Monday, February 28, 2011

Space Destiny Island Sim Closing Down March 1

If one wants to check out a good science sim, Space Destiny Island is among the locations you will want to check out. Like other places in the Sci-Lands, it is both educational and full of great builds. Unfortunately, today is the last chance to look at the land before it vanishes from Second Life.

Read about the sim in Places.

Revolving to Surreal

You all know that one of my most favorite places in Second Life is The Corner of Revolving Time. The Corner is group owned by over 1,200 members and is run by it's 33 Corner Creators. I have been telling you for a long time about all the wonderful freebies in the Geodome and the fishing contests. The Corner of Revolving Time will be 4 years old this year and has had over 120,000 individual visitors since it opened in 2007. The Corner of Revolving Time manager is Saucy Loire and the assistant manager is Sweetsister Silverstar. Erike Itano is the Corner Fishing Manager. For more information on how to become part of The Corner of Revolving Time please speak with one of the managers.

The Corner of Revolving Time is made up of group members who enjoy sharing creations and builds in Second Life. They focus also on providing free plants, trees and flowers as well as holiday items to all. Each of us has a special talent in this world, and this group is for both creators and for those that just 'dig in the dirt' and enjoy anothers' gifts that they give freely.

Vickijo Rivera said “The Corner of Revolving Time will be 4 years old this year and we are pleased that we are now part of the Surreal Community and continue to grow and expand.” Bamabelle Graves is the Surreal Community & Education Manager and Pilar Couturier is the Surreal Events Coordinator.

Surreal is a community of people working on a collection of projects within SL with an emphasis on artistic and personal freedom. Surreal is owned by Cerze Ophelia. The projects in Surreal are many, Including :

Surreal Estates - commercial & residential land rentals
Surreal Fashion - Fashion and shopping including the Traditum Brand and Fashion Boulevard
Surreal Sandbox - nonprofit community sandbox
Surreal Systems - technology development
Surreal Builders - custom builds and solutions
Surreal Entertainment - dance troupe, DJ's and hosts

It is an spectacular collection of sims. Even the entrance is amazing to see! The first time I saw it I was wowed! All this land , all these places to visit , buy rent , build, shop! It astonished and awed me. Fortunately Vickijo , who is the Surreal Estates CEO Executive Assistant/ General Manager, was able to explain it all to me. The entrance to view the properties available is found at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Surreal/117/127/301 I visited some places for sale or rent just to see the lay of the land. The new shopping district is filled with some of my favorite designers which made me happy, Fashion Boulevard Shopping District, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fashion%20Boulevard/205/42/22 .In the fashion boulevard sim there is a pg office and those that prefer PG land will be able to come see the residential and commercial PG sims.

Now the new fishing area is and contests are already underway. We have and abundance of fishing customs and special bounty fish and rods. This week there will be special contests and other goodies for Grand Opening. It will include 20 1,000 linden customs exclusives and 1,000 linden starting pots all week long starting Monday the 28th. The usual schedule or contests follows:

Monday ~Tuesday~Wednesday 4:05 PM with Erike Itano (Corner Fishing Manager)
Thursday 9:15 AM with ScarlettX Demonia (Corner Hostess)
Thursday 4:05 PM with Gemma Cleanslate (Corner Hostess~Club Surreal Hostess)
Friday 9:15 AM with ScarlettX Demonia (Corner Hostess)
Friday 4:05 PM with Zolo Boyoma (Corner Hostess)
Saturday 6:05 AM with Gemma Cleanslate (Corner Hostess~Club Surreal Hostess)

Everyone is welcome at the fishing contests. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tranquility%20Harbor/207/246/21

The Corner Cave Club has moved to the Community sim and is now known as Club Surreal. It ready for parties with St Patrick Day décor in place. Across from the Club the shop of freebies is already set up with terrific décor for St . Patty’s day that Saucy Loire , the manager has placed for the taking. Across from the Club the shop of freebies is already set up with the same décor free for the taking. COMMUNITY Events can be found at this link: http://www.my.calendars.net/surrealevents

Below the club there is a whole new underwater world created by Sweetsister Silverstar. The entrance is found at Neptune’s Gate. It is a wondrous sight with delightful shells , sea creatures , plants, and so much more to discover . Dive in and enjoy.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tranquility%20Harbor/21/85/2 Nestled in the waterway-interconnected sims, there is a beach that gives community members a chance to relax and enjoy water trikes, riding watercraft, sunbathing, a waterslide, a relaxation area — and a swim-up bar that serves cool drinks on hot days! An ideal Spring Break location to party and relax. Surreal Estates offers ocean-protected waterways or private beachfront properties — something for everyone! http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artaud/161/178/21
On the main office of the Surreal Estates Office up in the sky you will find the Hyperion Raceway that will meet your need for speed. I saw some wonderful cars for sale there! http://slurl.com/secondlife/Surreal/108/112/3402

