Looking Back: The Misadventures of Clumsy Cooper

 

In March 2011, the Newser ran a "fun article" for the purposes of helping to advertise the Podex Exchange. A furry raccoon with a popgun made a lame attempt to hold up the place, possibly inspired by it's nickname: the Podex Bank. As it turned out, this would be just the first of many such fun articles about the clumsy burglar whom kept trying to rob the place and hilariously failing every time. They would go on for over four years until sadly Linden Lab's new rules brought them to an end. In this story, we look back at the takes of the bandit known as Clumsy Cooper.

Read the story in Extra.

Looking Back at BNT and Podex

 
by Bixyl Shuftan

It was twelve years ago last week in October 2009 in which one of the major sponsors of our predecessor paper, BNT Holdings, a virtual real estate rental business owned byIntlibber Brautigan, went under. Intilibber was a controversial figure, for some of his opinions and as a defender of Woodbury University, which had a reputation for harboring griefers. But his sponsorship of Second Life Newspaper was long term and generous, with space for a large office and a private island for the owner and editor thrown in. All seemed well until in October 18 when editor Dana Vanmoer logged in to find she couldn't get to her home, and none of us could get to the office. Intlibber had defaulted on the sim payments, and no one knew anything until they were taken offline.

Dana asked Intlibber for an official statement, and eventually he made one, While he blamed the economy for his difficulties, he also blamed others for his troubles, and Dana would not publish the "outpouring of spite" in full. Dana would soon get another sponsor and a new office in a deal with Skybeam Estates. But the paper never did recover from the blow, and a few months later in April 2010 she made the decision to close the paper two months later. After his business folded, Intlibber had gotten banned by Linden Lab "for multiple breaches of the TOS." One can read more on the details in our May 2015 article on BNT going under.

When Second Life Newspaper folded, Second Life Newser rose to take it's place. It's first, and one of it's longest running, sponsor was the Podex Exchange, sometimes called the Podex Bank. Run by Jacek Shuftan, they were a Linden dollar exchange service, exchanging Linden dollars for several international currencies, as well as Bitcoin. The big attraction, people could sell Linden dollars to him and get real world currency faster than with Linden Lab. Although not asked to, the Newser would do monthly adverts of stories of either customers at the bank or the misadventures of a hard luck bank robber, "Clumsy Cooper," whose schemes to rob Podex failed every time, and were futile anyway as he couldn't have gotten to the money. My "Polish cousin" as he called himself renewed his sponsorship time and time again, for years.

Unfortunately, Linden Lab was less than happy with independent Linden dollar resellers, Podex included. In June 2013, they moved to shut them down, but partially relented after a public outcry, though putting restrictions on them. Two years later in June 2015, the Lab moved again to close them, saying after August they could sell no more Linden dollars. Although Jacek hoped the Lab could be persuaded to change their minds, this time the decision was final. And in late October 2015, the Podex Exchange building vanished from the Grid, and the Newser lost it's best sponsor. This was not the end for Jacek as he had expanded his business to InWorldz and other virtual worlds, but without Second Life he was making only a small percentage what he had been.

Considering his blaming others for his troubles and not telling my former boss what was about to happen until after the axe fell, it's hard to sympathize with Intlibber. Jacek in contrast was an ethical businessman, and it's easy to see Linden Lab at the time as feeling embarrassed by him beating them at their own game. One certainly remembers their best sponsor being told he has to shut his doors. In any event, we thank Jacek for his long period of support.

Reprint from 2017 article

Bixyl Shuftan

Top Stories of the 2010s, Part Three

The 2010s are over. But as we say goodbye to the decade, there's some looking back at what happened. The Newser has covered much in the past ten years, and we're looking at some of the top stories that made the news and got more attention than most.


Read the third part of the series in Extra.

Looking Back: BNT and Podex

by Bixyl Shuftan

It was eight years ago last week in October 2009 in which one of the major sponsors of our predecessor paper, BNT Holdings, a virtual real estate rental business owned byIntlibber Brautigan, went under. Intilibber was a controversial figure, for some of his opinions and as a defender of Woodbury University, which had a reputation for harboring griefers. But his sponsorship of Second Life Newspaper was long term and generous, with space for a large office and a private island for the owner and editor thrown in. All seemed well until in October 18 when editor Dana Vanmoer logged in to find she couldn't get to her home, and none of us could get to the office. Intlibber had defaulted on the sim payments, and no one knew anything until they were taken offline.

Dana asked Intlibber for an official statement, and eventually he made one, While he blamed the economy for his difficulties, he also blamed others for his troubles, and Dana would not publish the "outpouring of spite" in full. Dana would soon get another sponsor and a new office in a deal with Skybeam Estates. But the paper never did recover from the blow, and a few months later in April 2010 she made the decision to close the paper two months later. After his business folded, Intlibber had gotten banned by Linden Lab "for multiple breaches of the TOS." One can read more on the details in our May 2015 article on BNT going under.

When Second Life Newspaper folded, Second Life Newser rose to take it's place. It's first, and longest running, sponsor was the Podex Exchange, sometimes called the Podex Bank. Run by Jacek Shuftan, they were a Linden dollar exchange service, exchanging Linden dollars for several international currencies, as well as Bitcoin. The big attraction, people could sell Linden dollars to him and get real world currency faster than with Linden Lab. Although not asked to, the Newser would do monthly adverts of stories of either customers at the bank or the misadventures of a hard luck bank robber, "Clumsy Cooper," whose schemes to rob Podex failed every time, and were futile anyway as he couldn't have gotten to the money. My "Polish cousin" as he called himself renewed his sponsorship time and time again, for years.

