Trick or Treat Box 2017

This box is no trick and contains only the most fabulous Halloween treats.  

This designer box is jam-packed with the most delightful Halloween goodies.  It is presented along similar lines to subscription boxes. However, the best thing about this box is that no subscription is necessary.  It’s readily available on the Marketplace for the bargain price of L$500.  Delivery is immediate.   All items in the box are 100% original mesh and are for female avatars.

DESIGNERS: Narcisse, Mello, Pink Cream Pie, Love, PAN, Candle and Cauldron! (6 Designer Items + 2 Bonus Gifts)

Links:

Market Place: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Trick-or-Treat-Box-2017/12767394

Watch Unboxing Videos & Photos: http://tinyurl.com/TrickOrTreatBox2017

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kellirage/37317047946  

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Avie Poll Monogamy vs Polyamory Relationships in SL - Becca Drascol Reporting...

Understanding the difference between the two:

Monogamy, of course, is when two people are in a committed relationship and do not stray from the relationship. While there are many varying types of Polyamorous relationships, the basis is being in a relationship with two or more partners with all partners knowing and agreeing to such a relationship. There are of course rules and boundaries in both types of relationships with the exception that monogamy consists of just two partners.

Monogamy or Polyamory... is one better than the other?:

Most people cannot or will not wrap their minds around something less conventional such as a poly relationship. Polyamory is considered an open relationship and is practised as such. While some in a poly relationship still believe it a committed relationship just with more than one partner. Which is better? To pit the two types of relationships against one another is a matter of not only opinion but preference as well as a lifestyle choice.  Let’s find out what some of SL’s residents say about monogamy vs polyamory.

Interviews:

Becca Drascol: When considering SL relationships, let’s talk about Monogamy vs Polyamory. What are your views?:

TheGameMatthewJames2005 Resident: I feel the polyamory can be very complicated due to feelings because you can get attached to someone and then you know they are also seeing someone else, and it can make things very complicated.  Personally, like monogamy, because I’m not a person who shares but to each their own and if there are those who are into poly, hey more power to you, because I couldn’t do it lol.

Cybertgirl Gynoid: I know that  Monogamy is the rule in  RL  but  SL is a  different world with so many temptations around and  I  will guess  Polyamory suits better in SL.

MasterVemon13inc Resident: My point of view for both of them, are some can be very trustful relationship one on one but with other sometime cause problem with others and they well being, so my view if both the person are loving to each other then yes they can make it happen. Monogamy vs polygram drama can be draw into but at the same time if fun but understand each other.  Poly can have issue with each other is all about build trust and bound frist.

Caremila Resident: I think both sides has its up and downsides. Neither side is a better than the other its all individual what is best for every person. I myself are very Monogamous but just cause of that I don’t look down on those who aint. It is just what feels right for me. I can understand those on the other side feeling they want more then what just one person can give when it comes to online times. Fetishes. Different wants and needs you get from different people. But I can’t say that one side suits everyone.

Linarie Resident: I think monogamy can be nice if someone finds the right person, but most of the people I talked to including myself comes to sl to have fun, experiment and try out things in RL they wouldn't necessarily do, so polyamory is a good option.

The Overall Opinion:

For those, I asked, it's 50/50. Both lifestyles have ups and downs. But as Linarie pointed out, most players come to SL to experience things they may not be able to RL. The Poly lifestyle is something that seems to be booming as of late and is becoming something people feel able to be more open about. I compare it to BDSM which is a lifestyle that some choose to be very open about while others live it via things such as our virtual world. Overall either lifestyle takes a commitment of one’s self to live and love in a lifestyle that suits them and their partner or partners. Afterall, all relationships are about at least two people coming together for love.

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It’s Halloween time in Second Life – Camury Reporting...

Halloween is coming, look for all sorts of tricks and treats in all the dark corner and haunted places of Second Life.  As soon as October arrives, ghosts, witches, bats, and other creatures of the darkness will be among us, to entertain or to scare us in this new season.

Take a tour on Second Life and visit many haunted houses, Halloween themed events, and many other spooky places are waiting for you.

Here are some spine-chilling spots for you to check out.

