TikTok Deal Finalized, Complaints About New TOS & Posts Being Censored

 

For fans of TikTok in America who have been somewhat worried about the lingering threat of a potential ban in the United States, they no longer have to worry about that as a deal was made with American investors that satisfied the demands of the current administration. But, it may have come with a price that some users are not willing to bear.

More on the story later.

 

SL Video (Science Circle): "Steven R Van Hook, Writing for Low Watt Brains"

 

 

(click here if the video does not play)

 

 From The Science Circle in March 2017, "Presentation by Steven R. Van Hook"

 

More News Later

 

Yours truly has been busy, and wasn't able to finish writing something before the need for sleep took over (or maybe was busy to the point he couldn't start). 

 

We'll have something up soon once we have a chance to pick up our pens and finish. 

 

 

Writers' Meeting in Caledon

 

I was busy with things today, but last week, I was able to attend the Writer's Meeting, a weekly event that takes place in Caledon, every Thursday at 11 AM. 

 

 Join the Writers' Meeting in Caledon January 22nd 2026, 11:00 AM SLT. in Caledon Nights reading room in front of a huge fireplace. Talking in public chat about writing. Elfbiter and Silver Moon Unicorn. 

We talked about a few things, such as stories we've finished and stories we're currently writing on.

 

Once again the Writer's Meeting is every Thursday at 11 AM.  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/223/189/4002

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Press Release: Mole Day 2026, Sunday Feb 1, 11 AM to 1 PM

 

“MOLE DAY’ ONCE AGAIN RETURNS TO BAY CITY

Annual event Honor Members of Linden Department of Public Works for their works throughout the years.

BAY CITY, SL -  As in years past, Bay City will once again come together to honor the Moles of the Linden Department of Public Works with a party at the Bay City Fairgrounds.

Initially held in 2010 by the residents of Bay City, Mole Day serves as an occasion to show appreciation for the Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the broader Second Life® Grid. Residents from all Second Life communities are welcome to attend and share in appreciation for the LDPW’s moles. 

Mole Day event will begin with a DJed set by GoSpeed of KONA Stream at 11:00 a.m. SLT. This will be followed by a performance by Agatha Nowles at noon.

“Moles” are members of The Linden Department of Public Works (LDPW). The LDPW is a program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life experienced by residents and visitors on the Linden Mainland. The LDPW comprises a team of Resident builders, scriptwriters, and other professionals who collaborate to create new content on behalf of Linden Lab and the benefit of all users. Notably, all members of the LDPW have Second Life accounts with the surname “Mole.”

The Moles are responsible for constructing the infrastructure of Second Life, including public roads and railways, coastal waterways and protected lands, and larger-scale projects such as the Linden Homes regions, premium content, and experiences.

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. 

 

Reader Submitted: Sunbeamers Prepare for Relay

 

With the 2026 RFL season fast approaching, the Sunbeamers team held a planning meeting on Sunday, Jan. 25.  Rita Mariner opened the meeting, attended by Cynthia Farshore, Shockwave Yareach, FluffyFoxy and Liska daLantros.  

 

Rita will be sponsoring our (Relay Weekend) region, where we will be joined by Cure Chasers and Roos With a Dream.  Cynthia will be in charge of campsite construction. We discussed tentative plans for the design, which will not be revealed yet, as we don't want to spoil the surprise. 

 

Cynthia will also be running the highly successful Air Show again.  Last year's event was well attended, with four aerobatic teams performing awesome maneuvers ovey rhe Roos.  This year's tentative date for the air show is April 18, but watch the Newser or the RFL of SL calendar for updates.  

 

Other topics discussed included the annual Relaystock concert, Shockwave's annual Easter Egg Hunt, and Bid-Mes.  With off-season fundraising already putting the team at "Jade" level, it looks like the Sunbeamers are on target for another successful Relay For Life season.

 

 LiskaDaLantros2

 

Cartoon of The Day: Driven Batty

 

 Taken at the Winter Burn. Not sure why he was wearing bat wings, but given the dumpster fire real-life news can sometime be, I could think of one reason.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The New Panda Jenn's Pad

 

Earlier, we reported that Panda Jenn was rebuilding her place in Second Life, Panda Jenn's Pad. She just announced that the rebuilding has been completed enough to officially reopen to visitors. 

