We posed a number of questions to residents of our community with the aim of trying to understand what Cybertown meant to them.

The answers from the residents, was overwhelming and very touching.
Below are extracts from the responses in their own words.

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"Aside from just about everything, I like the friendships, both VR and RL that are made here. I love the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, teach and learn with them and grow in many many ways. The whole world opened up to me when I joined Cybertown and continues to do so day after day."

"I am part of this community because it holds great meaning and love for me. I have always enjoyed the interactions but I also enjoy the chance to "work" in an environment that allows me to be who I am, and not be afraid to say.. oh cool, how do you do that? and to get a willing answer."

"Cybertown is different because it is not JUST a chat facility. That can be found anywhere depending on your interests. Cybertown however, offers the opportunity to learn skills, such as html, vrml, flash, creating of many types as well as learning about political and societal structures."

"Cybertown to me, means love. Although that sounds kind of simple and mushy, its totally true. The community was built out of love and has grown the same way. The impact this city has had on my life goes beyond words. My outside life has improved as I gained confidence,and realized that I do have some things to offer. This place too, has helped to keep me sober, (6 years now wooo hooo) by always being "there". My life has changed immensely and I have met a great love that shares my life with me now. I have seen parts of the USA, and Europe just because I made friends here. It is absolutely awe inspiring when I think of the depths that friendships and relationships have evolved to."

"I have said it before, but it can't be said enough in my estimation. THANK YOU Hawk for making the dream come alive and thank you too, to all my wonderful friends in cybertown. My life is enriched deeply and I feel very blessed."

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"I enjoy chatting with the many friends I have made over the last 3 and 1/2 years. It has become part of my daily life. I also enjoy decorating homes and working in CT to make the experience enjoyable to others."

"As human beings, we all need social interaction. CT provides that and more and is always just a click away."

"To have a one place where you can enjoy the adventure of meeting people from every part of the globe, where you can learn first hand from ordinary people what they feel about just about any issue imaginable and to see the vast array of talented people sharing their knowledge and skills in such an open fashion is both fun and educational. I do not know of any other site, which offers such a complete package, or format to hold your interest over such a long period of time."

"Underneath all the "eye candy" CT has to offer, it still comes down to a group of very special people who have befriended me and I them. The have made me laugh and cry. Everyday I am still amazed by the power these relationships have to bring a smile to my face at the time it's needed most. I continue to make new and lasting relationships and be touched by the many acts of spontaneous kindness I have been fortunate enough to be the beneficiary of. I always look foward to seeing what each new day will bring."

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"I love the diversity of the people, and the friendships that can be had, genuine heartfelt friendships. I have had the opportunity to meet some individuals that have become very real and very dear friends. I never would have had the opportunity to meet a lot of them, had it not been for Cybertown. It is a place where my wife and I can interact with each other, and other individuals, and gives us the opportunity to expand our friendship base."

"I was hooked the first time. I could not just leave the friends that I have made. CT has become a very important part of my life, in the people that I have met"

"For me what makes it special is the diversity, and that such diversity is not only protected but encouraged"

"It is a place to relax, meet my friends, and unwind. CT helps me calm down from everyday real life stress"

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"There are many reasons to be a part of Cybertown, but foremost among them is the sense of global community. It is an amazing thing to count among my friends, people of many nations, as well as people across the street, and all of whom I have met in CT. No matter what time of day or night I log in, friends are here to share my triumphs and tragedies. As an artist, Cybertown gives me a venue to display my work and learn new techniques. I can get a critique of my latest creation at any time the muse prompts me to produce one!"

"I actually came to CT about 6 years ago. I was teaching a class on the internet, and I used Cybertown as an example of online fellowship. I came back 2 years ago because I needed that fellowship again. I have true friends here. I have family here. I am not afraid to let my 17 year old daughter participate in the community here."

"Cybertown is unique, I think, because of its sense of community. There are certainly other 3D communities online, and I have visited many of them. No where else are you made to feel so immediately welcome and aware of the support of your fellow citizens. Any day of the week, almost any time of the day, you can visit the plaza or the fleamarket and see citizens welcoming new members and showing them the ropes, donating items for their 3D homes, or city cash to help them purchase things. The neighbourhoods I have been involved with have active "welcoming committees" and ongoing support and activities for citizens. Cybertown is truly one of a kind in this."

"Cybertown means family to me. I have met people here that have become as dear to me as my real life family."

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"The thing I like about Cybertown the most, is the friends that I have come to make since emigrating here in March of this year. Since I came to be a resident in Inner Realms. I have made friends that have enriched my life so much. I have had the pleasure of living in two hoods in Inner Realms, Astrology and Angels Hood. The help and support I got off the people there has been a major factor in where I have got and my love for the community. I have found that this friendship and camaraderie is not just situated in Inner Realms though, in fact it is City wide, indeed a lot of my friends can be found outside of IR in the Plaza and Newcomers Club."

