Spotlight on Renaissance AV Consulting Agency

Creating a unique avatar look can be a painstaking task for anyone first starting out in Second Life or for residents who need a change. Browsing the endless list of items on SL Marketplace, in world malls and shops across the grid can take forever. We all could use a shopping companion that can help us make decisions based on our budget, needs and wants. Renaissance AV Consulting Agency provides just that! 

Kamilla Vayandar  and Tankgirl Zaytsev will consult and guide you every step of the way making your avatar make over less stressful on you. The SL Enquire caught up with Kamilla Vayandar to learn more about Renaissance AV Consulting Agency and their services

SLE:  What separates Renaissance AV Consulting Agency from other makeover services in Second Life?

Kamilla: The work we do is completely customized following the needs of our clients. We have a chat with the client, trying to find out what they want, eventually show us pictures of what they have in mind, may it be actors, models or other avatars they may have seen on SL. It’s like if you are going to see a fashion designer instead of going in a “ready to wear” shop. We are there to give them advice and coach them in the SL jungle.

SLE: What do you think is the most important thing that avatars should consider when creating their look?

Kamilla:  As I say on my blog, the shape is basic; you need a good shape in order to look awesome, different. For me, it’s really important; this is what will set you apart from other avatars. All the art consists in matching this shape with the skin that will represent who you are, how you want others to see you. From there, everything is possible.

SLE: Do you help both men and women?

Kamilla: Sure!!! We would miss something if not serving both men and women, and even would extend it to whatever image they want to have. There are pictures of avatars we have made in our gallery at the shop. All we want is for clients to unleash their imagination.

SLE: How much do residents usually spend on makeovers at other places? Do you look for deals to help save them Lindens?

Kamilla:  Our prices go from 500LS an hour of styling to 6000LS for a complete customization, but I am intransigent on the shape and skins, there are some cheap skins but rarely beautiful. However, when it comes to accessories, hair, eyes, clothes, we look for the best prices and adapt to our clients’ needs. We always try to find good deals.

SLE: What kind of services do you first recommend to your clients when they come to you for help?

Kamilla: Always depends on their needs and wishes of course, every client is unique, they can come for a simple restyling and take the option by the hour, or a complete customized service, guiding them through shops, advise them on the clothes and accessories they choose.

SLE: What advice would you give to someone looking to change their avatar appearance?

Kamilla: Not to be in a hurry to try new mesh bodies, like TMP body, Maitreya or other new systems, they look really good but there is not much choices for body or head shapes at the moment. I personally think that designers are still going to improve them and offer more possibilities to personalize your avatar in the way you want. We currently propose at least hands and feet appliers (slink system), as the hands and feet of basic avatars are really ugly. You can already find many suitable footwear and accessories with those appliers.

SLE: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

Kamilla: Yes, I would like to invite people to visit our sim, we will be delighted to have a talk around a cup of tea and cupcakes and to explain what we do. Chats are for free and we love ideas exchanges and useful conversations. We are currently arranging the sim around the shop, so it may be worthwhile to visit it, have a walk and relax, or maybe take pictures? Smiles.

Additional Information

Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kymor/99/127/21

Group: Renaissance AV, group, click on the join button in our shop, or send us an IM for invitation.

URL: http:// http://avatars-consulting.blogspot.be/

mail : tankgirl.zaytsev@gmail.com or kvayandar@gmail.com

Contact preference: IMs, note cards, mails

Read More

A New Amazing You in Second Life- Introducing Renaissance AV Consulting Agency

Renaissance AV is an avatar consulting agency; we design exclusive and complete avatars that are sexy, classy and stunning. We can also style your current one for special occasions and events.

Our consulting agency is a new user friendly venue with services that will guide and coach you along the way. We will review your avatar and consult with you about  how we can make your avatar as close as possible to your needs.  We cater to everyone and  speak French, English and Italian. 

Renaissance AV Consulting Agency is unique. We will create a new you and/or improve the one you have. Our specialty is to offer you an exclusive shape according to your needs.  The shape is the base of your digital self with a skull that will define your further incarnated persona on Second Life.

 It is important to have a unique avatar in order to separate your look other avatars and avoid the same random shapes that are sold on the market. 

Our coaching and guidance will also depend on which kind of services you require. And there is no hidden fees or constrains in buying a shape from us. You come with your own shape and we guide you to find the best matches such as skins, hairs, eyes and AOs. Let’s not forget your animation and movements should also be very personal. 

