Scenes From The SLB: Staff Posters

 

Taken at The Golden Palms at SLB Mesmerize.  While dropping by recently, I noticed posters of some of the staff. Plus there was one other with some statistics of the event, with a word of thanks.. They were made by Leondra Larsson.

 

 

No doubt the staff appreciated the recognition. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

SLB23B Open To Applications For Volunteer Staff

 

Last week on April 14, Linden Lab announced they were accepting applications by residents wanting to be volunteer staff for the Second Life 23rd Birthday celebrations, or SL23B. 

 

 

We’re looking for volunteers to help bring the celebration to life. SL23B volunteers play an important role in welcoming visitors, assisting with events, and helping guests explore the birthday regions.

We’re seeking Residents with strong people skills, patience, and enthusiasm for sharing the best of Second Life with others. Volunteers help answer questions, guide visitors through the celebration regions, and support the many activities happening throughout the event.

If you enjoy helping others and want to be part of the team that makes SL23B run smoothly, we encourage you to submit a volunteer application ....

 

Those interested in submitting an application need to do so through this Google doc (here).  Besides being courteous, you need to keep your appearance appropriate for a General-audience sim, as well as wearing the group tag and team shirt. You must commit to shifts two hours long and be available for at least a minimum total of eight hours for the event, longer totals very much preferred. And volunteers *must* attend a pre-event training session, with those not showing up removed from the group. And as these are strictly volunteer positions, no compensation in Linden dollars will be offered. 

 

Volunteer applications need to be submitted by Monday May 18.  This is the same date as exhibitors and performers. The information for those wanting to take part in the Shop and Hop is currently pending. 

 

The SL23B will take place from Thursday June 18 to July 19.  The theme this year is The Golden Age of Hollywood. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

(sorry for the delay, lots of things happening) 

 

Crew Meeting

 

Picture from Gemma Cleanslate

Saturday January 10 was the first Newser crew meeting for the year, taking place in our office at HV Community. Those attending from right to left were Netera Landar, Gemma Cleanslate, Bixyl Shuftan (myself), Nydia Tungsten, and Klaus Bereznyak. We would discuss what we covered in December, and plans on what to write about this month. Falling between the holiday season and Valentines Day & the start of the Relay fundraising season, there's usually more time to cover things that we've put off for a while. 

Netera admitted to being a little overdressed due to a tribute that night. But the rest of us just complemented on her looks. 

 

Stay tuned for more articles of great people, places, and events by the SL Newser team.

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Editor 

Newser Crew Meeting

 

On Saturday December 13 at Noon SL time, the Newser staff would hold a meeting. It would be at its office in HV Community. From right to left were Gemma Cleanslate, Nydia Tungsten, Netera Landar, Penny Shuftan, and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We would talk about subjects to write about, which December certainly provides plenty of,

And eventually came "meeting adjourned," which brought out a festive gesture.

 

Stay tuned for more stories from the Newser crew.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Last Day To Submit SLB Applications

 

For those still wanting to submit applications for exhibitors, volunteer staff, and performers , today Monday May 19 is your last chance. After Midnight, no more applications will be accepted. 

If past history is any guide, within several days the first exhibitors will get emails from Linden Lab saying they've been approved, where their plots are, and how to get into the exhibitor group. 

Stay tuned for further updates. 

SL19B Update: Exhibitor and Volunteer Applications Now Open

 

Yesterday, Thursday March 31, Linden Lab announced it would began accepting applications from those wishing to be among the exhibitors and of the volunteer staff of the SL19B anniversary event for Second Life. For exhibitors, while going with the theme, Steampunk, is encouraged, it is not necessary to build strictly within it.

The theme for SL19B is Steampunk, but don’t let that make you feel limited! Just like last year, your exhibit does not need to stay in theme. Share your Second Life passions with us. Your interests. Your communities. Your world! Every year we celebrate because of you, the amazing and creative Residents who have chosen to call Second Life home. What has drawn you into this world, and what keeps you here? These annual festivities are an opportunity to show us what fuels your Second Life. Let's celebrate that together!

