Index:

1. What's POV-Ray?
2. What's POV-Ray New Ring?
3. And the old POV-Ray Ring?
4. What are the requisites?
5. How do I join the New Ring?
6. How do I edit my site information?
7. Mailing lists
8. Most recent information avaliable

 

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1. What's POV-Ray?

   POV-Ray is a freeware program capable of rendering impacting images. The algorithm used by POV-Ray is ray-tracing, everything needed to render a image is made by calculating rays, so it is a bit slow, but some effects can be achieved quite easily.
   It's know worldwide as one of the best 3D programs, and while you will not see it used for a movie, lot of 3D users started with it and most keep it using it. Many OS & architectures are supported, and if you use a unsupported plataform, you can compile his freely avaliable source code with a C compiler. The latest version avaliable is 3.1, and 3.5 is under development. If you want official info please visit the POV-Ray Official Site.

    

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2. What's POV-Ray New Ring?

   POV-Ray New Ring is a group of sites dedicated to POV-Ray: image galeries, file archives, tutorials, "howto's", project info, source code patches and more, but always related in some way or another to POV-Ray.
   To keep joined the sites we use the free scripts written by Micha Riser and the services of POV-Ray website.

    

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3. And the original POV-Ray Ring?

   The Webring was an interesting concept in Internet: to link sites with the same theme through a common server. The server would keep all the important info of the sites so everyone could locate all the pages that take part of a Ring. Pages with the same theme would be easier to find than in an Internet's Search Engine.

   But Webring joined Geocities & Yahoo, and instead of keeping the old independent spirit now they are another Yahoo service. Some people do not share these point of view, they want a independent service were the only requisitie is to have a page about POV-Ray, not sign for a full set of services. The original RingMaster searched a way to keep the service spirit without forcing anything into the users, and luckly got help from the official POV-Ray website team, so now you can be part of the New Ring.

   POV-Ray users can join none, one or both of the rings. Or at least that is the philosophy of the New Ring. The decission is completly personal if you are free to choose (check ISP rules or Yahoo rules if you need, you should be free, but if you have doubts, better read the small print first).

    

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4. What are the requisites?

   To be part of the POV-Ray New Ring you must have a site (or one or more pages in a site) about POV! Easy, isn't it?
   Well, not so easy. The site must follow some rules:

   1. The site (page) must be user friendly, at least to keep walking though the ring, so no JavaScript or Java or whatever can be used instead of plain HTML for the New Ring links, so we require you to use the provided templates for the links (in other words, you copy them or you follow the same spirit). Pages with traps will be removed from the New Ring. You can use all new technologies for whatever you want, but not for the New Ring links. If a person is unable to see your page due the lack of a plugin or the latest browser, it must be possible to keep "jumping" along the ring.
   2. The links must be visible from the begining. You can have a webrings or links page, but the POV-Ray New Ring code must be in the POV or index page, and that page is what you must register with the form, not the others (links, webrings or pets page, for example). If you have a big site with lot of pages, please register the page about POV-Ray only, or the index where the POV-Ray page appears. Having the navigation bar in a place where visitors do not see the POV-Ray items is not allowed; visitors should never wonder "Where are the POV-Ray things? I see none, so why is this site in the POV-Ray New Ring". You can have copies of the nav bar in other places, like the links page or webring page if you want too, but master one where POV-Ray really appears.
   3. You must use the official logo, declare who owns the site (if you want with a web or mail link, but not necesary), and give at least HQ link as well as Next and Previous links (so the viewer can jump to HQ and at least to other sites). The rest of images, links, or layout is up to you. Below there are some examples that you can follow if you like them (or better, create your own ;] ).
      You can use your native language for the navigation bar instead of English, but in that case please make sure that anybody can understand it, for example adding icons or simbols (like ">") to the links.
      The logos can be lightly customized: no changes of color or shape, but adding borders (so it matches with your page background) or changing format are allowed, as well as resizing them (the example 160 pixel one is too big for some people, for example, maybe even the 80 pixel one). In case of doubt, ask.

   The data for the links is:

   Link to POV-Ray Ring Homepage (obligatory)
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/home.cgi?ring=povray

   For the next site (obligatory)
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&next

   Skip the next site
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&skip

   List the next 5 sites
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/list.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&5

   Go to previous site (obligatory)
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&prev

   Skip the previous site to next previous
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&sprev

   Go to random site
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&random

   List sites
   http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/list.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___

   Remember to change ___site_id_here___ to the correct number (your assigned ID, the number you get when you submit your data, see form below).

