Second Life

Losing faith in Second Life

by d3adlyc0d3c, ex-griefer

I was recently banned from Second Life (again) where I had an account as Adromor Wierwight for a period of 3 months. During this time I established a company called ‘Pomilio Enterprises’ where I saw some success as an SL business person raking in over 34k Lindens in the first month of operation without paying a single dime out of pocket. When I was banned I had four stores across the grid and had all of my products listed on OnRez and Apez.

I made some friends of former enemies, established valuable business contacts, befriended employees of Linden Lab and of course made a few new enemies. A few weeks ago that ended when Harry Linden was assigned the task of processing a frivolous AR that had been filed on me. When he discovered my identity (presumably from chat logs on the server) I was immediately perma-banned.

I had correspondence with some LL executives and I promised that as much as I hated this I would keep secret some of the controversial things that happened during my short time as ‘CEO’ of ‘Pomilio Enterprises’ and that I wouldn’t be bothering to return to SL after having spent so much time developing my inventory just to be banned as soon as business began picking up. I promised them this and I pleaded for them to listen to reason to prevent the stagnation of this platform.

I still feel a bit nostalgic when I read the Herald or think about SL. I like Second Life a lot but I hate what is happening here. I have heard the cries of the ‘end is near’ for a good while now and never paid them much attention. I had always thought that it was coming from people who just didn’t understand how complex a platform like Second Life would be to perfect.

Since then I have been noticing a new trend where LL has become increasingly bold, ignoring the outrage of it’s residents and further alienating them. They seem intent on assuring their own destruction by driving away their most loyal user base. It is such a shame that they are ruining something that could be so great.

Complex social structures have sprung forth where there are cliques, gangs, businesses and so much networking. Many of the hardcore users are much more emotionally involved than in any other virtual world there is to date. I often found myself wondering if one day people would write books about the things people did in Second Life. The platform has only been around a short time and already it has such an interesting history. I would love to see SL progress to this point but I am finally seeing what others have already been seeing.

Since the Lab doesn’t seem to have a problem with destroying itself and pissing off millions of users, I figured why not help them achieve their apparent goal? So here I am, I’m breaking one of my two promises today. Today I’m going to have my say about the Lab and it’s shenanigans. Today I finally get critical.

The emergence of ‘trademark guidelines’ was a source for irritation for me as a Herald contributor and a friend to a few other contributors. I still refused to speak out. I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was the announcement of LL’s unveiling of the new ‘Corporate SL’.

When LL announced this I remembered a conversation I had with one ‘Logger Sewell’ one day as Adromor Wierwight where he told me that he knew for a fact that LL was only letting the public ‘beta test’ Second Life and that once it became stable it would be marketed exclusively to real world business. He claimed it would be used for intra-company communications and training sessions, educational institutions and inter-business networking, all for an exorbitant monthly fee of course. At the time I brushed him off thinking that he was only being paranoid. I just couldn’t see any evidence that this was true.

The more I have considered it, the more logical it seems. SL could be the perfect business tool. Business people can conduct meetings and network, they can transfer funds and make deals with each other all within this platform. Established companies usually have more money than the average person so marketing to businesses seems like a good idea. I marketed my products to businesses in SL as Adromor Wierwight and that worked pretty well for me.

Skeptics will of course argue that the free instant messaging programs such as YIM, MSN or AIM offer any of the features businesses would need for networking. If that was really the case though people would be on MSN chatting, cybering, pretending they’re in clubs or going shopping and most of the other crap people do in SL. Graphics play a huge part in a program’s marketability. Appearance is the selling point. Combining appearance and functionality makes for a winner. It appears that LL might just be testing those waters right now and if they feel that they can profit more off of real world businesses SL as we know it could disappear.

The unveiling of this new Corporate SL could mean that the time is very close where LL will close shop on the public. Their blatant disregard for their customers feelings may also signal their intent. It only makes sense if they aren’t planning on keeping you around for them to ignore you. In fact it seems like that’s the ONLY reasonable explanation for what they’re doing. The TOS makes it clear that if and when that day comes, LL can keep all of your ‘Linden Dollars’ and your content and tier and the money you paid for uploading images. This may or may not hold up in court but it seems reasonable to expect them to rip everyone off before they shut them out based on what they’re doing now.

A good friend of mine has referred to Philip Linden as ‘The Prince of Lies’ ever since I met her. I didn’t usually agree with her. Hell, even LL employees who I have spoken to vigorously defended him. Most employees resent their bosses because they often feel underpaid or under appreciated among many other things and the fact that this appeared not to be the case at LL put to rest any concerns that I had. My views have slowly shifted as of late.

