Cartoon of the Day

Going through Areo Pines on Easter Weekend, I came across this grill. Burgers smell great, though too much beef might mean bellyaches for a bunny.

By Bixyl Shuftan

Sundreamers at New Bastogne

One's a community who's goals are having a fun place to virtually live and have a good party a few times a week. The other's a virtual Second World War battlefield where residents duke it out in virtual tanks, planes, and small arms in team efforts. One might not expect the two to have much in common. But last weekend, they came together for a Relay For Life event. The Sunweaver community's "Sundreamers" RFL team hosted a fundraising event at New Bastogne.

Read more in Events.

Press Release: Relay For Life Al Capone Party

Fundraising for the RFL-SL Come to participate in the event sponsored by the Brazilian team ORGANIZATION FOUNDATION FOR LIFE. Join us in the Foundation Organization For Life for music and dance. Everyone is invited! Dress up in costume typical or come as you prefer (no nudity). We will be waiting for you.

For more info, contact Izza Mayo inworld

5PM to 7PM SL time, Serena Gardena (21, 77, 22)

Press Release: Raglan Shire 8th Artwalk 2013 Call to Entry

Festival Dates: May 5 - 26, 2013
Location: Raglan Shire Sim Cluster in Second Life

*** REGISTRATION OPENS ONLINE: Monday, April 8th at noon SLT
*** REGISTRATION CLOSES: Sunday, April 28th at 9 pm SLT

>>> Full information and registration online at: http://sites.google.com/site/raglanshireartwalk/

Raglan Shire is hosting its 8th ArtWalk in May 2012. A 3-week long, multi-sim art festival, it is one of the art highlights of SL. Residents of Second Life may show their artwork during this time.  Reproductions of RL artwork (painting, drawing, art photography, print, collage, digital fine art) that can be imported and put on a prim are encouraged, along with SL artwork including virtual photography and sculpture.

Last year we had over 150 artist participants exhibiting in spaces over 3 sims. This year, we hope for a good turnout and will include space in the vast center park of Raglan Shire for 2D art displayed along hedgerows and sculputes displayed in Heron Shire forest, and other sims in the cluster included if needed.

The Raglan Shire Sim Cluster is devoted to tiny avatars and is PG. Artworks need to fit PG standards please.  All artists of Second Life are welcome to enter.

~ Teal Freenote,  ArtWalk Director
~ Liandras Jameson, ArtWalk Assistant
~ Karmagirl Avro, Artwalk Assistant

Events This Week in Second Life April 9 to April 15

It's another week of events in Second Life. From the continuing "EggaPalooza" in Areo Pines Park, to Madpea Madness, to the Krafties "Eggsie Hunt," to the Food Safety Game, and of course the Relay for Life events, there's no shortage of special events. And of course there's our regularly scheduled DJ & live music events, races, book and poetry readings, church services, discussions, and talk shows.

Read about the happenings in Events this Week.

Press Release: Relay For Life Fantasy Faire 2013

Celebrating its fifth year, Fantasy Faire 2013 is the largest gathering of fantasy designers, enthusiasts, roleplayers and performers in the virtual world. From Saturday April 20 to Sunday April 28, treat yourself to nine days of shopping, live music concerts, auctions, hunts and roleplaying as thousands of Second Life residents and creators come together to support the American Cancer Society’s vision of a world without cancer.

Read more about the event at http://fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com/ . 

Freebies in Second Life

Today, Second Life Newser has a new writer, Kitacelia. For her first article, she wanted to write about a subject useful for those new to the Grid. And so she took a look at places where one good get a supply of free or nearly-free items. So which were the places to fo to?

Read Kitacelia's article in Design.

Jacek Shuftan of Podex on the US Treasury's New Guidelines for Virtual Currency

By Bixyl Shuftan

On Friday April 5th, Second Life Newser wrote about the US Department of the Treasury's new guidelines on virtual currency. This move has consequences for Linden Lab as they'll have to spend time, and probably money on extra lawyers, on required paperwork for them. And it's likely this is just the beginning.

Over the weekend, I met up with Jacek Shuftan, the head of the Podex Exchange. He had spoken briefly about the matter at the time the article then was being written, "every coin has two sides, if (Linden dollars) were virtual currency, it would be more trustworthy, and (Second Life) will have more investors." I felt as a Linden reseller, he would have more to say on the matter.

I asked him, "Was there anything else you wanted to say about the US Treasury and Linden Lab?"

"I am still thinking how close it is, and if it (will) happen," Jacek answered, "For now, it is not an obligatory law. For now, it's guidelines. But it does appear there will soon be some regulations. I think that bitcoin is the main point of this, and Lindens is only side effect. But anyway, it can be a pain for us all."