Those wanting to be exhibitors are asked to fill out a Google docs form (link). There are rules such as no "promoting buying and selling of goods and services" (stores and businesses can still have an exhibit, but have to follow rules), and exhibits need to be within the guidelines of a general-rated sim (for example no adult furniture). Scripted bots are not allowed at exhibits. While having a party at one's exhibit is fine, exhibits cannot "be used as a performance/music/DJ venue for the entirety of the event." Nor can exhibits be political in nature. And as there are a finite number of exhibit parcels, there is no guarantee of being accepted. People can request a larger-sized parcel, but must explain why the size is needed. Exhibitors can have two co-builders with access to the plot.

If you have the Second Life spirit and stamina to promote SL19B events and serve as a guide for huge crowds, we’d love for you to fill out the volunteer application by May 8th, 2022!

Those wanting to be volunteers have another Google docs form to fill out (link). They are expected to be courteous to others and be able to work in shifts of at least two hours. They must wear assigned t-shirts and need to have an overall appearance and profile that fit within the General-rated maturity level theme of the SL Birthday. Applicants are asked if they want to be greeters or stage crew, and if one of the latter which position. Those applying are also asked which type of mesh body they usually wear so a crew shirt that properly fits will be available.

Like with performer applications, those desiring to be exhibitors and volunteers for the SL19B have until May 8 to apply. As a reminder, the SL19B takes place from June 16 to July 5.

To read the announcement on the Linden blog, Click Here.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Crew Meeting

 

A few days ago, the Newser staff had it's crew meeting, which took place in it's main office in HV Community. It was fairly small, those showing up being Kayly Iali, Gemma Cleanslate, Fritter Enzyme, and myself. We talked about accomplishments in the previous month, and what we could work on in the month ahead. 

Among the more amusing moments was when someone wondered if the coffee was getting stale. So someone whipped out a small keg of Guinness. But unfortunately it ended up on a plate of cookies.

Oh well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Help Wanted: "Fly On The Wall" Needs DJs, Host/Hostesses

 

Fly on the Wall is  hiring Country/Rock DJ's and Hosts.  We are a drama free club with a one set minimum requirement.  All avi's must be at least 30 days old, no kid avi's.  If interested fill out one of our applications located on the links below or pick up an application at the club and return to the club owner: мαк αттαςк (makenzie.heartsong)

Come see what the buzz is all about!!

DJ Application - http://bit.ly/34th0oz
Host Application - http://bit.ly/3q0D0Bh        

Bella Brook (143,191,20)

Crew Meeting

 

 Taken at the Newser office at it's monthly staff meeting. From left to right are Kayly Iali, Gemma Cleanslate, myself (Bixyl Shuftan) and Nydia Tungsten, whom was offscreen at the moment. In the middle of our discussion, some confetti went up. Guess someone wanted to celebrate the end of a long election season. 

Bixyl Shuftan

"The Shelter" Leaders Speak On The Closing

Yesterday, the Newser reported on The Shelter, a newcomer hangout that assisted those new to Second Life, announcing that it was closing after sixteen years as an active place and group. Earlier today, we were given the following message.

* * * * *

As I'm sure you will have heard by now The Shelter will be closing it's doors as of Sunday 30th August 2020 8 PM SLT,

The reasons for this are numerous and too lengthy for this note, but it is not all bad news as The Shelter building will be Archived by the Lindens and will remain in world for as long as SecondLife is around.

I know a great many of you have considered The Shelter home and I am sorry to all of you, I hope you will continue to enjoy you SecondLife's

The main Shelter Group will remain in place but no new members will be admitted the Infra group will be closed down and all members removed

The final Events will be:

Saturday 29th 1 PM Theme Dance
7 PM Pool Party

Sunday 30th 1 PM Voice Sunday
7 PM Formal Dance



The theme Dances will both have Double Prize Money for their final outing and Wacoede will be DJ'ing the final Pool Party as he was the first DJ for the pool Party

To all the Vendors of the Shelter you have until the 30th to come pick up your items or they will be returned as a coalesced object

To all the Tier Donors feel free to remove your tier contributions but as I said above all members will be removed from the infra group on the 30th


Regards

Shelter Leadership

Wacoede Unplugged
Shadow Pidgeon

* * * * *

The Newser wishes the volunteers of "The Shelter," and the people they've been helping out, the best of luck.

SL17B Volunteer Staff Now Open For Applications

For those of you waiting to be one of the volunteers for the Second Life Birthday, good news. A few days ago, Linden Lab announced they were accepting applications to be part of the volunteer staff for the SL17B.

