HUD can take too many clicks since it is on the first page of the menu. Syncing with the HUD is one click.
2. TIS Hybrid - Syncing is done with one click by reselcting the dance or with the HUD or using /1 sync in chat.
D. FILTERING DANCES INTO GENRES - EASY
Dancers need to have a way for filtering dances by genre (e.g. tango, slow)
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a filter accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. Several clicks are required to filter and the interface is not intuitive. Most dancers are not familiar with this feature and do not use it. No filtering is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - Easily performed via the dance setup website. Up to 10 genres per couples/singles dances are allowed. Simply entering a new genre name next to a dance creates that genre.
E. GROUP DANCING - EASY
Dancing as a group in sync is a desirable feature.
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a group dance capability accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. Most dancers are unfamiliar with this feature and do not use it. No group dancing is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - The system allows 3 dance modes per couples/single dances - via menu, sync'd and random. When set to sync'd the owner can choose one dance or one genre and all dancers automatically sync when starting to dance. The time to transition to a new dance (if a genre is selected) can also be controlled via the owner menu.
F. RANDOM DANCING - EASY
Setting the system so the the dances are done randomly for a set period is a desirable feature.
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a random dance capability accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. One click is all that is needed to activate this feature. No random dancing is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - The system allows 3 dance modes per couples/single dances - via menu, sync'd and random. When set to random the owner can choose one genre or all genres and all dances automatically start a random dance from that selection when starting to dance. The time to transition to a new dance can also be controlled via the owner menu.
G. DANCE HUD - AVAILABLE AND USEFUL
A menu or HUD needs to be available to control the dance selection and access features of the system
1. INTAN System - INTAN offers both a menu and an optional HUD for couples dancing. The HUD is intuitive although it is larger than it needs to be. The default position is the upper right. No HUD is available for the Individual dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - Both a menu and optional HUD for both couples andindividual dancing is available. The HUD is intuitive and has a minimize feature. The default position is the upper right.
*****
IV. OPTIONS
A. ALLOWS FOR WAITING DANCES - YES
When the music stops the couples or individual dancers should be able to easily go to a waiting dance.
1. INTAN System - No specific waiting dance capability is offered.
2. TIS Hybrid - No specific waiting dance capability is offered.
B. ALLOWS FOR THE COUPLE TO DANCE THE SAME DANCE- YES
Sometimes couples want to dance an individual dance in sync either facing each other or facing the same direction.
1. INTAN System - This capability can be achieved but requires a detailed knowledge of the notecard system
2. TIS Hybrid - No, but I understand that this is in the next edition.
C. ALLOWS FOR NON-DANCE ANIMATIONS - YES
Any animation (couples or individual) should be playable on the system
1. INTAN System - Yes. A listing of all couples animations is available to registered users on the INTAN website.
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, although a waiting period may occur for the animation to be included in the TIS server if the dance is new to SL.
D. ALLOWS FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT - YES
Couples dances should allow the male and female to independently adjust their height realtive to the floor
1. INTAN System - Yes, height adjust ment is done using the page up and down keys.
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, height adjustment is done using the page up and down keys.
E. ALLOWS FOR MULTIPLE DANCE SYSTEMS ON THE SAME SIM - YES
Sometimes sim owners may want for example a Couples Dance Ball and a Couples Sex Ball on the same sim.
1. INTAN System - Yes this is possible with technical assistance.
2. TIS Hybrid - This is possible by changing the channel of the machine (by changing the dance machines description)
F. THE DANCE SYSTEM IS COPYABLE - YES
A copyable system allows the user to have multiple systems.
1. INTAN System - Not copyable.
2. TIS Hybrid - Copyable
G. ALLOWS DANCERS TO MOVE POSITIONS ON THE FLOOR - YES
Both couples and individuals sometimes want to change positions while dancing.
1. INTAN System - Couples cannot move while individuals can move.
2. TIS Hybrid - Couples cannot move while individuals can move.
H. ALLOWS FOR DANCES TO BE LISTED IN A DESIRED ORDER- YES
Sometimes, owners may want Dance Ball dances lited in a specific order.
1. INTAN System - Yes, for the Couples Dance Ball but requires a detailed knowledge of the notecard system. It is not possible for the Individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - No unless you want to rename the dances.