 

Previously of an Asian-inspired design, the new Pad at Zeta Valley is a Wild West saloon. It boasts games such as a playable poker table and pool table, as well as a mechanical bull. There's also a second floor, which has a bedroom or two, for those looking for activities of a more private kind. 

 

In the back is a dance floor where presumably the parties in the future will be held. 

 

Besides the saloon, there's other buildings around, giving the place the feel of a Wild West town. This includes a general store, although none of the items are for sale to visitors. On the street, there's a pair of gunfighters staring one another down. Careful about startling them, they'll liable to draw their guns at the slightest poke.

 

As of now, there are no scheduled events, but this may change soon. 

 

So feel free and drop by for a ride on the mechanical bull or play some poker with a friend.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zeta%20Valley/81/208/3002

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

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

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, Urban Furry, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: Very British, TV Themes , TBA

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - Fantasy

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - Predator and Prey

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Fantasy, Cats vs Dogs, Smol/Tinie avatars

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

 

Memorials For Renee Good And Alex Pretti At Book Island

 

 At Book Island a memorial has been set up for two people who were killed recently in Minneapolis Minnesota by Federal ICE agents, Renee Good on Thursday January 8 and Alex Pretti on Saturday January 24. 

 

Light a candle if you wish.

There is a small shrine to the two Minnesotans gunned down by ICE recently by the main teleporter and message board.

We were donated a system for leaving a candle to them, which is by the pictures.

America has our sympathy at this time ♥ 

 

Originally brought into Minneapolis following stories of major fraud by Somalian immigrants, the ICE agents have been accused of creating a climate of fear among legal immigrant residents and there have been confrontations with protestors. The Trump Administration, as well as supporters of ICE, claim the two people shot were trying to harm the agents, who were there to arrest dangerous criminals, and the shootings were justified. Critics feel what the agents did was outright murder, and the real purpose of ICE being there was to intimidate a state and city unfriendly to the President into submission. 

 

 Sources: Associated Press, ABC News

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/173/208/37

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

At The Living Expo

 

 While the Winter Burn was taking place, so was the Second Life Living Expo. Over the weekend, I dropped by one party in Silverfall City aka New York Noir. With environment set to local, things looked pretty dark and gray, as well as rainy. With the winter storm approaching, I imagined some people had gloomy weather on their mind as well.

 

Stay tuned for more about the Living Expo, which raises funds for the Relay for Life.

 

For more information, Click Here - https://sl-living-expo.org/

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Winter Burn Festival Ends

 

 Last night were the final events of the Winter Burn, the Burn2 spinnoff event taking place in January at Burning Man Deep Hole. Late into the night, a few dozen people partied it up.

 

 While the DJs played music from the stage, some from the crowd cheering them on.

 

 While the events are over, aside from occasional unscheduled ones, the builds (most of them) will still be up for a few more days for those who couldn't make it or wanted to avoid the lag.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/157/37/24 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Winter Storm Knocks Out Power For Almost A Million In The US

 

 This weekend brought weather woes to much of America. A massive snowstorm pushed into the Midwest and South, dumping lots of ice and snow and setting record low temperatures. 

 

Tree damage from ice accumulation has been reported all across the South. Icy roads have been reported as far south as a stretch of Interstate 10 near Kerrville, Texas, northwest of San Antonio, as well as in the Houston area. 

 

Yesterday, close to a million Americans were without power in a number of states, with over 800,000 as of the writing of this article. And as the storm is heading northeast, there may me some there who will soon be out of power. There were also many reports of grocery stores with numerous aisles of empty shelves. So some people may find items such as toilet paper hard to get for a short while

 

So if a Second Life resident who's on almost every day hasn't been on for a few days, this very well be the reason. Power should be restored to most within a few days. But for a few it may be over a week. 

 

Sources: weather.com, poweroutage.us, Yahoo.com

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Skunky Weather

 

 Taken at Club Balance. And yeah, the weather in real life for many in the USA this weekend stinks. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Interview For A Study

 

A few days ago, it was yours truly who ended up interviewed.  It was by Evonova, a graduate student of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. Inspired by the "1000 Avatar Project" by Gracie Kendel in 2011 and 2012, she was doing "research on how people’s avatars have evolved over time and what that means for identity and self-expression." She contacted me, and I agreed to answer her questions, us meeting at the Newser office in HV Community, 

 

We ended up talking for a while not just about avatars, but about Second Life and how it's changed over the years, and what brings people here and what makes them stay. 