Surreal will participate in the Relay for Life this year and will have a team named Surreal for Life. If you have an interest to contribute contact by notecard to Jake Nitely, Oceanna Sands, Bamabelle Graves or Ashlynn Enoch. The Surreal Estates 10,000 linden weekly tier raffle is held every Saturday evening at 11:00 PM. This raffle is open to all Surreal Estates land owners and their housemates or business partners. For your chance to win put the Surreal Estates office pick in your profile and touch the raffle ball located in the Surreal office sim or in the Rivera land office. Win the 10,000 linden tier raffle at Surreal Estates! All these sims and more will make a visit to Surreal a trip to remember. Though we will miss the old corner on Relaxation - Corner members are happy to be joining the new locale and becoming part of the Surreal Community.

Gemma Cleanslate

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sunday Cartoon


By Bixyl Shuftan

Breedables Going to the Dogs


When breedable pets first came out, it was the Sion chicken. Then came bunnies, and then horses. But I had yet to see the first thing that comes to mind when someone says pet, until a few days ago.

Checking out an old TP when looking for a sandbox, I came across these breedable virtual pet dogs. So finally the breedables had come to their inevitable conclusion. Or had they. Although obviously different breeds, in the time I was there, I never did notice them move. Compared this to the bunnies which hop around.

So it looks like someone "let the dogs out" on breedables, but they need a little work.

Bixyl Shuftan

Saturday, February 26, 2011

"And That's it for Extend a Helping Hand!"

Yay! I was able to go to the bank today and make the final donation. Here's a full post about it, complete with pictures of the receipts:

http://katjohnston.com/2011/02/25/eahh-and-the-donation-is-made/

The total amount donated was AU$8350, rounded up from the AU$8,337.03, which is what the money raised converted to once it was changed from US currency.

To have a look at the currency conversion process (and get transaction history/money coming out of SL/etc), you can check out this post:

http://katjohnston.com/2011/02/20/eahh-heres-the-final-figures/


Phew! And that's it for EaHH!

Thank you everyone, for making Extend a Helping Hand a memorable and incredibly helpful event in raising money for the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal. From the people who took part as vendors, through to artists, musicians, independent event organizers, donors, participants and attendees, this amount could not have been raised if it were not for all of you.

With warmest regards and incredible thanks,

Sanura Sakai / Kat Johnston.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Dragon Spotted at Podex Exchange

The Podex Exchange at Moonbeam has gotten some odd customers, but this week they got an unusual client: a huge red dragon.

It's not known where the scaled creature came from. It flew in from the sky, and touched down in front of the building, managing to squeeze in through the front door. With a lumbering gait, it headed to the counter toward the nervous clerks, puffs of smoke coming from its nostrils.

So how many Lindens did the dragon want? The clerk whom dealt with the dragon was a little too shaken to speak. But one of the others told that the dragon was at first interested in trading ingots of iron for gold. The clerk explained that Podex did not deal with gold, but was a place where one could buy or sell Linden dollars with US dollars or several other world currencies. The dragon then handed over an undisclosed amount of Lindens, making a comment about some knight giving them to him along with the armor then running away screaming. The dragon chose to exchange them for one of real-life world currencies, saying it would buy some gold later.

The dragon then turned, it's massive tail barely missing whacking the clerk, and left the building the same way it came in, taking flight once outside.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Bixyl Shuftan.

Man (Husky) on the Street Interview

Xymbers Slade has been out on the Grid, looking around at places and chatting with residents. Thinking about how it might be to chat with an "old-timer," he soon found someone whom has been around since 2004. Xymbers struck up a conversation with the fellow, whom called himself "Seth the Husky," and soon had a "Man on the Street" interview.

Read the story in People.

Linden Lab to Hold Monthly Events Meetings

Effective March 3, Linden Lab will begin holding monthly Events user group meetings for anyone interested in providing feedback and learning about changes to the Events directory.

The first meeting will be held March 3 at 2 p.m. (Pacific) and future meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month in the Hanley region:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hanley/159/209/27

Capacity will be limited, so we encourage people to arrive early!

For the March 3 meeting, some members of the Linden Lab events team will be available to discuss current Events listing policies and guidelines.

