Metaverse Ink's search of OpenSims is based on two modules: DataSnapshot and ImageService. The DataSnapshot module comes in the core distribution of OpenSim, but it is disabled by default. The ImageService is an optional module that can be downloaded from OpenSim's GForge. These two modules are relatively independent: you can have one without the other. The DataSnapshot module enables regions to publish their searchable data with search engines; the ImageService module extends regions with the ability to serve certain images onto the web -- only images associated with things marked for search, all others are refused service.

To enable the DataSnapshot module, edit your OpenSim.ini file, and make the following two changes in the DataSnapshot section:

• change the variable index_sims to true.
• uncomment the line data_services="http://metaverseink.com/cgi-bin/register.py"

To install and run the ImageService module, download it from the latest stable tagged version and follow the instructions in the README.txt file.

Only parcels explicitly marked for search, along with their images, will be visible and indexed by Metaverse Ink.

Please allow up to 6 hours to see your regions and parcels listed.

By default, Metaverse Ink search contains only and all parcels marked "Show in search," and the objects in them marked for sale or pay objects, as well as parcels on sale to everyone. If your parcel is marked "Show in search," and you want to be listed with us, you don't need to do anything. Listing is free. Additionally, Metaverse Ink supports listings of (1) any parcel in SL, even when owners don't want to pay the weekly "Show in search" fee to Linden Lab; and (2) products in vendors.

1) Listing parcels without checking "Show in search"

If you want to use our search engine for people to find your parcel and products, and are not willing to pay the weekly fee to LL for "Show in search", you can do so very easily. Simply add MetaverseInk Masters to the list of allowed residents in your parcel, even if your parcel has public access (please use the viewer 1.19.x to do this). Our crawlers check that list, and will visit any parcel that has this master avatar explicitly on the Access list.

2) Listing products in vendors

If you sell your products through scripted vendors, and you want to list those with us, you can do it very easily. Simply place one of our scripts in your vendors. Please choose the script that best fits your vendor. If they don't fit exactly, you can adapt one of the scripts, so that it sends the right information to our crawlers.

Please allow 3 days to see your parcels and products listed.