Unfortunately, Linden Lab was less than happy with independent Linden dollar resellers, Podex included. In June 2013, they moved to shut them down, but partially relented after a public outcry, though putting restrictions on them. Two years later in June 2015, the Lab moved again to close them, saying after August they could sell no more Linden dollars. Although Jacek hoped the Lab could be persuaded to change their minds, this time the decision was final. And in late October 2015, the Podex Exchange building vanished from the Grid, and the Newser lost it's best sponsor. This was not the end for Jacek as he had expanded his business to InWorldz and other virtual worlds, but without Second Life he was making only a small percentage what he had been.

Considering his blaming others for his troubles and not telling my former boss what was about to happen until after the axe fell, it's hard to sympathize with Intlibber. Jacek in contrast was an ethical businessman, and it's easy to see Linden Lab as feeling embarrassed by him beating them at their own game. One certainly remembers their best sponsor being told he has to shut his doors. In any event, we thank Jacek for his long period of support.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: This Is Goodbye

"All good things must come to an end." We at Second Life Newser had a fun time doing the advertisements for our longtime sponsors, the Podex Exchange. One reoccurring theme was "Clumsy Cooper," the raccoon robber whom tried again and again to steal money from the place, and failed every time.

Sadly, Linden Lab made their doing business here impossible, so they had to move on. But Clumsy Cooper was just too good a character to just stop writing about without some closure. And so, we close our "Tales from Podex" with one last appearance from the burglar.

Read the story in Extra.

Podex is Gone

They're truly gone.

A little more than two months since the third party Linden currency exchanger closed down, a visit to their location in the Coda sim revealed ... an empty space. It seems Jacek has more or less given up on Linden Lab reversing it's decision to order all independent currency exchangers in Second Life to cease operations and close down in Second Life.

Podex, owned by Jacek Shuftan, and the Second Life Newser had a long history together. The third party Linden currency exchanger, which traded Linden dollars for several real world currencies, received praise from people, such as business owners and overseas residents, whom would have to wait for Linden Lab's Lindex to approve transactions. They began sponsoring the paper a few months after it's founding. But banks doing their job well is uneventful, so the Newser did a number of advertisements for them over the years, notably the continuing misadventures of a bandit who kept trying to rob the place and never succeeded whom would eventually be known as "Clumsy Cooper."

But in May 2013, trouble struck when Linden Lab first ordered all third party Linden exchangers to close. Podex resisted at first, saying they had obligations to their customers. Linden Lab responded by suspending Jacek Shuftan's account, effectively shutting down Podex. But residents complained and Linden Lab made a partial reversal, allowing a list of approved third party exchangers, including Podex, but they could only sell Linden dollars, not buy them from residents. This Linden third-party exchanger program would continue for two years until June 2015 when they announced the program was coming to an end and the exchangers had until the end of July to do business. Jacek hoped Linden Lab would listen to reason, and over a thousand residents signed a petition to keep the exchanges open. Despite complaints from some overseas residents the Lindex still wasn't working for them, Linden Lab went through with it's decision to close.

In the past few years, Podex diversified it's service, trading the virtual currency of InWorldz and a number of other virtual worlds. But now Second Life residents will have to do without their service. And for the Newser, this is the end of a long business partnership, of which their loss has been a painful hit in the pocketbook.

Bixyl Shuftan

Podex Exchange Closes Operations in Second Life

With their deadline for currency exchangers to close due to orders by Linden Lab just a few days away, I went to check on the Podex Exchange to see if any information was posted there. I found their ATM disabled and with a message in Polish over it. It took a translation program to figure out what it meant, "Sale of Linden dollars is temporary suspended - for more information, visit Podex www.podex.com.pl ."

Checking their English language page at http://www.podex.info/, I noticed that among the icons for the virtual worlds they cover, the Second Life symbol was no longer among them. There was no new information on their English Language blog. On the Polish page's blog however, there was. I again used a translation program for it.

As a result, the company Linden Lab's decision that restricts the sale of Linden dollars through intermediaries are forced to temporarily suspend the service. Please do not make payment, and do not send SMS.

Although Podex owner Jacek Shuftan used the word "suspend," what it means is the place has de fatco closed to further business. After being in business for several years in Second Life, the Podex Exchange in Second Life has shut down.

For Second Life's resident's, it means a currency exchanger with a good reputation and record of service is now closed, making it more difficult for those having difficulties with Lindex, the official Linden Lab Linden dollar currency exchanger, to get Linden dollars. For the Second Life Newser, it means it's longest running sponsor whom has been listed as one for most of it's history starting in November 2010, is now gone.

The Newser thanks Jacek Shuftan for all those years of support.

Bixyl Shuftan

Over a Thousand Second Life Residents Sign Petitions to Keep Linden Exchangers Open

In the latest article from Hypergrid Business about Linden Lab's announcement for third party currency exchange businesses to shut down after the end of the month, it seems two petitions to keep them running have gotten an number of signatures. One at "savetheexchanges.com" at over 300, and a German language one at "Open Petition" at over 750, for a total as of the writing of this article of over 1050.

Linden Labs says it has many advantages to buy through Lindex, but the fact is, that they will ask you for your RL data, this is something many people in Second Life don’t feel comfortable doing.

