Linden Lab Updates Marketplace Policy In Regards To Inactive Merchants

 

 

On Wednesday August 12, Linden Lab announced on it's blog that it had updated it's Marketplace policies. This was in regards to inactive merchants and items that are not selling.

There is now a "Product Unlisting Policy"

If a Merchant has not logged in for one year AND a specific product has not generated a sale in one year, that individual product listing will be automatically unlisted from Marketplace.

This policy applies only when both conditions are met.

If a Merchant has not logged in for one year AND a specific product has not sold in one year, that product will be automatically unlisted.

The Lab would add unlisting by itself "does not delete the product, the listing data, or the merchant account. The product is simply disabled from appearing for sale on Marketplace unless reactivated later by the merchant."

 

 There is also a "Store Disabling Policy"

If a Merchant has not logged in for two years AND their store has not sold anything in one year, the entire store will be automatically disabled.

The Lab would add this disabling of a Marketplace store, "does not delete the merchant account, products, or store data. The store is simply removed from active Marketplace visibility unless later reactivated by the merchant."

The policy enforcement will be aided by "a new automated monthly review process that identifies inactive products and stores based on account activity and sales history."

To keep products actve, the Lab encouraged merchants to "Review older or lower-performing listings periodically," and "Refresh product listings, images, descriptions, or pricing to help improve visibility and sales activity." They added, "Active merchants and actively maintained products will not be affected by these changes. Accounts will not be affected by these changes."

To read the announcement in full, Click Here. 

Bixyl Shuftan

Owner of JIAN Pets Closes Shop, Announces Leaving Second Life For Roblox

 

Sad news for fans of JIAN pets.  A few days ago, the owner, Kalia Pawtato (formerly Kalia Firelyte), announced on the store blog she was closing her store and departing Second Life. 

 

I also wanted to offer a fond, long time coming farewell as I step away from Second Life and Jian to take new chances, make new mistakes and make fun messes in new places.

Second Life has for the past 20+ years been a major part of my real life. Professionally, it's where I got my start all those years ago and continued to iterate in what I did ... I'm grateful for all the people I've met who also all carried lessons I'll take with me into the future. 

 

Her inworld store at Pounamu Island is mostly closed.  All that's left is an inworld redelivery terminal for resending any past purchases made. Although at (64/153/22), it seems trying to teleport anywhere near it will result in you appearing over a thousand meters above the sim, plummeting downward. Her Marketplace page is still up and running: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/170150 . She would also have a blog page, Bearpuppy, at https://www.bearpuppy.gg/ .

 

Where she is going may surprise some residents, Roblox.

 

For the past four years I've been working on Roblox and a couple other platforms both for myself and others. My life has changed over the years and so have my interests. It is a natural evolution of my professional trajectory to move to new places where I hope to develop new, fun things.

 

A thread about her departure was started on the Linden Forums by Prokofy Neva, "this is sad news, for those of us in SL that bought and enjoyed these pets." One poster remarked, "Pets and breedables in SL are laggy and obnoxious! They don't belong here, because SL can't handle it. People who make them should go to another platform, where their creations will perform better, and annoy the rest of us less." Others expressed sadness, "Sad to hear another talented creator is departing."

 

One would say, "Jian is one of the contributors that has made my SL infinitely better. ... I will miss Jian. It has been a part of my many weekend jaunts inworld for so long, I cannot recall when it was not. I have the cutest worn pets that I have grown attached to. And I am incredibly grateful they are leaving a redelivery terminal available. And for all they have contributed here and to my inworld experience, I wish Jian great happiness and fun wherever they are!" 

 

Nobody on the Newser staff has a Roblox account, nor do I personally know much about it. While it has a much larger user base, as it's mainly children and teens, it hasn't been thought of as competition for Second Life like VRChat has. 

 

In any event, the Grid has one less longtime talented content creator. 

 

Hat Tip:  Linn Darkwatch

 

Image Credit:  Kyrie Deka

 

Bisyl Shuftan 

 

Teddy’s Haven

 

Nydia Tungsten is back with another game review. In her article for today, she looks over "Teddy's Haven." In this game you run a shop in a Medieval Fantasy village. So instead of being an adventurer, you're selling goods to them, as well as others who come by the shop. You can explore some, and collect things to sell, as well as meeting people and creatures. As you make money, you can expand. So what did Nydia think?

 

Read Nydia's review in Other Grids, Games, and MMOs. 

 

For All Seasons, Hilly Haalan Knows What You Love

 

Thanks to Netera Landar, the long-neglected Fashion section of the Newser is getting a story. She dropped by Hilly Haalan, a store with a wide selection of womens' wear. So just what did she find?

 

Read Netara's article in Fashion. 

