Gemma Cleanslate On Medical Leave

 

After writing for the Second Life Newser steadily since it's start almost twelve years ago, circumstances in the real life of Gemma Cleanslate are requiring she take a leave of absence. She is having to do so for medical reasons. We at the Newser wish her well, and look forward to her recovery, and return.

Gemma Cleanslate began her career in virtual journalism in early 2008 under JamesT Juno's and Dana Vanmoer's Second Life Newspaper. In June 2010, she would be one of the founding staff of the Second Life Newser. 
 

Ceasar Xigalia Announces His Resignation As CDS Chancellor

On Sunday October 19, on the discussion forum of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, Ceasar Xigalia announced his resignation as Chancellor of the community. Ceasar described his term as following "an extended period where laws and democratic process had become secondary to those who wished to hold on to their positions of power at all cost." Among the issues of the election was land, whether to expand or keep the community the size it was. Ceasar described himself as being stymied in his efforts to add a sim to the community's estate. "The actions of certain members" he wrote, "made it undeniable" that his opposition "would use its powers for political gain and to protect its own interests."

"I can no longer in good conscience support a system that claims it follows democratic principles but is in fact simply a closed group role playing democracy amongst themselves rather than a real social experiment in virtual community development. The system is corrupt and seeks to consolidate power in an elite. I find this morally indefensible and therefore I refuse to continue to take further part and resign my position as Chancellor."

The Confederation of Democratic Simulators describes itself on it's webpage as "the oldest democracy in Second Life. Originally founded in 2004 as the City of Neualtenburg in the Anzere region, the Confederation of Democratic Simulators (C.D.S.) is now a five-region community operated by the citizens." The CDS recently celebrated it's tenth anniversary.

Andrew Linden Anounces His Leaving Linden Lab

At the inworld Simulator Users group meeting on Tuesday December 17th, Andrew Linden announced he would be leaving Linden Lab in two days (today). He is quoted as saying, “This is going to be my last User Group meeting as a Linden: I’ve decided to leave LL and pursue other things. I’ve really enjoyed these User Group meetings, which is why I’ve been showing up all these years.”

Andrew's profile lists him as having been employed since April 2002, while Second Life was still in it's beta, for eleven years and six months (longer than Philip Linden, who hired him, served). He described himself as "a C++ developer at Linden Lab. I work mostly on the SL servers and backend architecture." He wasn't normally available for most support issues, but was a regular at the once a week meetin to "answer questions about server bugs, architecture, and the current state of development in LL."

After today, Andrew will be heading off for High Fidelity to once again work with Philip Rosedale (the former Philip Linden), ”I’m going to join Philip and his new project. Not because I don’t love SL or am not excited about what LL is working on, but because I’m ready for a change, and I really like working with Philip.”

Inara Pey described Andrew, whom consistently appeared as a balding man dressed in a purple t-shirt and shorts as well-mannered and polite, "In the time I’ve been attending the Simulator User Group meeting (formerly the Server/Sim/Scripting group), Andrew has always been polite, inquisitive and helpful to all, and demonstrated a willingness to readily delve into issues and see what he can find and / or put right. In response to the direct enquiries I’ve put to him in the past, he’s always been more than helpful in his replies, willing to provide concise explanations and offer additional information and guidance." He's also worked on the recent Project Sunshine server-side programs to improve viewer performance on newer computers. "Also of late, Andrew has worked on a number of anti-griefing measures within the platform," and has been working on projects that should appear in viewer updates early in 2014.

Sources: Daniel Voyager, Modem World, Natales' Things and Stuff  

Yoz Linden Leaving Linden Lab

On his Twitter page, Yoz Linden, Yoz Grahame in real life, wrote a message that stated he was leaving Linden Lab.



Thanks for everything, Linden Lab; it's been virtual. Always remember: YOU RUN A F***ING WORLD. This is Yoz Linden Signing out. ONWARDS!

Daniel Voyager listed Yoz's roles as "technical lead for Linden Lab, social applications," and "web infrastructure." A year and a half ago, The Economist printed an article about how as one of the developers of the computer game "Starship Titanic,"  Yoz started an "Employee Forum" on the website which turned into it's own online community. When the company that made the game went under, rather than let the forum simply die, Yoz took it under his wing, "I moved it to my own hosting." Hamlet Au mused at the time if Second Life ever went under, Yoz might come to the rescue once again by taking home some of the servers.

While he probably won't be coming to rescue the Grid should such a day come, it's likely we'll hear from him again on another computer-related project.

Sources: Daniel Voyager, Hamlet Au
Image Source: Twitter, Quora

Bixyl Shuftan

A Loss: Feathers Boa's Going Away Party

It is a sad day in Second Life for those who love the exquisite art of Feathers Boa. There was a going away party today at her gallery in Esterhal. Feathers is one of the most proficient artists in interactive art in SL. Her pieces are stunning and and many of them have deep personal meaning from her life. She is retiring from SL art and will be mostly inactive for a while.

Beladona Memorial said to her “You have had a unique voice here ... and utilized the interactive qualities of SL to create art that was not possible elsewhere. Thank you for being here.” and Feathers wish to all, “ I hope my heart comes through.” Some of her work is in a few galleries in SL and will remain.

Feathers real life has become very busy with a move to the west coast and a new job in graphics, and she must concentrate on those for now. It is my sincere hope that in a year or so perhaps she will have a show in Retrospect. For the time being if you know her art and want to experience its dimensions again, or, if you have never had that pleasure, this show will be in Feathers Bay Gallery in Esterhal until June 29.

Don't miss it! Her pieces are all on sale for that time.

We love you Feathers.

Esterhal (215, 211, 790)

Gemma Cleanslate

A Friend Moves On

Regular readers know of Any1 Gynoid, the perky neko freelance reporter whom once worked with us during the days of Second Life Newspaper, and later joined CNN iReports, inviting us to use her articles. Her articles, although on occasion political, had a bouncy tone and were overall optimistic.

Today, she contacted SL Newser, stating for personal reasons she will stop writing her articles about Second Life. A glance at her iReports page showed only a blank space: erased.

Any1 didn't say what her plans were, but we at Second Life Newser wish her well.

Greenies Home Closes, Moves to OpenSim

On Wednesday June 23rd, Second Life bade goodbye to one of it's classic sims, Greenies Home. The last of the sims owned by Rezzable to stay in the Metaverse as others closed down and moved to Opensim, last week the decision was made, "it is time for the Greenies to come home." And so, visitors dropped in for final events, and to give the little green fellows one last look before they left.

Read the story in Events.