We fear the problems, that will be caused by this, will have a great impact on Second Life and its residents. It will be of influence on shopkeepers, residents, and communities. Many SIM’s will have to close down, events, depending on Exchanges, cannot take place and shops with ATM’s and other possibilities to buy Linden Dollars will have to accept losses. 

We need your help! We call on everyone to protest against these incomprehensible and damaging steps that Linden Labs will take from 1 August 2015! Help us to keep the Exchanges in Second Life!

The article described  various residents describing their problems with the upcoming exchanger ban.

“I have no other option than to buy Linden dollars on the Eldex and was shocked about what Linden Labs has done,” wrote Pfister Hammer Matthias from Vilshofen. “My preferred payment option is the Paysave card.”

“I pay through my bank,” wrote Günther Kaffrell from Fürth. “Not with plastic.”

“Unfortunately, the majority of the world’s Internet-enabled population still has neither PayPal nor credit cards nor MoneyBookers,” wrote Beate König from Heiligenhaus. “This poses a huge hurdle for new and current Second Life users.”

“I don’t want to put payment info on file, there are too many griefer tools in Second Life,” wrote “Havoxx Resident” from Berlin. “If they stop the Reseller Program, I’ll stop buying Lindens.”

“I have always used Podex which has provided great service for years,” wrote an anonymous user from Dillingen. “I want it to stay.”

“It is easier and faster to buy L$ with VirWoX,” wrote an anonymous user from Mülheim an der Ruhr. “An immediate transfer is possible.”

“Using PayPal, it takes me two weeks to get money into Second Life,” wrote Ralf Secker from Heilbronn.

Maria Korolov, who wrote the article, added in the comments afterwards, "Those who are using the third party exchanges use them because they have to. The thousand people who signed the petitions signed them for a reason. If they thought the exchanges were ripping them off, they'd go right back to the Lindex."

Unless Linden Lab can be persuaded to change it's mind, the third party currency exchangers will have to close on August 1.

Source: Hypergrid Business

Bixyl Shuftan

Update on Linden Lab and the Third-Party Linden Exchangers

By Bixyl Shuftan

It's been two weeks since Linden Lab announced that it was ending it's deal with Linden Exchange services, essentially telling them they could no longer buy Lindens after June 30 (today) and had until August 1 to sell their inventory of Linden dollars and then shut down. When they told the Linden exchangers to shut down two years ago, as word got around in just a few days, the result was an uproar, especially among residents outside the US whom had problems with using Lindex, the official Linden exchange service from Linden Lab. Eventually, the Lab partially relented, allowing the exchangers to join an "authorized reseller" program to stay in business. But they could no longer buy back Lindens for real world currencies.

This time the response has been a little less vocal, possibly because of the timing of the announcement with the Second Life Birthday. Linden Lab's decision wasn't mentioned in New World Notes this time. Though it was in some blogs such as Inara Pey's Modem World, Daniel Voyager's Blog, and Across the Grid with Lindal Kidd. Lindal was particularly critical of the Lab's decision, "In my opinion, the move us ... yet another attempt on the part of LL to appropriate a Second Life revenue stream developed by the residents for themselves. ... when clever residents come up with ways to make money in SL, it smacks of bullying for LL to usurp those income streams by fiat." She felt the Lab had "shafted the residents and merchants that support Second Life and shot themselves in the foot into the bargain."

Hypergrid Business' Maria Korolov has written some about the issue, on June 15 and 27. It reported that one exchanger, Crossworlds, announced it would be folding on June 30 (today). "There is nothing else to do," Crossworlds owner Tony Bastianelli was reported as saying, "Linden Lab has left all exchanges with no options." RUExchange was stated as saying (in Russian), "Unfortunately, the official payment methods, Paypal and Skrill, do not satisfy the majority of our users. ... At the moment, we are negotiating with Linden Lab about the future of the Russian community, and unfortunately our technical support can not give you a comment on the situation."

Korolov stated that the Podex Exchange was planning on staying up, quoting it's CEO Jacek Shuftan as saying, "Linden Lab is not stable in it's decisions, as history taught us before, so I do hope that their decision would be changed in the future, as it happened before with 3rd party resellers closure. ... The motives of present shutting down are completely unclear," he added, "Last time we could suspect FinCen influence. But as far as I know, there were no big changes regarding virtual currencies last days in American law, so I do not understand why Linden Lab made such (a) decision."

Jacek felt "the Lab is only shooting itself in the foot," stated Korolov, quoting him, "Payment methods wich they offer are not accessible in many countries, so they will not only lose profit but also their best clients who invest real money in (the) grid, and now will not be able to do it."

Jacek predicted that Linden Lab's move would encourage people to head to Opensim worlds. Since the first time the Lab threatened to drive away his business, Podex has diversified by expanding to InWorldz, Avination, and other grids besides Second Life. On June 29, it announced it had set up an exchange service on it's 16th virtual world. "Linden Lab('s) decision will affect the Podex Exchange, as well as all other currency resellers, but Second Life is only one of the 16 grids which we serve, so we only lose part of our profit."

There is a petition for Linden Lab to keep it's Authorized Reseller Program , started by a Norman Zimmerman. As of the writing of this article, it had over 660 signatures.

As the deadline for the exchange services is a month away, what happens next is uncertain. But as Jacek stated, the Lab has changed it's mind before.

Podex is a sponsor of Second Life Newser.

