Update on "The Search For Magellan"

Taking a look at the rules for the updated "Linden Realms" game, I was unsure about whether or not accounts that hadn't bought or sold Lindens, such as alts, could collect Linden dollars from finishing "The Search For Magellan" quest for finding the pieces for the amulet. "You must have a payment method on record with Linden Lab, and you must have used it at least once," the rules stated. Well, in the case of alts, it seems the answer is they can. I finished the quest, brought back the pieces of the amulet, and got a small Linden dollar reward for my efforts.

So those with big friend lists who want to do the game without interruptions via an alt apparently don't have to worry about not getting a prize. But jumping from rock to rock in the slimy green river and the molten lava at *just* the right distance every single time, that's something you do have to worry about. Do you get to find Magellan? Do you find out what Ruth's next move is once she gets the amulet back? You'll have to find out for yourself. Happy Hunting

Bixyl Shuftan

Jaycatt and Frogg at Key West

Last week, I dropped by a performance in Key West by Jaycatt and Frogg. After over a decade, the musical duo who make numerous live performances in Second Life are still going at it, Frogg on his guitar, and Jaycatt behind the piano.

The one big change is that it looks like Frogg has put aside the old amphibian avatar he used to have. Jaycatt is still feline, though. Besides Key West, they perform at other places, such as Luskwood.

SL Video: "Sucker"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Nitwacket in March 2008, "Three residents of the Virtual World, Second Life - located in Japan, Germany and the USA. Song by Vampira Kanno - recorded with Apple Garageband. Machinima by NITWACKET - Pyewacket Bellman & Niten Altamura captured in Second Life - edited in Apple iMovie0,"

Eye on the Blog: Wishlist, Share Options in Marketplace

You see a cool item on Marketplace that you'd like to have, but you don't have the Lindens you need to get it. In the past, you'd write down the name on a piece of paper somewhere and hope you don't lose it. Now there's another option: Marketplace Wishlists. This was added in an update last week.

The "Add to Wishlist" option is in the lower right corner. To view your own wishlist, go to https://marketplace.secondlife.com/wishlist . You can also add an item to your favorites to show to others later. To get to your favorites page, head to : https://marketplace.secondlife.com/favorites . You can also follow a certain merchant by adding them to your favorites on their store page, and return to the page quickly by going to your favorite stores page : https://marketplace.secondlife.com/favorite_stores . You can also "Like" an item for Facebook (this feature may not be brand new), and there's a button to quickly share the item on social media.

More on the Marketplace update here: https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/2431-your-favorite-marketplace-update-the-wishing-edition/

Hat Tip: Matoazma Kazyanenko

Bixyl Shuftan

Singularity Viewer Developer Calling For Patreon Support

One third party viewer for Second Life that got plenty of use in the recent past was Singularity. Developed to resemble the classic Linden viewer before they changed to V-2, for a time it was the second post popular viewer with only Firestorm getting more use. It would be updated every few months until February 2015. Afterwards it would be hit with a number of problems such as one developer dying and another leaving the team. It would come up with one more update in June 2016. But there have been none since. While the viewer still works, some newer avatars don't rezz properly with it, sometimes in ways that block much of the screen.

Siana Gearz, the head of the Singularity team, recently made a page on Patreon, a membership platform site that allows content creators to receive funding from supporters, or patrons. Apparently, her financial situation has gone downhill, saying, "the project has been extremely draining in part because it left me bankrupt." So she had created the Patreon page to "gauge interest to continue Singularity Viewer ...  if people are willing to pay, it changes things. You can also pledge here if you choose to support me in new endeavours, which are likely to be 3D printing related, probably firmware development."

So far (as of the writing of this article), Siana has a total of six patrons pledging $23 a month, including five "Singularitians" whom want her to concentrate on improving the viewer. More information can be readon her Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/sianagearz .

Hat tip: Mook Wheeler

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: "Frankenstein" Comes to Holly Kai Park

Second Life – On Sunday, October 21st at 2pm slt, Fantasy Faire Radio and Seanchai Library will present Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," specially adapted for radio and live performance in six voices, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the novel's original publication.  The two-hour performance will take place live at this year's iteration of "Haunted Holly Kai" high above the Blake Sea based Art Park, and will benefit Relay for Life.

