Some poeple ask me how I name my vehicles. It’s not easy, when real-life vehicle makers have taken all the most interesting names: animals, birds, precious stones, cities… even fish. So when I produce the next-generation vehicle for Second Life, thinking of a name can almost take longer than making the vehicle itself.
Consider this latest vehicle: It’s a scooter that hovers. Unfortunately, scooters are so popular in real life right now that pretty much every scooter name is already trademarked, and trademarks do apply even if your scooter is made with bits and bytes instead of nuts and bolts. In desperation, I turned to the friendly folks in IRC for suggestions.
Thanks, Sezmra, who suggested “Scoover” (it hovers, it scoots). Unfortunately, the name has been taken. A nod also to Gabe, who suggested “Hooter”, but I think I’ll pass on that one. Other suggestions include “Scootair” (already taken), “DiscHover” (annoyingly clever), “iScoot” (already taken), and “tScoot” (also taken).
In the end, I’ve decided that this whole naming thing is not worth the effort, and I’ll just not name it at all. It’s Z. Just Z. The Terra Z. Please don’t write to tell me that the letter Z is trademarked.
What’s the big deal about the Terra Z? Not only is it the most agile aircraft you will ever fly, but it can do something traditional SL vehicles can’t do. It can go with you through teleport.
Using an advanced technology developed under high security in a top-secret location in my living room, the Z is actually a wearable item. This means better control, easier sim border crossing, and it teleports with you.
The transition from walking to hovering takes only seconds, and you don’t even have to stop. Click the “REZ” button on the HUD attachment and a Z appears at your feet and automatically attaches to your avatar.
The Z isn’t quite finished yet. I have to work on the colour-changing script and touch up a couple of details. Expect it to hit the shops by the weekend.
Update: I’ll have this in the Flight Shop at Abbotts Aerodrome by Saturday morning.