Document:

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                                                                 Exhibit 10.(49)

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
("THE ACT"), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE SOLD,
TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR
RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL SHALL BE
REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY) IN THE FORM, SUBSTANCE AND SCOPE
REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT THIS NOTE MAY BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED,
HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF, UNDER AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
UNDER THE ACT AND SUCH STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

                                 CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

$1,000,000                                                         June 26, 2000

     For value received, the undersigned, VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Maker"), hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the order
of Aspen International, Ltd. (the "Holder"), at such place as the Holder may
designate, the principal sum of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000) on the Maturity
Date (as such term is hereinafter defined), and to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of this Note, commencing from the date hereof, before and after
the Maturity Date and after any judgment until paid in full, at the rate of
twelve percent (12%) per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for
the actual number of days elapsed) until paid in full, in accordance with this
Note.  All payments hereunder shall be in lawful money of the United States and
in immediately available funds.

          1.  Proposed Financing.  This Note evidences a loan from the Holder to
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the Maker in the principal amount of $1,000,000 which is being made in
connection with the proposed private placement of certain equity securities (the
"Private Placement Securities") by the Maker to the Holder and certain other
institutional investors (the "Proposed Financing").

          2.  Interest.  Interest on the outstanding principal amount under this
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Note shall accrue, in arrears, at the rate set forth herein, commencing on the
date hereof and continuing until the earlier of (i) the conversion of this Note
in accordance with Section 6 hereof and (ii) the payment in full of the
outstanding principal amount of this Note.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default (as such term is hereinafter defined) under this Note, then to the
extent permitted by applicable law, interest to accrue on the outstanding
principal amount hereof from the date of such Event of Default until payment in
full at the rate of twenty percent (20%) per annum (calculated as aforesaid) and
shall be payable on demand.  In no instance shall the interest on this Note
exceed the maximum amount permitted by applicable law.
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          3.  Payment of Principal.  (a)  At the Maturity Date, the outstanding
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principal amount of this Note plus all accrued and unpaid interest herein shall
be due and payable in cash or, at the option of the Holder, converted into the
Private Placement Securities.  Upon the conversion of this Note, as aforesaid,
as provided in Section 6(a) hereof, the outstanding principal amount of this
Note, together with accrued interest hereon, shall be deemed to be the
consideration for the Proposed Financing on the Maturity Date.  For purposes of
this Note, the term "Maturity Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) July 27, 2000;
or (ii) the date on which the Note becomes immediately due and payable pursuant
to Section 5 hereof.

(b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the closing of the Proposed Financing
     occurs on or before July 26, 2000 and no Event of Default occurred or be
     continuing, then the outstanding principal amount of this Note and all
     accrued interest hereon shall automatically convert into the Private
     Placement Securities.

(c)  If the Closing does not occur for any reason whatsoever by July 26, 2000,
     the Maker on July 26, 2000 will issue to the Holder a warrant (the
     "Warrant") to purchase one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of the Maker's
     common stock (the "Common Stock").  The Warrant shall have an exercise
     price equal to 101% of the closing bid price of the Maker's Common Stock on
     the trading date immediately preceding a date that is the earlier of:  (i)
     the first trading date after July 26, 2000 and (ii) the date the Maker
     informs the Holder it intends to terminate the Proposed Financing.  The
     Warrant shall have a term of two (2) years from its date of issuance and
     shall carry standard piggy-back registration rights on any registration
     statement filed by the Maker and shall have a standard cashless exercise
     provision.  The issuance of the Warrants to the Holder shall not be
     credited against the payment of the outstanding principal amount of this
     Note or any accrued interest thereon.