In subsequent meetings, Linden Lab staff will be taking broader agenda items from the community. You can always stay informed on previous and future meeting notes and times on the following Events User Group wiki page:
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Events_User_Group

I'd like to thank Kalli Berman and Mankind Tracer for allowing me to attend the recent United Music Community forum. Some of the information from that meeting has been passed on to the Events team and many of those issues will be discussed in the first Linden Lab User Group meeting.

Best,

Brett Linden

Thursday, February 24, 2011

SL New England

Shellie Sands is back with an article on a scenic place: Second Life New England. With thirty-five sims, Shellie could get a look at only a small part of this vast location. But what she did see was very much noteworthy, places of sailing ships, recreations of historic places in real-life New England, and locations catering to merfolk. A place that, sadly, is in danger of disappearing from the Grid.

Read about New England in Places.

Goodbye NYC

It was September 11, 2007 when I ran into Cheri Bing, and her New York City Block. Part of another sim at the time, she later got a sim of her own for it: NYC. A resident of Brooklyn, Cheri wanted to recreate the place where she grew up, as well as building a monument to the World Center Trade Center towers.

In 2009 and 2010, the NYC sim hosted memorial events on September 11 that drew great crowds. The one on 2009 drew the attention of CNN. the 2010 event drew the attention of firefighter groups reported to have real-life firefighters from New York City. Shortly after that, I didn’t notice Cheri coming online. And it wasn’t until weeks later that I saw her. She told me she might not be able to keep up the tier on the sim.

Thinking about the place the other day, I decided to take a peek. But my LMs would not work, “no information available.” And checking the map, there was no NYC sim.

Hopefully Cheri’s problems are temporary. But more often than not, this means the permanent end of a sim.

The NYC was a good sim, with its memorial, a small photography museum, a small number of residents who called its apartment complexes home, and a few shops. In 2010, police and firefighter groups moved in to call the sim home.

I did manage to get in contact with JayFizzle McGinnis of the Second Life Fire Department. He explained that the group had left the NYC sim later in September after the 9-11 ceremony, saying the sim wasn’t set up for roleplay very well, “she wasn't able to accommodate, so we had to make a move ... and it pans out it was a good one ... “

Although there are other New York sims, this was one that had a kind of native charm. It will be missed.

Bixyl Shuftan

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Official Blog and Forum “Read-Only” until March 2nd for “New Community Platform.”

People going to the Second Life website to check the official blog and forums will find they can’t make any new posts. They’re in “read only.”

... the Second Life Forums, Blogs, Knowledge Base and SL Answers are now temporarily in read-only mode. This means that everything housed within the http://blogs.secondlife.com site is available for you to read, but you cannot post comments--or contribute content--until we launch our new community platform (http://community.secondlife.com) on March 2nd. Get ready for a more robust self-help platform with powerful capabilities, including unified search, reputation systems, new community tools, and social media features. And, please pardon our dust while we transition over to the new system.

Linden Lab through Vogt Linden gave some details in their post a few days before. They promise a “powerful new community platform.” Among the features promised are a “unifed search ... that returns organized results from relevant content in the Forums, Blogs, Answers, and the Knowledge Base,” abilities to post based on how much they’ve contributed, and others.

Why go dark for over a week? Good question. We need the time to make sure that the data set, housed within our current system, is safely ported into the new platform and that everything is fully operational and ready to go for you on launch day.

The Lindens say their “new community platform” will be up on March 2nd.

Looking forward to sharing more on launch day and to your contributions to the new platform.

Cartoon of the Day


By Bixyl Shuftan

A Visit to the Criss MCA

Today, reporter Gemma recently had a chance to visit an art gallery in the Alajuela sim, the Criss Museum of Contemporary Art. With three floors of pictures, residents with an eye for art will want to stop here.

Read the article in Places.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Events this Week in Second Life from Feb 22 to Feb 28

February draws to a close, and this final week of the month has a number of events. From music and dancing, to talk shows, to politics, there is much to see.

Read the article in Events.

Anti-Kadaffi Demonstrations at Clearwater Beach

A sizable demonstration against Libyan dictator Kadaffi took place in Second Life today. Taking place in front of a replica of the UN building, the crowd spoke out against the reported slaugther of civilians by mercenary troops hired by the strongman.

"There was about 50 people or so here about 3pm," Second Life Newser was told by demonstrator Suzy Honey, "people from all over the world, Europeans, Japanese, Arabs." Another of the group, Ms Qunhua, mentioned there would be another protest Tuesday at 10AM SL time.

