Newsletter 12 March 2007
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Yavn Speaks!
Think Green
Learn how you can make a difference!
"The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come."
– Walt Disney
Kids, talk to your parents first about how you can use these great tips in your home!
Ways You Can Make a Difference
1. Plant a Tree: Besides looking great, trees eat carbon dioxide (that's a global warming greenhouse gas), they also help keep the planet cool. Plants (and trees in particular) also provide shade and evaporate water into the atmosphere, which increases cloudiness, which also helps keep the planet cool.
2. Turn it Off: Did you know that many electronic devices remain on even after you hit the 'off' button? It's true, many new electronic devices (like video systems and computers) go into a 'standby' mode. To save energy switch these devices to the 'power save' mode. If your device doesn't have that option, unplug it.
3. Pass the Trash: Sure you've heard about recycling, but do you recycle? Remember, cans, bottles, plastic and paper can ALL be recycled. Check with your local city council for recycling facilities in your area and stop throwing away recyclable goods (like soda cans and plastic water bottles). You can also make some extra cash when you recycle cans and bottles, so check with facilities in your area for redemption programs they may offer.
Green Facts:
- More than 8,000 acres of property at the Walt Disney World Resort are designated as a permanent wildlife conservation area and will never be developed.
- According to the American Forestry Association, if every American family planted a single new tree, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be reduced by a billion pounds a year.
- A typical family car puts 19 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere for every gallon of gas it uses.
- Walt Disney World has solar-powered traffic lights installed at many intersections around the Resort. These lights help save energy and reduce energy cost.
- During the past seven years, water-saving initiatives at the Walt Disney World Resort have saved nearly 2.5 billion gallons of water.
Event Info
EPCOT Quest Until March 31st
VMK Racing Days March 11th, March 25th
'Think Green' Entire Month of March
EPCOT Quest
Test your knowledge of EPCOT by playing the new in-game EPCOT Quest! To play press the Quest button ('Q') on the VMK Player Interface Bar, then select the EPCOT Quest from the list. Answer all ten questions correctly and you can win an Epcot Guest Room!
New Quest are released each week and will run until March 31st, so get in the game and get Questing!
New EPCOT Quest launches on March 5th and March 12th.
VMK Racing Days!
Strap on your helmet and kick those tires, it's the start of the race season and VMK is going to get your motor running! Join HOST_Sparky on select Saturdays and Sundays during the racing season for special VMK racing events!
These special racing games like Chase Race and Race to the Finish will take place during a real auto race – so you can watch the big race and race in VMK at the same time! And only on VMK Racing Days can you win the VMK Racing '07 Pin. Keep an eye on the Event Info box and the Community Calendar for more updates and a schedule of race events.
'Think Green' Month
All through the month of March, VMK is going green. Learn how you can do your part to help reduce waste and make the world a better place to live! 'Think Green!'
Check the Community Calendar for more events, details and event times.
Top 5 FAQ's
Dear Yeti
Top Players
What makes a Guest Room award-worthy?
Guest or Game Rooms that stand out show originality in concept and design. It could be a use of conventional furniture in unconventional ways, the use of a theme or color, or humor.
Game rooms that get the nod offer a new game idea or a new twist on an old favorite. In all rooms we look for room owners who welcome everyone with a smile and show a willingness to answer questions about their room.
Check out this week's Best Guest Rooms and Best Game Rooms.
Best Guest Rooms
Best Game Rooms
Best Player Quests
Players who have been previously recognized for their design talents will receive the VIP award.
VMK Cards
The first card from Series 3 is here!
Get the Animation Viewer by playing the Animation Quest at Disneyland or Walt Disney World – redeem the code on your card for this cool virtual prize.
Check out the VMK Rewards Card Checklist and make sure you have all the VMK bling! What cards do you have in your collection?
Scam Alert
Scamming of any kind will get you BANNED!
It's great to have a popular room in VMK, but it's not OK to get players into your room by scamming. Pretending to have an item that you don't have, in order to get players to come into your room, is considered a scam and you can be banned from VMK!
Beware of "free" rooms
There are some players that advertise their rooms as "free," but when you enter them, they force you to pay up or get booted from the room. Beware of these types of rooms and report players who engage in this activity.
Close your room when you leave
If you are going to be away from your computer for awhile don't leave your room open - close it. Why? When you leave your room open, you're leaving it open to players that may be confused when they enter and don't know where the owner is. Sometimes confused players who find ownerless rooms will use the Call for Help tool and this takes away valuable time that Staff could be helping players in need.
Safety Corner
Do NOT share your personal information!
It may be tempting to ask someone for their personal information (where they live, instant messenger names, etc.) – but asking for this information will get you BANNED!
Please spend some time reviewing the VMK Values, and remember to keep your information private.
Adult subjects are not appropriate in VMK!
Adult subjects are never allowed in VMK. If you need a reminder of what is and isn't acceptable, read over the VMK Values.If you spot a player in VMK that is not following the VMK Values and guidelines (especially if they're using adult subjects in chat) – report them. This also applies to players chatting about violence and/or engaging in a violent act – report these players (and any who violate the rules) immediately! VMK does not tolerate violent language of any type. Engaging in this type of behavior is inappropriate and will get you banned, in most cases permanently. Help keep VMK a safe and fun virtual place for everyone! :-)
Make sure to follow the VMK rules when reporting someone!
Someone cutting in line or asking you to be their friend is not ground for reporting. Use the Call for Help system wisely.
VMK Staff needs to spend their time helping people are who are seriously in need of assistance. However, if a player keeps doing something to annoy other players (repeating words to fill up the screen, blocking, etc) please use the Contact Us section on the website to report your issue – don't forget to be detailed (include harasser's name and event details) when writing in
Quests
In-Park Quests!
PLAY THE DISNEY ANIMATION QUEST!
Play the latest VMK In-Park Quest now at The Magic Kingdom® and Disneyland® - put your knowledge of Disney animated films to the test!
Going to Disneyland® Park or Magic Kingdom® Park? Play the in-Park Quests! Learn more here.
<strong>High School Musical Quest</strong>! Watch the movie, visit the Parks and answer all the questions to win cool stuff!
Get the <strong>Thrill Seekers Ques</strong>t for the Walt Disney World® Resort here!
The Tomorrowland Quest is still available: Download it here.
Contact Us Tips
Problems? Contact Us!
When you use Contact Us to ask a question or report an issue, please be aware of the following:
If you use AOL or EarthLink for e-mail, you won't receive our response, as AOL e-mail filters block our replies. Please provide an alternative e-mail in the Contact Us form where it asks for your e-mail address.
Some Spam Filters will automatically block e-mail from an unknown source unless you tell the program to allow it: To get email from VMK, allow mail from [email protected]. (Please note this email address does not receive e-mail except via the Contact Us form.)