Events This Week at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, and Furry Fashion Clubs

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver and Montecito Bay clubs and Furry Fashion's Furscape

Club Cutlass: Lost 60s, Mad Science, Best in Blue

The Happy Vixen: Monsters, Secret Agent Man, Mice and Mares, Pirates, Silks, Foxes, Pokemon, Skunks, Pasties and Things, Rave

Club Zero Gravity: DJ JB, DJ Sexi Lexi, Poker After Dark, Poker Tournament, Freeform DJ/Poker Tournament, DJ Snowbuns, Freeform DJ/Poker Tournament, Poker After Dark, DJ JB, DJ Sexi Lexi, DJ Applebloom

 Montecito Bay:Taco Tuesday, Scalies, Lem n' Em Show, Hobboes, After Dark, Rainbow

FF Furscape: CAYA, Wasteland, 80s, Canines, Pastels, Bits and Butts, Videogames, Fantasy, Space

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'. 

"Hover Bug" To Be Fixed Today

On Friday January 11, dozens of tiny avatars and friends of held a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion to draw attention to the "Hover Bug" which was making some mesh avatars, tinies included, appear to float a few feet off the ground. Linden Lab listened, and it is delivering. On the webpage for Second Life on Monday January 15, the Grid Status Report area stated there would be a "Bake Service Update" for early this morning. A closer look revealed this update was the one that would fix the glitch that's caused the mesh tinies so much trouble.

We're floating a new update to help you get back on the ground! You may encounter issues changing outfits during this time.

Once the update has completed, any avatars experiencing issues with hover height will need to change outfits in order to help you stand on the ground. 

Oldesoul Eldemar, who spends part of the time in the Relay For Life as a Tiny, had a few comments about it, "Have an issue- call a tiny! Still lockin em up at Fantasy Faire! I mean dis is jest silliness!" There were a number in the comments section of the protest article, "A big box of choco waffas and a box of Wootjoos to the Lindens! Hugggles!" "On behalf of my dinky and titchy friends, thank you for fixing this!" "Thank you programmers for helping me, my frens, my frens' frens, and all those affected by involuntary flight."

So the issue seems to have been resolved, and the tinies can, to paraphrase a quote from World of Warcraft, keep their feet on the ground.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tinies Protest at Governor Linden's Mansion

So what do the tinies of Raglan Shire worry about? Usually they'll tell you it's about where their next waffles are coming from. But lately, there's been a "Hover bug" in the mesh tinies that's been driving them to distraction. So they decided to get Linden Lab's attention with a protest at Governor Linden's Mansion in Clementina. And they did so in a way of seriousness and humor only they could pull off.

Read the story in Events.

Windlight Gallery

One place Gemma Cleanslate has gone to a number of times to look at the exhibits of artwork is the Windlight Gallery. And after exploring a number of Christmas and winter places in Second Life, she decided to check out what's been going on over there. The gallery reopened earlier this month, and has new exhibits with "something for everyone." There will also be a party to celebrate the opening next Sunday.

Read Gemma's article in Design.

Press Release: First Fundraiser Social For VWBPE 2019

First Fundraiser Social for VWBPE 2019!
WHEN: Thursday, 17 January 2019 at 5:00 pm SLT (Pacific time)
WHERE: Rockcliffe Village in Second Life

Winter is perfect for dancing the night away in a beautiful winter themed venue complete with a skating rink and free ice skates! Enjoy an evening with friends and colleagues at VWBPE’s first networking and sponsorship social of 2019!

DJ Coz OKelly will be on hand to spin some fantastic dancing tunes (again donating his time in support of VWBPE).

Don your warmest, fanciest, fur-lined outfits (the one with the deepest pockets!) and take advantage of the photo ops available.

All donations are welcome, and while cash contributions (USD) are preferred, Linden dollars are also accepted. Hope you will join us for an evening of fun, networking, and fundraising.

VWBPE Sponsorship Opportunities

Cash contributions are our most appreciated form of support. The conference costs at minimum $5000 each year in order to have a successful conference. This is in a large part due to several in-kind sponsors who have been dedicated to helping this conference succeed since it first started in 2007.