"Anyway, it's too late to stop (the) economical revolution started with virtual currencies. If they ban LS, people will sell objects in SL for, bitcoins, Avination CS, or whatever else. It's only a few lines of coding. Even the real world is full of such 'currencies.' If you go to car wash and get a special metal coin to put into machine, what is it if not currency? You can sell it to other car drivers, exchange it for a glass of beer, or keep it and sell for a higher price when the price of a car wash will go up. Or you can just return it to car wash owner and get cash back. Isn't it currency like Lindens, guaranteed by the car wash owner."

"But nobody cares. and governments look at virtual coins because they are new, and the turnover is higher than a car wash (grin).

I asked, "So even if the Lab calls it's Linden dollars a 'transferable license' and not virtural currency?"

"Its not important what name Linden dollars are called," Jacek answered, "if real-life authorities say it's currency."

"I am afraid it's inevitable, governments can not let citizens have something independent of them."

"So you think it's more about control," I asked, "and not so much a desire for another source to tax?"

"Both," he answered, "It's not a secret that lots of bitcoins are used for illegal operations, and governments want to control it. But taxation is also something tempting for governments. If we go this way, ie if we tax Lindens, what about (virtual) land? It's also a possession. Should we write in a yearly tax statement - 512 sqm parcel by the sea? Ferrari car, 123 prims, bought on Marketplace?"

"I can bet any money that officials do not know what to do with it. So they are just testing now."

I asked, "So they're just seeing what they can do before people complain?"

"I think (to them), it looks like a pimple." Jacek answered, "New activity, like virtual economy, appears. Nobody cares at first, but its growing and growing. You try to ignore it as long as you can, because nobody likes having a pimple at the end of the nose. But finally, it's so big and painful that you must accept it, and we are close to this moment."

I asked, "So that's how you think government sees it, in your opinion?"

"Yes," Jacek answered, "They tried to ignore it as long as they could. And now, its high time to do something. But nobody knows what. So they gave us this paper … And they can always say it's only guidelines if something goes wrong. We observe the same tendency in Europe, and in the USA. So it's a worldwide problem, I think."

" 'There is no such wickedness, or cruelty, which otherwise would not have committed a mild and liberal government, when it runs out of money.' Alexis de Tocqueville, at least through Google translator."

"We will see what the future brings. But people adapt fast. We are very flexible in Second Life."

The interview then ended, and Jacek went about his way.

Jacek Shuftan’s Podex Exchange, sometimes called the Podex bank, exchanges Lindens for several world currencies. Recently they moved to the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted: "Gaming Gods"

Just a Quick word about "Gaming Gods," or known to the rest of us infantile gamers. People play games to enjoy themselves, NOT to prove themselves. The Gaming Gods feel that if you are not up to their level you shouldn't be on "their" sever. I have witnessed this time and time again, and been the victim of it. Well I have news for you "gods," we all have to start somewhere. 

The reason I am posting this is I was in a flying game, someone hit me from my same team and he was terrified I was going to go off on him.  My response was "No problem, it happens. Let's get back at them." He was stunned, then he told me that was his last plane for the game, and was stunned again that I said I was sorry to hear that but better luck next time.
 
So everyone remember, we ALL had to start some where and remember what it was like when we first started, you will find even you will have a better time playing if you remember it

Nydia Tungsten

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Club Fur, I was about to take a snapshot of Nydia Tungsten doing a DJ session when one of my jokes resulted in her doing a "facepalm" gesture. They last for about a second, so one can't get them unless you were just about to snap the picture. As for the punchline, well, it's how I imagined what she was thinking. ;-)

By Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: Relay For Life Voulenteers "I'll Be There"

Taken at the Relay For Life's "Teams R Us" Event on Easter Weekend by OldLex

Easter Weekend in Second Life

Last weekend was Easter time, and there were a number of Easter-related activities on the Grid. With the Relay For Life going on, these events were somewhat overshadowed. But they weren't forgotten. And so before the week is out, here's a few scenes of Easter-related happenings in Second Life.

Read more in Events.

The Drax Files: World Makers "Episode 2: Jo Yardley"

The next in Draxtor Despres' video series, where he interviews Yo Yardley of the 1920s Berlin Project, "Jo Yardley listens to Marlene Dietrich on a hand crank gramophone because she lives in Weimar era Germany and electricity is rather scarce: oh yes, although Frau Yardley lives in Amsterdam, her house is decorated with original furniture and accessories from the 1920ties and German magazines from the Interbellum Period are everywhere.

"But Yardley, who is a historical consultant for film, TV and museums has done much more than opting out of microwaves, cell-phone and TV usage: inside the virtual world of Second Life, Yardley rebuilt a Berlin that is long gone, a Berlin, where ehrenwerte Damen sport cigarette-holders and gallant Herren are seen in three-piece suits rather than blue jeans.