After your consultation, we decide together what offer will be the most convenient for you, may it be your exclusive shape, or just guiding and counseling around the shops. 

We can also completely take charge of your avatar and make one or two propositions of modeling, shapes, skins, hairs, eyes by guiding you around the shops while creating your style card. This will help you find your items afterwards.  We value privacy so your personal info will remain confidential.

Please bear in mind that our prices don't include skins, hair, eyes or clothes. 

Contact us in world, if we are not online, just IM us or send a note card with your request to Kamilla Vayandar or Tankgirl Zaytsev, and we'll gladly get back to you as soon as possible.

Renaissance AV

Location:   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kymor/99/127/21

Blog: http://avatars-consulting.blogspot.be/ 

Email: Tankgirl.Zaytsev@gmail.com

Read More

Avatar Social Network Now on Smartphone and Tablet!

Avatar Social Network (ASN) https://www.avatarsocialnetwork.com is not just the most popular social website for avatars and online gamers but it is also the only website for this audience that offers convenient mobile access.

This way you can use ASN with a mobile device such as smartphone or tablet pc, the system will recognize the source and your browser will be automatically redirected to the mobile version of the wesbite for an easier access and navigation.

If you have Android OS then you can just download and install it to your phone and use the website with that. You can find that app right here:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avatarsocialnetwork.app or just search for Avatar Social Network in the Google app store on your phone.

Avatar Social Network's iOS app is coming soon as well until then using the iPhone's or iPad's browser will give you can easy access to the website's mobile version made specifically for your device.

Keep in touch conveniently with your virtual friends on the go, wherever you are.

Read More

Baby Steps in Second Life: A Guide to Understanding your Avatar and Abilities- Debby Sharma Reporting...

It has been a long time since I wanted to walk all the newbies through the baby steps in Second Life. For few it’s difficult, but with the following pictorial tutorial, it should be a cup of tea. 

When you visit https://join.secondlife.com/download.php, you will see the following:

Step 1: Choose your avatar

Step 2: Either log in with your Facebook ID or fill in the simple details. (You may choose to use the same email id for various avatars.) You will be asked, if you want to download the official Second Life viewer. You may either choose to accept or there are other third party viewers that you may download. Look at the end of the article for the list of third party viewers. I suggest to use the official SL viewer, but you always have a choice.

Step 3: Best is to read the Terms and Conditions and accept them by clicking on the tab.

You will see Step 4 appear on your viewer. Wait till it loads.

Step 5: Welcome to Second Life. Use arrow keys to walk.

Step 6: Look for the arrow boards placed in world and follow the directions.

Page up is used to jump, page down is to crouch. Use upward and downward arrow to move forward and backward respectively; left and right arrows for turning. Double tap on Page up will make you fly. One may use W, A ,S and D too.

Once you enter the Invisible swirling teleporter in Step 7, you will be teleported to the Welcome Island. There will be a number of new comers and also old avatars to help you out. Type is the local chat bar for help, and they will be at your assistance.

Before I proceed further, I want to give you a brief on the main tabs and their functions on the viewer. I am using the Official Second Life Viewer. The icons on the tabs are the same even if you use any third party viewer. Look into the picture below to know more.

Now, that we know a little about the viewer, our next step is to get dressed. Our avatar represents ourselves. I normally like to be a human. But, you may choose anything you wish. Click on the marketplace link http://marketplace.secondlife.com.

Whenever you buy, remember to use the words “promo, gift” along with the search item. This helps you to get a list of products that are free and yet you are not compromised on quality.  Remember never to buy the demo product; they are free to try out before you buy the original products. Demo products either have a box attached with the product or are textured with “demo” words. All items bought from the market place are received in the “Received Items” folder. This can be seen in your inventory. To track the recent purchases, it is best to click the “Recent” tab.

Second Life is a dream. So, if you want to be a panda, a horse, a Lilliput or a giant, all is possible. Search the market place and wear them. However, if you to be a human and want to go shopping in-world. If you ask around, you will be given landmarks to the Freebies Galaxy and the Freebies Dungeon. When I was a newbie, I had collected almost all the items at these places. It took me almost a year to know that I would not use half of the products.

 Why?

 Some are of lesser quality and others household materials because they are high on prims. Hence, I suggest go for brand names that have free to join groups or subscriber kiosks and receive group gifts occasionally.

