Your source of news about the people, places, things, and events across Second Life.
*
The Second Life Nineteenth Birthday is almost history. Each Birthday celebration of the virtual world has a number of things going on. It offers a chance for exhibitors to show what they have, often to showcase a community, organization or business. It allows DJs to show their stuff. And it offers the Lab a chance to talk to the residents, and perhaps answer a question or two.
Each one is also usually remembered for different things. The SL15B was noted for being the last of the resident-run Birthdays. the SL16B was the first one with Linden Lab back in charge, and also noted for it's 1950s theme. The SL18B was overshadowed by the recent passing of Linden Lab CEO Ebbe Altberg. For this year, the celebrations are probably best known for the Steampunk theme, and to a lesser extend the announcement and release of the "Premium Plus" option for Second Life accounts.
Interest in what Premium Plus would offer before the event was fairly high. But once the details of what it would offer were out, reaction was somewhat mixed. The majority of people commenting on one thread in the official forums expressed their dislike or stated they had no plans on getting it. A few grumbled the Lab was being greedy. But some did say they would get it or were considering. And within a few hours of it's release, several hundred had upgraded to it (at least according to the Lab). While it's unknown how many more signed up by now, it's clear the Lab's move is getting it some extra money from their move.
So what is the Lab doing with the money? Well, they demonstrated one thing in development: a new line of starter avatars. There's also that Linden Lab isn't truly independent, but was acquired a couple years ago. While one of the new owners has expressed his enthusiasm about Second Life, and he wants it to succeed, it's a sure thing the Waterfield Network wants some return on it's investment.
One other detail was the sims getting a last-minute extension of time. We're happy of course that the Lab gave the sims a few more days. But they could have given the announcement with more time to spare, and in the public group before the scheduled closing.
And then there's the theme for this year's Second Life Birthday: Steampunk. Perhaps that was a tribute to some Second Life communities with that theme. But it's also a genre of fiction based on the Victorian Age, some of what's considered steampunk now written at the time. The era had it's share of problems, pollution, mistreatment of factory workers, poverty, women treated as second-class citizens, etc. But it was also an age of discovery and progress. New lands were explored. Inventions would make getting around faster, help heal the sick, and improve the lives of people in many ways (imagine life without electric lights and bathroom tissue). Life and society would change more in the more advanced countries at a much more rapid pace than at any time before in history. So many writers get inspiration from the era to write tales of adventures in these turbulent but optimistic times.
Perhaps some of us will be inspired to read more of the fiction, read about the era, or perhaps spend more time in Second Life's steampunk communities, which would be an interesting legacy of the SL19B.
And then there's the next Birthday, the SL20B, the Big Two-Oh, What the theme will be for our platinum anniversary will be, we have months to guess. But it will be an interesting one. In the meantime for the Newser, more time for us to write about the people, places, and events elsewhere in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan
*
Blakewell
Chattoway
Davonius
Hogwood
Lygon
Philbert
Steverus
Throgmorton
Whipple
Cogtail
The Lab stated they were in the Steampunk theme of the Second Life Birthday. They didn't say how limited a time these names would be available.
Only Premium residents can change their account's last name, and there is a fee in doing so.
We've received news that Breezy Carver has passed. If you would like to pay your respects, there is a place in the gardens she built. There will be a formal memorial organized at a later date.
Hello everyone, I have some bad news and I'm sure many of you know or know of Breezy Carver as she was a HUGE blogger of all things Fantasy and Streampunk and Lived for FF each year as she did this year! She passed on May 3. She was quite sick but it was unexpected. Her funeral was June 4th. She will be greatly missed 😦
Wheatstone Waterways (10,18,101)
Bixyl Shuftan
Save the date!
On June 23rd, Second Life will be turning 19! The 19th annual Second
Life birthday celebration (SL19B) will be held from June 16th to July
5th. The theme for SL19B festivities is Steampunk! Get ready for three fun-filled weeks of live music, performances, shopping, and amazing community exhibits!