For the past 24 hours, Kadaffi's position of power has been steadily deteriorating in this latest Middle Eastern nation hit by waves of unrest. The second largest city is reportedly in the hands of protesters. Two Libyan jets landed in Malta and defected, saying they were ordered to fire on civilians. Kadaffi's son warned on the radio that he and his father would not be stepping down like the leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, and threatened thousands would die. Kadaffi himself has reportedly left the capital of Tripoli, his current whereabouts unknown. The number of dead is supposedly in the hundreds at least.

More about the protests can be read in CNN articles by Janey Bracken and Nadia Lane.

The demonstrations are taking place at Clearwater Beach (144, 98, 25).

(Picture from Suzy Honey)

Bixyl Shuftan

Monday, February 21, 2011

Cap Estel Goes Safari

Grey Lupindo is back after an exciting African safari here in Second Life. At Cap Estel, Maurice Messmer has created a nature park very much worthy of a visit. Ride a giraffe, watch dangerous predators, cross rickety bridges, it's quite an experience.

Read about Grey's adventure in Places.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday Cartoon


By Bixyl Shuftan

Xymber Slade's Hororscopes, Feb 15 to March 15

Xymbers Slade, whom we recently interviewed about his fortune telling, has offered the readers of Second Life Newspaper his horoscopes. Done by tarot card, they're different from the ones usually seen in newsprint. These readings are for February 15 to March 15.

Xymbers' horoscopes are in the People section.

Reader Submitted: My Journey in Second Life by Skylark Lefavre

For each resident in Second Life, there is a story behind every one. One whom had seen her share of experiences wished to share hers, and put them down for all to read. So we present Skylark Lefavre's "Journey in Second Life."

Read the story in Extra.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Stop Epilepsy Our SL Way

Last weekend, a benefit was held to raise funds for the National Epilepsy Foundation. A number of musicians gave their time for 25 hours of live tunes in this marathon. Reporter Any1 Gynoid was there to cover the event.


Read Any1's story in Events.


Friday, February 18, 2011

“Tail Sale” at Club Zero

Nydia Tungsten recently announced the space club Club Zero gravity would soon be hosting it’s first “Tail Sale.” What is a tail sale? Nydia compared it to a flea market, in which volunteers put themselves up for bid offering activities such as drawing or building, or perhaps offer themselves up for a date with someone from the opposite sex. Winning bids will be split between the club and each volunteer.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Nydia Tungsten or YuliaV Resident. All entries must be in by February 25. The Tail Sale will start on March the 1st, and go on to March 17th.

“Good luck, but most of all, have fun!”

Universal Studios to Allow “Battlestar Galactica” Groups and Content in Second Life

In November, Universal Studios pressured Linden Labs to take down items and sims with names related to the “Battlestar Galactica” television show, of which the studio owns the copyrights. Various groups began renaming places and objects while trying to contact Universal to make a deal.

Recently the Harrisburg Examiner announced a deal had been reached. Ntanel Swordthain of the International Federation of Trekers acted as a go-between with Universal’s intellectual property licensing office and various groups of Second Life’s Battlestar Galactica community. The Examiner stated that eventually, Universal issued a statement:


Thank you for your patience. After some internal discussion regarding Second Life BSG and the use of our owned intellectual property, we are happy to inform you that users may continue to create and interact with each other as BSG fans, so long as such interaction does not include the creation and sales of unlicensed of real-life or virtual items featuring our intellectual property.

We hope BSG fans will continue to enjoy the franchise in all its iterations, including Second Life.


The Examiner stated several Battlestar Galactica sims were forced to close before a deal was finally reached.

For other fanbased roleplay groups whom have operated with the ever-present threat of a DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) takedown notice from the owners of the story their activity in Second Life is based on, this development is good news.

Second Life Newser tried to contact Ntanel and one of the group leaders. Neither one responded to our requests to discuss the agreement.

Sources: Harrisburg Examiner, New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

*Note* Following the publishing of this article, Ntanel Swordthain messaged us saying he could talk to us on the matter at a later date.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

KVXN Vixen Radio

DJ and club owner Nydia Tungsten now has a new title, radio station owner. She calls it KVXN Vixen Radio, and it can be heard at her clubs or on the Internet.

Nydia told Second Life Newser she had first got the idea when, “I had finished a marathon set of 8 hours and told Rita (Rita Mariner the Sunweaver Estate owner) would just let the stream go, and she told me ‘go ahead, hardly any of the radio tabs work anyways.’ And I started thinking since I stream to my parcels almost 24/7 anyways, might as well call it a radio station.”

