Nine Years of The Second Life Newser

It was nine years ago today that for four Second Life journalists, a chapter of their time online came to a close and a new one began. For quite some time, two and a half years in my case, we had been reporting the news about the virtual world as reporters of JamesT Juno's Second Life Newspaper. Under the guidence of the editor Dana Vanmoer, we reported on all aspects of the virtual world, both big and small, from the various people who made virtual lives here, to interesting places, to the noteworthy events, to the interesting things one could use here, and of course breaking news such as Linden Lab making changes here, notably some that didn't seem to make much sense.

Sadly, events in James' and Dana's real lives would make it so they could no longer run the SL Newspaper, and she would make the decision to close it. So for Gemma Cleanslate, Grey Lupindo, Shellie Sands, and me, Bixyl Shuftan, we made the decision to continue on under our own paper. As I was the old paper's Office Manager, the person whom had been posting articles when Dana couldn't, I would be the new newsletter's editor and owner. And so, on June 5, 2010, James and Dana held their farewell party, Dana making the old SL Newspaper's final statement that night. And on that date, I would announce the start of a new paper, the Second Life Newser.

Writing for a newsletter is one thing. Starting one, organizing it, and keeping it going is another. And from the start, we as a team were tested. A few days after our beginning, Linden Lab laid off a third of their staff. Not long afterwards, the most popular of the third-party viewers fell into scandal as one of the team misused his power to use the computers of their software's users to hack a rival. There was the resignation of Linden Lab's CEO followed by the return of it's founder Philip Rosedale for several months as interim. And of course the usual major events such as the Relay for Life and the Second Life Birthday.

While we certainly had our challenges, we've also had supporters. From the start, the Sunweaver community was happy to give us a home, notably Ranchan Weidman whom both provided the land and made an office for us. After a few months, Jacek Shuftan's (no relation) Podex Exchange became our first sponsor. And of course readers began looking to us as a source of reliable news as we updated daily. Before long, the Newser was the number one source of news of Second Life.

While we would always entertain, offering cartoons about twice a week, and soon have music videos about every week, first and foremost was doing what we had always done, provide the news larger and small about the people, places, events, and things around Second Life. Unlike a few certain tabloids, the Newser has never gone out of it's way to create controversy. What has happened is the rare troublemaker creating their own controversy, such as Redzone and Voodoo, and the occasional Linden blunder. But overall, we sought to make our coverage of the virtual world as mainly positive, to report it not as full of griefers, but as the enjoyable place where one can find all kinds of enjoyable sights, activities, and people that it is. Over time, we would expand somewhat to offer occassional gaming reviews and reports from other virtual worlds such as Inworldz. But Second Life has always remained our focus, and always will.

Sadly, over time we've had to say goodbye to some teammates and old friends. Shellie and later Gray would step down as real life demanded their time. Breezes Babii, our former coworker from the old SLN whom remained a friend and supporter would pass away. Our first sponsor Podex would close as Linden Lab changed it's Terms of Service to make their business impossible. But over time, we've had new talent come in, such as Deaflegacy, Klaus Klaus Bereznyak, Marcel Mosswood, and Cyfir. And of course Gemma and I have continued to stick around. And others have stepped forward to sponsor the paper.

So nine years later, where do we go from here? Despite Linden Lab's bumps, stumbles, and falls over the years, it's safe to assume that unless there's a catastrophe such as an economic depression or shutdown of the Internet, Second Life will be around for many years to come. And as long as events in real life stay smooth, we'll continue to report the news of the people, places, and events that this virtual world has to offer.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Farshore Radio, Lorena Chung, Montecito Bay, Steelhead, and the Sunweaver community that has been the home of our office for all these years, to Linden Lab which created this virtual world to begin with, to James and Dana to showing us the way in how to report the news here, and of course you the readers.

Bixyl Shuftan
Editor, Second Life Newser

Press Release: Thank You From Pixel to Pixel

I want to thank everyone who came to the Pixel To Pixel 9th Anniversary Party, or sent a donation, or messaged us with well-wishes. The donations will help keep us going for the next several months, and I so very much appreciate your support.

In the words of one of the P2P stipend recipients: "Altruism is a rare trait and everyone who gives anything to this program has made SL and the world a better place."

Stop by the P2P Foundation headquarters at Clairehaven if you'd like to see more of the heart-warming messages of appreciation we've received from the people who you are helping to support. They're posted up on the walls.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Clairehaven/130/136/24
I wish you all the best!