Halloweentown

Do you want a sim full of fun and jump scares? Visit Halloweentown. The little village is full of Halloween decor, gifts and gachas. Enjoying a carriage ride and cross the river to explore a scary graveyard. Take a tour of the haunted mansion but be aware of the monsters lurking in the shadows among the trees.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Midnight%20Fantasy/132/61/23/

Spook-tacular Halloween Town

 Welcome to the spookiest Halloween trail in SL. Have fun in the haunted boat ride and if you make it to the end, manage to survive in the cave and be careful to don’t get lost in the corn maze. There are traps and fun stuff along the trail and, if you made out alive, don’t forget to visit the haunted house!

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maelstrom%20Swampland/131/73/22/

The House That Fear Built

Think twice before stepping through the door of this haunted house even though you’re going to do it anyway. You need to find out what lays beyond the door if you dare! Be aware of the secret passages that may take you to macabre places that you can explore if you’re not weak at heart. WARNING: This is not your grandmas’ haunted house. If you’re looking for pumpkins and candy, then this is not the place to find it.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dreamworld%20Falcon/48/14/28/

ShenaniganS Haunted House

Join in the fun with yet another themed plot created by Blublaize and his partner Purr.  Come and explore the haunted house or dance in the deserted cemetery - is it deserted though. Have fun with ghosts and ghouls that are ready and waiting to celebrate another Halloween with you. Open through November 5.

SLURL:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Leodegrance/59/72/70/

Skeleton House - Halloween Store

Join the zombies and skeletons who enjoy moonlit nights at the Skeleton House.  Be careful while you walk around the old haunted house and visit the cemetery if you dare! There are spooky corners, and watchful shadows waiting for those who dare to venture into the mysteries of the full moon in this sim that is pure fun for this Halloween.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Checkmate/90/52/2508

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Sansar goes into open beta - Lacy Muircastle reporting...

Any opinions stated in this article are mine and not that of the owners and publishers of the SL Enquirer.

Are those of us who enjoy dabbling in virtual worlds, with virtual lives and experiences just suckers for virtually nothing?

Virtual life is an escape from reality is it not?  It’s a way of taking your dreams and making something of them.  It’s about socialisation in an increasingly isolating real world.

More and more of us work from home these days, which means that more and more of us will want to find ways of integrating into society in alternative forms.  Enter Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and many other social media applications.  They serve the purpose of keeping us connected, but I don’t believe that it’s the same as socialising.  Before the appearance of social media, there was Second Life.

I read an article which said that SL died when social media hit the scene.  Maybe it stalled, but it didn’t die.  Second Life is very much alive and well.  The fluidity of those who are resident is a constant, but it continues to offer the platform to be who you want to be and to be able to do what you want to do.

All the world’s a stage, and that goes for virtual worlds too.  Linden Lab, the company behind the virtual world Second Life, launched its alternative platform Sansar into open beta on the 31 July 2017.  This iteration of a virtual world or should that be worlds is built for the VR era. VR as in affixing a headset to your face…  Supposedly the much vaunted Sansar takes a new approach to virtual worlds.

Whereas Second Life was built as one single world, Sansar’s architecture is more like a platform. On it, “creators” can host virtual worlds and experiences for others to visit.

The creations are not placed in one continuous virtual space; instead, they are individual experiences which can be accessed by browsing the Atlas. Each experience or virtual world in Sansar is also its own entry point into the platform.

Linden Lab’s business model for Sansar is to let people visit worlds on the platform for free, but charge creators who want to host more than three experiences (virtual worlds).  Creators too will have mechanisms available to “sell, rent, or charge for access” to earn from their creations. Though still in Beta, Linden Lab is already offering paid tiers for hosted experiences starting at $10/month for five hosted experiences.

That’s a significant shift from Second Life’s business model where users rent a virtual real estate in the virtual world, allowing them to build in that area of the map.

The main difference between the way Sansar will function versus how Second Life operates will be in how Sansar makes its money. In Second Life, the price of a sim tended to be far too pricey, running users more than $100 per month for a full-sized sim space, while sales on the Marketplace and in-world see very little tax. With Sansar, Linden Lab plans to flip this model – allowing users to acquire space at a more reasonable price and taking more of a cut for user sales.