“I had forgot about it until a few days ago when I was with some friends and it came up (in conversation), and we began throwing out funny slogans, like ‘KVXN Vixen radio...Rita's other white meat.’ Daan (Daaneth Kivioq, a leader of the “Passionate Redheads” RFL team) was throughing them out so you KNOW some were off the wall, ‘KVXN Vixen radio...we may not be better than sex......but it's hella foreplay.’ “

“Soo the other day, I decided to go ahead and do it. If it does well, I will get a larger stream. ... I have a few people listening right now. I have a little bit of everything.” She told me her listeners were all at the Cutlass club for the moment, who wanted 80’s music, so the majority of her tunes at the moment were from the 80’s. Besides Nydia’s venues, residents of the Sunweaver Estates, have started tuning their private homes to her stream. Nydia says she may also put up a few ads in the near future, though they'll need to be catchy and entertaining themselves to hold the audience.

For those who want to hear Vixen Radio outside Nydia’s places, there is a KVXN group one can join for the stream URL, or just bookmark it here: http://www.st-media.ca:8110/

It should be noted Nydia is sometimes known as DJ “Naughty” Nydia as some of her music can be a bit riskee at certain times, “KVXN Vixen Radio where the random tunes are ..... random.”

“KVXN Vixen Radio, it isn’t just for foxy people any more.”

Bixyl Shuftan

*Edit* Stream location on Internet later moved and article edited to show.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Reader Submitted: Cartoon of the Day - WW2 RP


from Sky Phydeau

Interview with Lauren Weyland

During my travels in Second Life, I recently ran into Lauren Weyland, one of the more unique comedians on the Grid. We met up later at her comedy place and sat down for an interview, discussing her beginnings, a few happenings that became punch lines, and her current projects.

To read the interview, go to People.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Events this Week in Second Life from Feb 15 to Feb 21

Valentines Day may be behind us, but the romance parties, and other events, continue on. We have a list of events this week for people planning ahead on what to do, or wish to see what's going on at a favorite place.

Read the article in Events.

Kisssssssss: Linden Love!!

Valentine day always brings out the Lindens and the Volunteers for a kiss! Naturally since I go throw snowballs at them I always go for an “apology “ kiss. Courtney Linden was graciously kissing everyone who came. Golon Eilde, one of the volunteers, was hugging and trying not to bite everyone ( vampire??).

The crowd was raucous as usual but having lots of fun! I grabbed some free valentine lollipops! I had to leave but went back later to find more Lindens and a more outrageous group in the sims! Daniel Voyager was taking pictures everywhere . You can find lots of great pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielvoyager/



Go take a look!! If you did not get there you missed a lot of fun! The only one I felt sorry for was a tiny, Hadley Metaluna, celebrating a rezz day. Wanted a kiss so badly and there were no kiss poses for tinies!! Maybe next year!! Simon , Oskar, Bacon , Alexa, Nya,Lexie to name a few , were Lindens that I kissed! And I got a few volunteers also!

(pictures by Daniel Voyager)

Gemma Cleanslate

Monday, February 14, 2011

Pint and Krams’ Cherokee Wedding

On this Valentines Day, we offer a story of a wedding ceremony in Second Life. Pint Hoyes and Kram2593 Footman decided not to have the usual kind if wedding in modern American society, but a virtual Cherokee wedding ceremony.

Read the details in People.

You Too Can Kiss Off the Lindens

This Valentines Day, don't forget to check out the "Kiss a Linden" holiday events at the Isle of View and the Isle of ViewTwo, where every year Lindens and volunteers show up to give residents a virtual smooch upon asking.




A Date Gone Sour

I guess I’ve done a bit of what could be called dates in Second Life, though the purpose has usually been for just me and a lady friend to just simply relax and have a pleasant time rather than serious thoughts of romance down the road. Sometimes it goes well, a pleasant dance to nice music, a walk in a park, a sim tour on an automated vehicle together, etc., and both of us part ways on a good note.

One time, things didn’t go so well.

I had come across one girl by chance encounter, and we became friends. We met a few more times. Then one day she invited me to a sim in which the area’s name suggested a bit of dating by more serious couples was done here, “Cuddle Cove.” As it turned out, a band had come to have a concert, and she thought I might like some time here.

We took a try at one of the dance poseballs, but with all the people in the area, she crashed, and took quite a while to become visible again, which was a little frustrating. But still, we were about to give it another try.

