Saturday, January 31, 2015

Reenactment at Roma




Last weekend at the Roma community, the Paganalia festival took place. On Saturday January 24 there were various events such as a live music concert and a fishing tournament. The fun continued on Sunday January 25, with events such as a crocodile race and a battle reenactment.


The XIII legio will reenact the heroic action of Horatius Cocles, who on 509 BC defended  the access to Roma via Pons (bridge) Sublicius, standing alone against the Etruscan army. LMs in notecard.


One reenactor took on the role of Cocles while several others assumed that of Etruscan attackers. To help out the defender, he was wearing a slightly buffed battle HUD that gave him extra hit points. But it turned out those weren't needed (except maybe as a psychological boost), as he continuously beat all attackers while taking less damage than they.


After the last attacker was beaten, the bridge was collapsed, replaying the part when the real bridge was destroyed, allowing Cocles to retreat to safety.  The Wikipedia entry about Horatius Cocles about the story says that it describes him as surviving the battle and being subsequently honored, but the injuries he suffered from the battle meant his career in the Roman army was at an end.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Imogen and the Pigeons"




(Click here if the video does not play)

From the noted artist Bryn Oh, "Imogen and the pigeons was an immersive virtual environment supported by the Ontario Arts Council and shown in the virtual world of second life as well as at the 17th Biennial de Cerveira in Portugual. I have done a series of blog posts explaining the story of Imogen and the pigeons.. you can find the start of them at the link below if you are interested. It is the story of a recorded mind editing her memories in order to bring back her lost daughter Kumiko. http://brynoh.blogspot.ca/2013/03/imogen-and-pigeons-some-musings-on.html  "

Friday, January 30, 2015

The Chamber


Fritter Enzyme recently dropped by a reading area known as "The Chamber." The location has a number of stories to read, grouped by author. But the scenery in the various rooms adds to the atmosphere, such as surreal builds for the place where Edgar Allen Poe's works are. But there are more than just the classics, one can also read the works of present day writers in Second Life.

Read Fritter's article in Places.

Tales From Podex: Assisted Attempt at Acquisition


He'd get them this time.

For months he'd been trying to beat them, sneak in, swipe the loot, then get away. But what should have been simple was somehow foiled every single time by bad luck. Maybe he really did use shoddy equipment as they kept suggesting. No, it had to be just a run of bad luck.

Again and again, he'd been beaten by this Podex. He could just imagine them laughing at him. Well, he'd finally get the last laugh.

"You should be almost there," crackled a voice into his ear.

"Um, yes, almost at the spot," Clumsy spoke out loud.

Getting away last time, he stumbled into the lair of someone whom called himself "The Mastermind." In order to get this mysterious, and scary, character off his back, he had to run a few errands. But he performed to The Mastermind's satisfaction, so he let him go. But he did get one thing out of it. Someone whom also had been doing the mystery man's bidding was willing to partner with him to be the "brains" of the operation, in exchange for a share of the Lindens. "Bilby" as he called himself would offer advice from a small radio in Clumsy's ear as he observed his position on a map, and as the burglar described what he saw.

Bilby's plan turned out to be pretty smart. Instead of walking in during broad daylight, wait until dark when there was less staff on duty. And instead of trying to go in the front door through some disguise, sneak in through a back door on the second floor.

So Clumsy headed over to the Podex Bank at night, heading to the side of the building. He went to the midsection, where there was a deck on the second floor that would allow for access inside.

"Okay, throw the rope up."

"I'm on it." Clumsy got a rope and hook, and threw it up. The hook caught onto the other side of the wall. He climbed up one of the support pillars, and once over the edge, "Okay, I'm in."

"Great. Just make your way downstairs, and the safe should be in one of the back rooms."

Ckumsy then made his way to the stairs. He then began making his way down, but he slipped and slid down. He ended up at the bottom with a thud."

"What was that?!"

"Uh, nothing," Clumsy whispered. He quickly got back on his feet, and out of sight of the front desks sneaked around to where the back rooms were. He began checking them. Finally, he saw next to some crates a safe.

 "I found it. It looks pretty small for a bank this size."

"Could be a second safe for special valuables. Now hold the mike up to next to the dial, and I'll let you know when to turn the other way."

Clumsy did, and began cracking the safe with Bilby's help. And in just a few minutes, there was a click, "I got it!" he gave a loud whisper.

"Great, now just reach inside and - "

"Security!" The lights came on, and clumsy turned to see a guard dressed in blue.

"Um, hi!" Clumsy couldn't believe it, his luck had soured yet again!

"Hi yourself. What are you doing here?"