 

Evonova didn't say how many in total are being interviewed, but I'm sure she'll get quite a study.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

Announcement: Beccca Baxton's Memorial Information

 

Beccca's Memorial will be  01/25/26, if weather permits most to be there,  to be determined. 

 

The memorial will be from 12 noon to 3pm  SLT,  it is a come and go.  There are past pictures of her and her friends.
Arra & Erin & Satin will sing a few songs in her honor.  Here is the URL for the venue.   I hope to see you all there.

  Moonlight Bay (154,77,3502) 

 Much love, Kara
 

Winter Burn This Weekend (Last Events Tomorrow)

 

 For Burning Man fans, this weekend offers a treat. The Winter Burn event is taking place at Deep Hole Burning Man, with numerous builds on the sim and music events.  The theme for this year's Winter Burn is Winter Gardens

 

From January 23 to January 25, BURN2 returns with Winter Burn, transforming the Playa into snow-dusted Winter Gardens filled with handcrafted glass greenhouses. Inspired by the culture of Burning Man, this community-driven event invites participation through art, music, shared gifts, and creative expression. 

Explore performance stages, roaming art cars, an ice rink, and the iconic Effigy, all designed to spark connection and creativity.

 Checking things out, the combination of ice and lights at night was just beautiful with some of the builds.

 

 And with one event, the dance floor turned out to be a huge sled that slid across the snow. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/157/37/24 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: "Five Thousand Years of Waiting"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Pearl Astor Winchester on October 26 2025, "This track carries a quiet ache — nostalgia, sadness, longing, and the weight of waiting. It was shaped by that familiar Second Life moment when you care deeply for someone, you wait, you hope… and yet nothing ever arrives. Not days, not months — sometimes, not even after years. The inspiration came from a Japanese sim during Halloween 2025, where the atmosphere felt suspended between memory and reality. It reminded me of the people I’ve met in SL: those who have been betrayed again and again, yet still hold on to the same hope, the same dream, even when truth is already in front of them. Listeners should imagine that quiet space inside yourself — the one where old sadness lives, where past hurts whisper, where the fear of slipping back into depression feels too close. But within that space, this track reminds us of one thing: take care of yourself dearly. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is simply… let go."

 

SL Living Expo

 

 The Second Life Living Expo starts today. This mega-event supporting the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life is taking place before the official Relay season starts. Taking place across several sims next to the ACS one, there's plenty to places to see, smaller events to enjoy music and other activities, and items to buy. 

 

From January 23rd through February 6th, the SL Living Expo opens its doors and its heart. 100+ creators gather in 8 regions filled with creativity, paired with 100+ hours of music that drifts through streets alive with shopping, contests, bingo, bustling street markets, and countless activities waiting to be discovered. Every moment and every purchase supports Relay For Life of Second Life. For more information, visit their website: sl-living-expo.org 

 

Known as the Home and Garden Expo in the past, last year it merged with the Fandom Con and the Renaissance Festival in an expanded event. 

 

For more information, check the event's website at https://sl-living-expo.org/ . For the SURL, head to https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL%20LIVING%20EXPO/128/239/23 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 

Kondor’s Art Café

 

Netera Landar recently went to the grand opening of a new exhibition at Kondor’s Art Cafe, located at Kondor’s Art Center. She also viewed Hermes Kondor's art collection, as well as getting a chance to talk to the artist, and heard just what was meant by the location being an "art cafe." 

 

 Read Netera's article in Design. 

 

SL Video (Science Circle): "The Face of Dementia"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From the Science Circle on Sept 2019, Robert A. Hendrix presents "The Face of Dementia".

 

The Big Chill: Winter Storm Threatens Power (And Internet) Outages Across USA

 

 This Friday and weekend, a huge winter storm will be rolling south across America "from Texas to (the) Northeast," affecting a total of about 180 million. 

A major, widespread, long-lasting winter storm will hammer parts of the South, Midwest and Northeast Friday through Monday with potentially damaging ice and heavy snow for millions from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England. This storm will lead to widespread dangerous travel and its destructive South ice storm could lead to long-lasting power outages and tree damage.

The storm has been named Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel. According to The Weather Company forecasters, Fern could affect over 180 million in the U.S. with snow and/or ice, over half the nation's estimated population. Either heavy snow or ice is forecast for 33 states from the storm, from Arizona to the Midwest, South and New England.