The Lab also announced applications were being accepted for musicians wishing to play tunes at the three day Musicfest, held June 16 to Saturday 18, and performers whom wished to perform at the SL19B.
Why celebrate for one day when we can party for a week! We are looking for all types of performers to join the week-long festivities from June 19th-26th. Are you a DJ who can spin up a great party set or a live performer who can jam all night? You might be one of the grid’s amazing Dance companies, or perhaps you’re a Particle Performer? One of the things that makes Second Life so vibrant and exciting is the wide range of performers who share their talent with our Residents. Whatever your medium, we would love to hear from you!
To sign up for the Musicfest, Click on this Google Doc link for it's application. It is for live musicians, only. Musicians have until April 10 to apply, and are limited to one hour slots, asked to show up an hour early, must have all lyrics and outfits be G-rated, have a 350 land impact limit for props, and other details. Those not on a regular schedule will be asked to show up for an audition.
To sign up as a Performer, Click on this Googlr Doc link for it's application. Performers have until May 8 to apply. Dance troupes may be granted a larger land impact limit than DJs and singers, up to 1000 LI "as deemed appropriate by the Mole Coordinators." While schedules aren't as rigid as the Musicfest, any changes such as requests for a different time or changes in names MUST be made before 48 hours of the scheduled time.
The Lab also reminded that neither Musicfest of Performer applicants are guaranteed a spot.
The Musicfest started several years ago as a separate Linden-run event in the days when the SLB was resident run. But it has become integrated as part of the larger event.
To read the blog post in full, Click Here.
To check the SL19B Planning thread in the forums, Click Here.
Bixyl Shuftan
The Spring Gacha Guild event is almost over. So if you want to take part in the event's Halftime Event, hop on over. Click just below the NPC Kitteh to get the hunt HUD, and click on him for instructions.
The points you get can be exchanged for prizes on a board you'll find in a place opened by the halftime event.
For some, the hunt is the real fun in the halftime event, and of course there's the exploring around in this steampunk-themed event with a few sky pirate ships. As for napping on a pile of gold, first you'll have to find it.
For hints, Click Here.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dew%20Drop/176/163/1212
Bixyl Shuftan
To those not familiar with what a gacha is, several items are up for sale in a vendor. When someone makes a purchase, they get one of the items at random. Some of the items may be uncommon or rare. The items can be given to others, though some such as avatars can only be before they're unpacked, and there are groups in which people offer to trade the items, including the Gacha Guild's own.
The side area is fairly detailed, and offers some places to explore and see. One area is off-limits though, at least for now. Presumably it will open on Saturday March 13 when the Halftime Hunt begins.
The event takes place on an Adult-rated sim, so child avatars are asked not to come. Despite the sim rating, no frisky behavior is permitted.
To learn more, check out the Gacha Guild website at https://gachaguild.com/ .
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dew%20Drop/176/163/1212
Bixyl Shuftan
On Wednesday, Second Life's largest steampunk community celebrated it's fourteenth anniversary. There would be two events that night, which took place a few days after it's Mardi Gras. There was much fun to be had, by local residents and visiting friends alike.
The Mieville steampunk community is facing a crisis: the disappearance of the landowner, Perryn Peterson. After a tip, I joined the community group, and in a notice from February 3, read the following.
So what are the people doing? Wyvern told me they were in the middle of making a backup plan. How much time did they have and how much slack would Linden Lab give them? "We have no idea how much time. LL won't tell us. But they said they'd be wiling to 'work with us' once the rent dries up. In the meantime I am keeping everything going forward like it was before: all events, Social Night, feeshing, etc." While some residents had left the estate grounds, others were staying. The local church was making plans for Ash Wednesday. Wyvern added, "We have Steam Hunt and Steam Expo 2020 opening on March 1. Lasts until March 31. Then in May we have Anxiety Awareness Art Festival." They were still accepting merchants for the Steam Expo, of which info can be found at Mieville Shelley (65/64/1035).
