Bixyl Shuftan - Editor
The editor of Second Life Newser, Bixyl Shuftan got his start in online journalism at Second Life Newspaper in late 2007. Taking pride in keeping up with the news in real life, keeping his fox avatar as his appearance, and his corny sense of humor, "Fox News" soon became the running joke with people he came across. His articles covering just about all kinds of subjects in the Metaverse, as well as doing most of SLN's screenshot cartoons, he eventually rose to the post of manager (click here to read an article about his time there). When Second Life Newspaper closed down in June 2010 due to the owners leaving Second Life, Bixyl founded Second Life Newser to continue what he'd been doing most of his time in the virtual world, covering the people, places, and events.
Over time, much has changed in Second Life, and there's been some changes with the Newser along the way. But it still updates daily, and still gets out the news of the people, places, and events across Second Life.
Besides the Newser, Bixyl writes occasionally on his "Food on the Table" blog, and has a DeviantArt page. In the past, he wrote stories for a science fiction website, and is currently working on a science fiction novel, "The Corsean Encounter."
Gemma Cleanslate started in online journalism joining up with Second Life Newspaper in early 2008. Her articles covered a variety of subjects, but in particular liked exploring, writing about the exciting places in the virtual world. When SLN closed, she joined Second Life Newser.
As a reporter for Second Life Newser, Gemma has continued to write a variety of articles. She also volunteers for various activities, such as One Billion Rising, the Relay for Life, the Second Life Birthday, and the Christmas Expo.
Deaflegacy - Reporter
Deaflegacy has
been eager to prove herself, writing on locations that she hears about
that get her attention. She describes herself as a "Fan of Kurt Tocci, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King" and when not writing about
Second Life is working on a fiction story inspired by "Phantom of the
Opera."
Marcel Mosswood - Freelance Reporter
Marcel
is an experienced writer, with a variety of interests, "I like to paint
and write, prefer strawberries than apples, traveling instead of
donuts, coffee is OK but not much. I like writing about education, art,
parenting, and children's stories. I have been a writer in real-life
since 2009, I wrote some educational books and family blog. Be a writer
in SL since joining The Second Life Newser. Sometimes I write poetry,
but only when I want to."
Dancerina thrives in two worlds; the real world and Second Life (SL). She joined SL on October 25, 2012 and immediately became curious about this new world. Eager to work to add meaning to why she dwells in the virtual lands, she pursued employment within the 90-day rule. She worked as a hostess at a country club and at all venues at Franks Entertainment Group (FEG). She quickly became manager at the FEG and enjoyed meeting guests. Prior to being a hostess, she worked as a stage manager for an entertainment company as well as a writer for a Second Life magazine. Formerly, she worked as a pediatrician for Little Blessings and later opened her own medical practice briefly. She is trained in beYou medical and law practices. However, has chosen to devote time to her consulting firm, where she offers marketing strategies for various SL businesses as well as write advertisement and marketing packages. Most importantly, she believes in philanthropic engagement, and has identified a few organizations she supports as a friend and donor.
Synonymous to her real life, she enjoys sailing, surfing, dancing, biking, jet skiing, and other water and land sports. She is friendly and enjoys exploring sims of all magnitude while at the same time, meeting others from all walks of life. Dancerina is true to her Second Life name--she began dancing at the age of seven and continues to dance and choreograph in real. She is a professional dancer, trained in Classical, Neoclassical, and Contemporary Ballet and appreciates that she can bridge the interest of both worlds. She has history with Ballet Pixel, FEG dancers, and DC' Inspirational Dancers. Further, she sometimes dances solos at clubs and special events. She is a Four-Star Senior Co-Captain of the well known Second Life Cheerleading Squad (SLCS) and enjoys spending time with her cheer sisters.
Her recent Second Life pathway includes working for Love and Harmony, her recent membership in Second Life Cycling Federal, and making authentic connection with professional in SL's academic space. Joining SL Newser is one of the most rewarding decisions she has made as a professional in the virtual world and looks forward to building continued relationships one article at a time.
Nydia Tungsten - Freelance Reporter
A
longtime resident of the Sunweaver Estates, Nydia got her start as a
DJ, then moved into clubs and land management. Always willing to help or
offer an open ear, over time she's gotten quite a number of friends,
many in her "Angels" group. She's sent a number of reader submissions
about concerns of Second Life, such as griefers and harassment, as well
as reviews about games. Eventually, she joined up with the Newser staff,
her articles pre-edited some by her partner Brandi Streusel Tungsten.
When not in Second Life she is often playing a game with
one or more of her friends. She occasionally does music videos, and has also published two novels and is working on others.
