Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Release 5 Now Available

I am pleased to announce the availability of Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Release 5.  I would like to thank our customers for their suggestions on ways to improve Subscriber Kiosk, many of which have been incorporated into this release.  This Update Release is free to current owners.

Update Release 5 includes the following improvements and new features:

• Incremental automatic backup via email.  Can automatically send sub/unsub transaction records to an external email address at an owner specified interval.
• Subscriber Backup notecards can now be used to add or remove subscribers.  Previous versions could only add subscribers.
• The ‘Edit List’ function now supports adding/removing individual subscribers using either avatar name or key (UUID).  Previous versions only accepted names.
• You can now specify a non-public chat channel for entering operator inputs (e.g.  inputs to ‘Edit List’ or ‘Filter’ functions) to enhance security.
• New capability to specify different textures for ONLINE and OFFLINE/BUSY status.  This includes capability for Master Kiosk to distribute textures to Remote Kiosks.
• New capability to send IM to owner (or designated avatar) whenever a Remote Kiosk goes OFFLINE or comes ONLINE.
• Added auto-retry and longer timeout to external Name2Key database lookup.  Improves reliability of converting avatar names to keys (UUID) (for Edit List, Restore, and Append).
• Improved Remote Kiosk management.  Can now handle as many as 100 Remote Kiosk per Master Kiosk.
• Other miscellaneous improvements and bug fixes.

How to get it:

If you purchased or updated your kiosk after March 7, 2009, you can get a Release 5 Update Kit  by using the ‘Update’ and ‘Check/Get’ buttons on your Master and Remote Kiosk’s main dialog box.   It is not necessary to visit the vendor at Night Sky or know your configuration codes.  Be sure to get both a Master and Remote Update Kit  (they are different) if you have both types of kiosk.  If you had automatic update checking enabled, you will receive the Update Kit automatically.  You only need one update kit for each kiosk type (Master and Remote), regardless of how many copies you have made.

If you don’t have an ‘Update’ button on your kiosk, you can get the Update Kits from the Subscriber Kiosk vendor at Night Sky.  Select ‘Upgrade’, then the type of kiosk (e.g., Master or Remote).  You will then need to enter your kiosk’s Configuration Code.  Your configuration code is shown when you rez your kiosk from inventory.  Once your configuration code is validated, select ‘Update Kit’ and it will be given to you.  Remember, you need to get separate update kits for your Master and Remote Kiosks.  Each type of kiosk has a separate configuration code.  Multiple copies of each kiosk type will each have the same configuration code, however, so you only need to get one of each type of update kit regardless of how many kiosk copies you have made.

NOTE:  If you have an older version 2.41 kiosk (purchased prior to October 2008), you must replace it with a version 3.0 kiosk.  Visit the vendor at Night Sky and select ‘Upgrade’, then the type of kiosk (e.g., Master or Remote).  Enter 0 for your configuration code, then select the kiosk model you want (e.g. Basic, Standard, Pro or Remote).  Upgrades from version 2.41 to the Basic model are free.  Upgrades to other models require an upgrade charge.

Once you receive the Update Kit, rez it in the same sim/region as the kiosk(s) you want to update and follow the instructions on the notecard you will be given.

NOTE: This release also includes all changes from all prior Update Releases and can be installed in any Version 3.0 Subscriber Kiosk.  For more detailed information on Update Release 5, go to the Documentation page to view or download the Release Notes and/or Instruction Manual.

Remote Transferrable/Copyable (TC) Kiosk

Now you can give a Remote Kiosk to store/land owners to place in their stores or on their land, to increase your opportunities to collect new subscribers.  Magazine or Newsletter publishers can use to increase exposure to new subscribers.

The Remote TC Kiosk provides the capability for Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 owners to give away (or sell) remote kiosks that are pre-linked to their Master Kiosk.  The Remote TC Kiosk functions similarly to a regular Remote Kiosk in that it may be placed in either the same or different region/sim than the Master Kiosk.  Subscriber information from both regular Remote Kiosks as well as Remote TC Kiosks will update the subscriber database in the associated Master Kiosk.

The Remote TC Kiosk is priced at L$995 and is available from the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor at Night Sky. For additional information, check out the Remote TC Kiosk Instructions on the Documentation page.