I. ALLOWS FOR SEQUENCED INDIVIDUAL DANCES - YES
Dance sequences are fun for individuakl dancers becasue they provide variety during a song or can be tailored to a song.
1. INTAN System - No
2. TIS Hybrid - No, but is included in the beta of the next version.
*****
V. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
A. THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE THE LOWEST PRICE - FREE
The lower the price, the more people will use it for dancing
1. INTAN System - L2850 for the system (1850L for the Couples Dance Ball, 500L for each gendered Dance Ball) plus 100 for additional Dance Anyplace objects.
2. TIS Hybrid - L2495 for the system.
B. AVAILABLE EASILY - IN-WORLD AND MARKETPLACE
Full-perm would allow anyone to use it and access it.
1. INTAN System - Available in-world
2. TIS Hybrid - Available in world and on the marketplace
*****
VI. HELP
A. AVAILABLE HELP - 1 CLICK AND EASY TO USE
Detailed help should be available in-world.
1. INTAN System - Yes, help is available from the Dance Menu or online
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, help is available from the dance menu directing to an online help.
B. USER FORUM - AVAILABLE
A user's forum should also be available.
1. INTAN System - Not avalable
2. TIS Hybrid - Not available
C. CUSTOMER SERVICE - HUMAN AND RESPONSIVE
An available expert should be available at all times.
1. INTAN System - Human help is available but not at all times
2. TIS Hybrid - Human help is available but not at all times
D. UPDATES - AUTOMATIC
Any updates are done automatically/
1. INTAN System - All updates so far have required manual intervention
2. TIS Hybrid - Updates require a prim to be dropped near the system and touched, from that point on updating is automatic.
*****
Nottoo
DANCE QUEENS
Nottoo
================================
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN A DANCE SYSTEM
Dance Systems are used differently by different people. The list below are all the criteria for Dance Systems. For any person some categories may be essential and others unimportant. The list is developed with the name of the category followed by the ultimate capability.
Below is the current analysis of Dance Systems. The Systems are:
1. INTAN System - Couples, Feminine and Masculine Dance Balls - by Nottoo Wise on 110831
2. TIS Hybrid Dance Machine - by Nottoo Wise on 110905
*****
I. CAPACITY
A. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DANCES IN THE DANCE SYSTEM - UNLIMITED
Currently there are about 200 MOCAP couples dances and thousands of MOCAP individual dances in SL.
1. INTAN System - The maximum number of animations known in a properly working INTAN is 160 couples, 422 female and 50 male dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - The test was with 7 couples and 350 female dances and the Dance system worked properly. At 650 individual dances the Dance System did not work (Stack Heap).
B. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DANCERS DANCING SIMULTANEOUSLY - 100
The most avatars I have ever seen on one sim at a time is 94.
1. INTAN System - Defaults are 15 couples, 30 female and 30 male simultaneously.
2. TIS Hybrid - Default is 50 people dancing with potential expansion to 100.
*****
II. SYSTEM SET-UP
A. EASE OF SET-UP - VERY SIMPLE
Set-up of the system is done by rezzing an object.
1. INTAN System - Requires rezzing of the couples dance ball, female dance ball and male dance ball. Dances are then added to the dance balls using the edit function. The Couples Dance Ball requires adition of notecards and can involve detailed notecard editing to get the desired menu order. It is not a simple process.
2. TIS Hybrid - the set up process is relatively simple and involves rezzing the dance ball, adding the dances in a manual or semi-automated process and making adjustments to the dance names. It is a relatively simple process.
B. DANCE LOADING PROCESS - AUTOMATIC
Select a folder and all the contents are loaded automatically.
1. INTAN System - Dances area added one at a time if non-copy or in bulk if copy. Most couples dances are non-Copy. Adding is done by drag and drop. Dances must first be taken from a pose ball or purchased in 'INTAN-Ready' form.
2. TIS Hybrid - Two ways are used. One uses a script added to the pose balls. Two uses drag and drop and works fine.
C. NOTECARD LOADING (If used) - AUTOMATIC
Notecards are automatically created when needed.
1. INTAN System - Notecards are created outside the Couples Dance Ball and added. Notecards must be gotten from the INTAN website and requires registration. Customized notecards can be made but it is a very complex process. Notecards are added to the INTAN Couples Dance Ball by drag and drop. Notecards are not required for the Female and Male Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - No notecards are required. A relatively simple process for managing the dances is done through the TIS website.
