The Newser SL21B Exhibit, And A Few More

 

The Second Life Birthday is over. But before the sims closed, the Newser had a chance to check out a few more exhibits. We naturally spend time to get a good look at our own first, built by Silvia Ametza and her team. So what did it look like close up? And what else did we manage to capture on camera?

See the pictures in Design.

 

 

SLB Sims Empty

 

 

 I was able to port by the SLB sims last night, and not unexpectedly, the exhibits were pretty much all gone, remnants in a spot or two.

It was a great SL21B, even if I didn't see as much as I wanted to.

 

Reader Submitted Picture: Early SLB Empty Plots

 

 

From Kamida Delec,who was going about the grounds of the Second Life Birthday on Sunday July 21, and noticed some spots that had nothing but green grass or water. When told it was the last day of the event, "Ah, that explains the empty plot I see time to time."

SL21B Ends

 

 

 Sometime on the night of July 21, probably Midnight, the exhibits of the Second Life Birthday region closed to the public. After about a month, the SL21B is over.

The Newser took some pictures, but sadly due to real life and other needs, we didn't get as many as we wanted. Please send pictures, and any stories, to bixylshuftan@gmail.com.

Reader Submitted Pictures: Hot Fields At The SLB

 

 

From Zada Bury, "Taken on the SL21B - Adult Event Area (SLB Steamy) - posing on the lava fields in front of the dark red sun"

The SL21B's Last Day

 

 

 Second Life's anniversary celebration is almost over. After a month, the SL21B will officially close tonight at Midnight SL time, possibly a few hours before. So this is the last day for most of us to see the exhibits. 

Hop on over for one last look, including the Newser's exhibit at:

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Incredible/23/26/21

 

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Happy Birthday Second Life (Part 5)"

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 From Draxtor Despres on July 14, "It is that time of year again where we celebrate the fact that Second Life - due to the ingenuity of its residents - has outlived many a Metaverses. Well, I don't personally find joy in punching down on worlds that came and went so let me be clear: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SECOND LIFE! YOU ARE MY ONE AND ONLY (even if others were to exist .... and they don't ... change my mind?) Join me if you see me and let's wander the grounds of SL21B ! ! !"

Commentary: Reflections on the SL21B

 

Second Life is now "old enough to drink." And while most residents are happy, a few feel like having a drink themselves.

There's no doubt that the Lab would have prefered that this year's Second Life Birthday be remembered when it showcased it's PBR update and finally brought out it's mobile viewer. While that's part of how it will be, unfortunately there are some details the Lab would prefer we the residents forget.

In late February came allegations in an anonymous online article that a number of Lindens and Moles had been involved in ageplay, offering no real evidence. Despite the caution of the Second Life media, the Newser and others only giving hints of what was going on or limiting themselves to saying there was an investigation, and that the host website took down the article, word got around as rumors do. While most may believe "all remain innocent until proven guilty," some instead were "once accused, always suspect." A few Lindens and moles named in the accusations were regulars on Bellisseria chat and stopped chatting, laying low. They would not appear at the WVBPE Conference and one would briefly show up at the Fantasy Faire. Finally at the Second Life Birthday they would appear as normal. This was a relief to most, though there were still one or two people going, "Hide the children!"

About a month and a half before the Second Life Birthday came the Linden response to the ageplay allegations: more restrictions on child avatars. They would all need to have "modesty layers" under their clothes. But more importantly would be completely barred from  Adult-rated sims, even if there was nothing overtly sexual outside private homes and the rating was there only because those making their home there were afraid the Lab would ban them for what went on behind closed doors under any milder rating. The Moon Dance and possibly a few other Relay events were barred to child avatars, and while Burn2 once allowed both nudity and child avatars, it is currently deciding which to do away with. Marianne McCann and possibly others whotook part in the past may not be able to do so any more without changing from the look they've been known for.

Soon after, it was announced that the mobile viewer could not be used to take users to Adult-rated areas either. The viewer could be gotten only through Google Play and Apples App Store, both of which had rules about what products available there could show. Between this move and the rule about child avatars, for better or for worse Adult sims were no longer as acessible as they were compared to Mature ones. For some places, this brings up a choice. Do they remain Adult to soothe nagging fears by some who make their home there about what the Lab will do if they spend a little private time with a loved one (or friend with bennefits), or do they lower the rating to make the place more accessible?

And this was the time in which Firestorm, the most popular viewer, released it's PBR (Physical Based Rendering) update. And so the majority of residents were now able to see objects made with this feature, notably the first truly functional mirrors. It was a joy to a number of residents. But for others, notably with older computers, it wasn't. A few people I talked to complained of greater lag and even crashes. Former Newser reporter, who was scheduled to DJ at the Second Life Birthday, had to cancel as he lagged heavily and repeatedly crashed. He would make the decision to leave Second Life for good. How many others did the same is unknown. And a better computer isn't always better for Second Life. I was told about someone's brand new expensive PC that was "barely able" to play the new viewer.