On hiatus
Anita
Kimono came into Second Life in 2009. Her alt, Kayly Iali, was created
one year later to explore the art scene in Second Life. Kayly is a
contemporary fine artist in real life who brings her art into Second
Life. Being in Second Life for over 10 years, she is aware of the
'behind the scene' of putting up ones works in Second Life. "As an
artist I hoped to share an artist view when I interview other artists.
There is so much I hope to share their process and the whys and
especially the effects that showing in Second Life has on their real
life art works." Kayly decides to use Anita as a the reporter who will
be interviewing artists and the art scenes. Anita will be setting up
interviews and photographing the exhibits. She will also do write ups on
other events. Giving each avatar one exclusive function helps with
focusing on that area. It's like changing roles from mother, to
reporter, to wife... Each avatar, though, will affect each other from
their travels and experiences of one another. Wouldn't this be nice if
we can create separate real life worlds for the roles we play? :-)
Klaus Bereznyak describes himself as having "came to SL with a curiosity to learn how humans could collaborate on a blank, three dimensional canvas. He looks for creative ways to document and contribute to the diversity of this world. While he's a writer at his core, in all worlds, he enjoys the opportunities Second Life affords to appreciate and participate in wider fields of creativity such as the visual arts, music, architecture and design."
Cyfir (cyfiremmerich Resident) - Reporter
Cyfir has written stories about some various places in
Second Life, some of which are sadly gone. He describes himself as
having "been a part of the furry Second Life community for seven years
and in that time has has been a manager for multiple clubs and a sim
owner. These days he works on products for his store and is happy to
join the team at the Second Life Newser. In real life he holds a
Bachelor degree in communications and likes to play video games and fix
electronics."
Cyfir has a website at http://www.typingnoises.com/ .
She describes her writing style as simple as she is aware there are people from all over the globe, many using translators, some residents may be dyslexic, or have trouble reading in general. Her goal is to reach all readers.
Alura Denver (Alura Messing) - Freelance ReporterAlura comes to us with a writing background both in Second Life and real lfie. In her early years of her time in the virtual world she was a contributor to an SL Freebie blog. In real-life, she has worked as an editor at a professional journal and on several books.
A self-proclaimed "nerd," Alura likes to look for things outside of the box. "I'm proud to be a part of a staff that takes journalism seriously and looks to keep its readers informed of the many things Second Life has to offer them." She spends much of her free time outside of her SL Family looking for the next interesting story.
Alura's background in Second Life is extremely eclectic. In her early years she managed venues that hosted live musicians, managed elaborate community sims, dabbled in professional photography and even joined a number of different role-play communities.
After an extended break from Second Life, she is back with a new found wonder of all the progress and improvements in the virtual world. "There are so many changes and advances over the years. I think many people in SL get stuck in their ruts and don't know what else is out there. I really want to find things they didn't know about and expose them to something new."
FoxytheJamie Resident - Freelance ReporterPreviously known as Theonlyjohnny Resident and currently having the display name of Kimiko Kanagowa, FoxytheJamie describes himself as having improved his writing through time with various roleplaying websites. His articles are mostly around roleplays, social spots, and combat areas.
Shaza Denver - ReporterShaza describes her time in Second Life, "I have a love of the blues and all sorts of good music, I have a family, and lots of good friends, I enjoy fishing, and I enjoy exploring this beautiful world. You pick a country or city you would like to see, I can bet you will find a place in SL that mimics the original. It is a place that never ceases to amaze me even after all these years."
Shaza writes about a variety of subjects, with a focus on fashion,"I have done many things in this wonderful world of Second Life, but I think for the most part my love of fashion has always been a constant here. That and a good day of shopping!"
Mylie Foxclaw has written a number of articles about fashion in Second Life. But outfits are not her only subject as her subjects can range from commentaries to creative fiction. She started as a host, before venturing into the SL Fashion Industry as a fashion model for three years. She also tried her hand at building a few mesh items. She enjoys shopping and exploring sims.
Writing since early 2012, Grease's articles have a focus on the social aspect of Second Life, such as clubs, music, and spiritual growth. But his stories cover a range of topics, from places to avatars.
Grease has a fondness for music and the club scene, and can sometimes be found with friends at a club event. His other job is as music DJ.
MajikVixen (Bluevioletvixen Lorefield) has written articles covering articles covering a broad number of subjects from "SLife and times" to games, to places, to clubs, to social networks, and more. Her motto, “Wherever You Go, There You Are.”
Fritter enjoys exploring the Grid. He describes himself as "A furry who likes to explore and find the art and beauty of Second Life, and places open for all to enjoy." He also has a love of music.