Source: Hypergrid Business

Bixyl Shuftan

Breaking News: Linden Lab Orders Third-Party Linden Exchangers To Close By August

In a reversal of it's deal with third-party Linden exchange services wanting to stay in business two years ago, Linden Lab announced in it's blog that it was "Concluding the Authorized L$ Reseller Pilot Program."

In 2013, we introduced a pilot program for Authorized Linden Dollar (L$) Resellers. This pilot program was designed to give Second Life Residents additional options for purchasing Linden Dollars, particularly for those based outside the US.

Since then, we have expanded the payment options for Second Life users, and today, you can easily purchase L$ in more countries than ever before, using a credit card, PayPal, or Skrill, which supports a wide range of payment methods. We’ve found that these options support the vast majority of Second Life users, and we have therefore made the business decision to close the Authorized Linden Dollar Reseller pilot program.

We are contacting program participants directly to detail the next steps for them, and they will have approximately six weeks to sell off their L$ inventory.

As of August 1, 2015, the Authorized L$ Reseller pilot program will be closed, and the LindeX will be the only authorized place to purchase L$.

Among the Linden Exchangers is Podex, a long-term sponsor of Second Life Newser.

More details to come later on this stunning news development.

To view the announcement in full, Click Here.

Tales From Podex: Piece of Cake

By Bixyl Shuftan

 It was a fairly routine May day at the Podex Exchange. As usual, people were stopping by to get Linden dollars in trade for various global currencies. Their customers would sometimes mention what they intended to use for them. The spring was getting warmer, and the spring dates that were given as the reason for the Lindens were increasingly mixed with plans for heading to the beach with a new set of swimwear, surfboards, jet-skis, etc. And of course there was the Relay for Life, people getting Lindens to donate for their favorite team, or just the Relay in general.

The staff were enjoying a chat in a moment between customers when someone walked in. He was dressed all in white with a red tie, and had a hat with a tube base and a floppy mass on the top. In his hand was a frying pan.

"Um, can we help you?" a teller asked.

"Yes," spoke the man, "I seem to be in need of supplies, so I need to get a few Lindens."

"Well, you've certainly come to the right place Sir."

"Is it complicated?"

"Not really Sir. Just a few moments to fill out these forms. What currency will you be using in your transaction?"

"British pounds."

"All right Sir, just please fill these out ..."

It wasn't long before the forms were done, and the money was exchanged.

"Fantastic. Now I can get what I need."

"So you're going to get some flour, sugar, oils, and other stuff?"

"Oh no. I'll be getting wood, nails, paint, hammers, and more."

"What? If you're building something like that, why the chef's uniform?"

"I got this as I am among those working on the Second Life Birthday's Cake Stage." He grinned, "I thought it would be appropriate, considering the build."

The teller and the customer had a good laugh together, and the unusual builder went on 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.

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

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: Play Ball

The month of April had been going smoothly for the staff at the Podex Exchange. As usual, people were going in to trade various global currencies for Linden dollars. Sometimes they would talk a little about what they would be using the Lindens for. With spring in the air, there was less talk about winter-themed items such as coats and sleds, and more about new yard fixtures such as new trees, shrubs and flowers. The Relay for Life fundraising season was still in full swing and people were buying Lindens to donate to a favorite team, or just to the Relay in general. And this being the season for new life, people were getting Lindens to rent spots in romance areas. In the past couple days, something new had come up. The SS Galaxy ocean liner was slated for closing, and people were heading over to purchase a souvenir while they could.

The tellers were chatting about goings on between customers when someone walked in. He was dressed in a baseball uniform, with a light blue undershirt and dark blue cap. He had with him a catcher's mitt and baseball bat.

"Um, can we help you?" One teller asked.

"Yes," the sports fan answered, "Normally on this day of the week I'm in real life, but there's been some complications today."

"Interesting," the teller commented, "Our customers don't bring up real life that often. What are the complications?"

"Well, I'm from Baltimore, and a serious baseball fan. And well, they're holding the game at the stadium, but they're not allowing anybody in! The players are playin' to empty stands!"

"That doesn't make any sense, Sir."

"You're tellin' me. Anyway, while we could still see the game on the tube, it just doesn't seem the same. So I talked my homies into coming here and we could have our own baseball game."

"That's very inventive, Sir. I take it you're here to get the money for the equipment?"

"You got it."

"Certainly Sir. If you would just fill out these forms, we'll arrange for the exchange."

It only took for a few minutes for the paperwork to be done and the transfer of funds made.

"There you are Sir. Enjoy your game."

"Sweet! Thanks a bunch!" It was at this point that there was a ringing noise from the customer's pocket, "Be right back," and he held up a cell phone to his ear. After a few moments, he put it back.

"Something wrong, Sir?"

"That was one of my homies, asking about six or seven short guys n' gals talking about waffles and doing the 'Riverdance.' Looks like I still need to explain a few things about this place."

"Oh I see Sir. I hope there won't be any problems."

"Not yet. When they asked about how to get to the porn areas, I told them they'd have to wait 30 days. I didn't tell them how to age verify themselves yet."

The sports fan chuckled, then the tellers joined him in the laughter. And after a goodbye, he went on 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.

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

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: Eggs Over Squeezy

By Bixyl Shuftan


March had been a good month for the Podex Exchange. As always, people went there to exchange their dollars, Euros, and other global currencies along with bitcoins for Lindens. Often they'd talk to the tellers what they were getting them for. Some were out to enjoy the winter season while there was still winter around. Others were buying them for apparel for the St. Patrick's parties, getting outfits, decorations, and kegs of green beer. Then there was the start of the Relay Season, and people were donating to their teams in various events. And of course, late in the month people were starting to get Easter decorations, which would fall on the first weekend in April.