"It means so much to me the people, the community spirit and everything else that comes with it are second to none. I have seen so much since i came here, the way ppl get together when one is lost to the community. To the way people help people celebrate Birthdays and the way people were there for me when I was in hospital. This place rocks and the best thing is by what has been said I think it can only get better."

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"What I like most about Cybertown is that it is there and running!!! LOL

I like the people and the knowledge I can meet so many from all over the world and get to know about there lives and see if they have the same understanding about life as I do. I like the idea that we can state our views and a friendly way."

"I believe in a utopia that all people from different walks of life can live together in harmony and as well as teaching others how to live and work in this harmony of life and for me Cybertown offers this"

"When i first found CT (through Sci-Fi) I found a world of people that love what I love and have the same likes as well, and when I found out it was a whole community of folks, I was so surprised and thought well if people can't live together in RL may as well be in a virtual way"

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"I love the fact that when you come to Cybertown, when you click that one little button called 'Log In', it completely takes you somewhere that relieves so much real world stress. Meeting genuinely nice people is always a plus as well and makes the experience all the more better!"

"I am part of the community because I love to be involved, especially with Cybertown. I feel that I have learned a lot about business ethics, self-discipline, and respect; still am in fact. Cybertown truly teaches you more then just how to chat, it's much more than that, and that is why I am continually involved."

"Cybertown is special because of multiple reasons. The people who have put their blood, sweat, and tears into this web-site have truly made it into something that has a meaningful impact on the people that come here; whether it be members or visitors. This web-site is much more then just a 'web-site', it's a place for everyone to get their minds off of real world problems, to relax, and enjoy the company of people who can relate to you."

"I love Cybertown. I don't know what I would be doing on the computer if Cybertown did not exist. By now, after 3 years, logging on and getting to work has become a regular habit for me, to not be doing it would be unnatural to me. The members and visitors, the people that I have met here have been so much more then just names on the screen, they have been friends, counsellors, and teachers. And no matter what, I can always look to the people of CT for aid in any which way it may come."

"I would like to say Thank You for your hard work that you have put into a web-site that I never knew I could love as much as I do. Cybertown means a lot to me, and I am confident that it means a lot to other members out there. Thank You, genuinely, Thank You!"

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"I love all the "techno" stuff - experiencing 3D chat has been pretty cool for this lady who remembers the day they first brought computers to her workplace almost 20 years ago! (And how scared we all were to touch all those buttons!)"

"Cybertown has been - and continues to be - a wonderful experience for me! I've made friends from around the world - even been able to meet one in RL (a story in itself!) I've been surprised by the maturity of the teenagers I've met here - and been challenged by some of them to finally dive into this "html-stuff" and get with the 21st century! :-)"

"Cybertown is unique in that it allows us to get to know one another on an "equal footing", so to speak. We're not judged by what RL job we have, how much money we have, the color of our skin or what we look like. Granted, that could happen based on our job, cc's, etc. in CT - but it hasn't seemed to be that way to me. We're all just "people", enjoying the sense of community and the caring that Cybertown's citizens offer."

"Cybertown means a lot to me - it provides an escape at the end of a long day; it can provide a shoulder to lean on when things are tough. It gives me a safe place to connect with others outside my RL circle of friends. It's also a place to get advice when those darn CSS codes just aren't working the way I envision!"

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"What I like the most about Cybertown is the many and varied things it has to offer. Not only online friends but the learning that can be achieved, the camaraderie, and even the chance to visit with these same online friends in real life."

"I enjoy Cybertown, have always enjoyed it. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but the things I have gained through being here have outweighed any challenges."

"Friends, family, and most important, the caring I find here.

"Thanks to Hawk and his vision, I have to say a hearty THANK YOU...."

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"Its just a great place to meet some real interesting people from all over the world. Also a chance to help build it to stay as one of the best community's on the WWW."

"I enjoy what I do here and have learnt many things in the years that I have been a member."

"The residents, the concept, and the hard working hours that many people put into CT."

"It is a place to relax, help others and also make new friends."

"The overall Package is just outstanding and people should realise what it really takes to keep this running on all levels. Maybe more info behind the scenes so that residents will understand everything more clearly."

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"What I like the most about Cybertown is meeting people all over the world , and making new friends, having a good time chatting."

"I love taking part in CT , tis like being part of a real community that I dont have in real life. And also feeling important, special and most of all loved, by good friends."

"Friendship, Mischief, minor though giggles, The feeling I get when I log in and end up the city Plaza and being greeted. Hi, Tis a great feeling, when some one says hi , how are you today, How ya been , where ya been, we missed ya etc

I also love the feeling that I can go almost anywhere even places that I have never been and find myself at an event and being welcomed or just end up there by mistake from the jumpgate and everyone welcomes you."