Update Release 4

I’m pleased to announce the availability of Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Release 4.  As always, this update release is available to all current Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 owners at no cost.  If you have installed the previous Update Release (3), you can get Update Release 4 by selecting the the ‘Update’ button, then ‘Check/Get’.  If you haven’t installed Update Release 3 yet, you can get an update kit from the vendor at Night Sky.  If you own both a Master and Remote Kiosk, remember to get both a Master Update Kit and a Remote Update Kit.

Update Release 4 includes the following changes:

• Added option to Remote Kiosk to use blue pop-up dialog box to Subscribe, Unsubscribe or Get Info.  Retained capability to use Subscribe and Unsubscribe buttons.
• Added capability to specify owner defined prompt text to above blue pop-up dialog box.
• Added two 1-prim Remote Kiosks to package.  Must use blue pop-up dialog box option with 1-prim kiosks.
• Updated ‘Subscriber Master Comm’ script in Master Kiosk to support the new optional Remote Transferrable Copyable (TC) Kiosk.  The Remote TC Kiosk is different than the Remote Kiosk referred to above and is sold separately.
• Improved error trapping for improperly formatted IMCard.

An updated Instruction Manual and Release Notes are available for download on the Documentation page.

Free Demo Version of Subscriber Kiosk 3.0

Want to try Subscriber Kiosk before you buy?  I am pleased to announce the availability of a FREE DEMO version of Subscriber Kiosk 3.0.
The FREE DEMO version has all the features and capabilities of the full versions, except the following:

• Its storage capacity is limited to 100 subscribers.
• Permissions are No-Copy, Mod, No-Transfer. Full version is Copy, Mod, No-Transfer.
• It is not upgradeable to a full version. You must purchase the full version separately.
• It does not include or support Remote Kiosks.

You can get the FREE DEMO version, get more information, or purchase full capability versions at Night Sky.

Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Release 3

I am pleased to announce the release of the latest update to Subscriber Kiosk 3.0. This latest version is now available for purchase from the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor board at Night Sky. Update Kits have been sent out to current owners.  If you didn’t receive one, you can get one at no cost from the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Vendor board at Night Sky.

New Features

Many of these changes have been the result of user feedback so we thank our customers for their suggestions and strive to continually improve the Subscriber Kiosk user experience. New features in this release include the following:

• Added capability to check for, obtain and auto-install future Subscriber Kiosk Master and/or Remote script updates.
• Added capability to turn all Remote Kiosks OFF or ON from the Master, and initiate a manual Re-Sync of Remote Kiosks.
• Added capability to send notification message to owner (or owner designated avatar) via IM and/or email when someone subscribes or unsubscribes.
• Added option to send both IM and inventory items with one button press. No more waiting around for IM sending to finish.
• Added additional details to Remote Status and script Version chat window reports.
• Script Version Reports can now be obtained from dialog box button. No more remembering to type “/5 Versions?” into chat window.
• Package includes special script and notecard describing how to semi-automatically export/import existing subscriber lists from “Subscribe-O-Matic”. No more monthly fees.

Various other bug fixes and operational improvements.

See the Release Notes and the updated Instruction Manual for additional details.

How to Get It

New Customers:

Touch the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor board at Night Sky. Select “Purchase” from the dialog box, then select the product type you want to buy. You will be promted to pay the appropriate price and your kiosk will be delivered to you. Note that the “Combo” package includes both a Master and Remote Kiosk and is more economical than buying them both separately.

Existing Version 3.0 Kiosk Owners:

1. Touch the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor board at Night Sky. Select “Upgrade” from the dialog box.
2. Select “Master”
3. When prompted, enter the configuration code from your current version 3.0 Master Kiosk (shown when you rez it).
4. After your ownership has been verified, select “Update Kit” if you simply want to update your kiosk(s) to the latest script versions (recommended). If instead you want a complete new kiosk, select your current kiosk type (e.g. Lite, Basic, Standard, or Pro). Your Update Kit or complete new kiosk will be delivered free to curent owners.
   NOTE: Update versus Upgrade. If you select a more capable type (e.g. higher capacity) than you currently own, you will be prompted to pay the appropriate upgrade price and you will be given a capability Upgrade Kit only. After you install the Upgrade Kit, your kisok will get a new configuration code. In order to get all the latest version scripts, you must also get either an Update Kit or a complete new kiosk as described above.
5. If you currently own a Remote Kiosk, repeaat the above steps but select “Remote” in step 2 and enter your Remote Kiosk’s configuration code. Note that Masters and Remotes have different configuration codes. There is only one type of Remote so the note below step 4 above is not applicable to Remotes. There is also no “Combo” Update Kit. You must get separate Master and Remote Update Kits or complete new Master and Remote kiosks.