In previous articles, Linden Lab CEO, Ebbe Altberg described Sansar as a bit like WordPress for virtual reality with the goal to make creation easy and for spaces to gain followings of their own. Platforms like Sansar are trending towards the future of VR – where virtual reality isn’t just for gameplay, but for social interaction and experiences. But… That must still be some way down the line.  Yes, I know it’s still in Beta, which means if you thought you would be getting the endless social VR experiences Linden Lab touted at the outset of the project you'd have to wait a little longer.

I have downloaded Sansar and have been in to see it for myself. It was an excruciating experience in frustration.  I checked that my computer could handle the download and that I had enough bandwidth, but wow, what a total pain in the neck the process was.  But it took many; many goes before it worked.

Eventually, I managed to log in to one of the Sansar Studio experiences (in desktop mode.  I don’t own a headset,) but then what.  I’m not a gamer, so I didn’t instinctively know how to look around, walk around, etc.  Thankfully there was someone there who helped me find my feet.

So for those of you going in to explore Sansar, I’ve included the control instructions (desktop mode) from their help page.  Good luck and have fun.

Controls for visiting an experience:

Avatar controls

Use these controls to move your avatar in desktop mode:

Arrow keys: Move your avatar forward, backwards, left, and right.

WASD: Move your avatar forward, backwards, left, and right.

F3: Toggle between first person and third person view.

Use these controls to move your avatar in desktop mode only:

Hold CTRL: Select a teleport destination. 

Click the left mouse button while holding CTRL: Teleports your avatar to the selected location.

Scroll the middle mouse button while holding CTRL (prior to teleporting): Choose the direction your avatar faces upon completing the teleport.

Camera controls

Use these controls to control camera movement in desktop mode:

Hold the right mouse button + drag: Rotate camera to look around the environment.

F4: Enter free camera mode when not using a VR headset.

Arrow keys: Move camera forward, backwards, left, and right (free-camera mode).

WASD: Move camera forward, backwards, left, and right (free-camera mode).

E, C: Move the camera up and down.

NUMPAD+: Increase camera movement speed.

NUMPAD-: Decrease camera movement speed.

F3: Exit free camera mode.

Note: An extended keyboard's numeric keypad is needed for the above NUMPAD (numeric keypad) shortcuts to increase/decrease camera movement speed. It won't work on a tenkeyless or other small-form-factor keyboard. An add-on USB numeric keypad should work.

Chat controls

Use these controls with text on the Chat app in desktop mode:

CTRL + X: Cut text.

CTRL + C: Copy text.

CTRL + V: Paste text.

CTRL + A: Select all text.

Controls for edit mode

Camera Controls

Use these controls when editing a scene in desktop mode:

Arrow keys: Move the camera forward, backwards, left, and right.

W, A, S, D: Move the camera forward, backwards, left, and right.

E, C: Move the camera up and down.

NUMPAD+ and NUMPAD-: Increase and decrease camera speed.

Hold left mouse button and drag: Move the camera left and right.

Hold right mouse button and drag: Rotate the camera up, down, left, and right.

F1: Toggle VR mode.

Action buttons

Use these controls when editing objects placed in a scene:

CTRL + Z: Undo

CTRL + Y: Redo

CTRL + D: Duplicate

Delete button: Delete

Controls for avatar customization

Action buttons

Use these controls when editing objects placed in a scene:

CTRL + Z: Undo

CTRL + Y: Redo

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On your marks, get set ...

Are you ready?

Relay Weekend, set for July 15 and 16, is almost here and just wait until you see what’s been planned this year!

From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony, Relay Weekend is an exciting and special time, one that you don’t want to miss.

Make sure you keep up-to-date on all Relay happenings with relayforlifeofsecondlife.org.

One way to get involved is to become a sponsor of Relay Weekend. There are many different levels of sponsorships available -- both in-world and non-virtual real world opportunities -- and all designed to benefit not only Relay For Life of Second Life but for you as the sponsor as well.. Check outrelayforlifeofsecondlife.org/get-involved/sponsorship/ for details and be a part of this fun event that attracts thousands.

