The SL23B Birthday Ends (For Most)

 

 Sunday July 19 was the last day of the SL23B, the Second Life Birthday. And the sims got a bit more active with people enjoying the sims one last time, at least most of us. One spot of activity was Bay City's exhibit.

 

 They were gathered in some movie set seats at one point, but before the red clouds faded, they leaped into the pool for a conga line dance. Marianne commented it was a good thing the water wasn't much deeper, otherwise she'd have trouble breathing. 

 

 At the Belessarian Bureau of Bureaucracy's exhibit, they were watching a movie.

 

 And there was a party at the Seawall Cruising Club.

 

 Unfortunately, I couldn't stay the whole evening. But no doubt the parties went on to Midnight and beyond. For exhibitors and the Moles, they have a few days to go about the sims to see what they missed or check some one more time. But for the rest of us, it's over, with only the screenshots and the memories.

 

It was a great Second Life Twenty-Third Birthday.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

EOTB: No More Browser Viewer: Linden Lab Announces End to Project Zero

 

Linden Lab announced it was pulling the plug on an alternative viewer, one accessible through one's webbrowser. 

 

In January 2025, Linden Lab announced "Project Zero,"a viewer accessible through one's computer webbrowser. Browsing sessions through it were limited in time, though a few signing up would randomly be chosen to experience Second Life through it. Later, "priority access" would be an option, but it would cost $2.99 for five hours of time. In March 2025, there was a Firestorm version available, though people had to pay to use it as there was no free option available.

 

Since then, there hasn't been anything about Project Zero that caught the Newser's attention. That is until now. Yesterday, April 21, Linden Lab announced it was "Ending Support" for it.  

 

Last year, we introduced Project Zero as an experiment to explore a new way of accessing Second Life through a web browser. 

Many of you took part in testing Project Zero and shared thoughtful feedback along the way. Your involvement (and the feedback you shared) has been incredibly valuable in helping us better understand how lowering the barrier to entry – by removing the need for downloads or high-end hardware – could help improve new user onboarding and engagement. Thank you for being part of that process.

Based on what we’ve learned, we’ve made the decision to end support for the Project Zero Viewer ... 

 

They would go on to say support would end on Friday April 24 at 5PM SL time.  Those who have unused time were asked to file a support ticket to get up to 30 days worth of time back. The mobile and desktop viewers are not affected. 

 

"The insights gained from Project Zero will directly inform improvements to these core experiences, helping us focus our efforts where they can have the greatest impact. Our work to make Second Life more accessible, welcoming, and engaging is ongoing. We look forward to sharing more with you soon."

 

For the blog post in full, Click Here. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

VWPBE Conference Ends (Officially)

 

 After three days of discussions, the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education conference, the VWBPE officially ended on Saturday evening. The closing ceremony was at 5PM and an evening dance from 6 to 8 PM. But there were a few events on the program afterwards, including March 27 and 31. There's also one on April Fools Day. 

 

While the Newser could not be at all of the Discussions, it was at some, such as "Catching Up With The Lindens." We'll report more when time permits.

 

For those who want to visit the grounds, including some activity areas, https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VWBPE%20Grasslands%20Gateway/128/123/23 .

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Winter Burn Festival Ends

 

 Last night were the final events of the Winter Burn, the Burn2 spinnoff event taking place in January at Burning Man Deep Hole. Late into the night, a few dozen people partied it up.

 

 While the DJs played music from the stage, some from the crowd cheering them on.

 

 While the events are over, aside from occasional unscheduled ones, the builds (most of them) will still be up for a few more days for those who couldn't make it or wanted to avoid the lag.

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/157/37/24 

 

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 

 

SL20B Ends

 

 

Unless there's been a *very* last second reprieve by Linden Lab, then the Second Life Twentieth Birthday has come to a close, the sims closing to the general public at Midnight last night, both the exhibits and the "Shop and Hop." While exhibitors and Lindens and Moles can still travel the sims for the next few days, the rest of us can't. 

We'll have a few more SL20B related stories, but we will be focusing more on other stories, such as the upcoming "Burning Man: Conception" event.

*Addition* The Shop and Hop will still be open until later today, and while the sims were supposed to be closed, I was still able to get an alt over. 

The following was also posted by Squeaky Mole in the Second Life Birthday group:

SL20B Has Ended & Group Chat Closed

Hello everyone, I want to thank everyone for enjoying Second Life's 20th birthday with us. However the time has come, SL20B is officially over.

Group chat will be temporally muted until the next Shop & Hop. The remains will remain open a little longer but will be closing today.

Thanks again everyone, and happy birthday!

 

RFL Home And Garden Events End

 *

The events at the Relay For Life's Home and Garden Expo ended at 8PM Sunday night, March 20, with a fireworks show over the main stage in Hope 1. For over three weeks, the stage had seen many performers on stage, with other sims hosting auctions, discussions, contests, and of course shopping. 