 With the ice and snow, power outages are likely, meaning no Internet, and for Second Life residents, no getting online until the damage is repaired. 

 

Those in it's path, keep an eye on local weather.

 

Source: weather.com 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Meeroos Addresses It's Pet Issues

 

Longtime residents will likely remember the Meeroos, even if they never got one. Introduced in 2011, these cute virtual pets known for their wanting to snuggle were very popular then. Almost fifteen years later, they're still around, with a smaller but still active fanbase.  Recently a friend of mine who owned some started telling me about trouble. But after several days, there was finally a response from someone in the company behind them.

Read the story in Design. 

Reader Submitted: Red River Saloon

 

Monday's have always been kind of an off day, that was until I got together with the ROOS RFL Team and they introduced me to the RED RIVER SALOON.. If you like country music, you will enjoy Monday night there, from 5 PM SLT to 6 PM SLT.

On Monday night you are treated to a real, live country singer, Gary Jonstone.. Singing isn't Gary's RL job, but he enjoys it enough to come on SL and perform for our enjoyment. Gary does accept requests and usually will sing it, if he knows it.

The RED RIVER SALOON is owned by Sienna Thor and she has been running it for almost 20 years.  Sienna is also a member of the CURE CHASERS RFL Team.

So if your a fan of country music, dancing, hooping and hollering. Then there is no more fun place on Monday night, than the RED RIVER SALOON.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lilith/228/209/83

Rita Mariner

 

Commentary: Meanwhile in Real Life News ...

 

 

Taken at Gladstone Cove. It's unusual I report on real-life news that doesn't have anything to do with Second Life. But one of the reasons I didn't have much ready on Monday was I was pondering about the news in real life, notably the situation with Greenland and Denmark. For some reason, the American President has been pressuring Denmark to sell the huge icy island, and the Danes at first responded that since it's an autonomous territory they can't just hand it over, but as the demands have persisted and the pressure has been going up, they've expressed more confusion, irritation, then anger, "Why are you doing this? I thought we were friends?"

 

Denmark and America have been longtime friends and allies, since the end of WW2, and have been part of NATO since it's founding. Other NATO allies have come to Denmark's defense, and the situation continues to get worse. 

 

It's been my goal to not tell people what to think, just present the facts as I see them and let the readers think for themselves. But I've grown up and lived with the idea of my country as the champion and leader of the free world. It is sad and disheartening to see our President acting on the world stage not like a champion, but a bully. 

 

For my comments on "Food on The Table," Click Here.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Drama Libre's Time Traveler's Ball

 

On Saturday January 10 was an event organized by Drama Libre, the Time Traveller's ball. Among those attending was Netera Landar. She got to see the creativity displayed by the people attending, and heard a little about what goes into the making of these parties. 

 

Read Netera's article in Events.  

 

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

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, Urban Furry, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: Summer Dreams, Telephones? , TBA

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, DJ Malit, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - Beach Party

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - Night Watch (Nocturnal Jobs and/or Creatures)

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: TBA

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

 

Angels Beach Land Rentals

 

At the Angels Beach Land Rental Agency, you can find a great new home in Second Life. With many sims to choose from, in the Sunweaver Estates, Hidden Valley, and Purrfection, you can choose from a variety of environments.

We offer places with friendly and interesting neighbors. Some places have a tropical island look, others more temperate. Some of the sims have access to enough water to boat around in. And there are plans later on for an open water sim for even more water activities. The sims are home to a number of quality clubs, such as Cutlass, Zero Gravity, Xanadu, the BBBC, and the Happy Vixen Beach Club. In one sim alone there are two quality clubs that work together so there is no lag from them. There are also some small shopping areas available.

The sims range from Mature to Adult, but the purpose of the adult rating is for a relaxed atmosphere in which couples can relax. The places do not allow for harassment, and while there are vendors that cater to mature tastes they are discreet about it. Spaces available range from small plots to a full homestead that will rent out for only $30,000L's per month. Most of the sims break the parcels down into 512 Sqm parcels and and most have a sliding rent scale, so the more you rent the cheaper it gets. Our prices are VERY competitive here in Second Life. 

 

And if you bring a friend to an Angels Beach area, you get more than just a good neighbor. Anyone that refers a renter to us and they rent land, they will receive 10% of the first months rent. And if someone you know needs help renting out land on his/her sim, bring them to us. Renters who bring in a sim owner needing administration, we will give 10% of our first check.