I am beginning to see the same Linden Lab my friend does. Her views are becoming more widespread and I can no longer ignore it. They can’t all be wrong, there’s just too many people who are noticing teh Lab’s change in direction. They’ve been noticing it for awhile before I caught on here recently.

Just a few prophetic words of warning from your friendly neighborhood d3adlyc0d3c — watch out, something funny is going on at the Lab and it doesn’t seem to bode well for people who are investing money in this platform. Assess the risks, keep close tabs on LL’s blog and then decide for yourselves - you’ll see the signs soon, too

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by Pixeleen Mistral, National Affairs desk

The Daily Show’s coverage of the recent congressional hearings on Second Life has had a surprising side effect on the 3D walled garden of cyber delights - skyrocketing demand for aquatic mammal avatars with D-cup breasts.

Virtual correspondent Beowolf Porpoiseburg started the trend in the video clip below, and most observers agree - fishy tatas have taken the fashion world by storm.

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[Note from Justine- Lorelei contacted me months and months ago about Post 6 and patiently waited her turn. I hope you’ll agree that she was worth the wait. She is as nice as she is nice looking and I only hope I’ve done her justice].

Greetings all! I’m Lorelei, and I’ve been in SL since July of 2007. I started out viewing SL as simply an escape from RL. I was determined that I would not mix the two; SL was going to be just a place where I could forget everything and have fun living out my fantasies. Trouble is… I found myself naturally seeking the same things in SL that mean the most to me in RL - love, both that “special” sort, and the love of dear friends/family. I have found both. We are all real people behind these avatars, and it’s impossible to think of them as just pixels on a screen. At least, it is for me.  I am loved by the finest man Man in SL, my beloved Master, Gage Ultsch. I’ve made many dear friends here too, and I treasure each and every one of them. I’m very laid back and easy to talk to, and always happy to make new friends, so don’t hesitate to say hello if you run into me!

I was barely a week old in SL before I naturally gravitated toward the Gorean crowd. Gor is absolute heaven for a girl like me, who is a born submissive, ultra-feminine, as straight as they come, and prefers her gender roles very clearly defined. In Gor I can relax, surrounded by those like me and those who understand me. I don’t have to constantly explain to people WHY I love being a slave, or defend myself to those who have a problem with that. I was comforted by the rituals and the rules of Gor… I like knowing what is expected of me, and having a routine to live by. Don’t let the pretty gown in that first picture fool you - I’m a blissfully happy full time slave in SL! My Master happens to like seeing me in a pretty gown from time to time, and I live to please Him. Mostly, though, He prefers me in sexy silks, which is just the way I’m most comfortable myself. My collar may be hidden occasionally, but it is ALWAYS there - I wear it around my heart just as surely as around my neck.

I’ve lived mostly in Gorean cities (Tafa, Ti) during my time in SL, until now. Then the moment all slave girls dream of finally came, for me. I met my One, my Love, the Master I was meant for. I loved Gor, but when my dear Master decided some time ago that it was time for us to leave it, of course I followed Him. It was difficult for me, at first, since Gor was the only SL home I had ever known, but from the first moment I saw my Master, my home has always been by His side. I could never be truly happy anywhere but where He is. Now we make our home on the Beautiful Isle of Vindarkis, my Master’s medieval/fantasy RP sim. I spend the majority of my time there by my Beloved One’s side, roleplaying or watching Him build or just hanging out and having great fun with the whole Vindarkis gang. Our group is full of wonderful, talented people who have become more like a second family to us than just a RP group. New members are always welcome, so please stop in and visit us if you feel so inclined.

When I’m not in Vindarkis i can usually be found at my lovely beach house, which I share with my sweet friend Margo Cortes. It’s become sort of a home-away-from-home for the whole Vindarkis bunch, where we can all hang out and catch up with old friends, change clothes, enjoy some quiet time, or generally be silly and have a blast. The rest of the time I’m usually shopping (mainly for silks), or working. I do most of my shopping AT work, actually. I adore my job as an Analise model! As a longtime customer, I already owned most of the silks and knew that they were the finest in SL (I’m wearing their purple “Celina” silks in the second picture). One of the proudest moments of my SL was when I was chosen to model Talyn Barrett’s lovely creations for the rest of you.

Thank you, Justine, for giving me the chance to appear here and introduce myself to everyone! I look at this mainly as an opportunity to meet many new friends, so don’t be shy - drop in for a visit, won’t you?