Earlier at 4PM was the last of the Lantern Ceremonies, in honor of those lost in the battle with cancer. 

In the ceremonies, numerous paper lanterns floated to the sky (picture from Cynthia Farshore). 

Store (and media) owners were told, "We officially close at 11.59pm tonight. However the regions often remain for a couple days after official closing.  So if you want to leave things in place until the regions evaporate feel free to do so, but remember to take any no copy items from your display ASAP please."

And for those taking part, there was this little gift.

We are honored to have been involved with so many kind and generous people. Expo has, as always, been a wonderful experience and the beginning of many new friendships.  

Through all the hard work, dedication and generosity, you have all made this event so very special,  meaningful and a true example of what can be achieved through Second Life.

So from us all once again, thank you for all your efforts.

While the sims should be up for a couple more days for further shopping, the RFL Home & Garden Expo is over. But the Relay season goes on. The various Relay teams are having their events. And a month from now, the Fantasy Faire begins on Thursday April 21.

Go Relay!

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Gen Con Ends, Sims Up Until Aug. 4

Yesterday, Sunday August 2, was the last day of the Gen Con. The gaming convention that went online due to the Coronavirus ran for four days starting on Thursday July 30. The event has been considered a great success for both those who took part, and for Second Life as well as the event brought a number of people here whom hadn't been here for years or had come here for the first time. Taking in account other places on the Internet, "including Twitch, Discord, Zoom, Roll20, and several other virtual tabletop systems," about forty thousand people took part, and played thousands of games. For those whom were new, there were clothing and avatars available to them to avoid "cookie cutter" appearances.

I was told, though I couldn't find confirmation, that Twitch would be permitting footage of Gen Con events from Second Life, even though the virtual world is on it's list of "prohibited games."

On Saturday night, there was a celebration party. A number of the convention-goers met up at a replica of Indianapolis' Union Station (Gen Con was originally going to be at Indianapolis). The crowd was a mix of longtime residents, such as Ceri Quixote, and newcomers.

Although the events are over, the builds will be around for people to enjoy for a little longer. Tuesday August 4 will be the last day. Some places may require joining one of the con groups to get to. It's unknown whether future conventions will have an online portion for those not able to get to the real-life setting. Though if the mood of this one is any guide, it probably will.

Source: Gencon.com

Bixyl Shuftan

SL17B Sims Offline

And so, it's finally over.

Originally scheduled to close on Monday July 13, the sims of the Second Life Seventeenth Birthday got an extension for another week. So they remained open to all until Midnight July 19. They were open a few more days for exhibitors to pick up their displays, or admire the works of others one more time. Mischievous Mole would post the following:

The Estate is open through Sunday, July 19th for people to come in and continue to explore. The practical side of this is DON'T take down your exhibits yet! You can clean up your parcels July 20-22. Thanks everyone for a great Birthday! I hope everyone had a good time. I would love to hear any feedback you have about how things worked and what you thought of the layout this year.

Wednesday July 22 was the last day, and the sun set on the SL17B grounds for the final time. Sometime after Midnight, the sims were taken offline, and anything left there was frozen in place.

It was a great SL17B, and here's looking forward to SL18B.

Bixyl Shuftan

Addition: I heard Friday night that the exhibitors had their objects returned. 

The Second Life Seventeenth Birthday Event Ends

And it's over. For almost a month since Friday June 19, the Second Life Birthday has been going on. The official music events ended on Sunday June 28, but the sims remained up for people to see. Now, the sims are closed to the general public.

For some however, they can stick around for a few more days. Missy Mole (Mischievous Mole) posted the following in the exhibitor's group:

The Estate is open through Sunday, July 19th for people to come in and continue to explore. The practical side of this is DON'T take down your exhibits yet! You can clean up your parcels July 20-22. Thanks everyone for a great Birthday! I hope everyone had a good time. I would love to hear any feedback you have about how things worked and what you thought of the layout this year.

So yours truly has a little more time to take pictures. Though there's always at least one whom takes down his place early.

* * * * *

Correction: I found out late Tuesday that the sims are still up to the public, one resident saying the time was extended another week to the 19th.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Starting Over"

(Click here if the video does not play)

By Te21dash on June 2010

Burn2 Festival Ends

The Burn2 art and music festival is now over. Over the weekend, the Burning of the Man and the Temple Burn (above) took place. The events are over, but the sims will be up for another day or two. For those who want one more look, or haven't been there yet, head over and see the exhibits before the artists clean them up and "leave no trace."

The Relay Track Comes Down

"All good things must come to an end." And so must every Relay Weekend track. Even before "Teardown Day" on Thursday July 20, a few campsites were taken down the day before on Wednesday. This included the Sunbeamer camp, for some reason. Fortunately, a number of others remained up until the late afternoon and evening. And so people made last minute trips seeing them in detail, finishing up various hunts and games, or just going down the track one last time. Yours truly has also been busy taking pictures of the exhibits. Sadly I didn't get a detailed look of them all, but I get get a look at a number.