Jadyn Firehawk, a.k.a Pixel Falconer
Pixel To Pixel Foundation

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPECIAL THANKS to Mrs. Di Zuidde for all her help in planning the Anniversary Party, and to Clairehaven for generously donating the office space for our headquarters since 2012.

Press Release" Bay City Announces Anniversary Celebration

Mainland community turns nine this May

BAY CITY, SL (9 May, 2017) - As the Second Life® mainland community of Bay City turns nine, its Residents are once again hosting their annual parade through the city, followed by a live music event in their fairgrounds.

The first project of the Linden Department of Public Works, Bay City opened in May of 2008 to initial viewing, with auctions for land in the city beginning soon after. It has developed into the largest community-focused virtual urban area in Second Life.

Participants in the annual parade are asked to gather at noon SLT/PDT on Sunday, the 21st of May, to lineup at the band shell in Bay City - Harwich. The parade will wend its way down Route 66 beginning at 12:30 p.m. SLT/PDT, and will conclude at the Bay City Fairgrounds in the North Channel region.

A live concert will kick off at 1:30 p.m. SLT/PDT at the Fairgrounds with DJ Marx Dudek providing music leading into the event until 1:30 p.m.SLT/PDT , followed by Christov Kohnke from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. SLT/PDT, Winston Ackland from 2:30-3:30 p.m. SLT/PDT, and Oblee (Obeloinkment Wrigglesworth) from 3:30-4:30 p.m. SLT/PDT.

All Residents of the Second Life grid are welcomed to participate. Celebration goods, including parade float bases and ideas, are available at the Bay City Community Center, in the Daley Bay region for those who wish to be a part of the parade. Ample viewing areas are provided. The music event is also open to all who desire to attend -- not only Residents of Bay City

Bay City is a mainland community, developed by Linden Lab™ and home to the Bay City Alliance. The Bay City Alliance was founded in 2008 to promote the Bay City regions of Second Life® and provide a venue for Bay City Residents and other interested parties to socialize and network. It is now the largest Bay city group, and home to most Residents of Bay City.

For more information, contact: Marianne McCann

Nine Years of Writing About Second Life

Sometimes when you're busy with what's going on now, you forget about what you've done in the past. It was on this month nine years ago, November 2007, in which I was hired by Second Life Newspaper to start writing about this virtual world. Second Life has changed much since then, and in a sense I've gone through a few changes as well. A couple years ago, I would write a little about my time here as a reporter. There isn't that much to add to it, so here's a link to it here.

Furry Fashion Turns Nine

Saturday May 7 was the Ninth Anniversary party of Furry Fashion. Since April 30, the sim-wide store had been doing a hunt in which thirty free items were hidden, available for anyone who found them. And on Saturday was the main event, taking place in the Furry Fashion Lounge, an event going on for over ten hours from 12 Noon SL time to sometime past 10PM.

Amethyst Crystal, the owner of the store, was there, along with her longtime friend Fortunas Sands, who was one of the DJs at the event. Many of those there sported blue and purple avatars or outfits, and indeed the theme for 2-4PM was Best in Blue, and 4-6 PM was Best in Purple. 12 Noon's theme was for items bought in the store. 6PM was Come As You Are, a theme repeated for the "Afterparty" at 8PM.

 On occasion, a random prize giver would give someone an outfit or accessory at random. Yours truly ended up handed a couple of no-transfer skirts though. Fortunately there was a freebie avatar available for pickup next to the cake. And there was no shortage of avatars around, mostly furred, though a few dragon and human ones dropped by. And the prizes on the boards, originally set to 2,000 Lindens, swelled to larger size, the 6PM event's prize rising to a whopping 15,000 Lindens! DJ Scratchmusikatt spun the tunes for the prime time event.

The 15K prize was split between Emorald, who came in first place with 7500, Takuan, and Jyvris.

We here at Furry Fashion would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all of our staff and patrons for making the sim's 9th birthday a smashing success! Without all of you, we would be nothing, and you all turned out for the most epic party we've had yet and made it one to remember. Thank you all so much!

Furry Fashion is in the Furry sim, the lounge at Furry (167, 190, 59 ), which has events sis days a week. Tuesdays to Fridays from 6-8PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5 PM and 6-9PM.

Announcement: Furry Fashion Birthday Hunt 2016 Has begun

Furry Fashion Turns 9 years old, which means a FF birthday hunt!