To learn more, please contact Nydia Tungsten, Brandi Streusel, Jasmine Dawn (Jasmine Knickers), or Matoazma Kazyanenko.

"We pride ourselves on on not just renting land but renting our customers the land you want. We listen to what you tell us on what you are looking for." 

 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Hamming it Up

 

 Taken at Montecio Bay. Not sure why the porcine got bonked. But with the burger hat, I could think of one possibility.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL Video: "The Dollmaker"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

From Akiko Kinoshi on October 25 2025, "The Night Theatre presents: THE DOLLMAKER Recorded October 18 2025 at Fallen Gods in Second Life 'At the end of the worlds, at the last refuge of a universe, lives a lone magician and creator of mechanical things. Driven by the wanting of companionship he works, day and night, to find a way to bring life to another like him. Another to work beside him, as time ticks on, to the tune of their mechanical hearts. He has yet to discover the way to empower such a heart with energy that lasts beyond moments. So his searching keeps on, for minutes and moments and lifetimes.' The Dollmaker "Join us for an evening with the magic of Theatre and a special show just for the Anniversary Festival (of Fallen Gods). The Dollmaker is a new performance by "The Night Theater" and will be performed at the Anniversary twice... Hope to see you there ..." Alia Baroque The Night Theatre Dancers: Aelva Fairelander Six Ethereal Stevie Morane Basevi Sam Puren"

The Harmony Hills Community

 

Netera Landar recently dropped by somewhere that wasn't just a place, but a virtual home for a number of residents, the Harmony Hills Community. Founded a year and a half ago by Angeliana Claro, the place has expanded in size in both land and people to five sims and two hundred locals. So what was the place like besides the numbers?

 

Read Netera's article in People.

EOTB: "SL Video Creators Group’s Best of 2025 Nominees"

 

 In the Linden Blog, there's been two updates in the past few days. On Wednesday January 14 was an announcement for video fans. For the rest of January, there will be special showings of highlights from videos nominated for The SL Video Creators Group Best of 2025 Award at the Cinema at the WelcomeHub area. This will be followed by an awards show at the Cinema on February 7.

 

Calling all machinima fans! The SL Video Creators Group is kicking off the new year at the Second Life Cinema with a special showcase celebrating the Best of 2025 Award nominees.

Founded by Jordan Rizzo in 2020, the SL Video Creators Group brings together Second Life filmmakers to share resources, collaborate, and highlight outstanding machinima. Each year, their awards recognize exceptional work across multiple categories, including short form, long form, vlog, music video, and short film.

Throughout January, the Second Life Cinema will feature a nominees reel, giving you the chance to watch highlights from this year’s nominated videos in a shared, inworld theater experience. It is a great way to discover new creators, revisit standout moments from 2025, and start forming your predictions ahead of the awards show. 

 

The awards show at the Cinema will take place February 7 at Noon SL time, and for those who can't make it inworld, it will be streamed live on Youtube.  

 

For the list of nominies, check the SL Creators Group website.  

 

For the blog post in full, Click Here.  

 

SL Video (Science Circle): "Giuseppe Longo Measuring The Universe With Digital Surveys"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From the Science Circle on February 2017, "Presentation by Giuseppe Longo for the ScienceCircle - 'Measuring the Universe with digital surveys'."

 

 

Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes

 

 Longtime visitors to Club Cutlass in the Sunweaver community may remember the "drama llama," a lama's head trophy on the wall as a warning to those who create drama, "Drama llamas will be shot and mounted (not necessarily in that order)." Hostess DeniseUnicorn Toonie recently pointed out to me someone had stuck "googly eyes" on it. 

 

Guess "the eyes have it."

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cat Face Gaming

 

A friend told me about a gaming place located on the SL mainland, "Cat Face Gaming." Located near "The Shelter," it offers a large variety of games. Bixyl Shuftan went over to check the place out. 

 

Read more in Places. 

 

2025: Year in Review

 

2026 is here, a new year and the second half of the decade and the start of the second quarter of the century. But before we truly say goodbye to 2025, let's have a look back at what happened, a year full of triumphs and tragedies, of good news and blunders.

 

AI was a subject that got plenty of talk in real-life news, and made Second Life news as well.  Only days before the year started, the Lab had announced then paused an AI character designer. In late February, it was brought back, though just for designing a "personal companion." But in August, it announced it would once again pause development in September and those made couldn't be used any more until further notice. 

