Update on Gemma Cleanslate

 

For those of you wondering about Gemma Cleanslate, she is still slowly recovering from medical procedures and is still on break from the Newser. She is able to go out and around in Second Life, though responding may be slow. She should be ready to resume writing before too long. 

 

Looking forward to your next articles Gemma. 

 

Gemma's Computer In The Shop

 

Gemma Cleanslate, one of the Newser reporters,  regretfully has had a computer breakdown, with her machine now in the shop for repairs, and she will not be able to write articles about Second Life until it's repaired.

 

Hopefully her hiatus will be a short one. 

 

 

 

Second Life Blogger Network Put On Hiatus

 

A few days ago, Linden Lab announced on the official blog that they would be temporarily pausing the Second Life Blogger Network. 

As we continue to evolve and improve our various community initiatives, we have decided to put the Second Life Blogger Network (SLBN) on a temporary hiatus. This pause will allow us to dedicate resources to upcoming changes and enhancements designed to enrich our community's experience even further. 

 

We sincerely appreciate the incredible contributions that each of you, our esteemed bloggers, have made to enrich the Second Life community. Please know that this decision was made with careful consideration and is not a reflection of the value we place on your work. 

 

The Lab also stated they would be expanding the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter, and invited people to use the Community Resources Portal. 

 

The Second Life Blogger Network was introduced almost five years ago, in September 2019.  

 

Hat tip: Daniel Voyager

Bixyl Shuftan

Science Circle Events Oh Hiatus, Senchai Library Schedule Changed

 

Usually the Newser has posted what event the Science Circle will be having on Saturday, and we used to post what events the Seanchai Library will be doing in the week ahead. But this will be changing for the Science Circle, and has for the Seanchai Library. 

Last week's tour of the SL20B was the last scheduled event of the Science Circle (except for a classical music concert the following day). As of now, there are no more events planned until November. So until then or we hear of sooner, the SC announcements are on hold.

As for the Seanchai Library, they used to announce their events each week in a convenient schedule. This has changed. Those still wanting to catch them can still join their group inworld, or check out their website at http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/ . But should they resume their weekly schedules, we'll start posting them once we find out.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Daniel Voyager's Blog On Hiatus

 

Noted SL blogger Daniel Voyager hasn't been doing well. It's been several weeks since his blog, Daniel Voyager's Blog, published an article.  Taking a look at his Twitter, it seems he's been dealing with some real life issues that will take some time to resolve. In his last post, he expressed hope at being active again sometime in June.

Best of luck Daniel, and hope you'll be back soon.
 

A Short Break From The Cartoons

 

Usually the Newser has two cartoons a week, a short chuckle for the readers that's sometimes an inside joke only we residents of Second Life can understand, and sometimes most anyone whether in Second Life or not can laugh at. But on occasion, we delay a cartoon, usually if someone passed away or someone close to the Editor is going through tough times. 

We've had a few less a couple weeks ago when one of the Sunweavers was going through tragedy. And now, not only is another going through sad times, but someone close to yours truly in real life has not been well lately. 

So a short break from the cartoons. Hopefully they'll resume next week, hopefully. For those who miss them, Click Here to look at the list, or Click Here from those recovered (so far) from the old SL Newspaper from 2007-2010.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Club Xanadu Closing Indefinately

Club Xanadu's co-owner RECoyote Mindes informed the Newser that the venue would be closing it's doors to events. There are no plans to reopen, at least for now.

Xanadu, occasionally called "The Vinyl Museum," is jointly owned by RECoyote and Perri Prinz. The building is a classic rock club named for the movie in which the Pan Pacific Auditorium is restored to a nightclub. There have been several periods of hiatus when real-life interfered with the management, but the building has always stood there since it's construction. 

HV Community (67/207/4051) 

Second Life Blogger Daniel Voyager on Hiatus

One noted blogger about Second Life, Daniel Voyager, will be taking a short break. A few days ago, he announced due to real life events, he would be taking a break until sometime "in early 2020."

I have decided to take a break from Second Life due to RL commitments. Everything is good so don’t worry. Breaks are good and everyone should take them once in a while. 

