1.1.4. Sponsoring Viewpoint

A Cosmos Square sponsor is typically a content provider or a content providing supporter. There are others, but to summarize Cosmos Square, it is important to understand the knowledge resource model (content) sponsor. That content sponsor could also develop the content to any degree or could simply sponsor the development.

Some of the higher priority considerations for sponsors relate to development, integration and referencing, as well as privacy and security. Other important considerations include transactional aspects, with costs, subscriptions, specials, discounts, and even currency, as well as marketing related considerations including advertising, availability, statistics, monitoring, ROI, etc. All of these aspects are typically integrated in sponsoring partnerships.

Development
Mostly based on the topic(s), knowledge resources vary from relatively simple to very elaborate and it is quite typical that some topics require multiple interrelated and often nested interactive animated knowledge resource models.

Accordingly, knowledge resource models typically require planning, design, integration, and testing, including at the following levels.

• Topic: The topic needs to be laid out, structured, segmented, and organized into interactive animated knowledge resource models
• Streams: Data streams, including facts, specifications, coordinates, samples, models, and interactions need to be identified, defined, classified, and integrated
• Access: Entitlement specification defining who, what can access what, where, when, how, in what context, with what tracking level, with which statistics, for who, and what requires cryptography, as well as how.
• Models: Models need to be defined, static models and model components need to be built, and dynamic models and model components need to be programmed
• Scripts: Animation, scripts, triggers, and all dynamic response and behavior need to be specified and implemented

Integration and Referencing
Developed knowledge resources, models, and scripts are configured and managed through the DNAOS knowledge management infrastructure layer which also manages all knowledge resource model related streams, as well as entitlement and access control, with the required cryptography.

The knowledge management infrastructure layer is also responsible for indexing, searches, TOCs, and menus providing access to knowledge resources.

The knowledge management infrastructure layer is directly connected to the virtual world platform (e.g. OpenSimulator server farms), providing it with the required content, and receiving from it interaction as well as relevant context information streams.

The knowledge resource models are projected and enacted through the 3D virtual world platform, where they are positioned according to the integrating Cosmos Square metaphor, geo-mapping, and navigation framework.

Privacy and Security
The knowledge management infrastructure layer is responsible for managing resource entitlement with unlimited granularity, ensuring privacy and security, and ensuring the main difference between sharing and giving. The Cosmos Square security and privacy are further supported by standard physical and logical security, including for authentication, authorization, cryptography, network security, replication, and fail-over.

Transactions
Cosmos Square related transactions can be handled off-world, through secured support sites, or in-world when in-world transaction security is confirmed (e.g. SecondLife), typically using the virtual world supported currencies (e.g. Linden$) and conversions.

Events, subscriptions, programs, demos, specials, and discounts can all be configured to the benefit of sponsors and subscribers.

Planning, development, and operational costs are estimated, factored, and negotiated according to requirements.

Marketing
There are many marketing considerations that include availability, with schedules, for example, advertising and product placement, as well as feedback and targeting through statistics and monitoring.

In-world marketing and advertising is restricted to maintain knowledge content quality and scientific objectivity. Subscription programs, events, specials, presentations, discussion groups or panels, related events and sources, credits and acknowledgments are typically naturally acceptable marketing related activities when they are well integrated into the environment.

Cosmos Square is associated with a number of support sites, for example relating to the metaphor, the operations, the subscription programs, registration, user support, sponsorships, developers, as well as user and discussion groups. These sites can offer targeted marketing opportunities.