Taken by Trader Whiplash

"(sigh) T1Tower comes crashing down," Trader Whiplash announced, sending a picture of the radio exhibit's build not simply vanishing, but coming down with a symbolic crash, "hates this part of relay."

From Relay chat, taker unknown

"Best. RFL. Weekend. EVER!" commented Avariel Falcon in Relay chat, "Except for next year, that will be even better!" RaydenRider Resident spoke, "It was an amazing weekend though thanks to every single Relayer in SL." One told the group, "t was a terrible rollercoaster... lost a family member and a dear friend of mine just days before the weekend."

Ertina Loopen commented, "It is hard to see it go, but envision it as tearing down cancer because that is what Relay is all about. TI and Relay for Life in SL does it best!" Avariel commented, "I like the Fantasy Faire aproch of letting everything vanish into the mist."

And so, the Relay Weekend 2017 and it's sims have passed into history. But this is not the end of the Relay season just yet. Some teams are still having more events. This includes the Sunbeamers, whom are planning a celebration party this Sunday at 6PM at the Goblin Cave in the Pacific Waters sim. A spinoff event, the RFL Home, Castle, and Garden Expo is in just a few days, taking place on five sims on two levels. The opening ceremony at July 23 at 3PM, and it lasts to the end of the month.

For those who want to see screenshots of the Relay Weekend, there is the Relay for Life in Second Life Flickr page. Among the contributors, Wildstar Beaumont, IshtarAngel Micheline (Ishtarkiss), and Avariel Falcon. The Newser will try to have some more screenshots posted, soon.

Bixyl Shuftan

Full Circle Club Closes

I recenty heard that the club called “The Full Circle Club,” which I reported on in August, and also held an interview with the owners, has closed it’s doors permanently. The reason of closing is not known. I heard about the group’s closing, after someone who runs the group, sent me an IM notifying me that both the group as well as the club itself, have permanently closed down.

The Full Circle Club was a nice club in which I reported on the Relay For Life event a long while ago. It was nicely designed and the music that was played was nice too. It’s sad to hear that the club is gone.

Farewell, The Full Circle Club !!!

Wesley Regenbogen

Breaking News: Oskar Linden Dismissed From Linden Lab

In the Second Life Universe forums, Oskar Linden annouced that he has been terminated from Linden Lab.

More details to come later.

RFL Walk 2012: Steelhead's Exhibit Comes Down

Friday July 20 was the day that the RFL track was officially on borrowed time. Despite the previous day being the Teardown, many builds were still up. Peeking in time to time, there was little activity, an individual here or there. At around 9PM SL time, I took another look, and saw a gathering at Steelhead. I headed there, and found several of the Steelhead Salmons team, including Tensai Hilra, who greeted me hello. And around them was wreckage.

The team was joining those ending their exhibit with a bang - literally. They had stored the original exhibit, and were re-erecting copies of the larger parts, such as buildings and towers. Once the individual prims were unlinked, physics took over, and the structure came down in a crash, bricks, springs, wall sections, scattering all over.

It wasn't just towers that were rezzed. At one point, a cloud of prims came down around me. I then found the ground around us littered with fish! Salmons to be exact, steelhead salmons, how the Steampunk community, and the Relay team, got it's name. At another point, simple two-prim sheep were raining down from the sky, "Ba-a-a-a-a-a!" One of the Steelheads wolfed out, and looked like the sight of all the sheep put him in shock, like his dream come true had materialized and couldn't believe his fortune at seeing all that mutton.

Besides the Steelheads, I saw a couple other people. They were using the time the track still had to run a few more laps. Their reasons, unknown. Maybe they were enjoying the sights while they were still up, or perhaps running laps for a late friend. They quickly came and went, their images fading away into the distance.

Eventually, it was time for us to part ways, and the Salmons logged off or headed back to Steelhead.


And so, one of Second Life's biggest yearly events truly comes to a close, with hundreds of participants, notably the Passionate Redheads of Sunweavers/HV Community/Angels Estates where the Newser has it's office and neighbors, and the Steelhead Salmons of Steelhead whom have been happily sponsoring the paper. Thank you for the complements of our coverage.

For the Newser, it's the end of a particularly busy time, starting in early June with our Second Anniversary, then the Second Life Ninth Birthday, then a couple important weddings at HV Community and Steelhead, and then the Relay for Life Walk. There were a few things in the news that coverage had to wait on, but we'll get to those. With the SLCC kaput, it'll be some time before our next event that gets the attention of the whole Grid.

The Relay Walk may be over, but the news never ends.

Bixyl Shuftan

Reader Submitted: "The Party's Over"

Submitted by Marianne McCann of Bay City, here she looks over the empty landscape of SL9B that was once a bustling region of exhibits and people seeing them.