I have enjoyed blogging about Second Life during 2019 especially keeping track of the new continent. The lab and the Moles have done such a great job this year.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a happy new year 2020.

Furry Fashion Puts Lounge Events on Hold

For years, the Furry Fashion Lounge has offered DJ music events for the friends of the mall. But yesterday, it was announced in both the inworld group and Discord channel that the events at the Lounge, recently renamed Furscape, were being put on hold, at least for a little while.

We decided to reevaluate  the way that we manage the sim.

In order to restructure we decided that Regularly scheduled events would be on hiatus for a few weeks while we make plans on a future event structure. While we won't have scheduled events running, the lounge is still open as a good place to hang out and enjoy yourself. Keep your ears open for when DJs might decide to play music for your enjoyment! Furry fashion is not closing down!

Thank you for your unbelivable support!

There is not yet a date for when events will resume. For those wanting to know when impromptu events are taking place, joining the group is recommended.

News and Commentary: Sansar Newsblog on Hiatus After Dispute With Linden Lab

By Bixyl Shuftan

If Linden Lab has a theme song these days, it might be "Oops, I did it again."

In December, Linden Lab found itself in a public relations flap when Strawberry Singh was asked by them to remove or edit a video with Second Life's eye-in-hand logo. When the Lab later apologized and annouced their trademark policies would be revised to allow others to promote the virtual world, all seemed well. But recently there was a dispute involving a blog of Linden Lab's other virtual world: Sansar.

On January 8, Ryan Schultz posted in the Sansar Newsblog about the "Aech's Garage" location, a build of a place in the upcoming Steven Spielberg Movie "Ready Player One." Shortly afterwards, he was contacted by Linden Lab, and he was asked to take the pictures in the article down and apparently there was a problem with the blog's use of the word "exclusive." "Apparently, someone at one of the many companies mentioned in that blogpost is upset," he would later post in the comments of Inara Pey's article on the location, telling her, "you’d better be prepared for a request from Linden Lab to take down the pictures you posted to this blogpost." Besides Sansar Studios, the companies involved were Intel, HTC Vive, and Warner Brothers.

After some talks with more in Linden Lab, Schultz was able to repost the images without fear of trouble. But he was asked to take down the word "exclusive." And there seems to be some problem with the name "Sansar Newsblog." "I have asked Linden Lab for clear, yes-or-no answers," Schultz stated about the issue of the pictures and the name of his blog, and had only gotten one for the former. As a result, he is putting his blog on hold.

I don’t want to lose that tight focus on Sansar, on which I have worked so long and hard on with the Sansar Newsblog these past five months. ... I may not be a Warner-Brothers-size company, but my blog is important to me and, if I can believe the comments I have received in support, important to many others as well. Until I get clear, authoritative yes-or-no answers to BOTH of my two questions (Can I repost the pictures I took from Aech’s Garage? Can I keep the name Sansar Newsblog?), I’m not going to bother spending my time and money blogging for Sansar. Linden Lab can go find some other blogger to cover and promote their platform.

Right now, I have only a verbal okay from Ebbe Altberg at an in-world meetup months ago that the name Sansar Newsblog is acceptable to Linden Lab, but after this recent incident, now I want more. I want a clear “Yes” or “No” from someone official at Linden Lab that the company is not going to ask me to rename my blog.

Until I get clear “Yes” or “No” answers to BOTH these two questions, from someone at Linden Lab who is authorized to speak on behalf of the company, the Sansar Newsblog will remain on hiatus.

Schultz stated if he was told to change the name of his blog, he would stop his focus of Sansar and give more coverage to High Fidelity, VRChat, "and the other new VR-capable virtual worlds ... and the other new blockchain-based virtual worlds that are suddenly springing up."

He would later update his post. saying he had gotten an apology from Ebbe Altberg, Linden Lab's CEO. "I do still have a lot of love and respect for Linden Lab. ...  However, I will wait for Linden Lab to issue new brand guidelines for Sansar before I start blogging again. I am really tired, and I need to take a break. ... perhaps two or three weeks at most. The blog will be back, either as the Sansar Newsblog, or under a new name with a new focus."

