Fifteen Years of The SL Newser,

 

It was fifteen years ago yesterday in which one chapter in Second Life journalism ended, and another began. 

 

For about three and a half years, the Second Life Newspaper had been reporting on goings on in Second Life. Starting off as a simple blog in 2005, "one man's dream," it grew and developed into a real newsletter with a staff that ensured it was updated every weekday. Yours truly would join in 2007. But sadly real-life would catch up to the owner and editor, and in Spring 2010 we were informed the paper would soon be closing.

 

A few of the staff would simply depart and go on to different things, but four of us, Gemma Cleanslate, Shellie Sands, Grey Lupindo, and myself, had joined the dream of reporting the news and were not about to just give it up. So we got together and made plans for a new one, with me as the owner and editor since I had been the "office manager" of the SLN. And so on June 5 2010, Second Life Newspaper ended, and the Second Life Newser began.

 

It wasn't easy. While we had plenty of experience writing the news, this was a new paper, and owning one isn't the same as managing one. And we started just as some *major* news was hitting from Linden Lab laying of a third of it's staff to the CEO leaving and Philip Linden returning as interim, to the closing of the Teen Grid and others. But we were persistent. By the end of the month, our friend Ranchan Weidman and the Sunweaver community had provided us with an office, and the land to put it on. And it was becoming clear to everyone we were around to stay. We would report on the people, places, and events of this virtual world that has become for many of us truly our second life. 

 

Since those first days, much has changed. Linden Lab went from where to go after the end of it's Golden Age, for a time creating or buying other products. But after a few years, over time it would close them or sell them off, the last one being the next-generation virtual world Sansar which while looking good never really took off. Confidence with the Lindens would fall and rise over time as blunders of theirs made residents wonder about them, and smart moves encouraged users to invest more time and money as well as spreading the word.  And Linden Lab itself would find itself purchased. But the new investors knew a good thing when they saw it, and let the Lab to continue as it has. 

 

The land and people have changed. Over time, we've written about many places and people. Sadly, many areas would close, and time and real life would take some people away. But other locations would open, and other people would join. The residents over time would be less Boomer and Gen-Xer, and more Millennial, who would bring in new attitudes and outlooks. 

 

We have changed. Sadly Shellie and Gray would have to depart the Newser, but others would step in such as Grease Coakes, DrFran Babcock, and others. Those who have remained have gotten older, and have had some real-life challenges, yours truly's hair has become mixed with gray in real life, but the writing goes on. Some of our competitors have not, shutting down over time for various reasons. 

 

But much remains the same. This is still the virtual world that brings out creativity and inspiration. Builders continue to make great landscapes, buildings, and other creations such as lifelike virtual pets, vehicles large and small, and more. Artists come here to show their masterpieces and see what they can do in a three-dimensional landscape. Fundraisers, such as those done by the Relay for Life and conducted, bringing in money for valued charities that help thousands. And much more. 

 

And the future? Despite the naysayers over time who thought Second Life was doomed, it has continued over time and remains stronger than ever. And while we the staff of the Newser have seen some real-life challenges, we remain committed to continuing to bringing you the readers the news of this great, and sometimes crazy, virtual world. On occasion real life may slow us down a little, but we still deliver the news. 

 

Special thanks to the Sunweaver Estates and the Angels to giving us a location inworld, Farshore Radio for helping to spread the word, to James and Dana who taught us how a newsletter should be run. And of course special thanks to you the readers whose readership makes this paper possible.  

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor

SL Newser