Then a mutual friend of ours came in. She greeted him, “Hi .” , then a second later I did as well, “Hi .” She then typed “Don’t mock me!” Puzzled, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

(girl) : *slaps Bixyl*
Bixyl: Ow. What was that for?
(girl) : You mocked me!
Bixyl: What?! How could I have mocked you?
(girl) : You said hello to him the same way I did.

She then went to the guy, who had stood in front of us not knowing what the heck was going on, and asked him to dance. They then went to a nearby set of dance poseballs. Confused, there was nothing better for me to do than walk away, porting out after a moment to think.

I guess she was looking for an excuse to dance with him instead, though she could simply have asked me if I minded, which I wouldn’t have.

(Reprinted from Second Life Newspaper 2008)


Bixyl Shuftan

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Egypt Sim: Protests Turn to Celebration at News of Egyptian Leader’s Stepping Down

Events in the country of Egypt have taken some dramatic turns this week in real life. In Second Life, these events were reflected at the Egypt sim as people protested strongman Mubarak's refusal to resign one day, and the next were celebrating his departure.

Read the article in Events.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Arctic Greenhouse

Grey Lupindo takes a look at the Arctic Greenhouse. Not only can one look at the plants and flora in this refuge of greenery in a place of ice, but one can play the games as here as well. The prize: one gets to take home one of the plants.

Read the article in Places.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

One Resident Speaks Out on a Weakness in the Teen Rules

After I did a commentary on the issue of the Teen Grid merger, one my my readers, Shockwave Yareach contacted me about the subject. He told me there was one thing he wanted to show me. We teleported to a particular sim that was mostly grass, near a corner which had one section of an “X” shaped structure that spanned the adjacent corners of four sims, “Anyway, this is the sim Idu. And there is the welcome center. This is one of the places teens can rez, and can play. Cool so far, yes?” Everything looked innocent so far.

Shockwave then began walking to the opposite corner, “Now follow me to the Southeast. We walked for a while across the grassy field that was most of this particular sim. We soon got to the edge of the sim, which bordered another with a few stores at the edge, though there was a space between two with a “we’ve moved” sign. Standing in front of one particular brick building, Shockwave asked, “Now, standing here in the PG sim, cam into the store.” I did, and looking around, after some moments some pictures were soon visible that were definitely *not* PG. “This is safe for kids?” Shockwave asked me, “And all those demo poseballs on the ground, anyone can watch ‘the show.’ "

This, Shockwave argued, was a clear weakness of Linden Lab’s teen grid merger, “I've tried to warn them. I begged for a PG continent. But this,” he pointed again to the adult store next to the PG sim, “this is what we got. Just wait until one of the religious nutjob Americana family groups find out. Geez! ... Oh, and the empty spot, that was a store. They closed the day the teens arrived. While I bear the teens no ill will, and I want them to be able to play, I don't want them to ruin our fun and endanger our real lives in the process. By the way, there are several stores around these four PG rated sims selling skins and the like. And the kids can cam in and buy anything they can afford, PG or not PG.”

Earlier, Shockwave had suggested a JIRA for Linden Labs, that would block teen accounts from caming and buying outside PG sims. But Linden Labs never seemed to pay any attention to it. Why hadn’t they taken this and other precautions? Shockwave thought, “They are either incompetent, or think they can clean up the mainland by using the teens as a reason and are shortsighted. Second Life can be both clean and filthy. It can be thousands of things at once. It need not be only one thing. M Linden was utterly stupid for not figuring that out. Second Life is not a cable channel. it's a cable SYSTEM filled with different channels for different tastes. And realistically, the only way to keep the grid safe from problems like these here, is three separate rated continents.”

“Back when Linden Lab didn't tell us what to do or how to behave, it wasn't an issue. With teens and the volumes of TOS, it now is. The PG continent along with Zindra was asked for when the Zindra debacle occurred. We saw the writing on the wall and begged for it. But not, this is not hard for the teens to locate. This is an example of the silliness and the danger of the teens in PG.”

Shockwave felt that Second Life residents were now at risk for being placed under arrest, “when some momma sees Little Timmy camming in here, someone is gonna have the cops at their door. Linden Lab will pass the buck, naturally, so the store owner there will get a 2AM visit from the state police some night. The law doesn’t differentiate between my snapping a naughty picture and emailing it to a teen, and them seeing naked pictures in Second Life. ... I can't point to a case where someone is in jail for pixel sex in front of a kid. But I'd like to avoid the danger. I can, however, point out that the law is so irrational that they've charged teens here in Texas with possession of child porn for having a picture of themselves. ... Wonder if a teen having a pic of their avatar in the buff constitutes child porn?”