 

There would be an AI "Town Hall" in April for the Lab to answer some questions and concerns by the residents, one who would express, "If we let these AI run rampant, they will take our very humanity from us," and another who felt "An AI character can be a useful social outlet." Philip Linden would also answer questions about it at the SL22B, which was shortly after he wrote an essay "Ultraviolet Catastrophe" in which he suggested in the near future AI bots could overwhelm the Internet social media to the point people will drastically change how they use it. Two Lindens would leave the Lab, Runitai Linden, and Signal Linden.

 

There was a minor controversy in which what looked like AI generated commercials for Second Life made it to Facebook. Brad Oberwager, the head of Linden Lab, would respond those were never intended to be actual commercials but were tests that would be replaced with inworld content, "We f***ed up." 

 

A few readers submitted AI-generated fanart to the Newser. The majority of comments were positive, though not everyone was pleased, one calling it "supporting theft." There were also some music videos done in Second Life that were finished with the assistance of AI. There would be an event in Second Life, "AI Land" which displayed AI-generated art. The debate on the Internet about AI art would make it to the Newser in the form of a commentary by Nydia Tungsten. 

 

In February, Linden Lab announced "Membership Mania," in which residents got more perks, everyone getting a higher group limit, and Plus and above getting a few more such as Linden Home options, a higher stored IM limit, and more prim space at Linden Homes. They also had a computer giveaway. In March was "March Mobile Millions," which gave residents logging onto the mobile viewer a chance to spin a money wheel which had prizes up to one million Linden Dollars. April would offer the "Dash for Cash" just for logging into the mobile viewer. For a brief time in April, Linden Lab reduced purchase fees for Linden dollars to one cent. Also in April, Linden Labs would give all residents new and old the Avatar Welcome Pack, and make it a feature for new accounts. In May, Linden Lab would fully reverse the ban on gachas it enacted four years earlier and partially lifted in November 2024. The Lab would also occasionally offer gifts to Premium and Premium Plus residents. 

There was some expansion of Bellisseria in February, April, and September with the continued tradition of many of the sims having funny names. There would be four new types of Linden Homes. In February came the Tiki, underwater, which were perfect for Second Life's merfolk community. April had the Aspen Ridge Linden Home. In September came the Ridgewood Linden Home. While these expansions were taking place, areas with older pre-Belisseria Linden Homes would close down. Bellisseria would celebrate it's sixth anniversary in April, with the B6B event. 

 

Brad Oberwager would announced the number of monthly users had gone up to 620,000 in December.  This was further up from 500,000 last year. In November, the Second Life University videos by Linden Lab would resume after a two year hiatus This year, there were some changes to billing and financial systems for buying and selling Linden dollars. The Lab made progress on it's mobile and webbrowser viewers. Firestorm would also launch a browser-based viewer, but like the Linden one, one needed to pay to use it.  

 

In September, the last member of the Lumiya Viewer staff announced she was trying to restore the platform, which it is believed may be ready sometime in 2026. The creator of one popular third-party viewer, Black Dragon, announced in October that he may have to stop updating it due to real-life, which will eventually render it obsolete.  

 

For owners of breedable pets, the owners of ABC horses got a shock when in January, Awesome Breed Creations, better known as ABC, effectively shut down when three members of it's staff left, saying they hadn't been paid in months, including the scriptor, who turned off the scripts and effectively turned off the breedables. Many horse owners were saddened, some who had invested tens of thousands of Linden dollars into their pets. Amaretto horses responded with a message of sympathy and an offer of a free starter pack. There was no sign of ABC's owner, who is thought to have "taken the money and ran."

 

Another controversy was when the store Bella Epoque was evicted from it's land when the owner Jani La Belle (Janire Coba) was suddenly told by her landlord to leave, her saying she was angrily told to depart because of the "gang of homo" she invited for an event. Unfazed, she made a shirt with the phrase "Gang of Homos," and she and supporters were wearing it as an act of pride in defiance. 

In August came some unwelcome news for the owners of "prim babies." Zooby, which made them, announced it was discontinuing support for them in January after switching production to mesh ones six years earlier. But in November, they announced support would continue.