"Um, I needed some fresh air, so I thought I might head to the back."

"I think not 'Clumsy Cooper.' You're under arrest."

Clumsy looked frantically for another way out, and the guard began walking his way. Clumsy then ran to the side and around him. The guard tried to grab him, but it was his turn to stumble. By the time he recovered, Clumsy was close to the door. He then drew a weapon, "Halt, or I'll shoot!"

Clumsy yelped and continued running. Bilby's voice yelled, "Run, get out of there!"

"What's a guard doing here?!"

"You never told me there was one!"

"I've never tried to get in at night!" Clumsy ran down the hall, past the front desk and it's startled tellers, and out the front door. He continued running. Fortunately the cover of night meant he was quickly out of sight.

"Some help you turned out to be." Clumsy growled.

"Well, there's next time." Bilby tried to reassure. But despite his getaway, Clumsy was not happy. Yet again, Podex had beaten him.

Back at the Podex Exchange, the Second Life Police Department was called, and they did an investigation. Not finding Clumsy Cooper, they issued a warrant for his arrest for attempted griefing.

But even if Cooper's scheme had worked, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained to the SLPD, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

By Bixyl Shuftan 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Interview With Pyrie Catoria (Catalina Staheli)


"Why do you Relay?" It's a question that comes up as those taking part in the Relay for Life fundraiser explain why they're on the team. For Pyrie Catoria, she's turned the question into a photography project for the Relay, one that has dozens of portraits of various Relayers. Second Life Newser had a chance to interview her about how she got into the Relay and her latest project.

Read the interview in People.

Press Release, Debate on Vaccinations



In 2000, measles, once a childhood scourge, was declared "eradicated" in the United States. Earlier this week, an outbreak of measles started at Disneyland in California. Most of the victims (though not all) had not been vaccinated. We will discuss what kinds of vaccines there are, how they work, and what they have accomplished. We will also talk about the anti-vaccination movement. Are their arguments sensible?

7PM tonight, Thursday January 29, at the Meridian Cafe

Prism Lila (140, 27, 350)

Press Release: Space Remembrance Day Observance


Saturday 31 January, 3-5pm SL time


We’ll begin with a discussion of NASA’s Astronaut Remembrance Day and the tragedies that brought it about (Apollo 1, Challenger, Columbia). Then we’ll broadening our perspective to include others who have lost their lives to our dreams of space, such as ground crew, test pilots, commercial ventures and such.  The recent space failures like Virgin Galactic and what that means for commercial space will be discussed, and how all of the risks vs. rewards affect our human ventures into space moving forward.

National Space Society (105, 141, 3004)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Cartoon of the Day



Taken at Furry Fashion

By Bixyl Shuftan

Club Transation


In his latest club review, Wesley Regenbogen looks at "Club Transation." Run by Fin Silversmith, the club is different from most in that it's beneath a clothing store, run by Hardrain Tigerpaw. Once one is done partying they can go upstairs to shop.

Read Wesley's review in Places.

Grand Galloping Gala in Ponyvale



From Friday January 23 to Saturday January 24, the Pony community's big event for the month, the "Grand Galloping Gala" took place. The event took place high above the Ponyvale sim. Friday was the fashion show, in which outfits made for the four-footed avatars were judged. Saturday was the dance. Starting at 5PM numerous avatars, mostly ponies but there were others, danced away to the music. The party went well beyond the two hours planned, going late into the night.

I had a chat with the head organizer, Bri (Xjennifer29x Resident). She told me it had taken about a week to organize the Gala. Of the fashion show, "we had 100 people here, unfortunately before the last four contestants were able to go down we got griefed. But when we were able to come back and get them going and get the winners announced, the sim had about 60+ back up here." Three of the outfits featured were up on display. Of the dance on Saturday night, they hadn't expected it to go for more than two hours, "idn't expect to still be going and luckily my best friend Pixel Prism offered to continue to dj. We capped out tonight at 92 ponies and even at 10:26pm slt we are at 45."

Among those there was Aasha Kohime, whom had been part of the Aria Clash combat sim's team until it's closing in October 2013. Afterwards, she had focused on making pony-themed items, and was making more money than before.

There will be another two day event in February, "Hearts and Hooves," on February 20 and 21 for Ponyvale's second anniversary.

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Mole Day Coming, February 2


Annual Event Honors Members of Linden Department of Public Works

BAY CITY, SL - It’s nearly that time of year again when we look for furry little shadows. You do have your shadows enabled, no? It's not about groundhogs -- it's about the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works!

Initially honored in 2010 by Residents of Bay City, Mole Day is set aside to show appreciation for The Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the rest of the Second Life™ Grid.

