New Halloween-Themed Last Names

 

For those waiting for new last names, good news. A few days ago, Linden Lab announced in the official blog they had some new options for those wanting to change their account name. And for those who are fans of the spooky season, more good news, these are Halloween themed. 

 

Thank you to everyone who continues to submit ideas through our Last Name Suggestion Form. For this special update, we’ve chosen the most highly requested names that also capture the spirit of Halloween. If you’ve ever suggested something haunting, eerie, or just plain spooky, you may now see it on the list!  

 

The new account last names are Potion, Misery, Strange, Goblin, Zombie, Monster, Ghoul, Spooky, and Nightfang. 

 

"Potion" could be an interesting name for someone who fancies themself a chemist or mad scientist. "Strange" could be useful for someone who wants an aura of mystery around them. "Nightfang" might see some use among residents in wolf avatars.  

 

Expect the names to change soon after Halloween.  

 

As a reminder, changing last names is not free, but costs from $49.99 to $14.99 USD, depending on the resident's account. Check the FAQ page for more information. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Commentary: The SL22B At A Glance

 

It was a Birthday remarkably free of surprises. 

The Lindens often take the occasion to tout something new. Last year, it was the PBR or "Mirror Update," that finally allowed working mirror reflections. For the SL20B, it was new Linden Homes exclusive for Premium residents, as well as new starter avatars (the Senra, which were never very popular). For the SL19B, it was the new Premium Plus account option. For the SL16B, it was that the Lab was fully in charge of the Birthday celebrations. 

But sometimes the Birthday events have a cloud overhead that helps darken the mood. Last year it was the then recent (and unsubstantiated) rumors concerning some of the Lindens and Moles, as well as people complaining the PBR update was causing more lag and crashes. The SL18B was overshadowed by the recent death of Linden Lab CEO Ebbie Altberg. The SL16B had a few people missing some things that marked the resident-run birthdays, namely the Cake Stage, and there were some grumbles about recent price hikes by the Lab. 

This year, there wasn't much in major announcements. There was Patch Linden announcing a new Linden Home theme for the future and a "foray into the commercial," but no date was given, meaning it will likely be weeks away. And there were no dark clouds over the celebrations, aside from people at the end being a little sad the party was over. 

So it was basically a Birthday in which we had chances to listen to the Lindens, dance to some good performers, and see how the exhibitors worked with the theme, Myths and Legends. Silvia Ametza's build for the Newser, the Pyramids of Giza, had some interesting facts about the surviving Ancient Wonder of The World, as well as a cautionary tale that applies to the present. There was a little confusion as somehow the Newser sign vanished. This shouldn't be a problem next year. 

So after "double deuce" what's next? What the SL23N will be like can only be imagined right now. As we mentioned sometimes the event is somewhat overshadowed by other events, sometimes not. But there's always good fun to be had. 

Happy 22nd birthday Second Life, and many more.

Bixyl Shuftan
SL Newser

Cartoon of The Day: No Sharks

 

 Taken at the SLB. This place was a beach area, in pinks and pastels. Guess they didn't want landwalker sharks wacking them with pool noodles.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

SLB Last Pictures: Now It's Over

 

 And so, it's truly over. Yesterday, Thursday July 24, was the last day the sims were up. After 9AM SL time, they were closed to everyone but the Lindens and Moles entering (exhibitors who logged off while in could still log in and walk around a little).

 

Missy Mole had one last message:

 

Thank you everyone for being a part of SL22B! The exhibits were amazing! Great job to all involved! We will be closing down general access to the regions by 9am SLT Monday, July 21. If you want to save anything from your exhibit, please pick it up by 9am SLT on Thursday, July 24. After that the regions will be going down for the season. Don't worry though, we will be celebrating SL23B before you know it! Time to start planning next year's exhibit <3

Have a great summer!

 And so, the sun sets on another great SLB, with some great exhibits. We'll likely have at least one more article on the exhibits and scenes that we didn't have time to post earlier. As it's the end of our "busy season," we'll likely be doing articles on topics we didn't have time for earlier. But for now, a word of thanks to the exhibitors and assistants, as well as the Moles, for their great builds, and especially to Silvia Ametza for the Newser's (yes, ours didn't have a sign, we were in a bit of a hurry).

 

See you at next year's SLB, and the next big thing in SL,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

 

 

New Last Names Available

 

 About a month after Linden Lab offered some new options for last names in theme with the Second Life Birthday, a few days, they delivered a "New batch of (the) most wanted last names."

Thank you again to everyone who continues to submit ideas through our Last Name Suggestion Form. For this update, we once again gave extra attention to the names that have been requested most frequently. If you’ve shared your favorite last name with us, there’s a good chance it’s now available!

Several older options have been removed, and we’ve added the following highly requested new ones:

The new last names are Belmonte, Rascal, Baby, Sakura, Lit, Bly, Neon, Goat, Bubbles, and Aurora.

