history

OF SHOPPOLIS ISLANDS

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PREFACE & DISCLAIMER

This history comprises an on-going project involving the complex assembly of information from history as well as from the private papers of those who were citizens of Shoppolis Islands in the late 1700s added to logs and diaries of those who visited SI since 1784, and of manuscripts, pictures and other material from those who knew of SI and relayed information, for the most part, second-hand. This history will be updated periodically by Greg Taylor as papers are created and added to the library and as the information is integrated into the history. On occasion, you will find information at the end of this history that has dates far in the future from that which you have already read. This is because, our creator did not wait for the times in between to be filled in, he simply published what they had completed lately.

Please note that this history is alive, and his additions are not necessarily "tacked on" at the end. In many instances, updates are "blended in" therefore, it is essential that the history be read more than once to stay abreast of changes, deletions, corrections and additions. Thank you for your indulgence.

Mr. Patrick Danzic, Lead Editor, Shoppolis Islands History and Archives

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DISCLAIMER & MORE

Please read the disclaimer & more below.

It is in our combined best interests if all of us associated, in any manner with SI,

understand the intents, policies and other guiding material together.

    Shoppolis Islands is a fictitious place of internet drama and fun and a "product" from the mind and imagination of Gregory St. John Taylor. Policies and procedures provide for realism but are not real and do not represent any advantages to any citizens of any countries of the world. SI citizenship and history are not real, even though both are based on actual areas of the world and actual history. This site is owned and operated by Greg Taylor alone with the help of a few technical friends, including but not restricted to, Michael B Kovacic, the technical director of this site. He is also Greg's son-in-law. Greg created the virtual world of Shoppolis Islands and holds the copyrights on all pages, except for certain elements contained within, such as musical tracks by other artists, some backgrounds and various cartoon characters applied as spokespeople. These copyrights are explicitly displayed and remain in the hands of their original artists. All graphics, writing and other presentations are designed to provide a convincing form of reality for the purpose of enhancing the probabilities of personal and professional recognition and acknowledgement. It is also designed to provide an online, world-wide sales location for TV, film and literature ideas, as well as, remain thoroughly entertaining for those of you who come to this site for whatever reason, perhaps just to visit.

     The history has been assembled from Greg's imagination as well as from the factual results of extensive and in-depth historical research. All names and characters are pseudonyms of himself, and the copyright statements are in his name. He is responsible for all characterizations. Much of the foundation for this history lies within the 18th century, particularly in the commercial aspects and trade areas, not to mention political, but when it is completed, it will encompass the entire history of SI to the present day. Names of actual people are used, and their stories and the happenings of history are interwoven into the fabric of the Shoppolis Islands story. All those represented herein have been thoroughly documented in historical documents since the time of their lives. History has not been bent to accommodate the whims and purposes of these documents, but rather clarified and emphasized to provide a documented structure onto which the facts and fancies of SI were attached. Coincidence is used to link characters, and historical events that are used as backdrops for SI characters.

     The characters in the history are developed in a manner that makes them consistent with the eras in which they lived, and their conduct and activities reflect this. If an SI character acts out of synchronization, it is done on purpose either to emphasize a difference in viewpoint or to dramatize an event. It is important that the idealism built into the SI character be apparent but not dominant. The objective of all text is not to fool readers but to provide a form of convincing virtual reality. What is offered as "other documentation" related to the history, is presented in many forms, from records to biographies.

     Dialog is applied sparsely in order to make this history more chronological than dramatic, except in the "papers" portion in which simulations of actual papers and logs are intended. The Journal of Riplikin is a journey into fun philosophy and is offered "tongue-in-cheek" yet Greg believes much of this comes from inside him via gene transport and time release. An accompanying news device, The SI Scrolling Newsletter, marries the on-going opera of today's activities to the structure developed in this history. To make this history credible, it is his purpose to make the distinctions between fact and fancy vague and, in many ways, indiscernible. Otherwise, the level of enjoyment and appreciation would be diminished.

     Read and experience the lives and times of the 342 original characters on which the entire SI intellectual empire is founded. See them as people as viable and alive as your own ancestors. We can only feel the presence of our great, great, great grandfathers and mothers if we allow ourselves to pass our hands over their belongings, pass our eyes over their pictures and paintings. When we do so, they come alive again and share a moment of our own histories. Welcome to the history of Shoppolis Islands and the men, women and children who came before us.

    It is important to remember that the elements of Shoppolis Islands and its related and wholly owned sister sites, are available for use and outright purchase under specific circumstances. Write to gregtaylorart@verizon.net for further information or to inquire about use or purchase of Shoppolis Islands elements.