One hundred percent (100%) of contributions received go to program related activities. No one involved with the organization of the conference receives a salary or stipend. Funds are used to help support our information systems, development of video and machinima archives, live video streaming, social activities, swag bag materials for conference attendees, buildings supplies (mesh 3D objects), and graphic designs.

Click here for more information, including the Sponsorship Packet

Upcoming Events
Registration is NOW OPEN
14 January: Presentation Proposals DUE
17 January: Winter Wonderland Fundraising Social
11 February: Thinkerer Award Nominations DUE
11 February: Exhibit and Immersive Experiences Proposals DUE
4-6 April – VWBPE Conference!

Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education
re:Vision
April 4-6, 2019
* Play * Explore * Engage * Immerse * Learn *

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Club Zero Gravity. DJ Snowbuns, in the red panda (Wah) avatar requested a cartoon of her. So, one was delivered.

By Bixyl Shuftan

(PS - Snowbuns gave her thumbs-up)

SL Video: Lazer Love

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Furry Alex on December 21

Feral Furry Theater Returns to Sunweaver Space

Watching movies at the theater is a pastime that has been around for over a century. With the arrival of cable TV and video tape recorders, people have been able to watch them at home alone. But it's not quite the same as watching with a group of your buddies. In the Sunweaver community, people would watch movies at the inworld theater there, the Feral Furry theater, for years. But when updates to Second Life caused problems for movie viewing, the location was closed. But last Sunday, Shockwave Yareach announced the theater was once again open.

Read the story in Design.

Linden Lab Confirms Work on Mobile App For Second Life "In Early Stages"

There's been some talk in the past several months about Linden Lab coming out with an app for mobile devices, such as iPhones and Android phones. During the "Meet the Lindens" events at the Second Life Birthday in June, Ebbe Linden stated the Lab was "thinking hard about mobile." In August, Linden Lab had a job opening for a "Senior Mobile Engineer."

Not much more was revealed, until January 9 when Inara Pey blogged that Brad Linden, Second Life's Marketing Manager, had posted about work beginning on such a project. The following day on January 10, Inara posted that he had responded to her questions, and confirmed ''we’re in the early stages of work on an iOS companion app for Second Life."

    ...we discussed at our Town Hall events last year that we’re actively looking at ways to extend the reach of Second Life to new audiences including mobile platforms. For example, we’re in the early stages of work on an iOS companion app for Second Life. 

    Right now we’re focused on getting a prototype out to our Residents, at which point we’ll be looking for feedback and suggestions. In the early stages, we will not be tying the app to a streaming service. However, we don’t have anything to formally announce yet about the specific features, capabilities, and availability.

Inara felt this wasn't much information to go on. But it did say they were in the early stages of the project. When they'll have something to release for the public is still unknown.

Source: Modem World

Bixyl Shuftan

Join the Newser Crew For a Party

The Newser crew work hard to give you the news about the people, places, and events across Second Life. But this weekend, we're going to take a little time to relax. Tomorrow at the Happy Vixen beach club, we're going to have some fun with a beach party. The party is open for most everyone to come by and say hello to the crew. And if enough come by, there will be a small prize up for grabs. The music will be provided by DJ Applebloom.

Saturday January 12

12 Noon SL time

Purrfection Estates (236, 219, 24)   

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle : Optics for Photographers

"Optics for Photographers"
Sunday, January 13 at 10 AM PST
   
by Robert Lawson Brown, Ph.D.

A tutorial on “Optics for photographers”.

This tutorial is intended to teach practical optical concepts to persons who are photographers but have not had formal training in optics and may have acquired misleading notions from camera advertisements, the common talk on forums, and the like.

The tutorial outline is shown below.
Optics for Photographers
by Robert Lawson Brown, Ph.D.
Physicist and Photographer

Pinhole Camera
– Making a Pinhole Camera
– Using a body cap on a regular camera
– Raytracing
Field of View
– Sensor Size and Image Distance
Magnification
– Object Distance and Image Distance
The relationship of pinholes optics to lens optics.
Focal length
Depth of field
ISO, Aperture, and shutter speed.
Choosing the right lens.
Perspective is about where you stand.
Thumb through my portfolio.