Do you love Second Life? Do you love to party? Do you love to help? Join the SL17B Volunteer staff and you can do all three!  

We’re looking for volunteers to help people celebrate at the upcoming 17th annual Second Life birthday celebration (SL17B), held June 19-July 10. We are seeking Residents with great people skills and a love and excitement for Second Life to help us make SL17B a huge success! If you like the idea of promoting Second Life in a positive way to thousands of people in a  celebratory atmosphere, we welcome you ...

Those wanting to be volunteers are asked to fill out and send an online application (link). People have until May 18 to sign up.

The notice also had reminders that the Lab was also accepting applications for performers and exhibitors for the SL17B, and applications for the Music Fest auditions.

To see the blog post in full, Click Here.

Interview With Emorald of Montecito Bay

Over time, the Newser has reported on the community of Montecito Bay. But who are the people behind it? Among the staff is Emorald Resident,  often mentioned with her partner as "Lem and Em." But who is she on her own? The Newser recently had a chance to ask her.

Read the interview in People.

Holding Down The Office

Readers may have noticed that for over a week, there hasn't been any articles from the rest of the staff. This isn't because they haven't found anything, but that real-life has been butting in to the point they've had to put down their pens, at least for the moment.

So for now, yours truly has been keeping things running on his own. But only temporary. One reporter has already contacted me about an article in progress. And everyone else should be back on track soon.

Bixyl Shuftan

News and Commentary: Linden Lab Lays Off Over 20 of Sansar Staff, Next-Gen World Faces a Mediocre Future

On Monday November 4, it was reported by blogger Ryan Schultz that Linden Lab had dismissed over 20 of the part of it's staff running it's Sansar virtual world. The news of the layoffs was just two days after news that the next-generation virtual world had undergone a major staff shakeup. As Linden Lab won't confirm if anyone's lost their job or not, Schutlz and then Hamlet Au got the news from insiders in the Lab. Inara Pey would state of the sixteen names she knew on the Sansar team, four were no longer active.

While Sansar has had a few enthusiastic fans, it's following has remained small. While it initially got a large number of curious visitors after it's introduction in July 2017, most didn't find a reason to stay and it's numbers dropped to less than fifty users a day, sometimes as low as ten. By January 2019, the number increased a little to 79 a day. A report on New World Notes last month brought up an infographic from September stating that Sansar was third of social VR platforms in peak concurrent users at 220 compared to 475 of Recroom and 10610 of VRChat, which has become the next-generation virtual world of choice. The report stated what the numbers didn't show was that most were coming on for a handful of popular events, and between them normal usage of the next-generation virtual world was closer to 20. These statistics are a tiny drop compared to the tens of thousands on Second Life and the several thousands of VR Chat, "220 people for Hello Kitty during TwitchCon 2019 on September 27... And after the event, tumbleweeds as usual."

Hamlet Au would put part of the blame for Sansar's failure to draw in bigger numbers on Linden Lab changing direction with the virtual world during it's development and after it's release, such as making content creation available only with offworld tools and pairing it with VR gear, the latter which is too expensive for most computer users. The current direction seems to be a focus on live events, which as stated earlier provides a temporary boost to it's mediocre numbers. Sansar developer "Gindipple" would comment, "They've changed direction so many times now. They are winging this and hoping. I gave up on them a while ago, so don't care as much now. They lost a lot of good people in this cut back, some went to SL but many [are] just out."

Second Life's future is still secure, as the Lab is still hiring people for it. But for Sansar, it looks like it will be operating with a "skeleton crew" as it faces a mediocre future. It's highly unlikely the Lab will close down the virtual world. Hamlet predicted it would "eventually be run as a spinoff company and product separate from Linden Lab." In any event, Linden Lab long had high hopes for the virtual world, despite most users of Second Life giving it a thumbs down. Now it appears even they have admitted, at least to themselves, that it's next-generation virtual world won't be attracting numbers anything close to the one that's been going for over sixteen years.