Tripp Foxtail, announced he would be closing the Travellers Station and his other places in August, but within a few days stated a partial retraction, saying while others were still closing, the Travellers Station would stay. In October, Emerald City Golf Course announced it was facing financial trouble, but after a few weeks announced they had raised enough to continue, at least for now. But not all places in trouble got a reprieve. In late August, it was announced the Rosehaven community estates would be closing. Sadly it would get no break. 

Belisseria would be the subject of the Newser's April Fool joke. Firestorm had some joke warning alerts, "Due to a coding hiccup, all avatar voices have been replaced with chipmunk squeaks. Happy chatting!" Linden Lab got into the act by announcing they were offering upside down Linden Homes. One joke that went better than expected was one avatar maker offering cardboard avatars as a joke, and were surprised when people kept buying them up.  

 

There were many events across Second Life. Among them were Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education in late March and early April, Mole Day, Hug and Dunk A Linden, the Love Train, Bellisseria's anniversary or B6B, the Bay City anniversary, the Sci-Fi con, Bay City Oktoberfest, Team Diabetes Scare Me Silly, Bellisseria Spooktober, The Multiverse Fair, Luna's Empire Ghost Hunt, The Dickens Project, Bay City Tree Trimming, Raglan Shire events such as Shocktober and Wootstock, Autism Australia, and the monthly Homes For Our Troops Benefits.

 

There were the Valentine, SL Birthday, Halloween, and Christmas Shop and Hops. There were Burn2 events, the winter, spring, and summer spinoff events and the main one in October, the theme being "Tomorrow Today."  One SL Burner got a surprise when her build in Second Life was being replicated at the real-life Burning Man. Bay City Prim Drop and various other New Year's Eve events.  And of course there was the Second Life Twenty Second Birthday, or SL22B, of which the theme was Myths and Legends. 

 

There were the events at the PBC, such as International Women's Day, Juneteenth, Fright Fest, and the "Meet the Author" event for yours truly and the novel I published, "The Corsean Encounter."

 

The Relay for Life would hold many events, not just during it's main fundraising season from February to June but across the year, the RFL Living Expo, the Relaystock (which took place early this year), Fly For Life, Bid the Lindens Bald, the Fantasy Faire, Outshop Cancer, Making Strides, the Christmas Expo, and of course, the Relay Weekend. 

 

Two events would not happen this year. One was the Renaissance Festival in fall to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The other was the Veterans Tribute in November. Late November would see the end of the weekly Science Circle events. 

 

Among other places and groups having anniversaries the International Space Museum would turn twenty. So would the Second Life Coast Guard group.  Team Firestorm would turn fifteen. 

 

Sadly, some residents of Second Life would pass away this year. They included SL musician Reno Jones, artist Solana Python , club owner Jodi Eyre, commentator on SL and other virtual worlds Mal Burns, Crim Mip of Rosthaven and Wooburn, Melanippe of Themiscyra (Melanippe Karas), Tanarian Davies and Baron Klaus Wulfenbach (Klauswulfenbach Outlander) who were the same person behind the computer, builder and writer Luna Lunaria (apelles.luna), dancer Josiane Auster (Josiane Llewellyn), designer and decorator Crito Galtier, and singer Beccca Baxton.

 

For the Sunweaver community where the Newser office makes it's home, it would shine during the Relay season with it's Sunbeamer team, with the Sunbeamers Air Show and weekly Moon Dance. "The little team that could" would pass the one million Linden dollar and make Ruby.  Besides yours truly getting a book event at the Premier Business Center, in February, Nydia Tungsten would announce the third book in her Switched Destinies series, "Acceptance of Fate," was published. A friend of the Sunweavers/Angels would reopen the Urban Furry club. But sadly Club Squeaks would stop having regular events. 

 

There was also some Internet news. There was the continued debate about AI and if it was putting the economy at risk with a "bubble" due to burst soon, as well as debates about data centers and their demand for water. Skype would shut down in May. There was gaming controversy in the summer when it was discovered Steam was unlisting a number of Adult-rated games following pressure by credit card companies. In response, Paypal started blocking Steam in much of the world. October 2025 was a month some computer users dreaded. Microsoft was ending support for Windows 10. Users had the choice of filing for a one year extension, paying for a business version of the operating system, upgrading to Windows 11, or ditching Windows altogether and installing Linux. Most chose upgrading to 11. But there were complaints about bugs and unwanted instillation of AI. 

