Cartoon of the Day Revisit: Shady Fox

With the announcement of Shady Fox's passing yesterday, we postponed the Cartoon of the Day out of respect. As Shady did appear in the setting of one cartoon a year and a half ago at the Second Life Eleventh Birthday Celebrations. Thanks again for the laughs, Shady.

Events This Week July 14 to July 21

This weekend comes one of the virtual world's biggest yearly events: The Relay for Life Weekend Walk. For twenty-four hours, people will aall the over 40 sims of the Relay track. And don't forget to check out the regularly scheduled book and poetry readings, DJ and live music parties, discussions and commentary, and church services.

See the list in Events this Week.

A Look Back at the SL11B

With the closing of the exhibits, the Second Life Eleventh Birthday event is finally over. There was much to do, and even more to see. Here's a look back at some of the sights and activities.

See the pictures in Events.

Cartoon of the Day: Walking About the SL11B

A pic of me chatting with Shady Fox at the SL11B, and his "Animation Override" had him occasionally checking his foot. "Furry" avatars do not usually wear shoes, especially males, so for one this would be even worse than a soled foot.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL11B: One Last Party

Today was the last day at the SL11B grounds before the teardown begins, and the voulenteers, along with a few friends of, threw an impromptu party at the live music stage.

 Gina Gracemount, whom sported a "chrome dome" from her voulenteering for a "Bid Me Bald" was among those singing for the event.

Most of us danced, though some, such as Loki Eliot, preferred to sit this one out.

So long SL11B, and thank you to the voulenteers

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "SL11B Community Celebration Video No 17 - The MadMan Says Farewell to SL11B!"

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The last of Saffia Widdershins' SL11B videos, in which "The Madman" says farewell, "The regions are open for another week, but the event is over, and the MadMan must return to his home in the future - in some style!"

Events This Week July 1 to July 7

The SL11B's official events are over, but the fun is not. The exhibits still remain for people to check out, such as those with computers that couldn't handle the lag during the birthday week. The 4rth of July is this Friday, so get ready for the fireworks at Club Cutlass and other places celebrating the event. With it's final month starting, the Relay season goes into gear with it's events. The Queen of Hearts club is gone, but the Cape Hope Club has been set up to take it's place for weekly events. And check out the other regularly scheduled music events, book and poetry readings, races, discussions, talk shows, and church services.

Read more in Events this Week.

SL11B: "Thank You SL11B Community"

The following was posted on the SL11B blog By Doc Gascoigne:

We would like to thank everyone who  exhibited,  performed, visited or volunteered for this year’s SLB Community Celebration. This year we provided a smaller,  more intimate event.
We hoped that 11 sims for 11 years was not only symbolic, but provided an opportunity for us to slim down the size aspect and amp up the quality.

We  would like to thank the SL Community for supporting this event every year.  Without you whether it be in the form of volunteers, entertainment, art or visitors;  our birthday event would not be as collectively successful as it has been this year.

Every year we use this space to connect with you as you get ready to go back to your regularly scheduled SL.  We remind you to mark your calendars for next April.  This is when we start the process of preparing a city that rises from nothing,  a schedule of great entertainment,  an army of volunteers and an array of exhibits built by you.

If you enjoyed the event and want to be a part next year, please join our new group SLB Community Celebration (appears in the profiles of Doc Gascoigne or Diana Renoir)
or SLB Community Group for notification of next year’s festivities.

It was and always has been an honor and my pleasure to once again work with all of you.

Cya next time,
Doc

On another note, the exhibits will remain up until Saturday July 5th. And so will the hunt for the items hidden in them.



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On a third note, the sixteenth of Saffia Widdershins' SL11B videos was filmed next to the SL Newser office exhibit. Guess the "Madman" figured out where his donuts went.

Reader Submitted: Goodbye SL11B (Or Maybe Not)

Zia Larnia, whom was among those attending the last performance at the SL11B Cake Stage by Laz Dresler from 10PM to Midnight SL time on Sunday June 29, took these pictures of the fireworks show that started at 11PM

While some rockets made it outside the stage area, the real treat was inside. Everyone was dancing amongst the lights.

And so, the Second Life Eleventh Birthday Celebrations officially came to a close. But this is not the end. The exhibits will still be up for several more days. Some exhibits will also have their own smaller parties this time, including the SL Newser Exhibit, which will have one today at 2PM SL time at SL11B Fascinate (78/87/21/)

Pictures by Zia Larnia

My Take on SL11B, By DrFran Babcock

The Second Life Eleventh Birthday Birthday is over, at least officially. The sims however will still be up for a few more days before cleanup begins. So which exhibits stand out? DrFran Babcock went around the SL11B grounds, and found some that stood out quite well.

See DrFran's article in Design.

Tales From Podex: Computing Cash

By Bixyl Shuftan


It was a day in late June at the Podex exchange, and the tellers were busy making transactions with their customers. When things quieted down, they talked a little about goings on elsewhere on the Grid. Some talked about the Second Life Eleventh Birthday celebrations, and the activity at their grounds, saying they were going to drop by there after work. Another topic of conversation was the Relay for Life's events. And being summer, there was some talk about heading to the beach, especially since some customers had come here to get Lindens for that very purpose.