“I have no problem with teens being in a properly set up Second Life. THIS isn't it!”

What would Shockwave say to the teens themselves, “I'm sorry LL shafted you all. But that wasn't my doing, and many of us BEGGED for a PG continent that you and us could have and be safe together. We saw what was coming and wanted to make the grid safe for all. Now it isn't safe for anyone.”

So if a resident was worried about teens, why not just change the rating on his sim to keep them off? Shockwave answered, “Trouble is, you cannot change the rating on a mainland parcel. And even if you could,” he felt it wouldn't do much good if the sim next to you remained PG.

As for Shockwave’s own kids, “I have a teen daughter. She wanted to enter Second Life. ... But with the merger, she's uninterested anymore, ‘I don't want to hang around a bunch of old people.’ "

Shockwave soon had to attend to some business, and we went out separate ways, leaving the adult store still next to the PG-rated sim.

Bixyl Shuftan

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Cartoon of the Day


by Bixyl Shuftan

Best Viewer Apps for SL

What Second Life viewer is best? For about a year, the official viewer from Linden Lab has been Viewer 2. But more residents prefer the Phoenix viewer. Any1 Gynoid compares the two viewers, and takes a look at their applications.

Read the story in Extra.

Interview by Sam Nightfire at Virtual Tonight

On Sunday at 8 PM SL time, I was at the set of the Virtual Tonight talk show at the invitation of hostess Sam Nightfire for an interview. Of the several guests, I was first.

The interview went well. I probably could have done a slightly better job, but at least my “voice for newspapers” didn’t trip and stammer. The questions about the paper varied from how did I get my start, to what do we usually write about, to can readers also submit things for the paper to publish, and others.

Besides myself, Sam had several others on the show, from fashion expert and host Tempest Hennesy, to Thinkerer Melville, a "retired Professor of Psychology, community advocate and promoter of virtual worlds," to stand-up comedian Elron Priestman, whom he and I traded witty comments in group chat, and a KISS tribute band from Canuck entertainment. While not a KISS fan, I have to say the musicians put quite a bit of effort into their performance.

I saw a few friends of mine in the audience, and a few friends of theirs. Thank you for coming. For those who didn’t , Sam told me the show should be on the Virtual World Network Website (http://www.virtualworldnetwork.tv/) by Monday February 14th.

If Sam seems familiar to regular readers, she should. A few months ago, she came to me having heard about the paper, and was interested in helping out. It was soon obvious that she was someone with both confidence and a good head on her shoulders with business sense. She already had a job with real-life media, but considered it important that there were thriving outlets in Second Life, and was willing to help out. She did for a while, but her talents were discovered by the Virtual World Network. We parted on good terms, remaining friends.

Had she stayed, she probably would have soon become the editor.

Virtual Tonight is still a new show, with a new crew learning the ropes and the routine. But Sam picked a group with talent. It won’t be long before their ratings start giving Paisley Beebe’s “Tonight Live,” a serious run for it’s money.

Sam also posts regularly on Facebook, never at a loss for a witty comment, and has a lively group of friends. Those checking her out there may see a few of my replies.



Bixyl Shuftan

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Events this Week in Second Life from Feb 8 to Feb 15

There are a number of events to experience each week in Second Life. We have a variety listed from live music to talk shows, to politics. Two new listings are Tuna Oddfellow's Odd Ball and the East Coast Conservative Podcast.


Read the article in Events.

"Passionate Redheads" Meeting Today

Back in the fall we had a series of very productive meetings to share ideas about how to make this year's RFL the best ever. Now, with just five weeks to go before we start the 2011 season, lets have a few more.

Let us get together in the Spirit of Relay and share our ideas. Whether you are an old Relay hand, or are new to us, your ideas and input are most welcome! Please join us Tuesday at 5pm - thank you!

GO RELAY!! GO REDHEADS!!

Daaneth Kivioq

Southern Colorado, (163, 42, 26)

Monday, February 7, 2011

An Ode to James and Dana

It's been about seven months since Second Life Newspaper closed and Second Life Newser began. We at the paper still remember our times at the paper we used to work with, and our mentors. Since their farewell in June, I've had a little contact with them. Dana expressed her sorrow at not being able to come back more than one short brief time, but has not yet recovered from events in real life.

Here's to you, James and Dana.

Note: we've made some changes to our Crew page explaining a little more about our orgins.