To dress up like a human avatar, we need hair for the head, skin, shape, clothes, shoes and accessories. To get it all at one place, my most favourite is the JStyle Store. Click the following link to teleport. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Deepscale/65/163/3202.

A one stop shop for both females and males. Once you get there, click on the rotating pink heart to join the group. In the notifications, you will see a message appear, click “join” and you will be added as a member. In the shop, hover your mouse on the big pictures; if they turn from an arrow to a hand, they are free. Click on them, and click “Keep” in the notification area. Your folder of bought items will be saved in the Inventory.  If the arrow turns to “L$” when you hover on pictures, it means they can be bought only.

There are many boxes of freebie hair and animation overriders or “Ao”. The Ao helps the avatar to move even while standing at a place. Right click these boxes, kept on the floor, and select “Buy”. Click “Buy” to buy the items in the boxes. Either they are saved as a folder in your inventory or under the objects tab.

The other option is to visit other places for each component. At each of the following store, join their group to receive the group gifts for lifetime. The groups are free to join. The best part is quality of the products is good. Look for the words “Join the group”, click it and join at each store.

Here are a few landmarks you can teleport to:

For hair visit the Diva Main store Isle (2^nd floor) for females

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CalanDiva/169/154/26

For skin visit mojo skins body boutique for females http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MOJO/130/128/21

For skin visit Lara Hurley for females http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Magic%20Valley/210/213/23

For clothes for both men and women visit

Gizza http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GizzA%20Creations/139/107/72  and

JStyle Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Deepscale/65/163/3202.

Other stores you may visit are Ydea, GB etc. Search the store name in the search bar within the viewer to teleport.

Few items when bought are delivered to you in objects. These objects are saved in Inventory under the “objects” folder. To open the items in the objects, search for a “rez zone” or a “sandbox” in the search window within the viewer. Click “teleport” in one of the search results. Once you are teleported, left click the object in the inventory and drag it out to the ground near you. When you see the box on the ground, right click on the box and click “open”. A new small window will appear, click “save to inventory”. All the items in the object, i.e, a box will be transferred to your inventory in a folder. To wear the items in your inventory, simply open the folders and right click, then select “add” or “wear”. In case, you still have problems, ask someone near you. The residents in Second Life are always willing to help unless they are busy.

With the advent of mesh, few of the newbies and even the existing avatars, look for mesh clothes and mesh avatars. When you enter Second Life, you will find yourself in a mesh avatar. Mesh gives a more realistic view to your avatar and can be best seen in mesh enabled viewers. Almost all the latest viewers are mesh enabled. The avatar that you have as a newbie is fitted mesh, i.e., you can scale them in the appearance according to your liking. Mesh is best when worn with an alpha. Alpha is an invisible layer that hides the original avatar.  Even for other avatars, non –human, few are available with alpha. Right click on the alpha layer and click “add”.

To get the latest mesh body for free, The Shops are the best option at the moment in Second Life. However, they are only available for female human. Click here to visit the Shops mesh body project free body for females

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Shops/127/128/4. The market place links are:

·         http://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/148682 the shops

·         http://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/154692 mesh project

The following picture tutorial will help you to buy at The Shops, as it is a little complicated process.

Step 1: Click on the picture you see on the wall to teleport to The Mesh Project.

Step 2: When you arrive at the landmark, you will receive a folder. Open the folder in your inventory. Always click the “recent” tab as it is easier to locate the folder. Right click “The Shops! Shopping Hud” and select “add”.

Step 3: Click on “THE SHOPS” that you see on the bottom left corner. A new window of the hud appears within the viewer. Select your language and agree to the terms of service of The Shops. Click Continue.

Step 4: Click on the white mesh body on the wall of the shop. In the hud, select the last small white mesh body to the right, it is for 0L$, and select buy.

Step 5 and 6: Keep the folder in your inventory. Open and add the body, feet and hands (left and right). Also add the alpha of body, hands, feet and hands.

Step 7, 8 and 9: Next add the “StyleMode Hud” and click Style from the bottom right of the screen. In the new window below edit, click “Styles”; then click one of the objects you are wearing from the white options below in the screen. Click the color button and select the skin color that matches your head. Note that the head is non mesh. You may choose to buy the mesh head in future. To buy the donated pink mesh dress and shoes at The Shops, right click on them while wearing the Shopping Hud, and select buy. Pay 1L$ each, wear them and repeat the process to use different textures.