Our bags are packed and our passports are ready for Relay Weekend. Won’t you come along with us?

About Relay For Life of Second Life

Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society and has been active, and continually growing in Second Life for 13 years. In 2005, the first Relay For Life of Second Life (RFL of SL) was attended by a few hundred avatars and raised almost $5,000 US dollars for the American Cancer Society. As of July 2014 RFL of SL ranked number 17th in donations received among more than 5,600 relay events held worldwide. As of January, 2017 RFL of SL celebrated raising 3 million US dollars to support the mission of the Society to 'Save Lives, Celebrate Lives and Lead The Fight for A World Without Cancer!

About the American Cancer Society

For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society has been working to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays and is the world leader in the fight to end cancer. Together with our global partners and millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society carries out its mission to Save Lives, Celebrate Lives, and Lead the Fight for a World Without Cancer.

For More Information:

www.relayforlifeofsecondlife.org

www.cancer.org/involved/participate/relayforlife/second-life

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AVIE POLL: Can you trust people in Second Life?-Becca Drascol Reporting...

Trust: The Double Edged Sword

From when we are little trust is something we learn from our parents.  Trust is something we give willingly to them because they care for our every need, and as we get older, we’re taught how to trust and when and how not to trust when necessary.  But it’s this reporter’s opinion that trust is a double edged sword.  As much as trust can be something rewarding it can also be something that cuts like a knife if those you have trusted wish to misuse or abuse that trust.  And yet trust is also something very necessary to life. 

Trust In Our Virtual World:

Can we trust people in Second Life?  Generally speaking, we can.  When one rents land, they must trust the landowner to give them the prims allowed, to not take their hard earned L$ and run, to upkeep the land you rent from them.  When we buy an object or outfit on marketplace, we trust that the seller has been fair and honest in the item listing and pricing and that we will receive exactly what we saw listed and purchased.  There are many ways every day in SL that one must trust the other people around them.  But for every bit of trust we put into people, sometimes the double edged sword I mentioned earlier comes into play and we get burned.  Perhaps emotionally and sometimes financially.  For some, it’s something that can be shrugged off, as a cost of being part of the greater Second Life Community. 

What do the residents of SL think?  Can we trust one another?

Interviews on Trust:

For this article I asked SL residents this one simple question:

Becca Drascol: Can you trust people in Second Life?

DarkShadowPrincess Huntress: In the past eight years that I have been here I have met wonderful people. Like yourself, like VividDreamz, and I have made a family. There have been only a few people that turned out not to be quite what they portrayed.  But there have not been many.  I'd say that yes my experience has been good. But one always needs to be careful everywhere. Even in RL.

 MasterVemon13inc Resident: Sometimes yes, it’s about the bonding.

NessietheReaper Resident: To a degree yes. I don’t trust people easily as it is, but I’ve met a few people from here, and if I didn’t think I could trust them I wouldn’t have even considered it.

Bigred19663 Resident: Well SL is just like RL......there are some you can trust and some you can't.

 RpCg Resident: I would say that people in SL are just as easy to trust, and worthy of trust, as people that you meet in RL; either way, it's how well you know them, and what you believe of what they choose to reveal.

To Sum it up:

Much like our real world and lives, trust is something not always easily given.  It needs to be earned.  It takes knowing someone, and perhaps even then you may still get burned or you may be rewarded.  It seems for those I spoke with it’s 50/50.  A matter of give and take perhaps.  But to receive trust, we must also learn to give trust.  There are no hard and fast rules or right or wrong on whether we do, or do not trust.  And most certainly it’s not so much a matter of whether it’s in real life or our virtual second lives.  People are people.

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TIPS ON HOW TO BECOME A SECOND LIFE BLOGGER– Camury Reporting...

blogging, noun. Contemporary definitions for blog. noun. an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. ... Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.

There is a theory, that writing blogs is a great way to hone one's literary skills, develop an audience, and eventually reach the attention of Important People, and that therefore if you want to be a writer, you should start off writing blogs.

Or you could just want to blog but don’t fancy starting your own web page...