Relay For Life is back in Second Life!

It’s February! And Relay For Life® of Second Life® is back for some more fun and fundraising!

Teams’ registration for the seventh annual Relay For Life of Second Life opens on February 14 in preparation for fundraising from March to July, culminating in a 24-hour walk around a virtual track.


MamaP Beerbaum, the RFL of SL 2011 Event Chair, said: ‘We’re ready to go! The 2011 committee has been busy working behind the scenes and we have an amazing group of passionate volunteers who are going to make this the most fun and successful Relay For Life that Second Life has seen.’


In a few weeks you will see the new logo rezzing across the grid alongside the familiar fundraising kiosks. This year’s theme is Seasons of Hope. Because every season – Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall – is a season of hope.


After 16 weeks of fun and fundraising, the teams will build campsites for the main event which will take place on July 16-17. Team members, volunteers and members of the SL community will walk a track for 24 hours to Celebrate survivorship, Remember those we have lost, and Fight Back to save lives by making a personal pledge to fight cancer.


To set up a team, please go to the website www.relayforlife.org/secondlife after teams’ registration opens on February 14. For more information about setting up or joining a team, IM or email one of the Teams Chairs Panza Eilde (panzaeilde@gmail.com) or PrettyKitty Gumbo (prettykittygumbo@gmail.com).


The 2011 RFL of SL Committee consists of:

Event Chair - MamaP Beerbaum (mamapbeerbaum@gmail.com)
Event Co-Chair - Dwen Dooley (dwendooley@gmail.com)
Teams and Mentors Area Chairs – Panza Eilde and PrettyKitty Gumbo

Sponsorship Area Chair – Samara Barzane
Public Relations and Marketing Area Chairs – Poppy Zabelin and Breezy Carver
Special Projects Area Chair – Katina Magic

Event Day Area Chair – Nikki Mathieson
Sim and Track Design Area Chair – Charlene Trudeau

Technology and Security Area Chair – Belle Loll
American Cancer Society representative in Second Life - Stingray9798 Raymaker

Please note these key dates:

Feb 14, 2011 – Teams’ registration opens!

March 12, 2011 -- Kick-off Party and start of fundraising

March 12-22, 2010 -- Fashion For Life

May 7-13, 2011 -- Paint SL Purple!

May 13-22, 2011 - Home Expo

May 14-15, 2011 -- Half-Way There Fair

July 16-17, 2011 -- RELAY WEEKEND!

To keep up to date, please join our SL’s RFL Volunteers Group in Second Life, follow us on http://twitter.com/RelayForLife_SL and http://rflofsl.blogspot.com/ or ‘like’ our Facebook page ‘Relay For Life of Second Life’.

______________________________________________________________________­­­­­­­­___________


About Relay For Life of Second Life


Relay For Life® is the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) is an annual activity that takes place in Second Life® in July each year. Volunteers form or join teams to have fun while fundraising and raising awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track, just like in a real world Relay. The main RFL of SL track event this year will take place on July 16-17. We will walk a virtual track for 24 hours, just like in a real world Relay For Life. Team members build and gather at their team campsites, enjoy live music, participate in fun events, and explore the many Relay sims and the incredible builds by some of Second Life’s top designers, as the event runs overnight and into the next morning.


In 2010 Relay For Life of Second Life attracted more than 120 teams with participants from over 30 countries, held over 300 team fundraising events between March and July, and raised over US$222,000 (that’s REAL US dollars) for cancer research and education. The funds raised go to research, advocacy, patient services and programs, with 12-15% going to international projects. Just as in the real world, RFL of SL is an international event.


For background information see https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Relay_For_Life_of_Second_Life

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Apperance at "Virtual Tonight" Tonight

At 8 PM tonight, SL time, I'll be at the Virtual Tonight talk show, hosted by Sam Nightfire. Instead of doing the interviewing, yours truly will be the one interviewed. Knowing Sam, it will be an interesting experience for certain. She promises "a shocking surprise."

Besides myself, Sam will have on fashion expert and host Tempest Hennesy, Thinkerer Melville, a "retired Professor of Psychology, community advocate and promoter of virtual worlds," stand-up comedian Elron Priestman, and a KISS tribute band from Canuck entertainmen.

Sam promises "lotsa fun." Provided Linden Lab doesn't have a major burp, and even that might not matter, she'll deliver.

The studio will be open for the audience at 7:30 at Virtual World Network (184, 146, 545). The show will be taped and posted on the internet in about a week.


Bixyl Shuftan