Existing Version 2.41 Kiosk Owners (i.e., purchased prior to October 2008)

1. Touch the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor board at Night Sky. Select “Upgrade” from the dialog box.
2. Select “Master”.
3. When prompted, enter zero (0) for the configuration code. Version 2.41 kiosks do not have configuration codes.
4. After your ownership has been verified, select the “Basic” kiosk type if you want a free upgrade. You can alternatively select “Standard” or “Pro” and you will be prompted to pay the appropriate upgrade price. You will then be given a complete new version 3.0 kiosk of the selected type. You do not need an “Update Kit”.

Installing Update Kits

Rez your Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Kit and follow the directions on the ‘Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Update Instructions’ note card you will be given when your rez the Update Kit. Update Kits will also include any updated documentation and Config note card examples.  Be sure to update your Config note cards after installing the Update Kit.

Future Updates

This release installs an “Update” button on the main dialog box of both Master and Remote Kiosks. In the future, you can use this feature to automatically or manually check for and get script Update Kits. When you get a script Update Kit, you just rez it in the same region as your kiosk(s) and select “Update”, then “Perform” from a kiosk’s dialog box and its scripts will be updated automatically.

Best Regards,

Fred Allandale
Night Sky Creations

SISBox Rev B Update Released

I hope you all had an enjoyable Holiday season!

Based on customer feedback, I have added an option to the SISBox to be able to select whether your customers view and choose from the list of items via the chat window (previous version) or a blue pop-up dialog box (new version). The dialog box option is especially helpful in areas where there is a lot of distracting traffic in the chat window. The Rev B SISBox Kit has been sent to all current SISBox owners at no cost.  If you have a Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 but have not yet purchased a SISBox Kit, you can do so at Night Sky.  It is also available from XStreet SL and OnRez.

You can use this Rev B Kit to replace your current SISBox entirely or replace just the scripts and SISBox Config notecard in your current SISBox. If you do the latter, remember to replace both the SISBox Manager script in the root prim (box) and the SISBox Contents script in the child prim (paper stack). You should also replace the SISBox Config notecard. Installation and/or use of this updated SISBox is optional, but highly recommended.

CAUTION: Replacing or resetting the SISBox Manager script will result in resetting the dates on all of the items stored in the SISBox to the current date. If you want to retain the original item dates, continue using your original SISBox or use both the new and old versions until the items age out of the old SISBox. If you really need to re-establish the original dates on items currently in your SISBox, I have included a procedure in the Rev B SISBox Kit for doing so. It is a bit tedious but will get the job done if you follow it carefully.

NOTE: After you update your SISBox, be sure to change the name of the delivered SISBox to match the name specified on the Subscriber Config notecard in your Master Kiosk. Also be sure to edit the SISBox Config notecard to specify the name of your Master Kisok and any other parameters you desire.

The Rev B SISBox kit also includes the SISBox resizing fix and alternate SISBox design (SISBox Light) from the previously distributed Rev A kit so there is no need to install the Rev A kit if you have not already done so.

Click here to download the Subscriber Kiosk SISBox Installation and Operation Instructions Rev B (PDF)

Hart Larsson’s GiftSender Now Available

Hart Larsson has integrated his [PXL] GiftSender with Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 using my API Kit.   [PXL] GiftSender allows your visitors to obtain a gift item if they are members of your group and/or are in your Subscriber Kiosk database and/or have your store in their Picks List in their profile. Visitors who are not already subscribed to your Subscriber Kiosk, can subscribe directly from the GiftSender without having to also visit the kiosk.  Owners can easily customize the operation of [PXL] GiftSender via a comprehensive set of configuration notecard options.  This is another example of a third party application that can be developed with the API Kit.

You can get more information or purchase Hart Larsson’s [PXL] GiftSender at Night Sky or PXL Creations

SISBox Update Released

I have released an update to my SISBox accessory for Subscriber Kiosk 3.0.  The update includes the following improvments and featuers:

• The SISBox can now be resized.  In the original version, the simulated paper stack would return to its original size upon receipt of the next item or as a result of user access.
• This updated kit includes an alternate SISBox design comprised of a metal ring (root prim) with a central light (child prim) and optional hover text that indicates its status.  This is provided with an open source script in the child prim that controls the light and interfaces to the SISBox Manager script via linked messages.  This allows you to develop your own custom SISBox design and script.