The incident has been starting to get attention from other blogs and newsletters. Nalates Urriah was reminded of the trouble with Strawberry Singh last month, " ... it looks like the Sansar team is going to have to go through the same learning curve. But, I had hopped the SL experience of the Linden support people, like accounting, legal, marketing…, would carry over. I suppose not, now that I see this second ‘take down’ call." Isabelle Cheren would write about it as well, "Be thoughtful to people who visit. Sansar needs the promotion and here you go and upset a person who promotes it daily, often a number of times a day?" Inara Pey, when asking the Sansar community team for answers, was told, "users are not discouraged from posting screenshots from any experience that is open to the public as long as there is no claim to exclusivity, early access, or other potentially misleading statements or claims that are untrue or could be construed as an official statement from Linden Lab or Sansar."

After Sansar was officially opened, it had gotten a lukewarm reception from most. I had gotten a number of comments asking for the Newser to focus on other subjects, notably when the Second Life Friends Facebook group told me any links to Sansar-related posts would be removed. With the Sansar Newsblog on hold, the next-generation virtual world is without a blog that promotes it with singular focus. It would seem once again, Linden Lab's heavy hand has backfired.

Sources: Sansar Newsblog, Modem World, Natle's Things, Isabelle Cheren  

Image Credit: Isabelle Cheren, Ryan Schultz

Bixyl Shuftan

Club Xanadu Goes on Hiatus

There was a little sad news for fans of Club Xanadu over the weekend. On Sunday July 16, Perri Prinz announced that she was taking an indefinite break from running shows there.

Due to health problems and other real life issues, I can no longer run events at Xanadu.  Any hosts and DJ's with cards in the boards can run events in the club as they please, but I don't expect I'll be around to help.  If somebody wants to take over, please do.  But otherwise I just have to let it slide.

The classic rock club first opened in the Sunweaver Estates in May 2009, co-owned by Perri and her partner RECoyote Mindes, its design based on the club in the movie of the same name, which in real life was the Pan Pacific Auditorium. Over the years, Perri has had a reputation of being a skilled DJ with a good knowledge of music, which was demonstrated at the "Fallout Party" in April. In March, the club reopened after a hiatus of over a year and a half. Besides music, Perri has also been known as a fiction writer, notably her serial sci-fi/fantasy story "Spectral Shadows." But lately she has done some nonfiction commentary concerning her opinion of the state of furry fandom and the threat of the radical-left Antifa group.

It is hoped that Perri's real-life troubles will ease so she will be able to return to DJing.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/HV%20Community/67/207/4051

Bixyl Shuftan

Gemma Cleanslate On (Hopefully Brief) Hiatus

Since the founding of Second Life Newser, Gemma Cleanslate has been part of the paper, writing about various people, places, and events. Unfortunately, she's going to have to put her pen down, at least for a few days. She is scheduled to go to her local hospital today for treatment. It is not yet clear how long her recovery will take, or how long until she will be able to use the Internet, and Second Life again.

Get well soon Gemma.

Political Update: "Avatars Aganst Trump," Conservative Podcast Goes on Hiatus

It's been a little over a month since the new President's inauguration. But political discussion in Second Life has still been going on. Some residents would rather have nothing to do with politics and it's "poo-flinging shrieking monkeys" to paraphrase one. For others, however, it remains a hot topic.

"Avatars Against Trump," a Flickr group, invites Second Life photographers "to express their opposition to Trump and his policies in screenshots and machinima. ... Get creative, get angry, get ridiculous with in-game signs, sculptures, satire, and more!" As of the writing of this article, various people have submitted over 140 screenshots. Many were dark and humorless pictures, calling for resistance. Adolf Chapman in contrast had an amusing one inspired by a news article about an upcoming cartoon movie, poking fun at Trump's idea of a border wall.

Earlier this week in the Second Life Republicans group, some of whom gather to listen to the "Front Porch Political Talk" conservative podcast, there was an announcement by Hatton Humphrey, known in Second Life as Hatton Hunghi. He was putting his podcast on hiatus.