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Fox Mainline destroys main SLSN group - Ethan Schuman currently sole leader of the resurrected SLSN
by Proteus Hand - War Correspondant

Mere fortnights ago, the Second Life Sky Navy met a disaster of proportions not seen in military scandals before. I logged on one morning, with an invitation to serve as OWNER of the SLSN, and was later notified that the leader, Steve319 Cao, had his account hacked, and his group destroyed before his very eyes. Many who found themselves calling this military home, as soldiers often do, watched in unfathomable horror as their exclusive equipment was wantonly distributed among the masses, by their gleefully saboteurs.

I was able to establish contact with a very old cohort of mine, Ethan Schuman, who seemed to be deeply involved with the SLSN cataclysm. It went rather well, interview is as follows :

Proteus Hand: Hey, I’m doing an article for the Herald. Do you mind if I ask you some questions about the recent event with the SLSN?
Ethan Schuman: Sure

Proteus Hand: Alright, could you start from where it began?
Ethan Schuman: Well, the best way I can sum that up is Fox somehow gained access to Steve’s account and invited a huge amount of people in as owners. Some of these people could not be removed, and it in effect destroyed the main group of SLSN
Ethan Schuman: In addition, the sim was sold off, SLSN’s equipment was leaked, and a few other things were done.

Proteus Hand: So, how do you play into all of this?
Ethan Schuman: Well, I’ve always been a friend of Penny and Steve, and I’ve always had an extreme dislike for Fox. Fox did what he did in an attempt to destroy SLSN. While I had departed the SL military scene and sworn not to go back, given the situation, I decided to offer my services as both a developer and a commander to Steve just to piss off Fox. Shortly after I joined, however, Steve left the SLSN for Militant Collective, and most of the other officers in SLSN followed. As the highest ranked remaining member, I took command, and began to work on a total reconstruction of SLSN. However, this has proven to be a daunting task, as I have a lot of other obligations to tend to, and I simply don’t have the money to fund a military group by myself.
Proteus Hand: It’s a shame.

Proteus Hand: Thank you for your time, Ethan, it was a pleasure, and best of luck with the SLSN.
Ethan Schuman: Thank you. Going to need it.

So far, Schuman has spent the majority of his time writing, and trying to rally scripters. The SLSN’s signiature sim, “Endless Love” has been divided up among corporations and residents, and chances for resurrection of the group that many held dear looks bleak. Additionally, he’s been left alone as the sole leading power upon arrival to aid the SLSN’s high Command in their resurrection.

The culprit, Fox Mainline, has recently fled the grid, after jumping from several different alts, however, it is speculated that he will undoubtedly come back at some point, whether or not his vendetta with the now turned Militant Collective, Steve319 Cao, will be pursued, is up for debate and is left to the murky depths of ambiguity to decide.

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The most refined tan, dark tan and black Models in the metaverse

Miss SL Ebony 2008 is not your usual beauty pageant.

Launched in order to promote black culture and cultural diversity in SL, this is the first beauty competition ever planned in the metaverse for avitars concerned by the cultural diversity and who are owning and wearing tan, dark tan, black and ebony skintones.

Hosted at Ebony City, the official headquarters of Miss and Mister SL Ebony 2008, the competition will be judged by the powerhouses of SL Black community :

-Vixen Fairplay (Lead officer of Black Men and Women of SL group)

-Shaka Saintlouis (Designer of Shakture)

-Storm Babeli (Designer of Purple Rose Jewelry, Designer of the winner crown)

-Kwamey Pinion (Designer of SOREAL)

-Indyra Seigo (Designer of Indyra Original)

-Patty Cortes (CEO of Ebony Limited and owner of Ebony City)

Sponsors include JCNY, Vitamin Ci, Kid Asia, Urban Diva Store, Otto&Floyd, Ramos Design, ADIMU, Indyra Original, SOREAL, Shakture, Purple Rose Jewelry, CCDesignz, FreeSoul Design…

Sponsors are offering over 25,000L$ of gifts to the finalists of Miss SL Ebony 2008.

For more details see these web sites: http://missandmisterslebony2008.wordpress.com
and http://ebonystylesl.wordpress.com/

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by Kris Dibou, warrior poet/pirate

There was a little man in a gloomy little house,
He wouldnt talk to you and he didnt have a spouse;
But he had a ‘puter and an account to old SL
Where he became a man that could raise a little hell.

He made himself so strong and he made himself so young,
A pistol in each hand and he made himself well-hung.
He taught himself to build and he taught himself to sell;
He opened strings of shops and he loved the ladies well.