There are many well-established blogs regarding all things Second Life related, the SL Enquirer among them.

SL entrepreneurs, designers or event coordinators are looking for bloggers who can provide their readers with pertinent and factual information about exclusive items that are on sale or events and other news that’s happening on the grid.

Bloggers work hard to provide the consistent and reliable coverage that readers expect and entrepreneurs want.

If you do want to become a blogger in Second Life, here are 10 essential tips for starting your blog:

Search support groups

On the internet, you can find support groups that are specialized in supporting those who want to be a blogger in SL. In these groups, you will find information about designers and events looking for bloggers, tutorials for photography, post-production, marketing, writing, etc.

Support Groups:

SL Blogger Support:

URL:https://slbloggersupport.com/

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%20Haven/102/51/25

Blogging Second Life:

 URL: https://bloggingsecondlife.com/

Search for designers and events interested in Bloggers

There are a considerable number of designers and events looking for bloggers. The important thing is that you choose wisely that which you want to write about. You can choose clothes for women, men or children, shoes, accessories, jewelry, skins, shapes, tattoos, body appliers, hair, poses, home & decor, and a whole lot more.

List of designers looking for bloggers

https://slbloggersupport.com/resources/designers-looking-for-bloggers/

https://bloggingsecondlife.com/second-life-stores-a-z/

List of Events Looking for Bloggers:

https://slbloggersupport.com/resources/event-coordinators-looking-for-bloggers/

Make the application

Generally, designers and events, make applications available via the internet or to apply by sending a notecard in-world. Requirements are generally: having some blogging experience, time, having an active Flickr and Facebook account to share your posts, etc. Be honest when filling out the application and do not waste your time submitting the application if you do not meet the requested requirements.

Take care of the Layout of your blog

Keep in mind that your blog layout should be clean and to the point. People should not be distracted with too many widgets as this is a nightmare on the eyes and they will forget the reason why they came to see your blog. Choose a readable font and nice colors.

Pictures

High-quality photographs are everything for those who want to be a successful blogger in SL. Searching the internet you will find links, blog posts, videos, and lots of information to get you started! Some successful bloggers offer many interesting tips on their blog.

Strawberry Singh

URL: https://strawberrysingh.com/tutorials/

Luna Jubilee

 URL: http://lunajubilee.com/category/bootcamp/

Credits

Remember to quote credits with the full name of the stores at the end of your posts. Even if you use the same item in multiple posts, a visitor may be seeing your blog for the first time. Do not forget to include often-overlooked credits such as locations, poses, and animations.

Title the blog effectively

Blog post titles are one of the most important factors influencing search and click. The title of the post should be descriptive and clearly communicate what the post is. Always remember to just promise something in your headline that you are delivering in your post.

Disclose your name

Designers like to read blogs and if they like your blog, and want to submit items, they should be able to locate your full in-world name on the blog, so they can find you with ease.

Marketing your Blog

So you have a blog, with such thing comes the readers they can keep coming back for more. For this, you need to make good use of other social media platforms. You can share your blog with your friends, email list, on social media like Flickr, twitter, Google +, Plurk, Facebook, Forums, on other blogs and comments, in world groups and mailing list. Just be polite and polite and do not irritate your potential readers with spam and harsh and unpleasant approaches.

Love what you do

Blogging is not about obtaining free stuff... It’s imperative that you identify with the designer or event you are going to blog for. If you are starting out blogging, remember that it’s meant to be fun, don’t let anyone stress you out.  You’re the owner of your blog.

Write for the SL Enquirer

If you really want to write about Second Life, but starting your own blog is not feasible, contact Lanai Jarrico of the SL Enquirer and she’ll get you going.

Good Luck and happy blogging.

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Machinima: The Cinema of Metaverse – Camury Reporting...

Do you dream of being a great filmmaker in Second Life? Do you like Hitchcock thriller movies or do you prefer Spielberg-style action and adventure? Are you a fan of Tim Burton's imaginative creations? Welcome to the world of Machinima, where you can take all your cinematic projects out of the drawer!

Machinima is a term created from the English words "machine" and "animation", and refers to films created by computer graphics produced through home computers, as opposed to the complex productions made through professional 3D programs.