Note that the Shopping Hud and the StyleMode Hud does not work if you are not at The Shops.

In the above picture, the bodies are mesh. Apart from the original mesh avatar, the heads of the other two are non-mesh. You may see that there is not much of a difference for starters. The problem with mesh bodies is that not all the clothes can be worn for them. Each mesh body has to wear specific set designer clothes only. I am wearing the JStyle Store clothes and avatar mixed and matched. Hair is from the Diva Store.  Well, once set and ready, it is time for you to explore.  Click on the “Destination” tab at the bottom or the “Search” tab at the left of the viewer. There are lots to do in Second Life. You will be amazed at the potential. Have fun exploring.

Read More

“The Growth and Evolution of Avatar Social Network (ASN)” -Bimala Tagore Reporting

Avatarsocial network- www.avatarsocialnetwork.com

Avatar Social Network (ASN), is an extensive and active virtual community, bringing together people from a variety of virtual games. ASN provides members with the opportunity to interact with each other and the site as their virtual avatar/character.

Members can create a personal avatar profile, share their thoughts, opinions, upload photos/videos of virtual interactions/adventures, engage in joint activities, conduct discussions on a variety of topics and make new friendships.

ASN has extended their focus well beyond just the creation of a profile. They cover many demands. Members are free to create blogs; group/business pages, promote upcoming events for their virtual worlds for free.

The accomplishment of ASN is not by pure luck. The rapid growth can be attributed to various forces working together. At the helm is Arkad Baxton, founder of Avatar Social Network. Arkad’s natural leadership skills, business acumen, drive and determination mean that his vision has turned into a wonderful virtual reality. Within its first active year, ASN has 70,000 posts and 12,000 friendships made. This shows that clearly ASN’s first year has been a success.

In this interview, Arkad Baxton shares with us how this huge community has developed and grown into a place for avatars to capture and communicate their virtual experiences in such an amazing, dynamic way.

Bimala Tagore:  The quick resident growth is a virtue to Avatar Social Network.

Arkad Baxton: Oh yes it's growing very fast.

Bimala Tagore: ASN reached 70,000 posts and 12,000 friendships in one year. The membership on the site has continued to rapidly grow throughout 2014. This positive response seems to indicate that ASN is well on its way to becoming a well-known name across the web. 

Arkad Baxton: Yes, hopefully those numbers will be at least 100 times more by next year :)

Bimala Tagore: What is the key to it's Success?

Arkad Baxton:  I don't think there is a recipe for that, but perhaps having a fantastic team to work with. Both, developers, admins and moderators helps to make the growth faster. It's great team work. Our mods are directly interacting with the members, offering support and keeping the content clean. The admins are addressing deeper issues, especially technical problems and the developers and scripters are responsible for the updates, upgrades and smooth operation of the website and of course the technical background. ASN runs on a strong and state of the art new generation server structure that keeps the website safer, stronger and faster.

Moreover we have serious investors. They are also part of ASN's success. See I am the founder of the website and my company is the owner but it also has investors that are helping the financial aspect for the growth.

Bimala Tagore: Their support and participation around the ASN community is strong. Clearly the roles of the Human Resource team, is fundamental. In this sense, your work enables you to create the result you want for ASN. Could you tell me what inspired you to create ASN?

Arkad Baxton: The people using virtual worlds and games like Second Life, World of Warcraft, There.com, etc did not have a social network website that would allow them to interact as their avatar or character. Always some kind of real life information was required, at least a birth date at every social network. So I decided to make this one happen. No real life information required. Anyone can enjoy interacting as their avatar or game character. I already had a test community back then in 2008, but I didn't see this ready yet. In 2013, I made it reality and Avatar Social Network has been growing ever since.

Avatar Social Network is available on Android and soon on iOS as well

Bimala Tagore: Yes, you are achieving true success. Avatar Social Network covers many demands and interests.  Also every interaction on the site gives you “bonus points”. You can earn credits for their virtual world.

Arkad Baxton: Oh yes it's a website that offers it all. It's like having Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Wordpress and Flickr at one place all for avatars without the requirement of any real life information. At the same time, it has a credit system which is a unique concept to the website. No one has ever done it before. It's basically rewarding website activity and the credit can be used on the website to buy virtual gifts for each other, for games, etc. or yes members can exchange it for their virtual world's game currency. I believe in giving back to the community. It is also an important part of success.