Da5id Abbot, Corwyn Allen, Zander Greene, Shandon Loring, Elrik Merlin, and Caledonia Skytower will come together to present the script adapted by Skytower and Abbot from Shelley's original novel.  The performance, running just under two hours, will be live on stream at "Haunted Holly Kai: featuring Frankenstein" and simultaneously broadcast on Fantasy Faire Radio. Residents can teleport to the performance from the Park's Information Center. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holly%20Kai%20Estates/205/120/22

The novel, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" was written by English author Mary Shelley that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a human-like creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment while still a student at University in Ingolstadt. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition of the novel was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. Her name first appeared on the second edition, published in France in 1823.

Famously Mary, her lover and future husband Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron decided to have a competition to see who could write the best horror story while staying at Byron's rented home, Villa Diodati, near the shores of Lake Geneva. After thinking for days, Shelley dreamt about a scientist who created life and was horrified by what he had made; her dream later evolved into the novel's story. It has had a considerable influence in literature and popular culture and spawned a complete genre of horror stories, films and plays.

In 1931, Universal Pictures released "Frankenstein: The Man Who Made The Monster" directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the Creature (now "Monster").  The screenplay was based on Peggy Webling's stage play "Frankenstein" which was loosely based on Shelley's novel. It is here that the Frankenstein as the green-skinned, bolt-headed, mad scientist experiment-gone-wrong took shape, forming the popular culture version that pervaded the 20th century.

"Haunted Holly Kai: featuring Frankenstein" will pay tribute to both the original novel and its film adaptations with an outdoor amphitheater for the novel's presentation and other planned events, and a towering castle featuring a mad scientist lab created by Stranger Nightfire.  Residents are encouraged to explore both the castle and the outdoor areas.  This year's "Haunted Holly Kai" will open October 21st and remain open through Halloween. 

About Fantasy Faire Radio
Since 2014, Fantasy Faire Radio has been a special event station, sponsored by Radio Riel in its role as Media Partner in Fantasy Faire, the annual celebration of fantasy art, writing, design and creativity that raises money every year in the virtual world of Second Life for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, supporting cancer research, caregivers and cancer sufferers all over the world. In 2017, FFR began broadcasting 24/7, as a full‐time Internet radio service. Listeners can tune in by opening https://radioriel.org in their internet browser and choosing Fantasy Faire Radio in the left hand sidebar, by opening http://fantasy.radioriel.org in a network audio player.

About the Seanchai Library
Seanchai Library (Shawn-a-kee, which means "Storyteller" in Irish.) was founded in March of 2008 in Second Life. The program remains dedicated to promoting the power of stories to transform and inspire through live voice presentations: "We bring stories of all kinds to life, in Second Life and other virtual worlds."  http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/

Announcement: 2018 ROMA October Festival Schedule

NOTE - later start times

Saturday - Oct. 20th
11am - Lemuria Ritual and Ghost Tales
In Roman religion, the Lemuralia or Lemuria was a feast during which the ancient Romans performed rites to exorcise the malevolent and fearful ghosts of the dead from their homes.Our Lemuralia ritual will banish any malevolent spirits, both real and imagined, while welcoming the protective spirits of the Lares and beneficent ancestors. Please bring ghost stories to share aloud afterwards in the ROMA tombs!
Transtiberim Signpost
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/59/35/45


1pm - Lemuria Monster Costume Contest
Come celebrate the Roman version of Hallowe'en with us! In honour of the festival, we will have a costume contest hosted by Kevinus Aemilius Kadora. Dress as any monster, ghost, or undead creature you can imagine - costume winners (top 3) will win cash prizes compliments of Gens Aemilia!
Halloween Costume Party
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Insula/96/138/22

****************************************************************

Sunday - Oct. 21st

12pm - ROMA Hallow'een Grand Feast
Ghouls and goblins, witches and forest spirits are all invited to the final Grand Feast! Join your neighbours, guests and friends for this Hallow'een feast, with live music by Franklee Anatra!
Field of Mars
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/193/220/27

1pm - Legio Pumpkling
Come join us as our Legio faces off in a game of bowling (with a pumpkin as the ball) in honour of the Lemuria! All citizens are invited to participate in the game or watch from the sidelines!
Fort Legio VII Augusta
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/202/227/27

Press Release: Burn 2 Oct 19-28

As we do every year, we invited artists and creatives to get their plots to create homes and art installations in this virtual temporary city on five sims, with a challenge to build to a science fiction flavoured theme, “I, Robot,” within the framework of the Ten Principles of Burning Man and a set of build guidelines.

