The 'Hoods (short for Neighborhoods) are a new and developing part of AW.

Every member of the AW community joins one of the AW worlds and has a house there.  'Hoods extend the concept both of the worlds themselves and of the property members can own and develop.  This is achieved by each world now having a number of specific geographic areas linked to it (called regions in this Help Guide) which are in turn subdivided into smaller areas (called cities in this Help Guide) which are in turn subdivided into smaller areas still (called districts in this Help Guide).  Within each of those districts members of AW can purchase properties of varying size: citizens can buy only the smallest properties and can only buy one.  Patrons can buy properties of any size and as many as they want and funds permit.  Purchase is with the site currency (not real money).  The properties provide a further base for members to develop their sites within AW and have many of the same facilities that individuals will find in their original AW homes plus additional ones such as their own bulletin boards.  One big difference, however, is that members are free to purchase property in any of the districts in any of the AW worlds and, if they are Patrons, are not restricted as to the number (subject to having the necessary funds of course).  That said, there is no obligation to buy or have a property: - it is entirely optional.

The 'Hoods provide a basis for widening the historical information on the site.  Each region, city and district can be developed with information and graphics and add to the sense of historical reality.  The regions are edited by the Scribes for the relevant worlds and those who are part of the 'Hoods Building Teams.  Each district may have a leader or steward drawn from those living in the district who wish to have design and social input in the development of that district.  If you are interested in 'adopting' a district and have bought property there, please contact your World scribe to express your interest.  The exact process for choosing Heads of districts and 'Hoods will vary from World to World but broadly they will be chosen by the world scribe based on multiple factors such as historical interest, html talent, and interest generally in developing the district but in some cases elections could be held.

The intention is that 'Hoods will enable real communities to spring up in AW where members can interact and share interests and activities. Everyone is free to choose which communities they want to join and to develop the areas with their own distinct personalities, focus and artwork.

Each World's 'Hoods will be different and so anyone interested in a 'Hood in a particular world might find it sensible to make contact with the Scribes for that world to get a proper understanding of how they work there.

[Posted by Frontinus Sempronius]

Last updated 10 September 2006