"Month of Giving" Almost Over At En Pointe

 

 En Pointe, a store that's been part of the Fantasy Faire, has been holding a "Month of Giving" this November. There's still two days left to be part of it.

 

40% off entire catalog, all locations
20% off ALL earnings for the month of November will be donated weekly to local and national food assistance.
The 40% will be refunded after purchase due to how the system works
Sale does not include 3 month or newer product, but will be included in donations 

 

The main store is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lumina/156/56/3931

 

Snuggles

 

Gemma Cleanslate's search for Christmas-themed places continues. She recently stopped by a store with a cute name: Snuggles. There was a wide variety of outdoor decor to get. But there's also plenty of decorations for the inside of a home, plus gifts you can get for someone.

 

Read Gemma's article in Places. 

 

Early Christmas Shopping at Dench Designs

 

While it may be early November, already stores have Christmas decorations out.  Gemma Cleanslate went to a longtime favorite, Dench Designs. It has plenty of Christmas decor, including some bargains, and also has some decorations for Thanksgiving. 

 

Read Gemma's article in Design 

More on the "Gang of Homos" Controversy

 

Several days ago, the Newser reported on the Bella Epoque store having to move after the landlord Lighthouse (landland.ansar) evicted the owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), she posting that this was done so out of discrimination, showing him making a "Gang of homo" comment. The response was much support for her and condemnation of him. Since then, Lighthouse finally answered the Newser. But more details have come out, such as someone else going over to talk to him, as well as looking around, and feeling things aren't adding up. 

Read more in People. 

 

Store Owner Evicted, Landlord Upset Over "Gang of Homos"

 

Bella Epoque is a store some who were at the Fantasy Faire may remember as the one who supplied the outfit for the Fairlands Quest this year (and earlier). It's got a huge amount of items, over 5600 listed on it's Marketplace page. But the store's inworld location has recently changed after it's landlord suddenly demaned they leave. 

It's owner, Jani La Belle (Janire Coba), explained the situation on her Flickr.

BELLE EPOQUE MOVING!

Hello all. Due to homophobic reasons from Lighthouse (landland.ansar) the owner of the sim, I had to find a new home for belle Epoque. I already have one, i am just rezzing all my stuff again. Please be patient for a couple of days while it's under construction! Love you all!

She posted a picture of a message from the landlord, "Please do me a favor and I don't want even on my sim you rent from me as well dont want to see you face you and your f**ken s**t friends. gang of homo." 

 

I contacted Jani, and she stated the move was going well, "I got a new land and started rezzing everything, ans today store was open. And I got massive support from the SL community." She stated she hadn't had any trouble from the landlord before, "Not at all. My store has been there for 10 years. I asked him for a little land for a fundraising event, he said yes, and when he saw my friends are lesbians, went all sexist homophobic, disrespected them, banned them, asked me to move the charity event out of his land, and then banned me from my sim and returned my store. 

 

"Yes, he called us GANG OF HOMO, and yes we proudly are (smiles)."

 

I asked how long would it take for the store to be in full operation.  She answered, "I did my best and worked my a** off. In a couple of days the store will be ready 100% And the landscaper will go decorate when she has time, it'll look great."

 

Of the previous landlord, Landland Ansar, "His profile is, something. ... you can read his profile to have an idea of his, ideas." For years, there was no trouble with him at all, "I just paid regularly and never talked to him, and he never talked to me." Then last year, things started to change, "I had a little issue with him last year when he started asking me for items for his parties and complained they we're not clothing. Then (he) started giving me tips for my business, about making clothes for men etc. He was pesting me so i asked him not to tell me how to run my business." Of his profile, "10 years ago his profile was empty, only picks to his rental office."

 

She wasn't letting the incident get her down. In fact, she was taking the phrase and quite literally wearing it as a badge of honor, issuing tee shirts with the words "Gang of Homos."

Belle Epoque GIFT

So, as most of you probably know by now, I had to move Belle Epoque because of some good ol’ homophobia. But instead of letting it get me down, I’ve decided to flip the script and have some fun with it.

Introducing -  the GANG OF HOMO CHALLENGE!

Put on your Gang of Homo tee, snap a pic, send it to the one who dropped the oh-so-charming comment, and send me a screenshot so we can laugh our homo little a**es off together!  Let’s turn shade into sparkle, babes! 

 

Many have responded to Jani, offering her well wishes and expressing shock and surprise at the situation. "Wow! That is absolutely appalling behavior." "Oh, it's disgusting!" "...I'm very sorry for this unpleasant and disgusting situation and I'm glad you're working on a solution!" "So sorry Jani. You are a very talented artist, and will find a sim worth your creativity." Yours truly found out through a Fantasy Faire fan on a Discord channel. 