"Cybertown is my home away from home. A place to go when am sick and blue , happy or sad or mad and when I leave feeling much better for logging in. A place that excepts you , A place that makes you feel part of the community, A place where I can make avatars and residents, comment on them , want them etc

A place where you can meet new friends, Share ideas, learn, teach some one or help someone. That is what CT means to me."

"I love being active in Cybertown, I love my job, I love dealing with some issues that make CT better, The colony I live in, helping out and being Part of the ctpartyline, Which I honor and enjoy working with those that are involved. oh heck I just love Cybertown. Tis part of my life, the friends I make , the love I feel when I go there, and I like to thank Cybertown for excepting me for me I dont have to put on airs, or make people execpt me for who I am , for all except me as I am , just me a real person."

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"A friend told me about Cybertown almost four years ago. I have to admit, I thought the concept was a bit silly. Why would you want to spend time online with virtual people, instead of using that time to be with real people! LOL!

Boy did I have a lot to learn!"

"I finally wandered into Cybertown 2 years ago last September and it was a wonderful realization that not only where there real people behind every avatar and chat, but really wonderful people! So I would have to say what I like most about Cybertown are the people! "

"I love being a part of a world wide community! It has afforded me so many wonderful opportunities to understand and be a part of so many different cultures!"

"the fact that Cybertown challenges you to discover and learn so many new and wonderful things! I have always loved computing, but the things I have learned in Cybertown are just amazing! I have been introduced into html and flash. I have found a place to utilise my webpage and graphics knowledge! Every day I learn at least one new thing! And no matter how stuck I get when I am trying something new, there is always someone available to help me out! People are so generous with their knowledge and help!"

"Cybertown is my second home! I know when I login that I will find a friend somewhere, just waiting for me! No matter the day, or the hour, there is a friendly hand reaching out! I have found laughter, joy, solace, and comfort here! Cybertown has seen me through a couple of sad events that would have been so much harder without having it to go to!"

"I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful entity called Cybertown! I will be forever grateful to our Founder Hawk for his vision and his dedication to preserving and enhancing Cybertown! I am also grateful for each and every resident of Cybertown for sharing themselves with each other and me!"

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Here's some more CT Stories :)
And here's 3 from a year ago that sum up what CT can provide very well:

"When I first started CT. I suffered with Major Depression (suicidal) and Socialphobia. I had been to chat rooms before and was afraid to talk and if someone talked to me I ran. But in CT they put me right to work and I concentrated so much on what I was doing that I didn't think about the fact I was actually communicating. As I was promoted the duties grew as well. and little by little I found more reasons to talk to others. That was 3 years ago and since then I have met many people, many whom I call friends. They always understood and never pushed but were always there when I needed them. If I started naming names I would be here all day. But you know who you are and I want to say Thank You. CT is the reason I was able to survive. Since I started I have learned many things including HTML which has led me back to college and a career in web design. I would really hate to see CT gone but I know now I have the strength to go on. And that CT will always be a big part of me. Thank you Hawk!"

and,

"At that time I was in my real life job a grunt, working 10 hr days getting dirty and sweating blood ;-)) so to speak. Something Cybertown gave to me was a valuable lesson in employee relationships, managing skills and implementing ideas and doing multi-tasking. I quit highschool in 10th grade. I started flipping pizza's for Uncle Enzo at Pizza Hut, then moved on to a big time material handlers job for a warehouse.

Something happened, I was now in a trucking company driving a forklift and loading and unloading freight during the day, and building a colony of workers and residents at night. I was making a community within a community. People relied on me to be there, and react to their problems and concerns and to get things done. These skills were soon becoming a reality in my day time work, so much that it was being noticed.

Two years ago my boss called me into the office, and explained that a manager on another shift was leaving. He was being promoted to another position in the company. He explained that he had confidence in my leadership and ability to take control and use ideas to improve the job other workers were doing. He ended by telling me a salary ratio and asked whether or not I was interested. Immediately I thought of you Tony, (well actually Hawk hehehe) and my wife and daughter of course, but I thought of OiCu (Flyby's brother) and how we often said how the place was a real experience, something we could take offline with us and use.

All that said, I want to thank you for giving me a career and life to look forward to, and not letting me get stuck at a dead-end. Your website, a simple (well actually pretty complex!) bit of code and visuals, made me a better person, and got me a job with a future. Thank You! Without any of your dreams, my reality would be only that, a dream."

As another resident put it,

"The residents of Cybertown give one another the support, confidence and help to achieve whatever goals they wish to pursue, all within a safe family-friendly learning environment for children, teens and adults. It's also a safe environment for diverse people from all over the world to come together and share a part of their lives with each other. That's the true spirit of Cybertown and the reason why so many people from all over the world come to Cybertown each day."