D. DANCE LIST - AUTOMATIC
A listing of the Dance Ball's contents is made automatically when needed. This is important to have when shopping for new dances.
1. INTAN System - The only way to make a list of dances is to edit the Dance Balls and make a manual list from the dances displayed.
2. TIS Hybrid - The dance list is displayed on the website.
E. ACCESSING DANCES - AVAILABLE SIM-WIDE
Dancing should be available sim-wide
1. INTAN System - Dancing can be initiated sim-wide either from the Dance Balls or from 'Dance Anyplace' objects.
2. TIS Hybrid - Dancing can be initiated sim-wide either from the Dance Ball or from Calling Posts
F. NUMBER OF PRIMS IN SYSTEM - ZERO
For users who are prims short the Dance System should have as few prims as possible.
1. INTAN System - 3 prims for the Dance Balls and 2 prims for each 'Dance Anyplace' object.
2. TIS Hybrid - 3 prims for the Dance Ball and 2 prims for each Calling Post
*****
III. USE OF SYSTEM
A. STARTING TO DANCE - VERY EASY
Ideally one click should be enough to dance.
1. INTAN System - One click on the Couples Dance Ball rezzes two pose ball. Each dancer hops on a pose ball and accepts the invitation to dance. This starts the couples dance and brings up a menu of dances available with 6 dances on the first page and 9 on subsequent pages. One click on the female or male dance ball gives an invitation to dance. When the invitation is accepted dancing begins and a menu appears to select dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - One click of the Dance Ball give a menu to choose Couple or Individual dancing. Choosing couples gives two rezzed pose ball that the dancers hop on then a menu listing the dances appears to select dances.
B. CHANGING COUPLES DANCES - VERY EASY
If all dances are not visible at one time, then the fewest clicks possible to start a dance is desirable.
1. INTAN System - Varies from 1 to many clicks depending on the number of dances in the Dance System. The dance list is not looped.
2. TIS Hybrid - Varies from 1 to many clicks depending on the number of dances in the Dance System. The dance list is not looped.
C. SYNCING DANCES - AUTOMATIC
Syncing should be automatic or as few clicks as possible
1. INTAN System - Syncing without the INTAN HUD can take too many clicks since it is on the first page of the menu. Syncing with the HUD is one click.
2. TIS Hybrid - Syncing is done with one click by reselcting the dance or with the HUD or using /1 sync in chat.
D. FILTERING DANCES INTO GENRES - EASY
Dancers need to have a way for filtering dances by genre (e.g. tango, slow)
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a filter accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. Several clicks are required to filter and the interface is not intuitive. Most dancers are not familiar with this feature and do not use it. No filtering is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - Easily performed via the dance setup website. Up to 10 genres per couples/singles dances are allowed. Simply entering a new genre name next to a dance creates that genre.
E. GROUP DANCING - EASY
Dancing as a group in sync is a desirable feature.
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a group dance capability accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. Most dancers are unfamiliar with this feature and do not use it. No group dancing is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - The system allows 3 dance modes per couples/single dances - via menu, sync'd and random. When set to sync'd the owner can choose one dance or one genre and all dancers automatically sync when starting to dance. The time to transition to a new dance (if a genre is selected) can also be controlled via the owner menu.
F. RANDOM DANCING - EASY
Setting the system so the the dances are done randomly for a set period is a desirable feature.
1. INTAN System - The INTAN Couples system uses a random dance capability accessible either through the pop-up menu or through the HUD. One click is all that is needed to activate this feature. No random dancing is available on the individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - The system allows 3 dance modes per couples/single dances - via menu, sync'd and random. When set to random the owner can choose one genre or all genres and all dances automatically start a random dance from that selection when starting to dance. The time to transition to a new dance can also be controlled via the owner menu.
G. DANCE HUD - AVAILABLE AND USEFUL
A menu or HUD needs to be available to control the dance selection and access features of the system
1. INTAN System - INTAN offers both a menu and an optional HUD for couples dancing. The HUD is intuitive although it is larger than it needs to be. The default position is the upper right. No HUD is available for the Individual dances.