Those are very difficult words for me to write but I have to. For a number of different reasons the show has, for the moment, run its course. We have always had the goal to provide insight and information from different perspectives and on different issues. The current media and political climate makes achieving that goal week in and week out neigh on impossible. The arguments are repeating themselves and if we continue on the path we're on it turns into either an echo chamber or a broken clock.

Hatton thanked his listeners for their support over the years, his show having gone on since 2007. He expressed his hope to "restart the show some time in the future." He reminded that the show's Facebook page was still up for people to leave comments.

Bixyl Shuftan

Becky's Futurecast

What lies ahead? A question we all ask ourselves. In real life news, scientists began going along with a theory Becky had done so a long time ago. She had a few other predictions of what lies ahead, though trying to guess what the Lindens will do is beyond her talents. This will be Becky's last story for a while as she is going on a break that will last until at least the end of the year.

Read Becky's story in Extra.

Sad News About Nydia Tungsten

Nydia Tungsten has made a name for herself in the Sunweaver community over the past several years. Part wild child, part wise woman, one wasn't always sure which side they'd run into, or a little bit of both. Her mixture of naughtiness, wisdom, humor, and a willingness to always listen to one's friends in their moments of need, has long earned the "little white vixen" a place in the hearts of many. Because of her name and steadfastness, she's sometimes been called the "Steel Vixen."

But even the strongest of steel bends when the weight is just too much.

In recent months, her mother has been in poor health, and recently it has taken a turn for the worst. Days ago, the doctors sent her home so she could face the end with family. She was not expected to survive much longer. Circumstances that have left Nydia in tears. To complicate matters, her pets knocked her computer off her table, breaking it. She has been keeping in touch with friends via Facebook, email, and g-chat though an old laptop that simply can't handle Second Life.

Finally on Tuesday night, her mother passed away, leaving the family in mourning.

Between these events, she has told her friends that she does not know when she will be back.

The Sunweavers, and the Newser, wish Nydia all the luck and strength in these most trying of times.

Bundy Xue Goes on Hiatus From Music Club Scene

Longtime readers of the Newser may remember Bundy Xue, an Australian club owner whom helped out with the "Jam For Genes" fundraiser that went on every August for a few years up to 2014. She also participated in an Australian Day flood relief benefit in 2011. When we last heard from her, she had closed her B&Bs Aussie club, with plans to build a smaller one.

Any1 Gynoid notified the Newser that Bundy has closed her new club and is taking an indefinite break from running clubs in Second Life, sending us a notecard from her.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ALL SHOWS @ BUNDY's ARE CANCELLED. 

 Due to personal reasons and family commitments I am closing Bundy's down. 

 As most of you know i have owned or hosted a live music venue for the last 6.5 years and at the moment I am no longer enjoying the music. So after some thought and hesitation I have decided to take a break from it. Whether it is 3 months, 6 months or longer I dont know.  But at the moment the most important thing in life is my children and I have been busy with them and their schooling and running them around with their job commitments. And over the next few months that is expected to get a lot more busier. I am truly sorry if this is an inconvenience to anyone. But I need to do this for my own sanity.

I want to thank you all for your support and loyalty over the last 6.5 years. I couldn't of done it without all of you.  I love you all dearly as you are family to me. 

The Bundy's club group listed a number of musicians, including Rosedrop Rust, OhMy Kidd, and Beth Odets. Cellandra Zon, whom once helped run "The Pocket," and Whelan Ferris, whom ran the Australia sim until it closed, were also in the club group.

Bixyl Shuftan

Classic Rock Club "The Vinyl" Goes on Hiatus

The Sunweaver Estates is known for it's clubs. But one of them has gone inactive, at least for now. This week, it was announced that the Vinyl Museum would be indefinitely closed to regular events.

Until further notice from Perri, Vinyl is semi-closed. The club is still open for use there just won't be any events until Perri comes online and is able to stay online to handle issues. We can't run with no Managers and DJs. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope this won't make you give up on us.