This updated SISBox Kit  has been sent to current SISBox owners at no cost.  You can use it to replace your current SISBox entirely or replace the scripts in your current SISBox with the ones from this updated kit.  Installation and/or use of this updated SISBox is optional.  All future SISBoxes sold will include this update.

CAUTION: Replacing or resetting the SISBox Manager script will result in resetting the dates on all of the items currently stored in the SISBox to the current date.  There is no way to update and retain the existing dates.  If you want to retain the orignal item dates, continue using your original SISBox or use both the new and old versions until the items age out of the old SISBox.

NOTE: Be sure to change the name of the delivered SISBox to match the name specified on the Subscriber Config notecard in your Master Kiosk.  Also be sure to edit the SISBox Config notecard to specify the name of your Master Kisok and any other parameters you desire.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays / Season’s Greetings / Happy New Year

Fred Allandale
Night Sky Creations

Hart Larsson’s StoreGreeter Now Available

Hart Larsson has integrated his [PXL] StoreGreeter product with my Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 using my recently released API Kit.  Visitors to your store detected by his StoreGreeter can now be entered into an associated Subscriber Kiosk without them having to also visit the kiosk to subscribe.  This is just one example of a third party application that can be developed with the API Kit.

You can get more information or purchase Hart Larsson’s [PXL] StoreGreeter at Night Sky or PXL Creations

Application Program Interface (API) Kit Released

I am pleased to announce the release of the Application Program Interface (API) Kit for Subscriber Kiosk 3.0.  The API allows kiosk owners to develop their own LSL scripted objects that can interact with Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 Master Kiosks. The Master Kiosk API can communicate with scripted objects having the same owner and located anywhere within the same region.  

The API Kit provides all the tools you need to develop Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 accessories for your own use or to sell to others.  Potential applications may include greeters or vendors which need to verify that a customer is a current subscriber before taking some action such as giving a gift or providing a discount.  Another application might be a vendor that automatically adds avatars to a customer list in a Master Kiosk when they make a purchase.  Other applications are limited only by your imagination and scripting abilities.  Knowledge of LSL scripting is necessary to effectively use the API Kit.

The API Kit includes a complete User Guide, Installation & Setup Instructions, example application scripts and an API Tester.  The scripts for these can be viewed, copied and/or modified to get you started on your own applications.  The API kit also includes a script that displays your own unique API channel number and another script (copyable and transferrable) that you can include in products you sell, that your application’s script can query to obtain the current owner’s API channel.

The API supports the following seven (7) commands:

• SUB_FIND:  Return the record for a subscriber with the specified key (UUID).
• SUB_ADD:  Add a subscriber with the specified key (UUID).
• SUB_DEL:  Delete a subscriber with the specified key (UUID).
• SUB_LIST:  Return all of the records meeting the specified filter criteria.
• SUB_COUNT: Return the current count and max capacity of subscribers and slave scripts.
• BCST_RANGE: Set the range (e.g. 10m, 20m, 100m or entire region) for API broadcast messages.
• ABORT: Stop the current operation.

Additional information on installation and usage can be found in the following documents:

API Kit Installation and Setup Instructions

Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 API User Guide

If your Master Kiosk contains a script named “Subscriber API”, it is already API capable, but you need to purchase the API Kit in order to obtain the correct API channel number to communicate with it. All Version 3.0 Master Kiosks purchased after November 20, 2008 include the “Subscriber API” script.  Master Kiosks purchased prior to that date can be upgraded using Update Kit 2.  That Update Kit was previously sent to all applicable Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 owners.  The API is not applicable to older version (e.g. 2.41) kiosks, however those versions can be upgraded to 3.0.  Both Update Kit 2 and upgrades from older versions can be obtained at no cost to current owners from the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor at our in-world store, Night Sky.

The API Kit is priced at L$850 and is available now from the Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 vendor board at Night Sky.  As with all of my products, I will gladly respond to questions and help solve problems.  If more extensive development help is needed, I can provide additional support on an hourly fee basis.  I can also help promote Subscriber Kiosk 3.0 accessories you develop, however I will need to test your product first before I can recommend it to other Subscriber Kiosk owners.

Fred Allandale
Night Sky Creations