This year’s annual Mole Day will again take place at the Bay City Fairgrounds February 2nd commencing at 5:00 p.m. SLT. The event will feature DJ GoSpeed Racer of KONA stream followed by Marky Helstein performing live at 6:00 p.m. SLT.

"Moles" are members of The Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW). The LDPW is a program focused on improvements related to the experience of living on, or visiting the Linden Mainland. The LDPW organizes teams of Resident builders, artists, and scripters (the Moles!) to create new content on Linden Lab's behalf and to the benefit of all. These Residents have the last name “Mole.”

Moles essentially build all of the grid’s infrastructure: the public roads and railways, items in our coastal waterways and protected lands, and even larger scale projects like the Linden Homes regions, premium content and experiences, and much more.

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab® and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest group for Residents of Bay City.

For more information, or to participate in the event, please contact Marianne McCann.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Events This Week at the Sunweaver Clubs




It's a new week of events at the Sunweaver clubs. Here's a list of the themes. Come on over for some music and fun.

Read more in Events this Week.

SL Video: "Why Do You Relay for Life? 2015"




(Click here if the image fails to load)

From Pyrie Catoria (Catalina Staheli), who does portraits of various Relayers with various answers to the question "Why I Relay?" (yours truly appears early on), "A collaborative video put together of the 2015 Why Do You Relay portraits done in Second Life by photographer Catalina Staheli and the Relay for Life Committee, Volunteers, and Friends. "

Pyrie's Flickr page is on https://www.flickr.com/photos/81538244@N05/sets/72157649953979530/  , which includes one of a certain fox reporter.

Monday, January 26, 2015

JasX Games


Some readers might have heard of BARE, the cheeky card-based fight game in which the loser ends up without their clothes. It's one of several games by JasX Games, by Jasdac Stockholm. Locke had a few words with the man behind the games. In the first part of the interview, Jasdac describes his start into gamemaking with "Fable of the Unknown."

Read Locke's article in Design.

Over 110,000 Lindens Raised at Veterans Benefit



On Sunday at 5PM SL time, Veterans isle began hosting a benefit for the Homes For Our Troops charity. Frets Nirvana helped to organize the event, as well as being one of the musicians for it.

Tonight, Sunday January 25 we will be kicking off our 2015 benefit efforts for Homes for Our Troops. And once again we have a great lineup of artists who continue to help with this effort. It all starts at 5 PM SLT and you will surely enjoy the music!


Max Kleene started things off at the event's beginning. He had a small group of tinies listening to him right next to the stage away from the group on the dance floor. It's unclear whether or not they just happened to come by or were a tiny fan club of his. Shannon Oherlihy was next to perform on stage at 6PM, strumming her guitar. Twinghost Ronas, originally scheduled to be last, performed at 7PM for the crowd. Last was Frets Nirvana himself, capping the event at 8PM SL time to about 9PM, about Midnight EST.


By the time Frets came on stage, the total donated had reached about 90,000 Linden dollars. Frets encouraged the crowd to give still more. By 8:30 PM, the total had risen to 95,000 Lindens. The Lindens kept coming in, and by the end, 113,000 Lindens had been raised for the Homes For Our Troops charity.

Homes For Our Troops describes themselves as, "a privately funded, nonprofit organization building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes nationwide for the most severely injured Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these Veterans have sustained life-altering  injuries including multiple amputations, partial or full paralysis, or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).  These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed defending ours, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, over 90 percent of donations to Homes for Our Troops has gone to directly support Veterans. " More can be read on their official website: https://www.hfotusa.org/ .

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Official 2015 Relay For Life Second Life Event Dates



Relay For Life of Second Life, an official charity of the American Cancer Society, is pleased to announce event dates for the upcoming 2015 season! 2015 marks the 11th season of Relay For Life of Second Life and this year’s theme is “The Future is Now”. Below is a list of the special and mega events planned for 2015 in support of Relay For Life of Second Life:

2015 RFL OF SL SPECIAL EVENTS:
Kick-Off Celebration -March 7-8, 2015
Join us as we launch the 2015 Fundraising season. Much is being planned for this awesome event that opens the official season of Relay fundraising.

Paint SL Purple-Feb. 21 – March 7, 2015
SPREAD the Relay message. Get ready for the new RFL season. It’s time to re-energize the fight... We’re BACK. Let’s PAINT SL PURPLE! We will celebrate the power of purple but turning the grid into the signature color of Relay For Life as we launch a new season.  Save the date Feb 21st for the Paint SL Purple launch party! CELEBRATE RELAY!!