In some ways, it's a reminder of Linden Lab's delima. Unless Second Life is updated, fewer new users will come in. But the problem is, updating means higher requirements for computers. And so those with older machines end up with slower virtual experiences that can make going about here less easy and more difficult, and eventually not able to get on. And 21 years after Second Life's creation, working class residents often have less disposable income than their forebears, and it takes them longer to save for a better computer, if they can save at all.

The Second Life Birthday itself would reflect some of these happenings. People cheered at the sight of certain Lindens and Moles who had been lying low for a while. Much of the terrain, and many of the exhibits took advantage of the new PBR technology, which was a treat for those who could see it. The theme "Elements" was an odd one, but thankfully one didn't need to make their exhibits adhire strictly to the theme. And there is quite a variety of exhibits to see. Plus with this year's SLB lasting a month, more time to see them.

There was one other difference from previous recent birthdays. Instead of a Musicfest at the start with a lot of DJs and singers at the begining weekend with a smaller number of stage events the rest of the celebration, this year all the scheduled performances were in the first ten days, then no more. But there will almost certainly be a few performers step up in the closing hours to help end things with a bang.

As with previous birthdays, there were a few things that raised eyebrows, but much to celebrate, such as despite all the naysayers saying we were doomed, the glitches, the recessions, and the occasional Linden blunder, we're still here.

Happy twenty-first birthday, Second Life. And here's to many more.

Bixyl Shuftan 

SL Newser

Reader Submitted: SLB Boat

 

 

 From Kamida Delec, "Free Sailing Boat: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Enchant/20/75/21 "

 

 

 "Real location of the boat, click on the model in the display. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Erik/192/49/22 "

 

A Few SL21B Exhibits

 

The SL21B is going on until later this month. And among the things are the exhibits. Some are simple, some very details. A certain fox managed to get in a little time to see a few. 

See the pictures in Places.

 

Second Community Roundtable Postponed

 

 On Monday July 1, the Second Community Roundtable was supposed to have taken place at the Aquatorium at the SL21B, featuring Oberwolf and Patch Linden. The Newser was not able to be there, but hoped to get a video. As it turns out, the event did not take place. 

POSTPONED: The scheduled SL21B Community Roundtable event has been postponed. Stay tuned for an announcement on the new time and date. In the meantime, we've extended the deadline to submit questions in advance at https://second.life/sl21b061024 

Stay tuned for more information. 

EOTB: New Last Names For Residents

 

In the official blog a few days ago, it was announced there was a new set of last names to go along with the SecondLife Birthday. A number of them go along with the theme of the event, elements.

In addition to all of the exciting events, we're thrilled to unveil a special series of SL21B themed last names. Embrace the elements with our new Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air themed options!

The names are: Cirrus, Blowhard, Windyfloofs, Cinder, Hotman, Pyroclaw, Boulder, Soil, Pebblepaws, Ocean, Torrent, and Frostfangs 

 

The notice didn't say how long the names will be available, though probably at least until the end of the Second Life Birthday, on Sunday July 21. 

Scenes At The SLB: Pony Play

 

 

I had a spare five minutes the other day, so I decided to check out the SL Birthday. I noticed a large group of dots on the map in the exhibit area, so curious I TPed over. Once the red clouds, most of them, cleared away, what I saw was a herd of ponies running around. I noticed something else; they were rolling what looked like a large egg around. The third thing I noticed, there was someone inside. 

 

I'd seen this group of ponies before at the Fantasy Faire running around, and now here they were at the SLB, having found something to roll around.  They went past me, and headed down some road.

As for the lady in the egg, SarahKB7 Koskinen, she's been in the paper a few times, such as wanting to be the first to sail between two newly connected continents. 

One random scene at the Second Life Birthday.

Bixyl Shuftan

SLB Linden "Community Roundtable" Today

 

Today, Monday July 1, Linden Lab hosts the last of it's scheduled Meet the Lindens events at the Second Life Birthday, the "Community Roundtable." Patch Linden and Executive Chairman Oberwolf Linden will be on stage.

 

Attend our second Community Roundtable at the SL21B Aquatorium with Executive Chairman Oberwolf Linden and Senior VP of Product Operations & Marketing Patch Linden. Our Community Roundtables give you the opportunity to connect directly with our top executives, share your input, and discuss ideas on enhancing Second Life. This initiative represents another step in our efforts to improve our community interactions, ensuring that your voice is more directly heard and valued.  

The event will take place at 11:30 AM SL time at the Aquatorium building. Note - this is earlier than the other Meet the Lindens events. Vic Morington and Pantera Polnocy will likely be broadcasting live.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Mesmerize/88/164/24

 

Cartoon of The Day: Censored

 

 

 Taken at the SL21B. Why the girl would be wearing a "Censored" mask, who knows. But a few things come to mind. 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Video: Fourth SL21B Town Hall

 

 

 (click here if the video fails to play)

 From Vic Morington on Friday June 28, his live broadcast of the Fourth Town Hall event at the SL21B, featuring Patch Linden and the Moles, followed by the first moments of the party at the Helios Casino afterwards.