The response from the community has been marvelously varied. Some are built around the Three Laws of Robotics as set out by Isaac Asimov. Others explore ideas about the relationship between humans and AI, or express very real fears and doubts about the future. There are still others that are simply funny and fun to explore. And not the least among these are the simple camps for those who want to merely sit a spell, relax  and soak in the tunes in the air.

This year, we invite you to experience art that examines how it feels to live in a world filled with robots. When you step foot onto the dusty playa, you are no longer a mere bystander but a part of the spectacle that is I, Robot.

SHARE the News and Plan to Come!

We look forward to welcoming Home Burners and community. Experience Burn2 once again, walk through the gate, and if you are a virgin Burner, ring the bell! Follow the Lamplighters on their twice-daily processions; visit the Rangers station, view the Man and pause to reflect in the Temple. Wander, explore, climb, interact. Visit the three stages with music to soothe, inspire, excite and incite to dance. You will be surrounded with art and music, and generous Burners inviting you to participate.

See the full BURN2 Calendar at http://www.burn2.org/calendar  for the week’s event schedule.

Want more information? Connect with us through our networks::
Website: https://burn2.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BURN2BURNER
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BURN2BURNERS
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Burn2.SL/
Google+ Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/114073732445186160592
Regional Page: http://regionals.burningman.com/regionals/cyberspace/second-life/

BURN2 Inworld Contacts:
BURN2 Communications: iSkye Silverweb communications@burn2.org or contact inworld
BURNING MAN Regional Contact: sl@burningman.org

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at the Foundation for Life Oktoberfest party

By Bixyl Shuftan

LA Times Reports on Anthropologist Researching Second Life Use By Disabled

Many residents of Second Life have mixed opinions of mainstream media coverage of Second Life, feeling it focuses on the more salacious aspects of the Grid, notably sex. But LA Times reporter Ben Brazil recently wrote about anthropologist Tom Boellstroff's work in studying Second Life, which after the first few years began to focus on it's disabled users, which he reasons make up forty to sixty percent of it's population.

Boellstroff and his co-researcher Donna Davis talked to about 200 disabled residents. Davis told the Times, “We so often hear about the dark side of technology. But I think that Tom and I have found that there is a bright side. People can connect in these virtual spaces in really important and meaningful ways.”

The National Science Foundation has funded his study, contributing $277,000 US dollars. Boellstroff "is writing a second book" about his research on the disabled and hopes that his efforts "will cause technology developers to pay heed to the issues of disabled people when creating virtual reality products."

Read more on the LA Times article (Here) 

Source: New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

Google Plus To Shut Down After Data Breach Exposed by Newspaper

Google announced on Monday October 8 that it would be shutting down it's social network Google Plus. This announcement came shortly after a Wall Street Journal article that there had been a data leak affecting a half million users, and Google made the decision not to warn people fearing disclosure might mean bad press and possibly increased regulation as a result.

"The snafu threatens to give Google a black eye on privacy after public assurances that it was less susceptible to data gaffes like those that have befallen Facebook," the WSJ stated, "It may also complicate Google's attempts to stave off unfavorable regulation in Washington."

The data leak "was the result of a flaw in the API Google created to help app developers access an array of profile and contact information about the people who sign up to use their apps, as well as the people they are connected to on Google+." Due to the bug, "developers could collect the profile data of their users' friends, even if that data was explicitly marked nonpublic in users' privacy settings."