Halfway There Celebration Week-May 15 – 17, 2015
As we celebrate our half way there point, we will take a few days to celebrate our achievements. Stay tuned for more information about our half way there journey.

Relay Weekend-July 18-19, 2015
It’s the largest fundraising event in the virtual worlds. This is the 40+ sim event that features all of our teams, as we walk together for 24 hours around the track. Cancer never sleeps…and so for one night each year, we refuse to sleep, to show our commitment to the fight against cancer.

Wrap-Up Party-August 2015
After everyone gets some much deserved rest, we come together one last time to recognize each other for a job well done. Here, we celebrate our success for the year, hand out various awards to teams and participants, and reveal some early news about the next Relay season.

2015 RFL OF SL MEGA EVENTS:
Fantasy Faire ~ April 23 to May 3rd
Coordinator: Elizabeth Tinsley
From fae to mermaids to sci-fi – this mega shopping event features some of the best avatars and accessories designed by the most talented creators in Second Life. Get your geek on! This RFL mega event opened for the first time in 2008. For more information, visit the website at http://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com

The Sci-Fi Convention ~ February 20th to March 1st
Coordinators: Kirk Wingtips, Ariadne Fall
Returning for its 8th year, this event brings together a wide range of RPG communities and merchants to raise funds for RFL and to celebrate the creativity, innovation and spirit of community within the genre of Science Fiction. Past guest speakers have included actors, Richard Hatch, Johnathan Frakes and Peter Jurasik. Check out the website at http://slscificonvention.wordpress.com for more information.

Fashion For Life ~  March 21st to May 29th
Coordinator: Frolic Mills
Featuring everything Fashion in SL, another HUGE shopping event to fight cancer. Multiple sims and fabulous builds along with some of SLs best designers, who come together each year to bring fun, fashion and entertainment to the grid! This Relay For Life mega event had its beginning in 2007 when it was called, ‘the Clothing Fair.’ Please contact Frolic Mills in Second Life for more information.

It’s SummerTime! Breedables Fair ~
Coordinator: TBA
This annual Fair, in its 3rd year, brings together the creators of the top breedables in Second Life who create a spectacular display for fans and residents! Special and limited edition creations built especially for Relay are sold during this two week event and all proceeds generated by the LE creations, are donated to ACS.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer-TBA
Chair: Jessii2009 Warrhol
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the official breast cancer charity of the American Cancer Society. Join us for the fight against breast cancer! For more info visit:
http://makingstridessl.org/

The Home & Garden Expo ~ Sept 13 to Sept 26th
Coordinator: BOSL Reign Congrejo
The largest Home & Garden Event of its kind benefiting Relay For Life, this Expo features the great creators of Second Life’s Home & Garden products. The first Expo was held in the summer of 2008. Please contact Reign Congrejo in Second Life for more information.

The Xmas Expo & Breedables Fair ~ TBA
Coordinators: TBA
The holiday-themed, offseason, mega shopping event that brings the magic of the holidays to SL and to Relay is returning for its 4th year! Entertainment, raffles, auctions, the Holiday Ball and more awaits guests, young and old, to the splendor of the Xmas Expo. Come enjoy the Naughty or Nice gifts, a surprise visit from Santa, a race for the Bells Hunt, the OOAK Breedables auction, the annual Holidays of Hope Ball and much more.

About Relay For Life of Second Life:
Relay For Life of Second Life 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 a Real World Relay.  Since 2005, Relay For Life of Second Life has raised over $2.25 million USD for the American Cancer Society. In 2013, Relay For Life of Second Life has raised over $390,000 for the American Cancer Society.  Relay For Life has become an international movement in RL and SL.  In 2011 participants from over 80 countries took part in Relay For Life of Second Life.

About the American Cancer Society:
For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we help people stay well, help people get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer.

For More Information:

http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/special-events/

http://relayforlifeofsecondlife.org/event-day/rfl-mega-events/

www.relayforlifeofsecondlife.org

www.cancer.org

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Cartoon of the Day



Taken at Club Cutlass. Sometimes when you use "cloud computing," you end up in a storm.

By Bixyl Shuftan

World of Warcraft News: Ten Year Statue Gift and "Veteran" Accounts


There's been a couple recent news stories about World of Warcraft recently. One was a slight change to how currently inactive accounts are handled. While there has been a kind of Free-to-Play version of the game for a while, such players operate under a number of restrictions, such as not being able to go beyond level 20. And once a player has ever had a paid subscription, they can't so much as log in.