Usually, machinimas are series or short movies produced using tools and resources available in a game.

Second Life is an environment that is conducive to the creators of Machinima because it offers tools that allow players to create their own digital resources, scenarios, and characters to record the actions they want to include in their movies. All this, with low cost and considerably reduced production time of digital animation.

Also, in Second Life there are many options for what can be called movie locations. Inworld, creators can find different immersive and interactive installations, as well as thematic islands and different environments very favorable to the setting of films.

A Machinima works exactly like an animation or film and as such needs a story with a beginning, middle, and end, for the assembly of the scenes. As in the cinema, the production of a Machinima begins by the elaboration of a script that is of great importance for the programming of the capture of the images that are made in an established order, considering the technical complexity for the taking of each scene.

In the production of a Machinima, there is the creation and construction of the characters which are used.  Avatars can be modeled and characterized according to the theme and animated by means of animation mechanisms like HUDs and AOs (animation override).

In many cases, the film is scripted, dubbed and filmed by its creator, which is a perfect opportunity for people to make use of their creativity.

Join the Second Life Machinima Forum, where you can exchange ideas with Machinima creators and lovers, get business tips and see what the locals are producing.

URL: https://community.secondlife.com/forums/forum/298-machinima-forum/

The different types of viewer used for navigation in the Second Life virtual environment, such as Firestorm, Singularity, Imprudence or Second Life Viewer, provide a series of tools to adjust angles, lighting, focus etc. that allow for the capture of images similar to those of the cinematic camera. These viewers all offer different forms of planes and camera motion sequences.

These tools allow access to users of different capabilities and requirements, from the amateur or hobbyist to productions with a high degree of cinematic professionalism.

It offers the possibility of performing highly complex and sophisticated productions at a very low cost when compared to animated films.

While researching Machinima in Second Life, I was pleasantly surprised to find many creative artists who make their designs available for viewing.

Here are some examples of these wonderful creators of Machinima:

Songularity.org - by Romy Nayar  -  Sparkys (Second Life Machinima) / Billie Holiday - I'm a fool to love you
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXh1eaE62-A

Berlin 1920s (Second Life machinima) by Pepa Cometa
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T6F8um8Wyg

Mistell Production Film  - JURASSIC WORLD - Second Life Machinima
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6HOIb5aqpw

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It's carnival time

Our virtual world is turning 14.  Let's celebrate together as Second Life residents. It's your community, be involved.

To quote from the blog:

While much of the interest around virtual reality has shifted to singular experiences, largely fueled by the pursuit of headset-focused content, we want to remind you of the joy of hundreds of people from all over coming together in one place in celebration, and form a carnival-like atmosphere that you simply cannot achieve alone. Let’s challenge all the perceptions, break all the molds, and show everyone that we know how to celebrate.

For more information please go to:

http://www.slcommunitycelebration.info/

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Is your email address verified?

Making Email From Second Life (More) Reliable

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Entry posted by Linden Lab · April 19

9,921 views

There are lots of things in Second Life that send email, but as many of you have discovered, that email doesn't always get to the intended recipient. There are a lot of reasons for email from SL not being as reliable as we'd all like, and the Lab is working on fixing as many of those as we can, but some of them need your help.

One of the most important reasons mail doesn't get through is that many Second Life accounts have bad email addresses - when something in Second Life sends to one of those bad addresses, it generates errors. The number of those errors causes many network providers and spam detectors to block even perfectly good email if it comes from Second Life. To fix that, we need to cut down on the bad addresses, so…  over the next few months, we will be converting all the sources of email in Second Life to not even try to send to an address that has not been verified.

To check whether or not your address is verified, go to your Account -> Change Email page; look next to your current address there. You should see a green checkmark and tag: √ Verified. If you do, you're all set and none of our changes will affect you negatively.  If you don't, there will be a button you should use to send yourself a verification email; when you get the email, click on the link in the message to verify your address.  Changing your email address will automatically send a verification email.

If your address is verified, you should not have any problems with our changes to sending behavior - hopefully, you'll begin to see more reliable messages.

Unverified:

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