Sources: Ryan Schultz, New World Notes, Modem World

Bixyl Shuftan

Crew Meeting

On Sunday November 3, the Newser had it's monthly crew meeting. Present from right to left were Deaflegacy, Gemma Cleanslate, Nydia Tungsten (whom is rejoining), and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We talked about possible subjects to cover, such as Veterans Day and Thanksgiving-themed places and events.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Outside SL: Plagued Doctor at the Furry Con

While the following story doesn't have much to do with Second Life, it does involve a resident of our virtual world. JB Raccoon told the Newser about a friend of his, who wishes for now to be known as only "The Attendee," who went to a 'con in an unusual costume. For a couple days, all went well. Then he was stopped by one of the 'con staff who had objections to some props on the outfit that hadn't been a problem before with him and with others no one was raising issues.

Read the story in Extra.

Crew Meeting

 Saturday July 7 was the day of the Newser's crew meeting. Attending from right to left were Jamiethefoxy, Klaus Bereznyak, Deaflegacy, and Bixyl Shuftan (myself). We traded ideas about what to write about, such as the upcoming Relay Weekend (which was the reason this pictures weren't posted last week), and other subjects.

At the end up the meeting when we all stood up, I noticed something about Klaus. He was shoeless. "Oh yes - it's the summer," he told me, "I have been hoboing." I reminded him with a grin, "Bare feet for a fur is one thing, for a human avatar, a bit more watch where you walk." "Hee hee - I will."

Getting to the foot of the matter, I guess

Bixyl Shuftan

Linden Lab Lays Off Twelve, VP of Product Leaves

Linden Lab is a little smaller as a small number of employees have been dismissed. Also, one of the people higher up has left to accept a new position elsewhere.

Hamlet Au recently stated in New World Notes that, "A highly reliable source tells me Linden Lab recently made workforce staff reductions. ... this most recent layoff impacted about a dozen employees: 'It was like one person from each department, totaling 12 ... mostly shared staff ...' "

There were also two recent former employee reviews of the Lab on Glassdoor, which may or may not be two of the twelve. One who called himself a software engineer remarked, "Massive layoffs, but got rid of the wrong people." While he felt, "Some of the people I worked with were smart, passionate and really wanted to create something amazing." He had a mediocre view as a whole of the company, "Leadership has no vision and don't have the skills to run something as ambitious as Sansar. ... The same old people have been there for the longest time. (They) keep hiring the wrong people and putting the wrong people in positions of power."

The other review from an anonymous employee, "Make LL Great Again" was less critical. But he still had a negative outlook, "Company is too focused on its new product; those who work on the mainstay feel set aside and taken for granted. HR is nearly non-existent; most team members are remote or barely in the office. Too many org changes lately have left folks feeling insecure, morale is low and sinking. I hope they can turn it around." His advice to the Lab's leaders, "You have some really awesome people there; get out of their way."

In June 2010, Linden Lab had a massive layoff, or "restructuring" as they called it, in which about a third of their staff was given pink slips. Followed by the CEO then stepping down, it was a sign of a company in trouble. This news following the Lab's decision to raise fees for it's users a few months ago can be considered a sign the company is more pessimistic about it's long-term profitability. Part of the reason may be Sansar having a small base of regular users, despite Linden Lab's large investment in the next-generation virtual world.

One Linden whom left the company recently did so on his own. Bjørn Laurin, who was the "Vice President of Product, turned in his resignation. Joining Linden Lab in March 2015, Laurin was most associated with Sansar. Inara Pey described him as "one of the popular Lab reps (alongside Ebbe Altberg and Jason Gholston (Widely Linden) ) for his willingness to offer broad-ranging views and comments on Sansar’s direction, upcoming releases and ideas being discussed for the platform back at the Lab." Laurin left to pursue a job at HTC Vive.

Sources: New World Notes, Modem World, Glassdoor

Bixyl Shuftan

Crew Meeting

Last week on December 9, the Newser held it's crew meeting at it's office in HV Community. Due to technical difficulties, a couple were unable to attend. From left to right are Shaza Denver, Alura Denver, Bixyl Shuftan (me), and Klaus Bereznyak. We went over a few ideas on what to cover for the month of December.

Bixyl Shuftan

Crew Meeting Scene

Saturday November 11 was the monthly meeting for the Second Life Newser crew at its office in HV Community. Among those there was Gemma Cleanslate, who took her pet Firekitty over.

No mice were seen at that meeting.

Bixyl Shuftan