 

Sakura is a Japanese name, meaning "cherry blossom." While "goat" has meant a farm animal that gives small amounts of milk, to call someone "the goat," is to say they're the best they're is at what they do, the "greatest of all time."

 

As a reminder, changing last names is not free, but costs from $49.99 to $14.99 USD, depending on the resident's account. Check the FAQ page for more information. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SLB Exhibit Takedown Begins

 

 With the SLB over, the only ones around on the sims are Linden Lab's employees and the exhibitors. So some have been picked up right away. 

 

Others are being left around for a few more days, for other exhibitors and the Lindens and Moles (and maybe one busy fox reporter) to see.

 

More on the SLB when time permits,

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL22B Officially Ends

 

 And, it's over. 

 

Last night at about Midnight SL time, the Second Life Birthday event finally ended with the closing of the sims. Unless you're an exhibitor or a Linden or Mole, there's no getting on the sims now. 

 

It's unclear if there were any last minute impromptu parties, but there were a number of people going about the exhibits on the final day for one last look.

 

The Newser will have a few more articles on the exhibits over the next several days. We also welcome pictures and articles from you the readers. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Reader Submitted Picture: On Thor's Hammer At The SL22B

 

From Zada Bury. She and I were going around SL, and on a "2" shaped island found what looked like a giant weapon, "I will need a minute to pull that thing from the ground."

 

SL22B: One Last Look Before The Close

 

 Just hours are left before the Second Life Birthday sims close to all but exhibitors. So for those who are dropping in at the last minute, here's a few sights of what awaits you.

 

Bay City's exhibit by Marianne McCann is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Enchant/172/74/21

 

 There were plenty of posters from events over the years, but that wasn't all. There were reminders of certain events such as some mystery fires set on April 1 and the shenanigans with Caledon that left much speculation unanswered, "What's a city without a few legends?" 

 

Sheeba Metaluna's exhibit for All Fur Radio is located at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB Electrify/212/70/21

 

 Sheba and her "Flying Pickle" act can be a really big "dill" around some venues. 

 

At http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Fabulous/182/64/21 , there was Physical Machines by Emilin Nakamori.

 

Making this one was described as "a wrenching experience."

 

I would write about her in 2008, and she's continued to experiment with what one can do with machines in Second Life since.  

 

Heroes in Hats for VWEC (Education Consortium) at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB Fabulous/93/93/21

 

Virtual Museum Team at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Fabulous/159/196/21

 

 And by all means, don't miss the Newser's Pyramids of Giza exhibit by the talented Silvia Ametza, at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Enchant/213/74/21 .

 

That's it for now. Our next article about the SLB will be after it's close. Hopefully if you're reading this, you can still get in

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Last Day For The SLB

 

  For those who put off checking out the Second Life Birthday sims, this is the last day to so. One is about a Second Life myth, "Our Lady of Perpetual Silence." It's at SLB Delightful (212/184/21).

 

But there's more than just the exhibits. Zady Bury invited me to eheck out what's in the water. 

 

 And there was much to see off the beaten path. The Moles did some great work.

 

 Be sure to check it out.

 

Sadly, unless there's time to do one more update, this will be the last article showing the exhibits as anything other than a memory. After Midnight tonight, the SLB sims will close.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SL22B Ending This Weekend

 

It's been quite a show at the Second Life 22nd Birthday, or SL22B. But sadly the event will soon be coming to a close. Sunday July 20 is the last day the exhibits will be up. So if you haven't spent much time there, or want to see that one special exhibit again, hurry up and head over.

 

So head on over to the main entrance at SLB Awesome (123/103/103) , or go directly to Silvia Ametza's exhibit for the Newser at SLB Enchant (213/74/21). 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Impromptu Party At The SLB

 

 On Sunday July 13, I got a heads up about an impromptu party at the Second Life Birthday grounds. So I hopped over to take a look when I had a moment. It was still going on, with a couple dozen people around. But earlier it had been larger. 

 

The party too place at SLB Irresistible, an adult sim. So not everybody could be put in the picture. 

 

All official events at the Second Life Birthday are over, so if you see activity, somebody decided to hold an event on their own.  

 

Hat tip: Zada Bury 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan. 

 

Reader Submitted: Ayuda Virtual's Hispanic Myths and Legends

 

From Kamida Delic, pictures of Ayuda Virtual's exhibit, "Second Life Birthday monster hunting maze. Find all 33 and get yourself on the wall of fame."

"I walked past the first one at least 3 times. But I finally got them."

"One of the monsters you can find. "

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Fabulous/175/148/21

Free SLB Shop and Hop Car

 

The Second Life Birthday has a large number of freebies. Among them is a car.  So where is it and how well does it run?

 

 Read more in Design.