In the middle of their talk, an unusual figure walked in. He was all in metal and mechanical looking, with fingerless hands. Instead of a face, he had a camera, giving him a somewhat cyclopsian appearance. His only decoration was an "11" painted on his chest.

"Um, can we help you?" one of the tellers finally asked.

"YES PLEASE," the mechinoid finally spoke, "THIS UNIT REQUESTS AN INFUSION OF CURRENCY KNOWN AS LINDEN DOLLARS."

"Er, of course, Sir. We will provide you with Linden Dollars in echange for a number of international currencies."

"THIS UNIT REQUESTS INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROCEDURE."


"Well, you just fill out this form. Choose which kind of money you wish to exchange, and once the paperwork is filled out we'll transfer the Lindens to your account through electronic transfer."

The metal-plated visitor did so, taking a very short ammount of time, and the deal was soon done.

"THIS UNIT COMPLE- MENTS YOU ON YOUR EFFICENCY."

"Thank you. By the way, we don't get that many customers of, such an electronic nature. Of what purpose might those Lindens be for."

"THIS UNIT EXPECTS AN EMOTIONAL REACTION TO BY RESPONSE DUE TO THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF AN INONIC INTERPRETATION."

"I beg your pardon?"

"THIS UNIT WISHES TO PURCHASE AUTOMATIONS FOR AN ASSOCIATE'S SIM DESIGNATED AS 'RP,' KNOWN AS 'BOTS.'"

The tellers had a chuckle, and the unusual customer went about his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO. Jacek recently began allowing the option to deal with Bitcions, wanting to support the independent currency.

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

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of the Day: SL11B

Nydia Tungsten and I checking out the Second Life Eleventh Birthday grounds. We came across this build that just invites humor.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Team Firestorm's Jessica Lyon Interviewed at SL11B

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On Thursday June 26, the head of Team Firestorm, Jessica Lyon gave a talk at the SL11B Auditorium about the concerns about the new Grid being developed by Linden Lab. Chakat Northspring recorded the discussion, "A talk at SL11B: The obvious fears and uncertainties currently circulating in SL as well as speculations 'for fun' on the new platform, its potential to succeed/fail and what we might expect. What is in store for us? What should we as residents do, think, how should we react to all this news?"

At first she wasn't sure whatEbbe meant, then he realised "a whole new platform," ... "This was a pretty big bomb to drop on everybody."

She felt Linden Lab "wants to make a whole new platform ... make you want to go to it."

Jessica compared the to a history program in which people remembered only one scene, where a witch was made to drown, "there ought to be a study" on why people seem so fixated on their view of one single event in a description.

Shefelt the panic could backfire by getting the lab to clam up again, saying this was "the first time since Philip we've had a CEO who's so open. One of the first things he did was to reverse the decision to keep Lindens from socializing ... I applaud him for being open."

While she hopes the Lab makes something so good it'll attract everyone from Second Life, she doubts they will.

Jessica stated she would be "Shocked" if they didn't at least allow Linden dollars to transfer over. She expected better tools for creating there, and guessed the new grid would most likely meshed based. So forget bringing prims over, even her signature ears and tail.

Did note Ebbe didn't say for sure there would be no content transfers ever, possibly some protocol for a content transfer system as time goes on.

Jessica saw SL being shutdown only of the new grid is so hugely popular, very, very, few residents are left, "As long as Second Life is popular, it makes no sense for them to shut it down."

One of her first questions to Ebbe was where was he putting his resources? The New Grid or SL. His answer was both.

Firestorm will continue to be developed, "As long as Second Life continues we're good."

Jessica noted "Second Life didn't start out as open source." It was a few years before it was. She guessed the Lab would be sure of the new grid before making it open source.

She had one suggestion to Ebbe - why was Firestorm so popular? The viewer was a byproduct of open community developlent, "we involve the community, we invite them to meetings" ask them for ideas, "it creates for the user a sense of ownership" "happy, proud, of the viewer ... created pride and a following." She felt the New Grid would not truly succeed, at least at first, because it was developed in private without any feedback from the public.

"I have very little worry about Second Life going anywhere. ... do what you always do, Second Life will be going for years to come."

Happy 11th Birthday SL!

By Grey Lupindo

The birthday celebrations for Second Life are always special for me because my first visit, many years ago, led to me becoming a news reporter here in SL.   I always look forward to the creativity, beauty, and great people that I meet there each year.   This year’s celebration features 8 areas – Astound, Beguile, Enchant, Fascinate, Pizzazz, Spectacular, Spellbound, and Wonderous – with hundreds of things to do and see.   But it was fitting that I started my visit at the SL Newser building, located on Fascinate at SLNewser Office Building, SL11B Fascinate #20, SL11B Fascinate (78, 87, 21).

       We have a great view from the conference room floor.  Early Monday morning I met up with fellow reporter Gemma Cleanslate, and we chatted a few minutes about the sights of SL11B.  After you check out the views, you can look at the cartoons to start your tour with a laugh.   On the second and third floor you will find our pictures, which link to our favorite articles.   I’m sure you’ll want to re-read all of them. 