Because the problem was discovered in March, it does not fall under Europe's General Data Protection Regulation law, which went into affect in May. If it had, Google would have been required to inform about it within 72 hours or risk being fined up to two percent of it's global revenue. But it's refusal to come clean right away means it could "face class action lawsuits over it's decision not to disclose the incident. ... 'The story here is that Google knew something here, and hid it.'"

Google Plus was launched in June 2011, seven years ago. In 2015, it had 111 million active accounts. It is not being shut down right away, but will be "phased out" over ten months. Maria Korolov of Hypergird Business stated that the social media service was important to many Second Life and Opensim users as unlike Facebook it accepted the use of online pseudonyms, "Without Google Plus, the OpenSim community will be left without a viable social networking platform," at least one where they can freely use their avatar names. How the Opensim community will adapt remains to be seen.

Statement from Google (Here).

Source: Ars Technica, Wall Street Journal, Wikipedia, Hypergrid Business

Bixyl Shuftan 

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

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

Club Cutlass: Best in 'H.' , Videogames, Stops and Stripes

Happy Vixen's Haunted Manor: Hats, Orange and Black, Scary and Sexy, Feathers, Squirrels and Wah, Ears and Tails, Goth, Steampunk, Pets, TBA

Club Zero Gravity: TBA

Momtecito Bay: Taco Tuesday, Musical Expedition, Lem and Em Show, Bats, Montecito Bay's Birthday

Furry Fashion Lounge: Omnipunk, 80s, Creepy vs Cute, Nocturnal, Newbs and Trolls, Cyberpunk, Cats and Dogs, Unholy Night

Read the schedules in SL Clubbin'

Camping Sim Copacabana To Close

Another sim is closing. This is one that's been around only a few months, but apparently it quickly gained a following.

In early September, I heard about a new campground sim: Copacabana. The place was run by Pen and Jade Dragon, with help from Nick Munsch. It was throwing a party, and out of curiosity I dropped by. I had a nice fun time. There was music, laughing, and a mechanical bull going. Looking around, there were other activities, such as horseback riding with a rezzer that could give you a horse if you didn't have one, paintball, and more. Had there not been so much to write the following week, I would have mentioned the place in the paper. But the Enquirer did. So all seemed well.

Recently, Gemma Cleanslate told me about an announcement made by the campground. They were closing. They had underestimated what it would take to run the place, and had an additional, more important responsibility to take care of.

Yes, the rumors are true Copacabana is on it's last month of service.. Officially closing Nov. 1st.
To fill in some answers here is what's going on..

When i opened this sim, I honestly wasn't prepared, none of us were, for how successful it wouldbecome. In such a short amount of time our numbers climbed beyond our wildest dreams..the people we met, the adventures we took.. all so amazing.. but something even more magical then success came from this adventure.. Pen and i adopted not 1, but 4 children!! 

All because of this amazing sim, our lives were changed forever!!

At the end of the day though, time becomes an issues.. running a sim takes a lot of time..
and chasing 4 hooligans who got into the paint cans also takes a lot of time.. something had to give.. and even though I know many of your will be as sad as we are to see it go.. i just rather chase my little motley crew around right now..

Thank you to the Munsch family, and the many many campers who have come and gone..

God Spe..... DROP THAT PAINT CAN...

till we meet again...

signing off ...

jadeylynn

For more information, check out the sim website, or it's Facebook page.  For those whom are still want to visit the place, try to rent a week, or take part in it's activities before it closes, head to http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serena%20Copacabana/30/30/22

Hat Tip: Gemma Cleanslate

Bixyl Shuftan

Halloweentown and Creation's Halloween Festival

Gemma Cleanslate's search for Halloween happenings took her to two places. One was Halloweentown in the Badest sim. The place had Halloween decor one could grab, as well as rides in the woods and a haunted mansion. The other was Creations Park, which is having it's Season's Festival. There, one can find a pumpkin hunt, a haunted castle, and more.

Read Gemma's story in Events. .

My Horses on Second Life

Besides her writing, Deaflegacy has a love of horses. Besides her pony avatar, lately she's been getting some pet horses for her place in Cape Heron. So what is it like having a small herd of horses in Second Life? She writes some about her experiences.

Read Deaflegacy's article in Extra.