Opening in May 2009 as Club Xanadu, a classic club with the design based on the Pan Pacific Auditorium which in the movie "Xanadu" was turned into a club. with Perri Prinz and RECoyote Mindes as co-owners and Perri the regular DJ. Perri had a reputation for being a good DJ, with one of the best selections of 60s and 70s classic rock. Even though the club was later renamed "Green Meadows," and then "The Vinyl Museum," people have continued to call it "Perri's Xanadu," and more recently just "The Vinyl."

The club has temporarily closed a few times in the past, last reopening in December 2013. Taking the Tuesday and Thursday time slots that were done by Club Zero Gravity before it closed, the club has continued to do well until recently, being among those taking part in Second Life Newser's anniversary parties. But Perri has had to take an indefinite break from Second Life to help out family in real life. That led to the decision to put regular events on hold until the Sunweaver's popular bunnygirl DJ can return.

Bixyl Shuftan

"The Pocket" to Close Until 2015

On Friday July 25th, the Australian club "The Pocket" held what is likely to be the last of it's regular events at least until next year. For some years, the venue has hosted live music events every Friday night in Second Life. On this final night, musicians such as GregEllisToronto Resident, Beth Odets, and OhMy Kidd performed the crowd. OhMy was not only one of the musicians, but also an owner of the club.

Chatting with OhMy via IM, he stated events in real life were making it unable for him to continue to keep holding regular events at the club. He hoped that he would be able to resume normal operations in early 2015.

"The Pocket" was at one time co-owned by the late Delinda Dyrrsen, whom was one of the staff at the noted "Tonight Live" talk show, and was a coworker of Second Life Newser's editor at SL Newspaper.

*  *  *  *  *

July  will be the last month of regular scheduled Friday night shows at The Pocket. The Pocket is as successful as ever with great music, great audiences, and great fun so we are going out on a high!

In August we will hold the 7th Jamm for Genes in SL raising funds for the Children's Medical Research institute. Last year we beat our target of L500,000 - can we go higher in 2014?

Our final concert on Vahalla will be in December, rounding off the year with a concert to congregate, celebrate and commemorate the people, players and punters from seven years of The Pocket.

We will maintain a stage at the original location of The Pocket in Fendahl , and continue to support Jamm for Genes in SL as an annual event, and to support other SL fundraisers, awareness raisers, and worthy causes.
I must take this opportunity to thank bundy for her visionary creation that made The Pocket possible at Vahalla, Freestar for her generous support of The Pocket at Freestar Bay, Delinda for making The Pocket dream come true in the first place, and to the Roo Wranglers, especially Autumn, Cellandra, & Mayo.

I cannot thank the musicians enough  - I do hope that someday you will get paid what you are worth!

Peace and Love
OhMy Kidd

Goodbye Perri Prinz, Hopefully Only For Now

It's not usually news when someone makes the decision to leave the Grid. But this someone meant quite a bit to the community she lived at and the places she DJed at. Perri Prinz, a valued member of the Sunweaver/HV Community, recently announced she was departing Second Life for good.

Read the story in People.

A Loss: Feathers Boa's Going Away Party

It is a sad day in Second Life for those who love the exquisite art of Feathers Boa. There was a going away party today at her gallery in Esterhal. Feathers is one of the most proficient artists in interactive art in SL. Her pieces are stunning and and many of them have deep personal meaning from her life. She is retiring from SL art and will be mostly inactive for a while.

Beladona Memorial said to her “You have had a unique voice here ... and utilized the interactive qualities of SL to create art that was not possible elsewhere. Thank you for being here.” and Feathers wish to all, “ I hope my heart comes through.” Some of her work is in a few galleries in SL and will remain.

Feathers real life has become very busy with a move to the west coast and a new job in graphics, and she must concentrate on those for now. It is my sincere hope that in a year or so perhaps she will have a show in Retrospect. For the time being if you know her art and want to experience its dimensions again, or, if you have never had that pleasure, this show will be in Feathers Bay Gallery in Esterhal until June 29.

Don't miss it! Her pieces are all on sale for that time.

We love you Feathers.

Esterhal (215, 211, 790)

Gemma Cleanslate