The tellers were talking about the various goings on, when a certain figure walked in. He was wearing some colorful shorts, had long ears, and was carrying a basket of eggs and chocolates. And there was a sign inside, "Happy Easter."

The tellers looked at him, "Um, can we help you?"

"Yes, I'm the local Easter Bunny around here, and need to hide some eggs. This looks like a good spot."

"You want to hide eggs here?"

"Yes, in the back of the place, in the room you call the vault."

"I think not," the teller chuckled, "Clumsy Cooper, you honestly thought that lame disguise would work?"

"Who's Clumsy? I'm just here to hide some eggs."

"Yeah, right. Just turn right around before we call the police."

"Okay, be that way!" Clumsy then pulled out one of the eggs, "These are actually bombs. Just hand over the Lindens, and no one gets hurt."

The teller laughed, "The only bomb is your act. We're calling the cops."

Clumsy reacted by taking the egg and hurling it at the teller. But it didn't hit him. Instead, it hit the counter, bounced off, and hit him square in the forehead, "Owwwww!

"Get 'im!"

Realizing his plot was foiled, Clumsy turned around to bolt away. But while he had been confronting the tellers, someone had stepped inside the exchange after him. From the waist down, she had a serpintine, snakelike body: a naga. Clumsy yelped and tried to get around her. But she whipped her tail out at him, and tripped him. He tried to scramble up, but found her tail winding around him. "Ahhhhhhh!" He yelped again, trying to break free, but the naga's tail was just too strong. Clumsy was tighly bound.

"Lemme go!" the burglar begged.

"So ya can rob this place again?" The naga asked.

"Heeeellllppp!" Clumsy looked frightened.

"How long can you hold him, Ma'am?" one of the tellers asked.

"How long does it take to get the police here?" She answered.

"Not long. You want anything while we wait."

"Nah, I'm fine. He's actually kinda cute. I just wanna give him a nice big squeeze."

Clumsy felt the coils around him get a little tighter. He wasn't sure who to be afraid of more, time in the slammer, or being a little too close to a phobia of his.

"Snakes, why did it have to be snakes?"

It wasn't long before the SLPD arrived. Clumsy Cooper was arrested and charged with attempted griefing.

But even if Cooper's scheme had worked, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained to the SLPD, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

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

By Bixyl Shuftan 

Tales From Podex: Money After Mardi Gras

By Bixyl Shuftan


It was a fairly typical mid-February day in the Podex Exchange. Even though it was winter, people still had a need for Lindens, whether for clothes, a new look, or just tipping the local DJ. And so they kept coming. And this being February, there was another reason: Valentines Day. Men, and some women came by to get Lindens for the purpose of getting something for their sweetheart, whether it be flowers, jewelery, or renting a private place for a day or two. They made some good business up to and during February 14.

But Valentines Day wasn't the only reason people were getting Lindens. There were fundraising events, such as the Second Life science-fiction convention which collected cash for cancer research. Then there was the big party that took place shortly after Valentines Day: Mardi Gras. Coming so soon after the day associated with romance, Some were calling it the singles' counterpart of the better-known holiday. And people would spend money for fancy outfits, or in the case of the guys for beads.

It was at one point that the attention of the tellers was drawn to a couple visitors at the door. Both were women, but one didn't have any feet but instead from the waist down had a serpentine, snakelike body, wearing a black and red dress. The other was a bit more normal, having legs, but was covered in white fur with a tail and rounded ears. She was shorter, wearing a purplish dress, and a lot of beads.

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

"Yes," spoke the shorter lady, "We're going shopping to get dresses for tonight's party, and we're likely to need a few more Lindens."

"Certainly, Ma'am. Just fill out this short form, and we'll make the trade through Paypal, Ukash, direct bank transfer, Bitcoin Wallet, and a number of other ways ."

The two stepped over, the smaller lady walking and the taller using her tail to push herself over.

"So what currency will you be using to exchange for the Lindens?" the teller went on?

"British Pounds," the white-furred lady answered.

"Certainly. Just put down the ammount you wish to exchange for, and the transfer should just take a few minutes."

"I have a bit of currency in another virtual world," the taller woman asked, "I don't suppose I could bring some of that over?"

"We can transfer and exchange with several other virtual world currencies to Second Life Lindens. We added the Adult Grid, Mobius, and Lost Paradise not long ago."

It didn't take long at all for the exchange to be made, and the two ladies soon had their Lindens.

"There you go," the teller told them, "Please come again soon."

"We probably will. Too bad no one will throw us Lindens like these beads earlier."

"From a Mardi Gras parade?

"Yeah. One of the floats pushed me into the water. I had to take of my shirt to wring it dry, and all of a sudden the guys nearby started tossing these beads at us."

They had a good chuckle, and the women went on their 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. Besides Second Life Lindens, it deals in the currencies of nine other virtual worlds.

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

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: Assisted Attempt at Acquisition

He'd get them this time.

For months he'd been trying to beat them, sneak in, swipe the loot, then get away. But what should have been simple was somehow foiled every single time by bad luck. Maybe he really did use shoddy equipment as they kept suggesting. No, it had to be just a run of bad luck.

Again and again, he'd been beaten by this Podex. He could just imagine them laughing at him. Well, he'd finally get the last laugh.