The Science Circle (61/127/32)

Crew Meeting

On Saturday January 5, the Newser crew had it's first meeting of the year. Attending were Klaus Bereznyak, Deaflegacy, Gemma Cleanslate, and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We discussed ideas on what to cover this month while we still had some time before the Relay season and other events hit next month.

Stay tuned for some exciting news, some you might have seen this week already.

Press Release: Winter Burn 2019 - Seasonal Perceptions

Opening 6:00pm SLT, Friday 25 January 2019
BURN2, Deep Hole

Seasonal Perceptions: Theme for Burn2’s Winter Burn Event
Perception -- the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.

This is particularly important as we move through the seasons... especially the holidays.  However, our perceptions are affected by our environment... the things and people around us.  Even the weather!  At this time of year, one person might be shoveling the snow off his driveway while another might spend the day surfing the waves off the coast of Australia!

But it is also influenced by our imaginations.  Michael Whelan, a world-renowned artist, once did a painting of his young daughter who loved playing in the sandbox.  What he did differently is depict his daughter wearing a spacesuit and playing in a lunar sandbox!

Our perceptions ares a driving force in how we interact with the world around us.  But imagination is also a strong influencer.  Given all that, how would you perceive the seasons?  Would you reflect the environment around you... or imagine something completely off the wall and different?  Show us your "Seasonal Perceptions!"

Lamplighters will help to open the event with a walk-on from the Welcome Area to the main stage.
Artists and builders are invited to sign up for a plot (limited number, first come first served). We also have a collaborative build area set aside for Burners who would like to join a team with other creatives to build to theme. Signup is available at https://burn2.org/seasonalperceptions-buildsignup. On this form, one can indicate interest in the collaborative team or a single plot. There is also an opt-in available to be part of the Ten Principles Hunt if signing up for a single plot.

As for performers - live singers, group acts and DJs - watch for the self-signup to play at Burn2 in the next few days. If you know you are interested, you can contact Cuga Rajal inworld, until the signup sheet is available.

The Weather Machine will have its place at the center of the playa, an interactive build gleefully doomed to burn!

Mark Your Calendar and SHARE the News!

We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and community, to explore the builds and enjoy the music that will fill the air over the playa. The BURN2 Calendar at http://www.burn2.org/calendar will fill up quickly as performers sign up.

Want more information? Connect with us through our networks::
Website: https://burn2.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BURN2BURNER
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BURN2BURNERS
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Burn2.SL/
Google+ Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/114073732445186160592
Regional Page: http://regionals.burningman.com/regionals/cyberspace/second-life/

BURN2 Inworld Contacts:
BURN2 Communications: iSkye Silverweb communications@burn2.org or contact inworld
BURNING MAN Regional Contact: sl@burningman.org

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Happy Vixen. You'd be worried too if a two foot butterfly landed on your head.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Crystal Ski Resort and Zimminyville

Christmas is over. But there are still plenty of winter-themed areas across Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate recently took a look at two. At the Crystal Ski Resort, the big attraction is of course, skiing. But there's also sledding, snowmobiles, and a place to warm up after a length of time in the snow. Zimminyville offers ballooning, ice skating, horseback riding and hiking, and scenic views for photography or just enjoy them for the memories.

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Draxtor Despres Needs Three Couples For Valentines Day Video

Draxtor Despres, recently made the Newser's runner-up for Man of the Year for his series of videos about Second Life over the years, notably his recent documentary "Our Digital Selves." Yesterday on January 8, he announced that he will soon be working on a new video, and needs the help of three couples in Second Life who took their relationship to real life and kept it going.

Friends: I am doing a VERY special Valentine's Day video profiling THREE couples who fell in love through Second Life & stayed together. Do you know of a great story or do you have one yourself and are you cool with being on camera? CONTACT ME as soon as you can in IM.

Draxtor says he'll start filming on January 17.