Grey Lupindo found out about online journalism when she came across one of Second Life Newspaper's reporters in the Second Life 6th Birthday event in 2009. Soon afterward, she joined up with them, wanting to put her writing skills to use. Her articles in particular covered interesting and noteworthy places. She signed up with Second Life Newser when SLN closed down.
Grey Lupindo covered her home of Syzygy when she lived there, writing about the antics of her neighbors. But she's best known for the articles on places in the virtual world she's explored.
Xymbers Slade - Freelance ReporterXymbers signed up with Second Life Newser in early 2011. He's also a fortune teller, his office just a short walking distance from the newspaper in HV Community. Xymbers' articles covered a variety of subjects, sporting an anthro horse appearance when he traveled about, and contributed some cartoons as well.
DrFran Babcock started writing for the Metaverse Messenger back in 2006, and stopped writing when the newspaper stopped publishing. During that time she missed writing, and when the opportunity to join SL Newser appeared, she jumped at it.
DrFran likes to focus on places that get little publicity—the "hidden gems" of SL, as well as history and stories of old-timers. She is thrilled to be part of the team.
More of DrFran's pictures can be seen at her blog: DrFran Does SL.
Any1 Gynoid - Freelance Reporter
This perky neko made a brief appearance in Second Life Newspaper in late 2009, taking a variety of subjects. This included politics, which most other reporters were reluctant to touch. She left SLN a few months later in early 2010 for personal reasons. But in the summer of 2010, she began sending Reader Submissions to Second Life Newser, and soon signed on with her old teammates once again. Besides Second Life Newspaper, Any1 wrote for CNN.
Shellie Sands got her start in online journalism after meeting up with Nazz Lane, joining up with Second Life Newspaper around May 2009. She started out doing music articles, but soon doing other subjects, as well as poetry. With the close of SLN, she began writing for Second Life Newser.
Retired/Gone
Breezes Babii's stories tend to be on the lighter, more whimsical side of the Grid. She joined Second Life Newspaper though her SL daughter Editor Dana Vanmoer, becoming noted for her "Breezes Thoughts," lighthearted observations of Second Life and it's goings-on. She took a hiatus from writing in early 2010, but after a some time she rejoined with her friends, now in Second Life Newser.
Breezes Babii passed away in 2017.
Becky "Sha" Shamen - ReporterBecky Shamen, or "Sha" as she sometimes calls herself, has been in Second Life for a while as a clothing designer, she has been exploring the Grid, and writing about her travels. She lives in the Sunweaver Estates, not far from the SL Newser office building.
A real-life resident of Belgium, Wesley's time as a virtual journalist go back to the year 2000 When he first began writing for Cybertown Virtual News in the online world of Cybertown. He did well, eventually becoming the assistant editor. But due to changes made by Cybertown's owners in 2003, he reluctantly have to leave both the world and the newsletter. He came across Second Life in 2006. He wrote for a few papers, including a period at JamesT Juno's SL Newspaper. Following a hiatus, he returned to Second Life, and eventually found out about Second Life Newser, and soon joined up with the team.
Group picture taken in 2013
While not a crew member, our office building certainly deserves a mention. Built by Ranchan Weidman, it is three stories high, with the meeting room at the top floor.
The SL Newser office building is located in HV Community, (140, 85, 25) (formerly Sunweaver Air). We also have a couple smaller locations at Book Island (165, 155, 36) and the ALA.
About Second Life Newser and Second Life Newspaper
The beginnings of Second Life Newser can be traced to another online newspaper covering Second Life, named appropriately enough Second Life Newspaper. Founded by JamesT Juno and starting up in November 2006, he was soon joined by other writers, notably Dana Vanmoer whom assumed the position of editor and improved the paper, and soon had a thriving media outlet. When the first of us joined up in Autumn 2007, the paper was more or less like it was for the rest of it’s history.
Second Life Newser takes after Second Life Newspaper in many ways. Dana Vanmoer was a great editor, and if the two papers are so similar it’s because we had a good example to follow. We still have news in separate sections. We still do the occasional screenshot cartoon. Second Life Newspaper was our predecessor, but it remains a different, separate newspaper. It remains JamesT Juno’s own.
Remember the past, and look to the future. And so, under our new paper, we continue to report the news big and small, the people, places, and events of Second Life, with an occasional peek elsewhere online. It’s what we do, and will continue to do for as long as we can.
Sadly, Second Life Newspaper's archives are now only accessible through the "Internet Archives." Type in http://15timez.blogspot.com to read the Main and People sections. The rest seem down.