"You should be almost there," crackled a voice into his ear.

"Um, yes, almost at the spot," Clumsy spoke out loud.

Getting away last time, he stumbled into the lair of someone whom called himself "The Mastermind." In order to get this mysterious, and scary, character off his back, he had to run a few errands. But he performed to The Mastermind's satisfaction, so he let him go. But he did get one thing out of it. Someone whom also had been doing the mystery man's bidding was willing to partner with him to be the "brains" of the operation, in exchange for a share of the Lindens. "Bilby" as he called himself would offer advice from a small radio in Clumsy's ear as he observed his position on a map, and as the burglar described what he saw.

Bilby's plan turned out to be pretty smart. Instead of walking in during broad daylight, wait until dark when there was less staff on duty. And instead of trying to go in the front door through some disguise, sneak in through a back door on the second floor.

So Clumsy headed over to the Podex Bank at night, heading to the side of the building. He went to the midsection, where there was a deck on the second floor that would allow for access inside.

"Okay, throw the rope up."

"I'm on it." Clumsy got a rope and hook, and threw it up. The hook caught onto the other side of the wall. He climbed up one of the support pillars, and once over the edge, "Okay, I'm in."

"Great. Just make your way downstairs, and the safe should be in one of the back rooms."

Ckumsy then made his way to the stairs. He then began making his way down, but he slipped and slid down. He ended up at the bottom with a thud."

"What was that?!"

"Uh, nothing," Clumsy whispered. He quickly got back on his feet, and out of sight of the front desks sneaked around to where the back rooms were. He began checking them. Finally, he saw next to some crates a safe.

 "I found it. It looks pretty small for a bank this size."

"Could be a second safe for special valuables. Now hold the mike up to next to the dial, and I'll let you know when to turn the other way."

Clumsy did, and began cracking the safe with Bilby's help. And in just a few minutes, there was a click, "I got it!" he gave a loud whisper.

"Great, now just reach inside and - "

"Security!" The lights came on, and clumsy turned to see a guard dressed in blue.

"Um, hi!" Clumsy couldn't believe it, his luck had soured yet again!

"Hi yourself. What are you doing here?"

"Um, I needed some fresh air, so I thought I might head to the back."

"I think not 'Clumsy Cooper.' You're under arrest."

Clumsy looked frantically for another way out, and the guard began walking his way. Clumsy then ran to the side and around him. The guard tried to grab him, but it was his turn to stumble. By the time he recovered, Clumsy was close to the door. He then drew a weapon, "Halt, or I'll shoot!"

Clumsy yelped and continued running. Bilby's voice yelled, "Run, get out of there!"

"What's a guard doing here?!"

"You never told me there was one!"

"I've never tried to get in at night!" Clumsy ran down the hall, past the front desk and it's startled tellers, and out the front door. He continued running. Fortunately the cover of night meant he was quickly out of sight.

"Some help you turned out to be." Clumsy growled.

"Well, there's next time." Bilby tried to reassure. But despite his getaway, Clumsy was not happy. Yet again, Podex had beaten him.

Back at the Podex Exchange, the Second Life Police Department was called, and they did an investigation. Not finding Clumsy Cooper, they issued a warrant for his arrest for attempted griefing.

But even if Cooper's scheme had worked, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained to the SLPD, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

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

By Bixyl Shuftan 

Tales From Podex: Nickles for the New Year

By Bixyl Shuftan


It was a fairly typical late December day at the Podex Exchange. The month had brought in many residents coming in to buy Lindens for presents to give friends and virtual family. This wasn't all, though. Some had bought them also for the Relay for Life Christmas Expo.

Between people coining in, the staff would talk about the numerous Winter and Christmas displays they had heard of and talked about seeing those they hadn't yet.In the middle of the conversation, a figure walked in. He was dressed in formal whites, with a black top hat with a "Happy New Year" sign on it. He himself was covered with black and white fur, with a large bushy tail with white in the middle of black.

The tellers looked his way, one saying, "Can we help you?"

"Yes, spoke the visitor, "I've had to spend my Lindens on Christmas presents, and before I can get any money back, I get talked into hosting a New Year's Party, decorations and all. So I need a bit more cash."

"Of course Sir, we sell Lindens for a variety of international currencies. We've also began accepting Litecoin and Dogecoin virtual currencies, in addition to Bitcoin."

"I did pick up a few Dodgecoins after some talk about them at Luskwood. I could use those to pay."

"Certainly Sir. Just fill out these forms and you'll get your Lindens."

"I've been traveling to InWorldz time to time. Is it true you have an office there?"

"Yes Sir we do, we also have offices in Avination, Virtual Highway, Zandramas, Adult Grid, Lost Paradise, and Mobius Grid."

"Neat, though at the moment, my income in InWorldz is higher than my expenses."

"Well Sir, in InWorldz we can now buy it's local currency, also known as 'Izzies,' from you there. Regulations prevent the direct trading of Izzies for Lindens, but you can use the US dollars, Euros, or several other International currencies, as well as Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin, from any transaction there to buy Lindens here."

"That's good news! Though in the meantime, there's the party."

It only took a short ammount of time to fill out the paperwork, and the exchange was soon made.

"There you are Sir. Thank you for your business."

"You're welcome. I guess my Dogecoins helped me 'doge' a bullet."

They had a good chuckle, and the visitor went about his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Code sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.