30th April - 7th May

30 cakes to find.

You will find them on ALL the FF parcels on sim (Main store, mall, lounge, sandbox, artist's alley,

avatar den and gacha store)

There are NONE in the air or in anyone else's parcels.

All cakes are set to 0L and will give contents in a folder.

FF Staff do NOT know where they are.

As usual no cheating, landmarking, using huds or giving away locations is allowed. Security will ban

people who take advantage of the hunt and spoil it for the rest of the hunters for the duration of the

hunt (which means you'll miss out on the FF birthday parties too!)

Have fun and good luck!

=^.^= Furry Fashion =^.^= Main Store, Lounge, Avatar Den and Mall, Furry (167, 190, 59)

Press Release: Confederation of Democratic Sims Turns Nine

The Confederation of Democratic Simulators invites all Citizens and Friends of CDS as well as all residents of Second Life to Oktoberfest! 

This year the CDS celebrates nine years in Second Life.  All of you, citizens, friends and SL residents, have made our historic regions an important part of your Second Life experience.   It is with great pleasure that CDS can offer these events for your enjoyment as repayment for your support. 

Most importantly, just have fun.


The Events

Unless otherwise noted, all events are at the Neufreistadt Marketplatz Stage.
All times are Pacific Daylight Time, or SLT.
Neufreistadt (159, 181, 172)

Saturday, September 21

11:00 AM SLT Parade through the Sims -- Starts near the Colonia Nova Theater
12:00 - 2:00 PM SLT (TIM SCARBOROUGH, DJ - German Folk)
3:00 PM SLT  (NOMA FALTA)
4:00 PM SLT (REGGIE SUNSET)

 Sunday, September 22,

12:00 PM SLT  (Jaynine Scarborough)
01:00 PM SLT (KATEROSE SERENDIPTY)
   
08:00 PM SLT (LINDIMOO)

Thursday, September 26

1:00 PM SLT (ANEK FUCHS)
   
Friday, September 27

12:00 to 3:00 PM SLT (REITZ TORRANCE-KIDD, German Rock)

Saturday, September 28:

12:00 PM SLT (TBA)
01:00 PM SLT (ENGRAMA)
8:00 PM SLT (50 BISCUITS)
   
   
Sunday, September 29:

12:00 SLT Octoberfest Ball, NeuSchloss, Neufreistadt.
Neufreistadt (245, 142, 203)

Watch for additional events that may be added. 

Let's have a wonderful Oktoberfest, Ein Prosit. 

Thank You SL9B Community

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Second Life 9th Community Birthday Celebration for all your hard work and volunteer spirit. True community spirit in the face of short time, insane deadlines and with all the team work that you could muster. Amazing!!! I was humbled by your efforts and collective energy.

We would like to thank our sponsors http://sl9b.wordpress.com/our-sponsors/ for the sims and services that were donated and delivered to us without a moments hesitation.

This year’s gathering expressed what true community is about. Community is not just a word it is an entity; a living, breathing entity. An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location. Our common location is Second Life. It was truly humbling for me to see so much collaboration that the Second Life community shared for this event.

If you enjoyed the event and want to be a part next year, keep an eye on this blog and stay in the SLB Community Group for notification of next year’s festivities.

It was and always has been an honor and my pleasure to once again work with all of you.

Cya next time.....

Doctor Gascoigne

Submitted by Gemma Cleanslate

Second Life Officially Turns Nine Years Old

It was nine years ago today, June 23 2003, that Second Life was officially made open to the public. As others such as Daniel Voyager point out, "It seems so long ago." Most of us didn't get on until later in it's history, and new residents keep joining. One of the people I ran into at the SL Newser exhibit had only signed up with Second Life a couple days before.

Second Life was a much different place back then. The virtual world was a lot smaller than the one today (link to map). And as the 2003 trailer below shows, it looked different too, the avatars and landscapes a bit simpler. There was no currency or the ability to teleport around. Linden Lab got money through the residents via a tax of how many prims a resident rezzed.



Second Life actually has some history before that. Linden Lab was founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale (the future Philip Linden), and work began on what became known as "the Rig," which was given a limited release as an "alpha" in March 2002 as "Linden World."



It certainly looked a lot more gamelike back then with it's guns and grenades, and had a limited ecosystem and weather. Supposedly "The Rig" is still packed away somewhere in Linden Labs, "It was shoved in a box at some point and largely forgotten."