In the upcoming patch of the game, expired subscriptions will be changed to a "Veteran Edition" in which characters up to Level 20 can still be logged in. Such characters will still be under some restrictions, but will be able to join guilds. Characters beyond Level 20 will not be accessible under Veteran. Just how useful this small change is has been a matter of opinion among those responding to the post in the forums. But considering ten million people at last count had paid accounts, it's unlikely that the game will be nudging much closer to free to play.

What's gotten more attention is the present that Blizzard entertainment is giving it's most devoted customers. On January 21, Blizzard announced "As a way to thank our most loyal World of Warcraft players, we are sending a physical gift to players that have stuck with us since the very beginning." These players would have to have had started playing within 60 days of when they game was released in 2004, and kept up their subscriptions without interruption.

That the announcement had the keyword "statue" was a clue as to what it was, and as it turns out, it's a small bronze statue of an orc riding a wolf. It's gotten no shortage of comments. Some have commented considering the cash such players have sent Blizzard over time, $15 a month for 120 months is about $1800, Blizzard clearly got the far better of the bargain. Supporters counter that Blizzard didn't have to send anything, and it's better than a simple "thank you" card. It's also notable that a number of these statues have popped up on eBay, sometimes with prices in the hundreds of dollars or even over a thousand, one being offered for 2,500.

On another note, the Newser will not be doing a review of "Warlords of Draenor," at least not anytime soon.

Sources: Cnet, PC Gammer,

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: Bennefit at Veterans Isle Tonight



Tonight, Sunday January 25 we will be kicking off our 2015 benefit efforts for Homes for Our Troops. And once again we have a great lineup of artists who continue to help with this effort. It all starts at 5 PM SLT and you will surely enjoy the music!
5 PM SLT Max Kleene
6 PM SLT Shannon Oherlihy
7 PM SLT Frets Nirvana
8 PM SLT Twinghost Ronas

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Veterans%20Isle/73/216/23

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Mary Wickentower at Netera's Coffee Shop Today



If you have an interest in Second Life Machinima you might want to check out Netera's Coffee Shop this afternoon. Today, she has machinima maker Mary Wickentower as her guest speaker, "Imagine the possibilities of this creative format: musicians having videos created of their performances, authors’ trailers luring the reader into the storyline or mini movies that allow the producer to map out and actually present various settings without costing millions of dollars or taking two years to produce." Mary was among the contestants in Machinima 3.

The chat is at 3PM SL time.

Snug Harbor (112, 110, 22)

SL Video: "Come Back" at the Rift




(Click here if the video fails to load)

From Nydia Tungsten, uploaded on January 20, "Filmed at 'The Rift-The Best Sci-Fi Club on the Grid!' and in the Orionite Sim at Enzyion. Thanks to Fawkes & Ravin Winter for allowing us to tape at the club. and Thank you Kishfox for the music you can find more of his stuff here: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/kishfox/ "

Friday, January 23, 2015

Game Review: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel


Nydia Tungsten is back with another game review. Today she writes about the third game in the "Borderlands" series, "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel." Taking place between the first and second games, it covers the events that result in the character Handsome Jack becoming the villain he is in Borderlands 2. So what did Nydia think of the game?

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

"Massive Griefer Attack" Reported in Caledon



Jo Yardley reported yesterday of a "massive griefer attack" on the Caledon steampunk community sims, and other spots on the Grid. The above picture was taken with an SL Go viewer, "With my regular viewer I doubt I would have been able to even take a single step." The picture shows a mass of what one commentator called, "tortured torus prims," whose physics added to the lag.

One of the administrators of the Purrfection sims was called to deal with a reported case of griefing, but it was delt with in minutes.

Jo Yardley suggested the following responses to a griefer attack
  1. Alert Linden Lab (if live chat support happens to be online…)
  2. Go to a place in your sim that is HIGH up, most attacks don’t reach very high and with your draw distance set to very low, lag might be a lot less at high altitude, from here you can take further steps without drowning in lag porridge.
  3. It is a good idea to create a landmark for this spot so you can teleport here from outside the sim.
  4. In the region/estate window turn off ‘Allow Public Access’, this will remove all visitors and keep new people from arriving, giving you some peace but also keeps the griefers from returning.
  5. In the debug tab disable everything, this may bring down lag as well and may stop the griefers toys from working.
  6. Return the griefers objects.
  7. Restart the region(s).
In most cases this will help, but of course it depends on the situation and the type of attack.

Judging from the comments, the attacks seem to be over, at least for now.

SL Video: "A Difference of Perception"




(Click here if the video does not play)

Kaya Angel, the "big brother" Kylie Sabra mentioned in her interview earlier this month, has produced a video that's been turning a few heads. In response to some of the simplistic videos done of Second Life, he made one that took advantage of a computer able to process the scenery at it's finest and most beautiful.