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

Tales From Podex: When Feathers Fly

 The workers at the Podex Exchange were going about this day in late November. They talked some about the Veterans Day activities earlier that month. They talked a little about upcoming Winter activities that would soon arrive across the Grid. But more immediate were Thanksgiving activities. Some of the tellers expressed they seemed hard to find, although there was a replica of the Mayflower that had been built.

During the talk, a figure approached the bank entrance. A teller glanced his way before turning to the others, “Looks like someone from a Thanksgiving party is stopping by for a little business.” They took care of some paperwork as the resident entered, then one turned his way, “Hello, how can we hel-” his words were cut short when he recognized the visitor.

The resident was wearing an American Indian costume. Not an authentic one, but one that looked like it was made for a low-budget movie. the most prominent feature were the feathers worn in places around the arms and legs, as well as a single feather on a headband, with the largest piece being a bow and quiver. The guy wearing it was instantly recognizable, “Clumsy Cooper,” the petty thief whom kept trying to rob the Podex exchange. But his attempts had never succeeded, sometimes failing epically.

“I bring greetings from Procyon Tribe,” Clumsy bluffed, talking like a movie character, “Here for terms of Treaty. Your Chief Shuftan get Coda land in exchange for fifty thousand Lindens every autumn at the time of the turkey. Will take now.”

The tellers looked at him, then chuckled. One joked, “Procyon Tribe had weak claim on land. Deal to trade for Lindens never made. Deal made to trade for two skins.” He then reached under his table, and tossed a couple moth-eaten rabbit pelts in Clumsy’s direction.

It was then Clumsy dropped his fake Indian act, “Okay, this is a stick-up!" He then drew his bow and arrow, "Hand over your Lindens!”

The tellers stared back, and one retorted, “Oh pul-lease. I’ve seen real Indians, or rather Native Americans, and I’ve seen real bows and arrows. That thing’s a cheap imitation from a freebie store that couldn’t scratch a target.”

“Oh yeah?!” Clumsy then pulled back on the string, aiming at a piece of equipment. But the result was a “crick” sound, followed by the bow breaking in two. Surprised, Clumsy let it drop to the ground. For a moment, no one spoke a word. Then one teller yelled, “Get ‘im!”

Clumsy's response was to turn tail and run out of the bank, and keep running. He looked around for a place to hide. He saw a huge dark building nearby and ran to that. Getting close, he was wondering if he'd have to swim across a moat, but a metal gangplank extended out to an outcrop of black iron on the other side. Clumsy ran up, crossed in, and ran inside, thinking only that this would be a place to hide.

Once in, Clumsy found himself in some kind of dark iron structure, the smell of Industrial grease and fuels around. He was still getting his bearings when the door shut behind him, leaving only minimal light.

"Identify yourself, visitor," a voice boomed out from the loudspeaker.

"Um," Clumsy began to regret his choice of a hiding place, "just a passerby going through."

"I think not. You were seen running from the Podex Exchange. Are you not this 'Clumsy Cooper' whom has been attempting to rob the place?"

"Wh-what makes you think that?" Clumsy was getting nervous.

The response was an evil chuckle that made the burglar's blood chill, "I would say it's plainly obvious. But do not worry. There will be no call to the police. I have use for a 'liberator of assets' as yourself."

"Um, wh-what would you have me do?"

A door leading to deeper inside slowly open, "Come and more will be explained. Succeed, and perhaps you will have learned enough to successfully burgle your adversary.  Fail, and you will live only just long enough to wish you had fallen into the hands of the authorities."

Clumsy gulped, then hesitated, feeling he'd gotten way over his head. But with the door to the outside locked, there was nothing else to do but follow the lead of his mysterious host. So he nervously walked forward, wondering how he was going to get out of this one.

Back at the Podex Exchange, the Second Life Police Department was called, and they did an investigation. Not finding Clumsy Cooper, they issued a warrant for his arrest for attempted griefing.

But even if Cooper's scheme had worked, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained to the SLPD, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

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

By Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: Trick or Treat

It was Halloween day at the Podex Exchange. October had been a rather active month, with events such as the Burn2 festival taking place, in addition to many Halloween parties and haunted houses. Longtime residents came to get Lindens to buy costumes, and the events attracted some newcomers to the Grid, and needing cash they would come here for reasons related to this months events, and others. And of course between customers coming in, the tellers would talk about their own trips to these places. One had also gone to Luskwood's birthday celebrations. He'd thought he'd stand out like a sore thumb, but as it turned out he was welcomed.

During a break in their talking, their attention was drawn to the door. They saw not one visitor, but two. One was noticeably much smaller than the other. He was wearing a small white sheet over his head, and had a bag in his hand.

"Trick or treat!" the smaller visitor greeted the tellers.

The tellers saw this and chuckled, "Happy Halloween," they greeted back.

"Hyuk. Y'all 'll hafta pardun mah nephew," the taller visitor told the tellers, "He insistud thar'd be treats heah, not jest th' houses 'round heah."

"Booooooo!" the younger visitor went, "I'm a ghost."

"Not a problem Sir," one teller told him, "we're prepared for any eventuality," and he held out some lollipops.

"Weeee!" The youth went over to collect his prize.

The older visitor looked around, "Mebe as long as ahum heah, I should git me some more'o them thar Lindens."

"Certainly Sir," the teller told him, "We sell Linden dollars for a variety of international currencies."

"How 'bout jess good 'ol Uh-mericn' dollars?"

Certainly Sir, just sign these forms and you'll be all set."