          I met Motoko (marisa.warrhol) while she was visiting the news office.   She recommended that I see The Blackened Mirror, a nearby build by Aisling Sinclair.   This build is a movie set that lets you become part of the action.    Motoko said the movie set was awesome, and I agree.    It is located at L11B The Blackened Mirror, SL11B Fascinate (97, 112, 23).   The notecard states that it is, “... an animated television series that brings together elements of film noir, steampunk, and classic Lovecraftian horror. “   The show is produced here in SL, and can be seen on Treet TV, Aview TV, or on YouTube.  A HUD is included in their gift box so you can view the show in world, too.  Season 3 will be released in the Fall. 

        Next I began checking out some of our neighboring builds, beginning with Eternal Realms at  SL11B Fascinate (68, 32, 23).   This build features a mesh replica of an 1830 Victorian train.  It was created by Tintin Tuxing, and it also features great gifts.  I received a Victorian lamp and a mermaid golden harp.

            SL11B has a great treat for all of us who love to hunt.    The hunt will cover all of the regions over four paths.    A large sign in front of participating builds lets you know to hunt here.    You can start anywhere, but HUNT SL at SL11B Fascinate (110, 38, 24) was my choice as a starting point.   In addition to lots of well-hidden prizes, the huge tower has information about many of the upcoming hunts.   I ran into fellow hunt-lovers ScouseGirl and Bee Sopor here.  

            If mazes appeal to you, be sure to check out Amazing Dreamz at SL11B Fascinate (69, 198, 31).   I found this to be a very difficult maze.  It was created by arniek Resident.    Inside are a tangle of colorful halls and ramps and many dead ends.   I finally gave up and cheated.  I flew to the rooftop patio where I could relax with Tai Chi and the soothing sounds of the waterfall. 

           My last stop for the day was at Relay For Life of Second Life, SL11B Fascinate (141, 189, 21).   This quiet spot is a beautiful garden with lovely music and places to relax.  They call it “A serene look into the future when the cure for cancer has been found.”   A lovely thought for a lovely place.

          A complete list of all the sights and events on Fascinate, as well as the other sims, can be found on the SL11B website at  http://slcommunitycelebration.com.

Grey Lupindo

Cartoon of the Day: The SL11B

Taken somewhere at the SL11B. I'll have to credit Crap Mariner for this joke.

This is the first cartoon I've done without the benefit of the "Fototrix," which I used since Dana Vanmoer told me about it several years ago.

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL11B: Tips For a Good Visit

 After weeks of preparation and work on the part of the staff, the SL11Birthday celebration is finally here! Remember the first week will be party, party, party! Three stages full of entertainment  , live and djs . The schedule for each is on the website. The delightful outdoor Auditorium will host a number of speakers on many various issues for residents so take a good look at that schedule also. There will be lag of course so dress accordingly and come with fewer huds and embellishments to your avatar for comfort. 

Since the 11 sims will remain open for a second week for viewing all the marvelous builds created especially for this event you should get a chance to see a lot. I caution you , though I have been there already for three weeks I have not seen everything and don’t expect to. Past experience tells me I won’t. There is so much to look at and investigate. 

Don’t forget there is a hunt going on in all the sims in various builds. You will see a sign at those sites and need to take the time to go in and find your gift. Some creators also have their own freebie gifts set out for you too. I made a special folder for items picked up there so I can be “organized “ (laughs out loud). 

I strongly recommend that you take a pod tour to see just what is there. There is a tour for the eastern sims and another for the western. It is narrated so you can see what you are passing by. Hop out anytime you want at a site. There are friendly greeters who can help you get around and pass out information. Don’t miss the vendors containing a special robot for the occasion and teddy bears and more. 

The best place to get all the information you need to move around the sims is the website. Keep this close and have a great time!!  http://slcommunitycelebration.com/

Gemma Cleanslate

SL11B Press Day

The day before the Second Life Eleventh Birthday was officially opened to the public, it was opened to the press. As an exhibitor, Second Life's editor Bixyl Shuftan had already been seeing exhibits. But he dropped by the press tour anyway. The result was some perspectives on a few places he hadn't noticed before.

See scenes from the Press Day in Extra.

Events This Week June 24 to June 30

It's a week full of events in Second Life. First on the list is The event of the year, the Second Life Eleventh Birthday celebration. Eight days and eleven sims of exhibitions, performances, and discussions at the Auditorium. The relay continues with events big and small, including the Second Life Editor himself on the line with one of the Sunbeamer team's events. And then there's the regularly scheduled DJ and live music parties, talk shows, book and poetry readings, and church services.

Read more in Events this Week.

SL Video: " SL11B - Here We Go ... Almost!"

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From Canale di Pallina60Loon, "Some SL11B shooting video before opening to the public."

The SL11B Begins Today

After all the preparing, the building, and general getting ready, it's time for the show to begin. The SL11B starts today. At Noon, head on over here to eleven sims of exhibits and events.

For more about the SL11B, check the event's official webpage: http://slcommunitycelebration.com/

The SL Newser office exhibit is at SL11B Fascinate (78/87/21/)