"What is your perception of Second Life? ... Allow me to share my perception. It's a place to explore and create, to build your dreams and share them. and to explore who you really are when boundaries are removed. Welcome to the dream I created: Angel Manor Estates."


In the video's comments, there were many words of praise: "It's stunningly beautiful work, and a wonderful way to showcase what SL can be." "WOW! Fantastic!!!! Just beautiful." But there were a handful of critics. Hamlet Au commented that those few criticisms suggest that some gamers have pretty much written off Second Life and will not be impressed no matter what new videos or developments come, While some might see the criticisms as a reason for Linden Lab to pin it's hopes on SL 2.0, it seems most users of Second Life, prefer to see the video as an example of what the virtual experience can be.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Club Eclipse


Wesley Regenbogen is once again on the club scene. This time, he stops by Club Eclipse, an EDM club. What makes this club different, it will soon be changing it's current look, and already plans are being made for a third a few months down the road.

Read Wesley's article in Design.

Blind DJ Performs at Creations Park



Last Friday from 4 to 5PM at Creations Park was the premiere performance of DJ Kaeo. Although she was DJing both in real life and Second Life, what makes the story interesting is that she was blind.

I am a Real Life DJ at  internet radio station www.theglobalvoice.info , which gives blind DJs, like me, an opportunity to perform. Please join me as I simultaneously DJ in Real Life over the radio, while my avatar is in the DJ booth at Radiance Dance Club on Creations Park!

Creations Park is the home of the Creations for Parkinsons group, run by Barbie Alchemi, which raises funds to research treatments for Parkinsons Disease.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Cartoon of the Day



Taken at Club Cutlass

By Bixyl Shuftan

Artfest 4


Gemma Cleanslate recently went to Artfest 4, a charity art event in which the money donated goes to the Red Cross. Gemma got a look at the various exhibits around, at these those already there. The event is still open to new entries, so there's more to come.

Read more in Events.

Interview with Scratchmusikatt Fox (aka Scratchmusikatt Sprocket)


Perhaps in the past you've seen him at clubs such as Rainbow Tiger or the Blue Parrot. ScratchMusikatt Fox, the "Chaos DJ" as he called himself, spun the tunes in both real life and Second Life. Events forced him to take a break for a time. But now he's back in business. Recently, Second Life Newser had a chance to meet up with the music man, and he had a few words to say about his venues past and present.

Read more in People.

Press Release: Relay Rockers Announce 2015 CRFB Top DJ Competition Schedule


(Arinultra Cay)  The Relay Rockers executive committee held its 2015 organizing meeting and selected Sue Peregrine as the 2015 Team Captain.  The daughter of Alliez Mysterio and CEO of dAlliez Estates, Sue has been a member of the team since its inception in 2005. The team also announced its plans to once again host the very popular Celebrate Remember Fight Back Top DJ Competition and to provide, with dAlliez Estates, Relay d’Alliez as a venue for teams to host Relay fundraising events during the 2015 season.

The 4th annual CRFB Top DJ competition is a fundraising contest, challenging online DJs to raise the most donations for the American Cancer Society during a series of 1 and 2 hour sets. Nearly 50 DJs from all over Second Life have taken part in the contest since it began in 2012 and the CRFB competition has raised over L$6,000,000 to support the Relay For Life of Second Life.

According to Competition Director and Rocker Co-Captain Ariel Stormcrow, the Rockers will once again be inviting Second Life music venues to be “Partner Venues” and host preliminary rounds of the competition.  She also stated that, in response to suggestions, the team will provide for the use of Dual Team Kiosks during the preliminary rounds for competitors who are registered members of another Relay For Life team.  Online registration for the competition, which will run from late March through May, will open during the first week of February and will be open to the first 16 competitors. For more information please contact Ariel Stormcrow ariel@relayrockers.t1radio.com

Relay d’Alliez, which the team made available in 2014 through an arrangement with their premier sponsor dAlliez Estates, will once again be available as a fundraising event venue for registered teams.  Teams will be able to reserve the sim in parcels or its entirety beginning with Kick off Week through event weekend in July.  More information on how to place a reservation will be announced in early February to the Relay For Life Volunteers group and on T1Radio.  For more information about Relay dAlliez contact relaydalliez@relayrockers.t1radio.com

The Rockers, who are entering their record setting 11th consecutive season plan to continue their signature event, Bid Me Bald, with team co-founders Trader Whiplash and Nuala Maracas the initial ‘Victim-teers’  Their Barbershop Kiosks will be set up on March 11th and 18th, respectively with their shearing to occur one week hence. The Rockers also plan to hold RelayStock ‘15 as a multi team event and invite all teams to begin planning to attend.