Through SL he went like a sled upon a glacier,
Trying everything and going against nature.
His friend list was so heavy and his groups were all maxed out;
You had to leave him notes cuz his IM’s wouldnt route.

His mansion was so full of many tortured prim,
He had so many things that there was no room for him.
He had to block his friends and the ones he left behind;
In the pressure of this world, he nearly lost his mind.

So he moved his handsome avi into a gloomy little house,
He wouldnt talk to you and he no longer had a spouse;
But he had some land here in old SL,
And here he sat, a man, in his brand new virtual cell.

copyright (c) 2008 - Kris Dibou - used by the gracious permission of the author.

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How to win friends and influence avatars

by Aloe Stradling

Okay, you’re new in SL, and hot to trot. You explored around a bit, mastered the controls, and are ready to find a date. Or maybe just a playmate. You wander from sim to sim, wading through crowds of people, until someone catches your eye. Gasp of shock and awe! He or she is beautiful! Perfect hair, sexy eyes, clad in a hot fashion, just generally gets the juices flowing, and the mind turning to thoughts of…. interaction.

Your approach is friendly and polite, not acting like an overeager horny noob, You tell them how attractive they are, make small talk, and move in for the kill…..only to be shot down. Maybe they’re nice about it, maybe they’re rude, but, the end result is the same — rejection. They stroll off, possibly saying something like ‘Not into noob look’, leaving you hurt and neglected, and wondering what was up. You’re smart, witty, friendly, and all around charismatic. You weren’t rude or obnoxious, and your pickup lines were flawless. You’ve been snubbed, all because they had to be a self absorbed egotist! Lousy rotten vain shallow….

But wait! Hold it right there, new SL denizen! There is a double standard at work here. Settle down and think a moment, about why you approached that one in the first place. Yeah. Because they looked just right. Because they stood out in the sea of sameness. Remember. You are a special and unique individual with many shining qualities. You are spectacular, never forget that. But, to that person who was so blind to all your charms - well, you were just another noob in the starter T-shirt and jeans. Before you run off to cut yourself, listen to Linken Park, and write about that horrible person in your blog, stop and think. That person invested some time into looking the way they do. Can you really blame them for expecting the same in turn?

“But Aloe,” , you say to me now, “I don’t have L$s coming out my ears like those Richy McMoneypants people. This isn’t fair!” Well, I’m sorry, new friend. No one said Second Life was fair. There’s any number of places to get awesome free stuff to customize your second you, or better, take a crack at learning to design your own. Sadly, this article isn’t about where to find them, or how to build things. This is about correcting that attitude problem of yours. For shame!

It really isn’t really right that this bias exists but, it does. Much like in real life, that perfect ‘10′ you were lusting after can afford to be picky, and, is quite likely to be seeking that perfect partner, same as you. Note also, my hypothetical example was gender non-specific, none of us are immune to human nature. We want what we want, and for most all of us, we want the BEST we can get for ourselves.

In closing, allow me to leave you with this thought. When you don’t change from the starter look, when you don’t personalize your SL-self at least a little, it sends the message you don’t care. And, why should anyone care about you if you yourself don’t? So go explore. Whether you buy what you need, or just hunt for free/cheap gear, at least try to smarten yourself up a bit. You’ll welcome the change, and heaven knows those who interact with you will too.

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Would you like to take a survey?

Marc and Vanessa are students from the University of Zurich in Switzerland doing research in Second Life for their social and business psychology studies. They are interested in Second Life as a new way of collecting data and are conducting a survey about some social issues of the United States.

Among all the participants they will draw three winners, who will win an iPod shuffle or 2×10 000 linden dollars. [hopefully LL will not consider this gambling - the Editrix]

So seize the chance and get in touch with Vanessa or Marc via email (v.mcsorley@gmail.com or marc.schneider@access.uzh.ch) or Second Life (Sowi Korobase). The will then meet you inworld and explain all the details to you, it will take about 12 minutes. You can only participate if you are a Second Life resident currently living in the United States.”

Thanks for your help!
Marc.

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[CRAP] is having a 50% off sale! All clothing merchandise, $75L or below.

Cotton Candy + Old Town locations only.

PS - At both locations you will find a HIPPO tshirt+cuddly tribute to our LL overlords. $1L.

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Commerce and commercial parcels all have road access and double prim, while residential sims enjoy spectacular scenery and prim bonuses starting from 15%. Whether it is tropical or snow, business or pleasure, we have something to suit. If you want top quality land, efficient support and reasonable tier rates all from the same company, visit www.CoveIslands.com.

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