SL Video: Third SL21B Town Hall

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From Vic Morington on Thursday June 27, his live broadcast of the Third Town Hall event at the SL21B, with Linden Lab founder Philip Linden being interviewed.

 

SL Video: First SL21B Town Hall

 

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

From Vic Morington on Tuesday June 25, his live broadcast of the first Town Hall event at the SL21B, with Grumpity, Kali, Syntx, and Kyle Linden.

 

Second SL21B Town Hall, Video And Summary

 

 Wednesday January 26 was the second of the Town Hall events at the Second Life Birthday this week. Patch Linden, the VP of Product ad Marketing, was the most prominent. Others on stage were Keira Linden, the Support Operations Manager, Product Operations Manager Derrick Linden, and Creative Producer Izzy Linden. Besides Vic Morrington (link), it was also filmed by Pantera Polnocy (link), whose video had a side window for local text chatter.

 

 

On Linden Homes, Patch stated there was a Premium-Plus Linden home under development, though didn't mention the theme. Later in the Second Life forums, he would ask for suggestions. Patch also stated a phasing out of older Linden Homes was desired, but as of now there was no timetable for it.  Someone asked if two Premium-level Linden homes for Premium Plus residents was an option. Patch stated it could be done, but wouldn't be any time soon as it would reduce the number of Linden Homes available. 

Someone asked if the continent of Zindra could be connected to the others via water sims. Patch answered that was an option for the future, but it couldn't happen anytime soon.

 

It was asked what was being done about hate speech "from far right groups." Kiera Linden answered they were doing what they could, relying on inworld abuse reports, "It's difficult to keep up because there's lots of corners of the world that don't pop up very often."

The idea of shared accounts for businesses was brought up, which came up earlier this month in the Second Life forums when a merchant stated he had been relying on one, even though it was against the terms of service and Linden Lab cracking down was making it difficult for his store to function. Patch stated while he could understand why merchants would use shared accounts, the ban on this was for good reasons, that there was the clear ability for an account's Linden dollars to be stolen and the inventory deleted, and that access to one's account had the potential for exposure or real-life financial bank and credit card information, "it has the ability to throw your money out the window, and do damage .... empty into the trash can kind of damage. ... We're as protective of your accounts as we can be. " Plus there was the possibility of a business relationship to sour and turn hostile. Still, Patch stated they were open to change and perhaps something could be worked out in the future. 

The question of content theft in sales came up. Kiera Linden stated it can be tricky when two people come to them saying they're both the original creator of something, and the best solution for people was to continue to file DMCA reports. 

Also asked about was Linden Labs' relationships to charities, ensuring the money goes where it's supposed to. Patch answered there were two levels. The first included recognized charities that had long run in Second Life such as the American Cancer Society and the Michel J. Fox Foundation. The second level was "individuals who are interested in raising funds," saying they were limited in what they could do to help other than list events on the Destination Guide, but did "verify any past fundraisers they have done."

It was asked if there will be multiple partner lines for those in "poly" relationships. Patch talked about work on something allowing flexibility "Yes, but we don't have a timeline. ... It is something that has gotten attention."

Someone asked about land barons supposedly grabbing up Bellisserian land. Patch answered, "This is actually fascinating to hear. We just need to be aware who is doing it ... you cannot sublease parcels. If someone is going so, we'd like to hear about it, File an abuse report."

It was also asked will there be Lifetime Premium Accounts? Patch's answer was a tease, "I don't know, you'll have to come tot he Mole Town Hall to Find out. ... the number 21 might be involved."

Also asked about was a video option for abuse reports, making unclaimed Mainland more easily available to residents, making voice to text and text to voice servers "it's being worked on," the electric vehicle offered as a prize in the SL20B, which was won in a state the winner was able to claim anonymously, handling the accounts of deceased friends and relatives, and others.

There were also some comical comments, such as Patch musing there would be a tollway road through the continents, charging residents money as they drove through it, what was the favorite pizza of the Lindens, and "How many Moles does it take to screw in a light bulb."

The Town Hall events go on to Friday June 28, and the last Meet the Lindens event is the Community Roundtable on Monday July 1 at 11:30 AM SL time, also at the Aquatorium. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Fourth SLB Linden "Town Hall" Today

 

Today, Friday June 28, the fourth of the Linden Town Hall events for the Second Life Birthday will take place. This one will feature a number of the Linden Moles.

 

 Attend a Town Hall at the SL21B Aquatorium with the Moles! The Moles are builders, scripters, and content creators employed by Linden Lab to work in the Linden Department of Public Works.    

The event will take place at 1:30 PM SL time at the Aquatorium building. 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Mesmerize/88/164/24