During the process of changing from this to start of the Grid as we know it, much of the staff wanted to keep the name "Linden World," but others convinced them a better name was needed, Robin Linden saying, "We believed a place name would give people a sense of destination, and possibly some added layer of meaning. And we thought a descriptive name would help people understand this new concept of a shared, 3D collaborative space." Proposed names with "Life" came up, leading to "Life2," and then "Second Life," which was ultimately the name chosen despite it supposedly "not popular among the Linden staff."

Since June 2003, the Grid slowly changed to Second Life as we know it. Later that year, Linden currency was introduced. Version 1.1.0 introduced telehubs, which residents could port around the Grid on. In 2004, the revenue model was changed to land tiers from property ownership. In late 2005, residents gained the ability to teleport to any place not blocked.

There have been a number of changes since then, Mesh being among the latest ones. And no doubt as Second Life goes on, there will continue to be more.

For more history, check out the "History of Second Life" on the Second Life Wiki: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/History_of_Second_Life . One can also check out a series of articles Tateru Nino did for Massively in 2010: "A Brief History of Second Life."

Image credit: Christopher Organizer, Second Life Wiki

Bixyl Shuftan

Places Seen at SL9B Press Day

Sunday June 17th was Press Day at the Second Life Ninth Birthday area, and members of the media covering the Grid, bloggers, newsletter writers, video producers, and others, were invited to take a day-early look. There were also tours offered, one of which SL Newser managed to join up with.

See more in Places.

SL Machinima: SL9B - Meet the Greeters" aka "The Angel Of Death #24"

The latest of Crap Mariner's SL9B videos, in which the Prim Reaper talks about the greeter volunteers of the SL9B, "Remember, they're here to help you ... all together now: boogie-boogie-boogie!"

SL9B Opens Today

After weeks of preperation, the Second Life Ninth Birthday event finally opens today. At 11AM SL time, the sims open, and the keynote address is given. Whom is giving the address, Second Life Newser hasn't heard yet, but it is unlikely to be someone from Linden Lab as they weren't a part of this year's event. And at 12 Noon SL time, the events begin.



Thanks to DreamSeeker estates and other sponsors, there are 20 sims of exhibits, large and small, representing many communities, as well as groups such as Team Phoenix, and talented individuals such as Dr.Fran Babcock. The number is too great to mention here. But to help find them, you can grab a HUD to help go around in DreamSeeker SL9B Devet (250, 116, 22)

Don't forget to stop by at our own exhibit at DreamSeeker SL9B Kyuu (86, 76, 21). For a great view of the area around, just click on the hat and select "sit."

Be sure to read more later today. There was so much to see, we're going to have to wait until later today to write more about it.

For more, check up on the SL9B blog: http://sl9b.wordpress.com/

Machinima credit: Moo Money

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Day in SL9B

It's Press Day in the SL9B area. So this means the building is done, and time for us in the media to start covering. Well, in some cases cover a little more. This picture by Zuzu Ritt shows the welcome area from above. For more pictures, check the SL9B Flickr.


A map of the area, complete with names.



And for a little humor, the Prim Reaper shows off the SL9B Mesh stage which will be the scene of a number of live music performances at the birthday event, "SL9B will feature some of the best musical performers in Second Life... and this video features the absolute worst!"

For more, check up on the SL9B blog: http://sl9b.wordpress.com/

SL9B Preparations contined

Opening day is coming soon!! ( the 18th of June) As an Exhibit Assistant I have had the privilege of helping the exhibitors get their plots going, setting music for them, chasing prims that flew across the sims and enjoying it all. It has been very busy!!

As I stood trying to do my work after meeting builders on their plot, they were throwing up creations right around my feet! Some were so excited to have their builds placed immediately. It was great fun. One prim became 250 in about 4 minutes! Some creators are still holding theirs in their sandboxes or or pockets til the last moment. But a look at the 20 sims on the map tells the story. Most plots are full.

The spirit of cooperation among the whole staff has been outstanding. The exhibitors for the most part have been so grateful for any assistance we could give them. It is a wonderful experience to be part of it all. I recommend you all set aside lots of time to visit. There are so many plots. 300 besides that, the stages for performers and for DJ parties, and an auditorium for meetings and learning. There is also a pod ride for the eastern and one for the western areas. Taking the ride will be fun as you will hear about some of the surrounding builds as you pass along the roads. You will find it near the entrance.