2. TIS Hybrid - Both a menu and optional HUD for both couples andindividual dancing is available. The HUD is intuitive and has a minimize feature. The default position is the upper right.
*****
IV. OPTIONS
A. ALLOWS FOR WAITING DANCES - YES
When the music stops the couples or individual dancers should be able to easily go to a waiting dance.
1. INTAN System - No specific waiting dance capability is offered.
2. TIS Hybrid - No specific waiting dance capability is offered.
B. ALLOWS FOR THE COUPLE TO DANCE THE SAME DANCE- YES
Sometimes couples want to dance an individual dance in sync either facing each other or facing the same direction.
1. INTAN System - This capability can be achieved but requires a detailed knowledge of the notecard system
2. TIS Hybrid - No, but I understand that this is in the next edition.
C. ALLOWS FOR NON-DANCE ANIMATIONS - YES
Any animation (couples or individual) should be playable on the system
1. INTAN System - Yes. A listing of all couples animations is available to registered users on the INTAN website.
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, although a waiting period may occur for the animation to be included in the TIS server if the dance is new to SL.
D. ALLOWS FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT - YES
Couples dances should allow the male and female to independently adjust their height realtive to the floor
1. INTAN System - Yes, height adjust ment is done using the page up and down keys.
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, height adjustment is done using the page up and down keys.
E. ALLOWS FOR MULTIPLE DANCE SYSTEMS ON THE SAME SIM - YES
Sometimes sim owners may want for example a Couples Dance Ball and a Couples Sex Ball on the same sim.
1. INTAN System - Yes this is possible with technical assistance.
2. TIS Hybrid - This is possible by changing the channel of the machine (by changing the dance machines description)
F. THE DANCE SYSTEM IS COPYABLE - YES
A copyable system allows the user to have multiple systems.
1. INTAN System - Not copyable.
2. TIS Hybrid - Copyable
G. ALLOWS DANCERS TO MOVE POSITIONS ON THE FLOOR - YES
Both couples and individuals sometimes want to change positions while dancing.
1. INTAN System - Couples cannot move while individuals can move.
2. TIS Hybrid - Couples cannot move while individuals can move.
H. ALLOWS FOR DANCES TO BE LISTED IN A DESIRED ORDER- YES
Sometimes, owners may want Dance Ball dances lited in a specific order.
1. INTAN System - Yes, for the Couples Dance Ball but requires a detailed knowledge of the notecard system. It is not possible for the Individual Dance Balls.
2. TIS Hybrid - No unless you want to rename the dances.
I. ALLOWS FOR SEQUENCED INDIVIDUAL DANCES - YES
Dance sequences are fun for individuakl dancers becasue they provide variety during a song or can be tailored to a song.
1. INTAN System - No
2. TIS Hybrid - No, but is included in the beta of the next version.
*****
V. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
A. THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE THE LOWEST PRICE - FREE
The lower the price, the more people will use it for dancing
1. INTAN System - L2850 for the system (1850L for the Couples Dance Ball, 500L for each gendered Dance Ball) plus 100 for additional Dance Anyplace objects.
2. TIS Hybrid - L2495 for the system.
B. AVAILABLE EASILY - IN-WORLD AND MARKETPLACE
Full-perm would allow anyone to use it and access it.
1. INTAN System - Available in-world
2. TIS Hybrid - Available in world and on the marketplace
*****
VI. HELP
A. AVAILABLE HELP - 1 CLICK AND EASY TO USE
Detailed help should be available in-world.
1. INTAN System - Yes, help is available from the Dance Menu or online
2. TIS Hybrid - Yes, help is available from the dance menu directing to an online help.
B. USER FORUM - AVAILABLE
A user's forum should also be available.
1. INTAN System - Not avalable
2. TIS Hybrid - Not available
C. CUSTOMER SERVICE - HUMAN AND RESPONSIVE
An available expert should be available at all times.
1. INTAN System - Human help is available but not at all times
2. TIS Hybrid - Human help is available but not at all times
D. UPDATES - AUTOMATIC
Any updates are done automatically/
1. INTAN System - All updates so far have required manual intervention
2. TIS Hybrid - Updates require a prim to be dropped near the system and touched, from that point on updating is automatic.
*****
Nottoo
DANCE QUEENS