   You can also use the following code, via copy & paste, but [I must insist ;-) ] remember to change ___site_id_here___ to your correct ID, or it will not work; so pay attention now and your page will be in the ring in minutes (if lucky, otherwise some hours or days). If your HTML knowledge is limited, copying is the best solution, but not the nicest because it probably will not match the rest of your page and it has all the optional links, not just the basic ones:

   <CENTER>
   <TABLE BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=10 WIDTH=10% BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF>
   <TR ALIGN=center VALIGN=middle>
   
   <TD ALIGN=center VALIGN=middle NOWRAP>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>
   &middot;
   <BR>
   &middot; -:::- &middot;
   <BR>
   &middot;
   <BR>
   <BR>
   This</FONT>
   <A HREF="http://www.povray.org/">
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>POV-Ray</FONT></A>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000> New Ring
   <BR>
   website is owned by
   <BR>
   <A HREF="link-here-if-you-want">
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>someone</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>
   &middot;
   <BR>
   &middot; -:::- &middot;
   <BR>
   &middot;
   </FONT>
   </TD>
   
   <TD ALIGN=center VALIGN=middle>
   <IMG SRC="new-ring-logo-160.gif" WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=160>
   </TD>
   
   <TD ALIGN=center VALIGN=middle NOWRAP>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&sprev" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>&lt;&lt;- Prev's prev -::</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&prev" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>&lt;- Prev site -:</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/home.cgi?ring=povray" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>:*: New Ring HQ :*:</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&next" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>:- Next site -&gt;</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&skip" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>::- Next's next -&gt;&gt;</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/list.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&5" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>:&middot;: Next 5 sites :&middot;:</FONT></A>
   <BR>
   <BR>
   <A HREF="http://webring.povray.org/cgi-bin/link.cgi?ring=povray&id=___site_id_here___&random" TARGET=_top>
   <FONT COLOR=#000000>+ Random Site +</FONT></A>
   </TD>
   
   </TR>
   </TABLE>
   </CENTER>
   

   If you are site 1 (___site_id_here___ = 1) and want to link to your main page (http://www.infernal-iceberg.com/ in this case, it could also be an email link, or just plain text without like) in the owner text (the Admin in the example), you will get something like this:

   · · -:::- · · This POV-Ray New Ring website is owned by the Admin · · -:::- · ·

   <<- Prev's prev -:: <- Prev site -: :*: New Ring HQ :*: :- Next site -> ::- Next's next ->> :·: Next 5 sites :·: + Random Site +

   IMPORTANT NOTE: You can change the fonts, background or text colors, add small icons near the links, remove the optional links, rearrange the design completly (for example to create a vertical composition instead of horizontal) or other minor changes, but remember: the owner phrase, the official logo (as provided here or modified as explained above) and the three basic links must be there.

   You are encouraged to adapt the links and logo size to your needs, the obligatory conditions are few, the rest is up to you. If you think this design is ugly, you can change it. It is just an example to demostrate all the options you can put on the navigation bar, not a nice navigation bar.

   Here is a copy of site 1 original (it could have change since last visit) navigation bar, showing a real bar, not just an example of all options:

   This POV-Ray New Ring website is owned by the Infernal Iceberg people.

   Next site > New Ring HQ < Prev site

   Visit other ring sites and see how they implemented the navigation bar, there are some really good examples. As soon as we have enough will open a nav bar example page so people that do not know or want to code HTML can use nicer nav bars too. You can also visit Open Source Web Design site for ideas about how to create your navigation bar (or even all your web site).

    

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5. How do I join the New Ring?

   To join you must fill this form. After submitting, your site will become part of the POV-Ray New Ring queue. To become a full member (in other words, to be put in the New Ring), someone (the admin) must add you. Send him an email when your page is ready if he does not add you soon.

   Your full name (no nicks, please):
   Your e-mail address (for New Ring contact purposes only):
   Your page's title:
   Your page's URL [1]:
   Your password [2]:
   Some keywords about you site (<20):
   Description of your site:

   
   [1]: Your POV related page, the one with POV things and the New Ring navigation bar.
    
   [2]: Don't forget it, nor reveal it to anyone.
   It's required for administrative tasks, like changing your data.
   And please, choose smart passwords. ;-)

   Submitted? Wait some days and you should be added. If you have problems, contact the administrator.

    

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6. How do I edit my site information? Members Only!

   If you are a full member of the POV-Ray New Ring, and want to modify your site info, just enter you site ID and your password:

   Site ID:
   Password:

    

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7. Mailing lists

   POV-Ray New Ring has two mailing lists for members:

   • The administrative list, used to report problems or other really urgent mails, all members are subscribed to this list when they join automatically. Do not worry, it is a very low traffic mailing list, months can pass without mails.
     The mails will have "Sender: owner-prnr-admin-l@www.infernal-iceberg.com" in the header, so you can filter them to the right mailbox.
   • The members list, where less important administrative mails are posted (ring status, POV-Ray new releases announces) and people can talk about the Ring, POV-Ray images and scenes, helper applications, in few words all POV-Ray related themes. The traffic will be as much as people want to participate.
     You are not automatically subscribed to it, you have to subscribe if you want. To join or leave send a mail to the mail robot, with a single line saying "subscribe prnr-members-l" in the body to subscribe, and "unsubscribe prnr-members-l" to unsubscribe (without quotes in both cases).
     The mails will have "Sender: owner-prnr-members-l@www.infernal-iceberg.com" in the headers, so you can filter them to the right mailbox if you want.

    

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8. Most recent information avaliable

   This page is the main page for the New Ring, but to reduce work of the POV-Ray site administrator it is not changed every time something happens, only when something really important deserves it. If you want to check lastest news about the Ring, please check the New Ring log.

    

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