The birthday cake is a decoration to behold. It occupies the center of the whole 20 sims. Take a look at the map when you come and you will see it!

Gemma Cleanslate

SL9B Update:

A note from the "Prim Reaper" reminding those who haven't built anything on their plots to go ahead and get started, "If you’re waiting for the last-minute to start, well, that last-minute is here! SL9B opens on the 18th of June but you only have until 11.59pm on June 16 SLT to complete your build. At that time the sims will close and everyone will be asked to leave. ... This means you now have less than 4 days to complete your builds. Or even, start your builds. Don’t leave it till the even more last-minute than last-minute!"

Read more at the SL9B Community blog.

SL9B Update

In Crap Mariner's latest SL9B video, #21, the "Prim Reaper" takes a look at one of the fun things to do at the Birthday event, the "Church of Rosedale" waterslide. While there, be comes across a certain "Fox Reporter." ;-)

So far, things are progressing at the SL9B nicely. With a week to go, already lots of exhibits are completed or almost complete. The moderators are giving names and music streams to the plots. An SLB tradition will be happening once again, the "Time Capsule." And Sunday June 17th has been scheduled as Press Day for bloggers and others in the Second Life media to get an early peek at the exhibits (although one certain newsletter got an even earlier one). If you want to see some snapshots of what's already up, you can check the SL9B Community Flickr page.

As for our own exhibit, Gemma Cleanslate's partner Qwark Allen has graciously offered to help us out. We've talked about what to do and exchanged ideas. One surprise I got was a reaction to the hat which I planned originally as a placeholder, but people seeing it have complemented it, DrFran Babcock saying she knew it was my place upon seeing it. So by popular demand, we're making it part of the build. We've also given it one fancy feature: click and select "sit," and you'll get a bird's eye view of the sim.

So what will it finally look like? Well, you'll see. For now, here's a view of the hat's position.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Machinima: "SL9B - The Angel Of Death #16"

Another of Crap Mariner's SL9B videos, "The Angel Of Death goes for a ride on one of the tourpods." One can see a little of what's been built on the Grid already.

Behind the Scenes of SL9B

Among the volunteers at the SL9B event is Gemma Cleanslate. At 10AM Monday she and the others, including Crap Mariner aka the "Prim Reaper" (shown in the picture here), were busy with the masses of exhibitors asking to be in the group set up for them. But before that they had a chance to relax in the calm before the storm

Read more in Design.

SL Machinima: "SL9B - The Angel Of Death #13" Applications Closed

Number 13 of Crap Mariner's "Angel of Death" videos for the SL9B, in which he announces no more applications are being taken for the event, thanking the exhibitors for their patience.

"Applications are closed for Exhibitors, Volunteers, and Performers, but we're still looking for greeters. And we're still going through the applications we already have for builders and performers. Thank you for your continued patience, we'll get to you soon."

The previous videos did have their funny moments and useful info. Number 12 had some good news. The number of prims allowed per exhibit was going up from 234 to 257. In number 11, the "Prim Reaper" complains of people asking if they can go ahead and build before reading their mail about the date. And in number 10, "M-Poster Linden" tries to lend a hand, but instead tries the patience of the Reaper a little too much.

Oh, and the staff was a little more busy than how they're depicted. On Monday June 4rth, they were busy approving people starting at 10AM SL time, and continued throughout the day.

For more information, check the SL9B website: http://sl9b.wordpress.com/ .

SL9B Update

Developments with the Second Life Ninth Birthday continue. One of the deadlines, that for signing up as an exhibitor, is quickly approaching. If you're still thinking about it, you have until Midnight tomorrow, June 3rd.



In the eighth of Crap Mariner's "Angel of Death" videos, the "Prim Reaper" says they have plenty so far, but still room for more, "We got so many applications, we're up to our butts in them. ... Keep 'em coming." He also announces that the total number of volunteers has surpassed the number of last year's anniversary event, "It's even bigger!" In "the next few days," exhibitors will be told their place is confirmed, and where it is.

A few sneak peeks of the SL9B have been made available, both in the SL9B blog, and on the SL9B Flickr page. Also, Daniel Voyager announced on the Second Life Destination Guide, a SL9B category has been created, "so far there are three SL9B listings added." The page itself says, "Many venues are still under construction, so stay tuned for new places and events as they are ready."


Keep reading for updates at the SL9B blog: http://sl9b.wordpress.com/ .