MCS Switches to Google Maps

The Micronational Cartography Society (MCS) is to switch to using Google Maps as its technical basis. The Google Maps API will be used in a unique micronational mash-up which will incorporate the official geographical map of Micras as its base map, upon which individual micronations will be able to superimpose additional layers for cultural, political and resource maps.

The new system will include automatic monitoring of activity levels by using an updated version of the Ultimate Micronational Forumlist. Micronations will be required to designate parts of their territories which will be sacrificed should their activity fail to meet the MCS' prescribed criteria, with the map being appropriately updated automatically. New claims will also be able to be submitted automatically, with special algorithms being used to being used to determine their validity.

MCS administrator Craitman said: "this new system will take away much of the tedium associated with the manual updates while giving more control to our members and ensuring all territories are allocated on a fair and uncontestable basis. We will also offer a version of Google Earth, called Google Micras, to enable aerial and fly-through views of Micras' rendered landscape, which will take the micronational experience to a new level."

FNORD 2010 Medals Are Here!

MCS, MICRAS - The FNORD Awards 2010 medals are now here, courtesy of Dr Spangle. Some group, front and back photos are below:

MNN: Still Here After Eight Years

PONTES NOVI, IMPERIUM INCOGNITA - Veteran micronational news site and portal MNN celebrates its 8th anniversary today.

Founded in the legendary Barony of Treesia and Fabon on 28th January 2002, MNN has arguably become a much-valued source of news and information about micronations, and has operated continously (apart from a week's interruption in late 2008) ever since.

While it no longer has its own forum (archived here), it has expanded its listings of micronational resources and its news coverage, which, as well as blogs and journals, now includes tweets and videos. To celebrate its anniversary, MNN now has its own Twitter and mobile sites, plus a new look and logo, and a slightly revised name, the Micronations News Network, which replaces its previous twin names of Micronational News Network (for the news) and Micronations.Net (for the site).

We at the Apollo Fireball V congratulate MNN on its anniversary and wish it many more years of success.

Gralus Vanishes for Real!

(updated below)

NOTHING, GRALUS - The magical kingdom of Gralus mysteriously disappeared earlier today, leaving kings, wizards and warlocks everywhere feeling slightly miffed and tentatively apprehensive. The last time it disappeared was due to an elaborate roleplayed conflict.

However, this time the last known sign of life that we had was receipt of a private message earlier this afternoon. By the time we went to open it, the entire nation had been replaced by a seemingly innocent-looking holding page.

Have Gralus' adventures in magic gone too far this time, or is there a more mundane explanation lurking in the shadows?

Only time will tell...

Update (24th January 2010)

We are pleased to report that Gralus has now safely returned from its temporary oblivion.

Hyperborean Ice-Demon Freezes Ireland

HYPERBOREA, SHIREROTH - It seems that, when you are researching micronational myths and legends, it may not be best to speak aloud the name of any sensitive deities or demons, just in case they see it as open invitation to wreak havoc shortly afterwards.

This unfortunate sequence of events occurred last week, apparently as a consequence of a meeting between two Hyperboreans, Scott of Hyperborea and Eoin Dornan, which took place somewhere is deepest, darkest Ireland.

It has been admitted that, during the meeting, the name of Jogri Temyyyutsion, King of the Ice-Demons, was forgetfully spoken aloud in place of his safer winter pseudonym "Oin Suilar", which was effectively an invitation for him to expand his "icy reign" across the seas to all of Ireland.

Banishment of the Ice-Demon may prove to be troublesome, as the only potential rituals are to be found in the legendary "Cold Rain Book", which itself has proven to be entirely imaginary.

In the meantime, climate experts have warned that the anticipated duration of the supernatural freeze of "three times three times three days" may prove to be rather optimistic.

FNORD! Again

2009 was a year of changes and consolidation. It saw the end of Babkha, a micronation that served as a pillar of our sector since before the MCS even existed. It saw the end of the hated MicroHub, which for all of its flaws served as a continuation of the MNN tradition and one of our last links to the larger micronational world. It saw the organization of large chunks of the world into the Small Commonwealth and its Small Economy, which have escaped the pitfalls of so many other organizations by expecting less.

And thus commenced the 2009 FNORD Awards earlier this evening, hosted by its eponymous and erstwhile founder, Scott of Hyperborea.

The awards, held, as ever, in honour of Emperor Norton Day and inspired by Molossia's original Norton Awards, were judged this year by Bjorn Ironfist of Stormark, Ryan Caruso of Shireroth, Emperor Edgard of Alexandria, and Guido Zambelis of Lovely.

A traditional mix of categories has been continued, with the winners of each as follows:

• Most Promising New Micronation: Victoria
• Award for Graphic Arts: Victoria
• Award for Leadership: Chris Mules (Antica)
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Ben Kern ( Rauðbjörn's Saga, Stormark)
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Aryeztur Mejorkhor (Wiki of Aryez)
• Joshua Coales Award for Best New Idea: The Small Commonwealth
• Tony Au Award for Economics: The Small Commonwealth
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: Max Edwards (Litovsker Tagblatt, Ashkenatza)
  
• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising Micronationalist: Andrew Allot (Elwynn, Shireroth)
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Nathan Shepard (Natopia)

The winners, will, for the first time, receive real medals instead of virtual ones, courtesy of Dr. Spangle.