          4.  Events of Default.  The occurrence at any time of any one or more
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of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Note:
(a) the Maker's failure to pay principal of, interest on or other amount when
due under this Note, which failure remains unremedied for a period of ten (10)
days thereafter, (b) failure of the Maker to perform or default in the
observance by the Maker of any of the Maker's agreements, covenants and/or
obligations set forth herein or in any other agreement to which the Maker and
the Holder are parties, or a material breach of any of Maker's representations
and warranties set forth herein or in the purchase agreement or any other
agreement entered in to by the Maker in connection with the Proposed Financing;
(c) the dissolution, liquidation or termination of legal existence of the Maker;
(d) the appointment of a receiver, trustee or similar official or agent to take
charge of or liquidate any property of assets of the Maker, or action by any
court to take jurisdiction of all or a substantial portion of the property or
assets of the Maker; (e) the sale of all or substantially all of the Maker's
property or assets; or (f) the commencement of any proceeding by the Maker or
any other party under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States,
as now in existence or hereafter amended, or of any other proceeding under any
applicable federal or state law, now existing or hereafter in effect, relating
to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation or otherwise, for the
relief of debtors or readjustment of indebtedness, by or against Maker;
provided, that with respect to any proceeding
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commenced against the Maker such proceeding remains undismissed or unstayed for
a period of 30 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceedings occur.

          5.  Effect of Default.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
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the outstanding principal amount of this Note together with accrued interest
hereon and any other amounts owing by the Maker to the Holder under this Note or
otherwise shall, upon written notice from the Holder to the Maker, become
immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice, all
of which are hereby expressly unconditionally and irrevocably waived by the
Maker.

          6.  Conversion.
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          (a) Upon the election of the Holder to convert this Note as provided
in Section 3(a) hereof, the Holder shall give written notice of such election to
the Maker.

          (b) In connection with any conversion of this Note in accordance with
this Section 6, the Holder shall deliver to the Maker the original version of
this Note to be converted marked "Canceled", and acknowledged by the Holder to
be paid-in-full in exchange for certificate(s) representing the Private
Placement Securities issued in the name of the Holder determined in accordance
with Section 6(a) hereof.

          (c) The Maker recognizes and acknowledges that a breach by the Maker
of the provisions of this Section 6 will cause irreparable and material harm to
the Holder, for which monetary damages will not provide an adequate remedy, and
accordingly, the Holder may bring a suit to specifically enforce the provisions
of this Section 6 by the Maker and to obtain other equitable relief (without
being required to post a bond or other security or to prove any damages),
including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, as may be appropriate in any
court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any and all other rights and
remedies available to the Holder at law or in equity or otherwise, and all such
rights and remedies shall be cumulative.

          (d) At all times during which this Note remains outstanding, the Maker
agrees to reserve and keep available for issuance to the Holder an authorized
number of Private Placement Securities sufficient to permit the conversion in
full of this Note and the Maker represents and warrants that all of the Private
Placement Securities issued upon conversion of this Note shall be duly and
validly issued and fully paid and not subject to any lien or encumbrance.

          7.  Transfer.  Subject to the limitations set forth on the legend on
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this Note, this Note may be transferred, sold, pledged, hypothecated or
otherwise granted as security by the Holder. The obligations of the Maker
hereunder may not be assigned.  This Note shall inure to the benefit of the
transferees, successors and assigns of the Holder of this Note and shall be
binding upon the successors of the Maker.

          8.  Replacement.  Upon receipt by the Maker of a duly executed,
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notarized and unsecured written statement from the Holder with respect to the
loss, theft or destruction of this Note

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(or any replacement hereof), and without requiring an indemnity bond or other
security, or, in the case of a mutilation of this Note, upon surrender and
cancellation of such Note, the Maker shall issue a new Note, of like tenor and
amount, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note.

          9.  No Fractional Securities.  The Maker shall not issue fractional
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Private Placement Securities upon conversion of this Note, but in lieu of any
such fractional Private Placement Securities, the Maker shall make cash payment
therefor upon the basis of the fair market value of the Private Placement
Securities on the Closing Date.

          10.  Additional Representations and Warranties.  The Maker hereby
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represents and warrants to the Holder that (a) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Note, the issuance of the Warrant and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of
Private Placement Securities upon the conversion of this Note and the issuance
of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant) have been duly authorized by the
Maker in accordance with all applicable corporate power and authority; (b) this
Note has been duly executed by the Maker; (c) this Note is and the Warrant when
issued will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms; and (d) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Note, the issuance of the Warrant
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (i) do
not require any consent from any third party; (ii) do not violate or contravene
the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Maker or any order or
judgment to which the Maker is a party or otherwise bound; or (iii) create a
default under, or cause a termination or acceleration of, any agreement,
contract or other instrument to which the Maker is a party or otherwise bound.