"This digital Berlin is home to the affluent who dance wide eyes shut straight through the roaring Twenties at the Hotel Adlon as well as the orphaned street children, begging for a few Mark to get through the day. 1920s Berlin in Second Life operates 24/7 and is complete with accurate signage, a functioning Zeppelin and a steam-engine Reichsbahn...so: let's take a trip back in time!"

More info at http://1920sberlin.com or in-world at http://secondlife.com/destination/1828?sourceid=dgw1

Ask DrFran: Where is the Meaning?

Today, DrFran is back with her help and advice column. In her latest letter, a reader had once been going happily about the Grid. But recently, she's been having some feelings of doubt about what her Second Life has been. So where does she go from here? DrFran has a few suggestions.

Read DrFran's column in People.

A Tarot Reader in Second Life

Most everyone wants to know what the future holds in store for them. For Grease Coakes, he wondered what does the future hold for his fiction writing. Someone whom offered a few predictions was his friend Amehana Ishtari, a tarrot card reader. So how did the reading go?

Read Grease's article in Extra.

New Guidelines on Virtual Currency by US Government Mean Complications For Linden Lab

By Bixyl Shuftan

Last month, the US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an "interpretive guidance" (pdf link) or guidelines for the regulation of virtual currencies. Alex Kadochnikov of the "Modern Payment Systems" blog had a few things to say about the matter and what it means for Linden Lab. For the average Second Life resident, these guidelines don't directly affect him/her. But for Linden Lab, "FinCEN now considers Linden Dollar as a convertible centralized virtual currency," and it means regulations and paperwork.

To begin with, Linden Lab's terms of service doesn't refer to Linden dollars as virtual currency but each being a "virtual token" or a "limited license" that could be traded, "Linden dollars are not real currency or any type of financial instrument …" But these words haven't meant much to residents who've treated it as money within Second Life, the only risk being if they ever lost their connection to the Grid. As Kadochnikov wrote, "FinCEN goes by the approach 'If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.' And Linden Dollar sure does 'quack' like one. Linden dollar is a virtual currency because it has value in real currency (a buck will buy you about 270 linden bucks); and people buy good and services with it."

As "an administrator and an exchanger of virtual currency" they were a "Money Service Business" or MSB under US Treasury guidelines. As a result they, "must register with the Treasury Department and make Anti-Money Laundering and periodic reports." This means more expenses for Linden Lab as, "these reports are not little one page chores a trained monkey can do. There is a reason corporate compliance departments are stacked with lawyers and accountants. As you can imagine both of these items cost a lot of money."

Hamlet Au thought that this would mean Linden Lab will have to hire two or three additional lawyers just to deal with this matter, costing them about a half million dollars a year. The only other option it seems would be to abandon the Linden dollar and deal just with real world currencies. While it would save them these bureaucratic headaches, it would be "like turning off a printing press that prints money. And who in their right mind wants to do that?"

Hamlet Au thought there was one additional complication. If the Lab was thinking of selling Second Life, it just became more difficult as any buyer would have to deal with these regulations and expenses. One result of the Treasury Department's new guidelines may be that Linden Lab can pretty much forget about someone buying the virtual world from them.

Second Life Newser did briefly discuss the matter with Jacek Shuftan, the head of it's sponsor Podex Exchange. He expressed suspicion of the US Government's motives, but "every coin has two sides, if (Linden dollars) were virtual currency, it would be more trustworthy, and (Second Life) will have more investors." So perhaps the move has some benefits.

Sources: New World Notes, Modern Payment Systems

Bixyl Shuftan

Perri Prinz’s Green Meadows Club

One club that's been around for a few years that was built as a tribute to classic rock is Green Meadows, formerly known as Xanadu. Run by Perri Prinz and RECoyote Mindes, the club has events a few times every week. But as good as the music is, Perri being an expert of the music of the time period, the club is well designed to the point of being a work of art, in addition to a nearby building having a gallery of science-fiction/fantasy art. Recently, Grease Coakes went to Perri and Rec to ask about the club.

Read Grease's article in Design.

Relay For Life "Teams R Us" Country Weekend

Easter Weekend had the first "Teams R Us" event held by the Relay For Life. With a "Country Music Jam" as the main event, the overall theme was a Western one, with the various camps looking like corrals, farms, saloons, and similar builds. There were other events than ran alongside the "Teams R Us," including a DJ competition and one team's first event this year.


Read more in Events.

SL Video: "SL10B from Mistletoe to DJs"

A video from Mistletoe Ethaniel, calling over DJs to the SL10B, "A dorky but important message about SL10B from Mistletoe, this time for the DJs. And wow that boom box hurt my neck somethin' awful."

Cartoon of the Day

By Bixyl Shuftan