 

Reader Submitted: DeniseUnicorn Toonie's SLB Exhibit

 

From DeniseUnicorn Toonie,  "This is the overall view of my SL22B build over on SecondLife. This is my tribute to My L... err.. Small Colorful Equines. Gotta be copyright friendly and safe you know."

 

 "This is the left display stall that contains six of the legendary equine icons."

 

 SURL to teleport to it is: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLB%20Delightful/164/163/21

A Request To Extend The SLB Sim Time

 

Those with suggestions for Linden Lab are free to post them up on the feedback board (board for Land and Public works - here). And there are many. Among them is one submitted by Zada Bury of "Drivers of SL," titled "Enhanced Time For The SLB Event."

 

The SLB-event is one/the central yearly event(s) ... There are a lot other awesome events ones, too - I don't wanna "declassify" any of them, but the SLB is kinda central, include(s) a lot work from many residents, too ... and is controlled and sponsored (eg. the costs for the Sims) by (Linden Lab).

 

 

I ... try to participate in all offered activities ,,,But doing it in the 4 or 5 weeks, beside real-life, beside regular SL-activities ... while maybe having just 1-2 hours the day for SL is stressful. ... I barely made it to just take pictures the exhibitions, but not find time to get in touch with them.

 

Then it is ... taken down. After that, the awesome work of residents at the exhibitions is gone.

 

Zada suggested extending the time the exhibits are up until the next "big thing" (Halloween). 

 

Following the Second Life Birthday, while there are smaller, less publicized events still going on around the Grid, the better known ones go quiet, at least until October approaches with Burn2, Making Strides, and of course the Halloween season. So if enacted, some residents would have more to do in the summer.

 

Zada's post remains open for comments, and one can post comments here below.

 

Bixyl Shuftan.  

SL22B Dragon Eggs Hunt

 

Besides the Swaginator Hunt at the SL22B, which we wrote about a few days ago, there's another HUD=based hunt: the Dragon Eggs Hunt.

 

Legends speak of ancient dragon eggs scattered across the celebration lands. Seekers who recover these relics will restore their hidden magic and earn wondrous rewards. Wear the SL22B Forgotten Eggs HUD and begin your quest through the exhibitor regions. Each egg you claim draws you deeper into the tale.

 

To play the game, get the HUD at one of several locations at the Second Life Birthday grounds, at tge Welcome Area, you can find it at SLB Awesome (123/103/103).

 

When you pick up the HUD, attach it and it appears on your upper left. 

 Finding eggs wasn't too difficult. Going down from the welcome area I picked some up right away. You can either walk over the eggs, or get within five feet and click on them. 

 

There are prizes for getting so many eggs. At 20, you can get the Enchanted Book. At 50, you can get a magical ring of mushrooms. At 100, you get the "Will-o’-Wisp of Emberlight," To get the prizes, drop by the reward vendor next to where you can get the HUD. 

 

Happy hunting.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Cartoon of The Day: Busted

 

 Taken at the SL22B. The name "Buster Sword" comes from Final Fantasy 7, the character Cloud having a huge oversized greatsword. While it's been thought that this huge hard to wield weapon represented the character's psychological burdens, it's thought the size was because it looked cool. The name of the weapon has sometimes been applied to other similar looking (and impractical in real life combat) swords. 

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Gathering of Lindens and Moles at The SL22B Welcome Area

 

 Yesterday on Tuesday July 8, I ported to the SLB Welcome Area in SLB Awesome to write about a game. And what I saw was a surprise. Several Moles, and a Linden were there. 

 

They were Abnor, Mini, Star, Violet, Bri, and Cara Mole, and Madori Linden. Madori stood out in her tainbow outfit. They were there in case people needed help with the Swaginator or Dragon Egg Hunt, though Abnor mused, "I've ask you all here today because every one of you had opportunity to kill Col Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick. but Col Mustard can only have one killer..." One resident responded by musing back, "I only have around 140 candlesticks in my inventory. I would not waste one on murder."

 

There were various comments about the exhibits, notably about one involving "The Cryptex," and about where to get stamps and have a stamp giver. There were also thanks to the Moles for what they do.

 

Eventually, the Moles had to depart, and the residents went about their ways.

 

More on the SLB later.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

The SL22B Swagonator Hunt

 

There's a couple HUD Hunts in this Year's Second Life Birthday. One is the Swaginator Hunt.

To start, you need to get the Swaginator HUD. You can pick it up at a few spots at the SLB sims, but the most familiar one is at the official entrance at SLB Awesome (135/102/103). Click on the giver, and once it appears in your inventory, attach it. 

It should appear on the upper left on your screen providing a clue to where the second is. When you find it, you'll get a small gift, and a clue to the next location.

Previous Swagonator hunts have had as few as five gifts in total. But this one is larger, having a few dozen. Finding them all will take at least an hour, most likely more. 

Bixyl Shuftan