          11.  Expenses.  The Maker agrees to pay all costs and expenses
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(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by the
Holder in connection with any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Note, the Warrant or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby related hereto (including, without limitation, any action
seeking equitable relief as contemplated by Section 6(c) hereof).

          12.  Waivers, etc.  Failure by the Holder to insist upon the strict
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performance by the Maker of any terms and provisions herein shall not be deemed
to be a waiver of any terms and provisions herein, and the Holder shall retain
the right thereafter to insist upon strict performance by the Maker of any and
all terms and provisions of this Note or any document securing the repayment of
this Note.  The Maker waives diligence, demand, presentment for payment, notice
of nonpayment, protest and notice of protest, and notice of any renewals or
extensions of this Note. This Note may not be amended, modified or waived except
by an instrument in writing signed by the Maker and the Holder.

          13.  Governing Law.  (a)  This Note shall be governed by and construed
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in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its
conflicts of laws principles. This Note shall be interpreted and construed
without any presumption against the Holder by virtue of the Holder being the
party to cause this Note to be drafted.

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(b)  Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Note, the Warrant or
     any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby may be brought in
     the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for
     the Southern District of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this
     Note, the Maker hereby unconditionally and irrevocably consents to the
     personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and in respect of
     its property, generally and unconditionally.  The Maker hereby
     unconditionally and irrevocably waives, in connection with any such action
     or proceeding brought in the aforesaid courts, any objection, including,
     without limitation, any objection to the laying of venue or based on the
     grounds of forum non conveniens, which they may now or hereafter have to
     the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such courts, and the right
     to seek and/or obtain a trial by jury.

          14.  Headings.  Section headings in this Note are included herein for
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purposes of convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of
this Note for any other purpose or taken into account in connection with the
construction or interpretation of this Note.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has executed this Note as of the date
specified above.

                                        VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                        By: /s/ Avi Moskowitz
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                                        Name:   Avi Moskowitz
                                                Title:  CEO

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.(50)

                           Aspen International, Ltd.
                       Charlotte House, Charlotte Street
                                P.O. Box N 9204
                                Nassau, Bahamas

                                    August 2, 2000

Virtual Communities, Inc.
589 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10018

          Re: Conversion of Promissory Note
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Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to that certain (i) convertible promissory note dated
June 26, 2000 issued by Virtual Communities, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the
"Company"), to Aspen International, Ltd. ("Aspen") in the principal amount of
$1,000,000, bearing interest at the rate of 12% per annum, which principal
amount plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon may be converted into shares
of the Company's equity securities (the "Note") and (ii) Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of July 28, 2000 among the Company
and Aspen and certain other investors (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to
which, among other things, the Company has agreed to sell to the Purchasers
shares of its Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"), at a purchase price of $1,000 per share, and warrants
to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock").

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise its right pursuant to
the Note to convert all of the $1,000,000 outstanding under the Note plus all
accrued and unpaid interest thereon into shares of Preferred Stock, such
principal amount together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon
constituting consideration for such shares of Preferred Stock and Warrants being
issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

     The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that upon receipt of 1,010
shares of Preferred Stock and cash in the amount of $333.33 as payment for
fractional shares, the Note is hereby terminated, canceled and declared null and
void, and that all of the obligations of the
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parties thereunder shall cease effective immediately, including any obligations
which may have arisen prior to the date hereof.

     Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing in the space
provided below and returning an executed copy of this letter agreement to Aspen.

                               Very truly yours,

                               ASPEN INTERNATIONAL, LTD.

                               By: /s/ Deirdre M. McCoy
                                   --------------------
                                   Name: Deirdre M. McCoy
                                   Title:   Director

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

By: /s/ Avi Moskowitz
    ------------------
    Name:   Avi Moskowitz
    Title:  CEO

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