Questions about the Relay Rockers may be emailed to:
Sue Peregrine, Team Captain    sue@relayrockers.t1radio.com
Trader Whiplash, Co-Captain   trader@t1radio.com
Ariel Goldrozen, Co-Captain  ariel@relayrockers.t1radio.com
Melodie Jigsaw, Co-Captain   melodie@relayrockers.t1radio.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Events This Week at the Sunweaver Clubs


It's a new week of events at the Sunweaver clubs. Here's a list of the themes. Come on over for some music and fun.

Read more in Events this Week.

Press Release: "Grand Galloping Gala" in Ponyvale


Official dates for the Gala! We have the Gala Fashion Show 23rd of January at 5PM SL time.

ANTHRO PONIES AND QUAD PONIES are the only ones allowed to enter. All outfits must contain a torso piece a flank piece and shoes. for the fashion show. If you custom make your outfit from scratch you WILL have an opportunity to sell it at the gala dance for a special price and show off your work! For the actual dance it is formal, all colt should wear something formal and unique or military type outfits. all Females must wear something fancy, again all pieces must be there. For the fashion show there are 1st-3rd prizes for both males and females!

Sign ups to enter the fashion show END on the 20th.  The following is the link to get to the spawn area to sign up!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ponyvale/85/155/32

Ponyvale (97, 59, 2513)

Monday, January 19, 2015

Antiochia: A Sim and a Scholarship Trust


Last week, the Antiochia sim officially opened. By itself, the sim's design alone makes it an attractive place to visit with it's Greco-Roman-Byzantine builds. But the sim itself is backed by a real-life nonprofit group which aims to educate students from the Middle East in Canada. Second Life Newser was invited to visit the sim, where we got a chance to interview the man behind it and the group, Alex Olteanu.

Read more in Places

B&Bs Australian Club Closes



Longtime readers may recall B&Bs, the outdoor club of Australian resident Bundy Xue, which has taken part in the yearly Jamm for Genes fundraiser for genetic illnesses. Unfortunately, the club has seen it's last hurrah. Netera Landar recently wrote that the club has closed.

Bundy and her late real-life and Second Life parnter Benethar started the club about four and a half years ago. It held events twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays until about a year ago when it became Sundays only.

“B&B’s started out as Benethar’s and my baby and over the last 4 ½ years it has grown up," Bundy was quoted as saying, "I’ll miss this place and it’s going to be heartbreaking to pack up the pieces.”

Bundy has plans to reduce her land area and build a new club with a Mayan/Aztec/Incan theme.

Source: Unforgettable Magazine

Press Release: Fashion for Life


FASHION FOR LIFE 2015 opens for one week of non-stop, boundary-breaking, uplifting, shop-till-you-drop, dazzling entertaining events – the magnitude of which we guarantee you have never before experienced – beginning Saturday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m. SLT and ending on March 29th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. SLT with a colossal closing party!  Our goal is to raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s RELAY FOR LIFE, the world’s (and SL’s) largest non-profit event which supports, promotes awareness, and gives hope to the millions of people around the globe battling the ravages of cancer on a daily basis – the patients, caregivers, families, research teams, and medical professionals at the forefront of the war against this abysmal disease.

For one week we will come together, celebrate life, honor memories, have a lot of fun, and make a difference.  Your jaw will literally drop when you behold architecture inspired by “Seven Fashion Capitals of the World” on NINE Sims designed and built by immensely talented and distinguished SL craftsmen – filled to capacity with art, beauty, color, music, entertainers that will permeate your senses with the captivating enchantment and breathtaking magic that is FASHION FOR LIFE WEEK!

The following persons have graciously agreed to be sponsors and/or builders for the 2015 Fashion For Life Event Sims:

FASHION FOR LIFE 2015 CAPITALS, BUILDERS & SPONSORS:

TOKYO: Builder, Ryo Ixxel | SPONSORED BY: Takuya Jinn - GABRIEL

LONDON: Builder, Rebeca Bashly | SPONSORED BY: rika Oyen - Argrace

PARIS: Builder, Kaya Angel | SPONSORED BY: Belle Roussel - Chop Zuey

NEW YORK CITY: Builder, Frank Dexter | SPONSORED BY: Zzoie Zee - Zanze

BERLIN: Builder, Setsuna Infinity | SPONSORED BY: Azlyn Vaher - Yasum Designs

MILAN: Builder, MaximilianIII Massenberg | SPONSORED BY: Sage Pexie - Sage

LOS ANGELES: Builder, Regi Yifu | SPONSORED BY: Hunterminta - Zaodyeck Magazine

CENTRAL PARK: Builder, Spankmy Boucher | SPONSORED BY: Marcus Lefevre - MISS SL ORGANIZATION (BOTH SIMS)

One day cancer will no longer threaten the lives of our loved ones or claim another year of anyone’s life.  Be a part of making that dream a reality.