State of the Art new generation server structure

Bimala Tagore: Definitely, all this you are doing could provide tremendous business benefit. In this respect, advertisers will find massive exposure. 

Arkad Baxton: Well, Avatar Social Network is already the highest ranked social media website for virtual worlds. So because of that, it has a lot of daily visitors which is of course great exposure for advertisers. We have different ad sizes available on the website and now the landing page also offers a large ad surface for bigger companies too. ASN is a good place to advertise.

Adding to that, we also offer business pages for free so clubs, designers, artists; businesses can create their own page and grow their visibility like that.

Bimala Tagore: Even when we don't have the ability to perfectly predict the future. How do you envision ASN?

Arkad Baxton: First we will have a celebration day right here on September 20th. We will have famous live singers, DJs, gifts, and all together an fantastic events. Then we have plans to add new features to the website to offer even more to the members. Without giving away too much just hinting: music. We already have an Android App but we have to upgrade that because of the new security we set up for the website and sometime this year or early next year we want to release our iPhone app as well.

The venue is ready for the 1^st Year Anniversary Event

The future of Avatar Social Network in my vision is having a social media website for all the virtual world players and gamers that can hang out, share their photos, videos, interest, connect and promote their activity without the need of providing their real life information. There are thousands of people with their avatars and game characters to keep in touch with their virtual friends and make new ones.

It's already there and welcoming everyone from all walks of life without checking their information or limiting their number of accounts. On ASN people can have more than one account, one for each of their avatars "alts".

Bimala Tagore: You will celebrate the completion of your first year online. Congratulations on your anniversary.

Arkad Baxton: Thank you, it's going to be fun. As the first anniversary, it is always  a big deal.

We have a line of famous live singers, djs. Designers will offer their gifts as well. And of course we will promote ASN to everyone who is not a member yet. Although it's growing very fast, there are still people out there that are not familiar with it. It is time to break that circle :)

Avatar Social Netoerk offers business pages for free

Bimala Tagore: It is going to be fun. On the other hand, to be connecting with others and keeping real life safe are two principles in ASN. ASN is essentially a “virtual Facebook” for every avatar, but unobtrusive.

Arkad Baxton: Yes they call it "facebook" for virtual worlds but it's probably because facebook deactivates accounts that do not provide contain real information. Avatars, game characters are being removed and members are required to provide a copy of their real ID in order to get their account back.

That triggered a lot of people to move to ASN and I guess hence the connection to Facebook that way. Facebook allows only real life related accounts and only one account per real person. ASN allows any kind of fantasy or game related account and members can make an account for each of their avatar or character. It makes ASN a very attractive choice of social media and offers much more altogether.

Bimala Tagore: Could you extend your opinion about your team work?

Arkad Baxton: ASN has three staff groups. One is the developers and scripters. They pretty much stay in the background and they do not interact with the members. Then we have the administrators that have minimal interaction with members through Help Center but they get in contact when needed. The really visible team is the moderators. They are constantly on the website and being involved with the community, assisting members and of course moderating content that should not be there. They are a fun bunch and I feel blessed to have them. They are actually from virtual worlds so they know it all. I can only say that the entire crew of ASN is a fantastic talented group of people. Everyone knows their part and are doing a great job.

Bimala Tagore: ASN demonstrates virtuous ethics, because it encourages and promotes a harmonious community. ASN does not tolerate stalkers and classic abusers.

Arkad Baxton: It is important to add that Avatar Social Network has a very decent and friendly community. The ASN team takes spamming, griefing, trolling and stalking very seriously. ASN is highly moderated, luckily though we have only had a few of those issues in this one year.

Avatar Social Network for "Facebook" Refugees

Bimala Tagore: Arkad, would you like to add anything else?

Arkad Baxton: I think the only thing to add is that I would like to openly invite everyone to join Avatar Social Network and join us in celebrating our 1 year anniversary on September 20^th, 2014.

Bimala Tagore: Once again I wish you happy first year. Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment.

Arkad Baxton:  Thank you for contacting me about this Bimala.

Join Today!

www.avatarsocialnetwork.com

25% Off SLE Advertising if you Join ASN and friend Lanai Jarrico! use promo code ASN#1friend in the prefer staff member section here

Read More