It didn't take long for the paperwork to be long, and the cash was exchanged.

"Thanks fellers," the customer told them, "Ah guess we'll be on our way, hyuk."

"Certainly Sir, hope you both have a Happy Halloween."

"We will!" the younger visitor told them, "My neighbor's told me this place had a lot of 'spirit,' so I came trick or treating as a ghost."

They all had a good chuckle, and the visitors went on their way.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Code sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.


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

Tales from Podex: Pirate Pratfalls

 By Bixyl Shuftan

It started off as more or less any other day at the Podex Exchange. One of the tellers talked about going to the "Clockwork Spiral" charity event later on. Someone else talked about taking a look at the "Vinyl Museum" and "Happy Vixen" clubs in HV Community and Sunny Beach respectively. Then someone remembered what day it was, "Arrrrr! It be September 19th., maties. It be 'Talk Like a Pirate Day,' lan'lubbers! Arrr!" And after a few chuckles, other tellers were doing it too, "Avast there!" "Shiver me timbers!" "Arrrr!"

While the tellers were joking and laughing, someone walked into the bank. Seeing him, a teller turned, "Good day Sir, what can - " the teller's sentence cut off when two things were clear. One, the visitor was dressed up in pirate garb, which included a sword. Two, his bushy banded tail and natural mask marked him as a familiar character: "Clumsy Cooper." Clumsy had repeatedly tried to rob Podex, and always failed.

"Avast ye scurvy dogs!" Clumsy took hold of a cutlass by the grip and drew it out of it's sheath, "This be a plunderin.'

“Avast yerself, lan’lubber!” One of the tellers called back, “Ye got some chum showin yerself here ye drunken bilge rat!”

“Don’ ye ‘landlubber’ me! Now gather up all ye booty an’ be quick abou’ it!”

“Ye pardon me if we not be so smartly ‘bout yer demands, youn’ pup. But ye try ta raid our poopdeck many times before, an’ every time ye end up keelhaulin’ yerself.”

“That be rotten luck. Now, do I need to wack a few of yer addin’ machines with me cutlass to git yer attention?” He pointed his sword forward.

“My attention be on yer cutlass. Five peices o’ eight that be nuthin’ but a cheap peice o’ plastic.”

“Arrrr! That be fightin’ words!” Clumsy then began swinging the sword around, “I’ll make ye all walk th’ plank!” Then in the middle of his ranting, he slammed the blade of the sword onto the floor, and it snapped in two.

Clumsy looked at the broken blade wide-eyed, then looked at the tellers, “Um, perhaps I be a bit hasty.” He gave a nervous smile, “I be in a good mood. Ye can keep yer booty.”

“Get him!” The teller yelled, pointing at him, “Throw that sack o’ shark bait in th’ busted head!”

Clumsy then turned tail and ran back out the bank. He ran across the field, then the road, and found an airplane on what looked like to him like some kind of launcher he then climbed aboard and started the engine. The plane sputtered and coughed, but it's motor was just not going. Clumsy banged on the pannel in frustration, but that only got the plane to creak as it tipped to the side, and fell down, one door against the ground, the other held shut by a broken wing. Clumsy count only wait as the SLPD arrived and got him out. They then immediately placed him in handcuffs, charged with attempted griefing.

But even if Cooper's scheme had worked, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained to the SLPD, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61).

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

Tales From Podex: Surf's Up

By Bixyl Shuftan


Each month seemed to offer something different to the tellers of the Podex Exchange. In June, the people coming by were talking about the Second Life Birthday, including a few more people than usual new to the world after hearing about it and coming by. In July, there was the Relay for Life weekend, and people coming by to buy Lindens to donate for a favorite team, or to the Relay funds in general. By the time August came around, the Relay was winding down, and there were more college-age residents hoping to relax a little before it was time for the next semester the following month. Between times customers came in, the tellers would talk amongst themselves about various happenings, such as the final Relay event on August 31st, the Lovecraft festival, or something that had seemingly come up from out of the blue: the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

In the middle of one such discussion, someone walked in. He wasn't wearing much, just a pair of swimming trunks. His body looked like it was made for the water, his blueish skin had a few stripes in places with fins in places on his arms and legs with the largest one on his back. He had a long thick tail that poked through the swimwear in the back. He carried a surfboard with him.

"Um, can I help you?" One of the tellers asked.

"Yeah dude," the trunked visitor asked, "I need to get some extra lin-dios to grab a spot at this bodacious place that just opened up a surfer spot, Sunny Beach in the Sunweaver Estates, man. It's real epic."

"Um, sure. Well, we offer the best rates of third party Linden exchangers, and will sell Linden dollars for a wide range of world currencies."

"Cool beans dude, but I'll just be usin' good ol' Ameri-can dollars, man."

"Certainly Sir, just fill out this form. If you've never been here before, new clients are limited to 25,000 Lindens in purchases."

"Whoah dude, I don't need that much man. I'm jess getting a few parcels, not half a freakin' sim."

"No problem, just fill it out and you'll get your Lindens."

The visitor soon took care of the form and the electronic transfer was quickly done.

"There you are Sir, all done."

"Sweet! Now I don't have so far to travel to Sunny Beach, man."

"That's good, plan to be hanging ten soon?"

"Yep, though they keep suggesting I need a new gun or somethin.' Half the time I'm out there with people, this red fox keeps sayin' 'we're going to need a bigger board.'"

They had a good chuckle, and the visitor went on his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Code sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.


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