Please contact Frolic Mills, 2015 Fashion For Life Coordinator, if you would like to become a merchant or sponsor for this special event!

About Relay For Life of Second Life:
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 raise awareness from mid-March through mid-July. In July teams build campsites and walk a track that spans more than 40 virtual regions.

In 2014, Relay For Life of Second Life reached a milestone of having raised $2,500,000 since its fundraising beginning in 2004, for the American Cancer Society.  Relay For Life has become an international movement in RL and in SL. In 2013 participants from over 80 countries took part in Relay For Life of Second Life.

About the American Cancer Society:
For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we help people stay well, help people get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer.

LET'S RELAY!!!

For More Information:

www.relayforlifeofsecondlife.org

http://www.cancer.org/involved/participate/relayforlife/second-life

**Please contact Frolic Mills in Second Life for sponsorship and merchant opportunities**

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Cartoon of the Day



From the Christmas Expo, which attracted avatars of all kinds, including some whom needed a little help functioning in the cold.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Saturday, January 17, 2015

SL Video: "Otter Day 2010 At Raglan Shire in Second Life "




(Click here if the video does not play)

From Nitwacket, "Heckova Hamster sings at Mutley Latte & Bo FIddlesticks fabulous Otter Day Party with movies, clam hunts and Otter Impostor Contest at Raglan Shire."

Friday, January 16, 2015

Beckye Burnstein: Second Life's Visible Woman


While at the Paris sims, Bixyl Shuftan ran into a Beckye Burnstein. So what makes her noteable? Just by looking at her, at first glance she seems like just an attractive avatar in mesh clothing. But try to cam underneath, or if she removes her shirt and jacket, one one gets a surprise. Beckye has been giving "body building" a whole new meaning.

Read more in People.

Eye On The Blog: Linden Lab Wants Your Valentines Day Pictures


Yesterday, Linden Lab announced a request for residents to send in their screenshots of scenes appropriate for Valentines Day. Although Linden Lab has made a contest part of similar events in the past, this time they are offering credits only if any pictures are used to help publicize Second Life.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we’re looking for some great Second Life pictures from the community.

Let us know what Valentine’s Day means to you in Second Life, and your work could be featured in an upcoming email or banner campaign - with your name credited of course! Do you spend Valentine’s Day inworld with friends, your partner, or maybe even looking for someone to enjoy future holidays with?

Share your story in a picture and on our Official Flickr Page with the tag “SLVday2015” so that we can see all of your amazing works. You may submit as many as you like between now and February 2, 2015.

We’ll showcase the chosen image(s) in an email to Residents, as well as in some banner campaigns. We’ll let the chosen image creators know via Flickr and ask for an avatar name for the credits.

Tips for your submissions:
  • Make sure that your submissions are appropriate for all audiences.
  • Show your avatar or avatars in a scene inworld - an image that tells a story is going to make an impression.
  • Keep your image free of additional text/logos
  • Higher resolution images work best.
Good luck and have fun!

Read the blog post in its entirety here.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

DJ Micah's Club Culture


Grease Coakes is back telling of a new club in Second Life. Club Culture, by DJ Micah, promises to be a place about music rather than flashy lights. Grease talks a little about Micah, and the club which he's set some higher standards for.

Read more on Grease's story in Design.

Crew Meeting, And Remembering Charlie Hebdo




Sunday January 11 was the Newser's monthly crew meeting, discussing out successes for the past month, and what lay ahead in the next month or two. In the picture are DrFran Babcock, Locke Esgal, myself (Bixyl Shuftan), Gemma Cleanslate, and Nydia Tungsten.


Among the things brought up was the terrorist attack in Paris on the real life Charlie Hebdo magazine. Gemma, whom was among those who had written about the memorial to the fallen journalists (and cops) in the Paris area in Second Life, sported a "Je Suis Charlie" (I Am Charlie) T-Shirt.

The magazine would continue to make news with the release of a "Survivor's Edition" this week, in which a cartoon of the Muslim prophet Mohammad crying and holding an "I Am Charlie" sign, the captain reading "All Is Forgiven." The reaction of Muslims seems to be a mixed one, although there were those saying their views on blasphemy need to change, militants called the cartoon an insult that demanded further retaliation and bloodshed.

"To be continued"