 

For the Newser, it's been a productive year which was more productive with the return of Netera Landar, as well as the many submissions sent by readers. And we look forward to delivering you the news about the people, places, and events in Second Life in 2026.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor

SL Newser

 

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

 

Here's what's going on at the Sunweaver, Montecito Bay, Furry Fashion, Urban Furry, and Scorn clubs.

Club Cutlass: Blue & Purple, Space, Freedom of Flight

Happy Vixen: DJ Charlee, DJ Scratch, TBA, TBA, DJ Khyra

Club Zero Gravity: DJ Rose - Mythologicals

 

Bouncing Bunny Beach Club:  DJ Rose - Spots and Stripes

Xanadu: DJ Jesse 

 

Montecito Bay:  CAYA, After Dark

Club Scorn: Th 8-12, Sat 2-12

 

Furry Fashion: Wings, Hooves & Horns, Horror

 

Urban Furry :  DJ Juana, DJ Charlee, DJ Whiskey, DJ Vantox

 

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

Crew Meeting

 

Picture from Gemma Cleanslate

Saturday January 10 was the first Newser crew meeting for the year, taking place in our office at HV Community. Those attending from right to left were Netera Landar, Gemma Cleanslate, Bixyl Shuftan (myself), Nydia Tungsten, and Klaus Bereznyak. We would discuss what we covered in December, and plans on what to write about this month. Falling between the holiday season and Valentines Day & the start of the Relay fundraising season, there's usually more time to cover things that we've put off for a while. 

Netera admitted to being a little overdressed due to a tribute that night. But the rest of us just complemented on her looks. 

 

Stay tuned for more articles of great people, places, and events by the SL Newser team.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor 

The Waterfall Café

 

The Newser has covered many winter places in recent weeks.  For those looking for something different, Newser reporter Netera Landar found a location very interesting and unique in all seasons: The Waterfall Cafe. From Katie Luckstone, with it's picturesque underwater caverns, huge aquariums with swimming fish, chairs made to resemble sea shells, and more, it's very much worth a visit. 

 

Read Netera's article in Places.  

Reader Submitted: Relay For Life of Second Life Holds Ribbon Cutting and First Laps

 

The official Relay for Life fundraising season doesn't start until next month, but on Saturday January 10, a number of Relayers were at the American Cancer Society sim  The reason was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the sim after it's makeover and the "First Lap" event. Cynthia Farshore was there, and took some notes, and pictures.

Read Cynthia's story in Events.  

 

EOTB: New "Second Life University" Video, "Introduction to .glTF"

 

In November, the Second Live University videos resumed after a two year hiatus. Late last week on January 8, Linden Lab announced it's latest one, "Introduction to .glTF." 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

Class is back in session! Second Life University returns with a special new episode featuring AxlTruth (Mesh Monster). We are excited to welcome him to the series!

In this episode, Axl walks through one of the most important updates for content creators, .glTF and PBR materials. With .glTF, you can import a full PBR asset, including mesh, textures, materials, and rigs, using a single streamlined workflow.

Axl starts with a quick breakdown of what .glTF is, why it matters, and how it works alongside physically based rendering (PBR). He then demonstrates how to set up materials in Blender, export a .glTF file, and bring it into Second Life. You will also see how to import materials, manage the level of detail and land impact, and apply textures efficiently. The video wraps with the same workflow using Substance Painter, making it easy to bring fully textured assets into Second Life with consistent results.

 * * * * *

 

Topics covered in this video: 00:00 Introduction to .glTF and PBR in Second Life 00:59 What is .glTF? 01:37 Understanding PBR materials 02:06 PBR texture maps explained 02:52 .glTF expanded vs. packed (binary .glb) 03:17 Preparing Blender for .glTF 03:47 Setting up materials in Blender 04:19 Base color and normal maps 04:49 Metallic and roughness maps 05:11 Ambient occlusion and glTF material output 05:33 Emissive materials 06:01 Transparency and alternate material setups 06:27 Using combined ORM maps 07:15 Exporting .glTF from Blender 07:52 Importing .glTF into Second Life 08:09 Setting level of detail and land impact 08:35 Importing .glTF materials 09:10 Exporting from Substance Painter 09:52 Importing Substance Painter assets into Second Life 10:34 To dive deeper into using PBR Materials, watch our other Second Life University Video:    • Second Life University - How to Create PBR...   

 

To read the blog post, Click Here.