Linden Realms Game Updated: "The Search For Magellan"

The oldest and one of the best known games at Linden Lab's Portal Park is Linden Realms. Earlier this year, it got an update: "The Wrath of Ruth." Last week, Linden Lab announced it was updated again: "The Search For Magellan."

Tyrah has discovered that many years ago, Magellan accidentally broke Ruth's magic amulet and instead of coming clean about his mistake, he hid the pieces all over Linden Realms, and then promptly left for an extended ‘vacation’. There has to be some link between this event, Ruth’s rage, and Magellan’s untimely disappearance!

 

As new life springs from the once charred remains of Linden Realms, an all-new action-packed adventure awaits. Can you help find the pieces and put the amulet back together? It won’t be easy - you'll need to complete several quests and collect crystals but the rewards are worth it!

As the Linden blog update shows, the Linden Realms area has been redone. Gone is the firey and blackened look the place had in "Wrath." But rather than the simple look the place once had, there are now detailed grasses, trees, and other features, giving the region an updated look. Tyrah's Workshop, where you begin, has a new look as well. Here, you'll also see two youtubes explaining what's going on, and how to play the game.

Going about, in search of clues to the amulet pieces (early on, you'll find out why Magellan vanished), you'll face some familiar dangers, such as the toxic water and falling rocks, as well as new ones, such as the animal traps and mud pits. The rock monsters don't make the same  "rumble-rumble-rumble" sound, but one that sounds like a revving motor. Getting from place to place can be frustrating as you can't cross water, and some mountain ranges will block your path. So until you know your way around, sometimes it will take a while to get to where you want to go.

Once you have all four pieces of the amulet, you
can return to the workshop to get your reward. The rules say "You must have a payment method on record with Linden Lab, and you must have used it at least once," aka buying or selling Lindens, before you can collect. So if this is so, not everyone will be able to collect rewards or use their alts to avoid interruptions while paying.

For the blog post, Click here.  For the rules, Click here. To dive right into the action, head to Portal Park 1 (176/117/53).

Happy amulet hunting,

Bixyl Shuftan

Addition: After getting all four pieces of the amulet and taking them to the workshop, it turns out my alt *can* get Lindens from the game. So what will Ruth do now that her inventory works again? You'll have to play the game and see for yourself (grin).

A Busy Weekend

A few things happened over the weekend. Montecito Bay held it's first anniversary celebration (pictured above), which lasted over twelve hours with numerous prizes given out. The Confederation of Democratic Simulators held their Oktoberfest event over three days. The Relay's Foundation for Life held their Oktoberfest event for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. And more.

Stay tuned for more later.

Cartoon of the Day: "What's in A Name?"

Taken at Virtual Ability

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Week at the Senchai Libraries

THE SPOOKABLE GOOD TIMES ARE ROLLING!
The rich turn to autumn is such a good time for stories, and we present another week of them - ghost stories, science fiction, tales of intrigue and infinitives.  Not to mention that FRANKENSTEIN is on his way! 

Check out the stories and the storytellers at www.seanchailibrary.com

All events at Senchai Library at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise noted
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Holly%20Kai%20Estates/215/44/27

All stories told in open voice. All times SL/PT


**SUNDAY, October 14th, at 3pm: STORIES AT THE PARK at the Holly Kai Gallery (just a stroll over from the Library), live in voice.

**MONDAY, October 15th at 7pm: John Brunner's THE INFINITIVE OF GO begins with Gyro Muggins.  

**TUESDAY, October 16th at 7pm:  GHOST STORIES FROM HOME with Caledonia Skytower

** WEDNESDAY, October 17th at 7pm: Charles Stross' THE JENNIFER MORGUE begins with Corwyn Allen
   
** THURSDAY, October 18th

    ~ at 7pm - DOORBELLS AT DUSK - Halloween Tales with Shandon Loring  (Also in Kitely!  Find teleport from the main Seanchai World grid.kitely.com:8002:SEANCHAI,  in Kitely)

    ~ at 9pm - SEANCHAI LATE NIGHT, late night contemporary Sci-Fi with Finn Zeddmore

COMING OCTOBER 21st - FRANKENSTEIN!