 

Of her work in the Fantasy Faire, "I am a world builder, region sponsor and sim designer, and I design the quest outfits too."

 

Jani would say, "I want to add that I won't tolerate any kind of intolerance, there'll ALWAYS be a response to any kind of violence against a vulnerable community. And we're a proud GANG OF HOMOS. And please thank the sl community and the support i've received inworld and in social media."

 

The Newser reached out to Landland for comment. But as of the writing of this article, there has been no response yet. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: Dog Musician

 

 

 Taken while shopping. I came across this dog playing his guitar at a store. 

I figured he'd play most any tune, except one.

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Snuggle Christmas Store

 

Gemma Cleanslate continues her looking around for Christmas stores in Second Life. Her latest stop was a place with a cute name: Snuggle. Set in not just one sim but a few, She found much decor available for sale. So what did she find?

 

Read Gemma's story in Design.

Dench Christmas Shop

 

Thanksgiving is over, and the Christmas shopping season is upon us. And some want to get an early start for "Black Friday." One place to start is Dench Designs. An old favorite of Gemma Cleanslate's, she dropped over to take a look at their Christmas items. 

Read Gemma's article in Design. 

Three Halloween Shopping Places

 

While it may still be September, already Second Life is getting ready to the spooky season that is Halloween. Gemma Cleanstate decided to take a look at three. She went to Dench Designs, Khargo, and :"Fiendish Rides and Haunt." So what did she think?

 

Read Gemma's article in Design.

 

*Update: two more pictures in the article since it was first posted*

The Puddle Jumper Mall

 

 

 In the Sunweaver Community lands, there's a store one can go to for a variety of goods: the Puddle Jumper Mall. Located next to Farshore Field in Sunlight Bay, it is owned and operated by Cynthia Farshore,

 

 

The store offers a number of goods, from clothes, including period outfits, jewelry, swords and staves, sci-fi style armor, furniture of both fantasy and sci-fi settings, airport structures, typing animations, . There's also a section with a number of freebie items from the Arcadia Asylum and Yadni's Junkyard. Stop by the largest store of the thriving Sunweaver community. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunlight%20Bay/108/167/22 

Cartoon of The Day: Magic Broom, Or Maybe Not

 

 

 Taken while shopping. I see these magic brooms once in a while. But I realized with today's technology, something like them *could* exist in real-life. Which made me think of sci-fi author Arthur C. Clark's best-known quote.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan 

Cartoon of The Day: Winged Floatie

 

 

 Taken while shopping. This float got my attention as it had bat wings. With my sense of humor, I was wondering if it was someone's idea of "water wings."

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Cartoon of The Day: Kittycat Shopping

 

 

 Taken at Kittycats. While there, there was someone in a cat avatar shopping for some food. One wonders what a real cat would be thinking.

By Bixyl Shuftan

The Palomma Plaza

 

Some residents of Second Life may remember the Free Dove, a noted freebie store that didn't have just outdated and simplistic items, but quality ones that looked good. Sadly it's owner, Palomma Casanova, passed away a year and a half ago. But the store didn't go away. Shelby Monitor, who know Palmma in real life as well as Second Life, assumed ownership and kept it running under a new name: The Palomma Plaza. Gemma decided to check the place out. She would also drop by Yosemite and write about the available campsites.

 

Read Gemma's story in Design. 

The Thanksgiving Parade And Some Xmas Shopping Places

 

The Thanksgiving Parade is back! DJ Franny Dean’s friends were determined to keep her project going, and they succeeded. Gemma Cleanslate went to take a look, but also checked out some places to do some early Christmas shopping. So where did she go?

Read Gemma's article in Places.

Zan's Clothing Store

 

At Steelhead, and Caledon, is a store where you can get some quality Victorian-period clothing: Zan's.

 

Zantyago Mannonen is the owner and tailor of the store. He has spent over a decade in Second Life making suits and dresses. When mesh came to Second Life, he soon started making outfits with it. Today, he has a large variety of clothes for sale. 

 

Most of Zan's clothing is Victorian Age fashion, great for going about a steampunk-themed community, an outfit for some parties, or if you just want to look fashionable. But not all of it is 19th Century, as he does have a line of "retro 80s" skirts, sweaters, and shirts. There's even some clothing available for those who prefer 'taur bodies. And it's not just clothes that are available. There's also some items of furniture up for sale.

Zan's has two locations. One store is in Caledon South End, where his profile states where he keeps some of his "special" items. The other, the main location, is in Steelhead Bay. One can buy inworld at those locations, or the SL Marketplace store. 

 Caledon location - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20SouthEnd/162/104/24

Main location - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Steelhead%20Bay/109/174/32

 

Marketplace - https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/58846

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ZMannonen 

Addition: I was recently told by a reliable source that the Caledon store has recently closed.