STAY IN THE KNOW

Keeping You Up To Speed.

Be Involved In The SL Community

Awareness is Key to Positive Change.

Explore Your Options

Get your REAL experience points HERE!.

CREATIVITY

The Possibilities are Endless.

Find Your Inner Peace

Ground Yourself and Discover New Things

SLE Ticker



18 Years and counting...Got SL News? Get it Published! Contact Lanai Jarrico at lanaijarrico@gmail.com

Saturday, June 6, 2015

SL 2.0 - FUD for thought (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt!) -- Gatz Inoue Martian reporting




SL 2.0 is coming


Someday soon we might log into our beloved virtual world and see something like this on the login screen of our viewer:


PRESS RELEASE - Linden Labs today announced that it will be shutting down the virtual world service known as Second Life.  This will mark the opening of Second Life 2.0, the company's new virtual world….


And so it goes...but for many of us the loss of Second Life isn’t simply the loss of a game like World of Warcraft, it is much more akin to a meteor hitting the earth and wiping out all life.  


The virtual world we inhabit is not called “Second Life” for nothing,  it is designed to be just that, a second life.  Many people here have families and activities that are just as important to them as any activity that a person might partake in with actual flesh and blood.  For some, Second Life provides a means to live a life that they would not otherwise be capable of enjoying due to disability or other hardship.  To everyone this deeply involved in Second Life, the potential loss of something that is such a central part of your first life causes anxiety and fear.


Linden Labs is aware of all these things,  a simple google search on “Second Life 2.0” returns quote after quote from Linden Labs going as far back as 2014:


“...The new Second Life will offer more robust tools for creators. Games, designs, goods, all the things that make the current incarnation of Second Life the go-to place for current users will be part of the new world….”

https://monaeberhardt.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/ebbe-altberg.png CEO Ebbe Altberg
CEO Ebbe Altberg


“...Linden Lab is working on a next generation virtual world that will be in the spirit of Second Life, an open world where users have incredible power to create anything they can imagine and content creators are king.”


Oculus Rift and Second Life


One of the rumors that started a lot of furor toward the end of last year was the introduction of a viewer that supported Oculus Rift.  Oculus Rift is a virtual reality helmet designed to be owned by people and used in the home.  It will interface with a desktop computer and will allow people to bring themselves closer than ever to the virtual world they inhabit.   Many thought that you would be required to have a Rift as part of the usage of the new Second Life.  While you can find several statements indicating there will be compatibility with the VR helmet, there is also indication that the new Virtual World platform will support PCs and mobile devices right from the outset.  



Given that Linden Labs wants to support Oculus Rift from the outset but also wants to maintain the current user base, they would be foolish to cut off support for the PC which is the primary platform.  The rumors surrounding this were blown vastly out of proportion, if anything Second Life 2.0 will support more ways of accessing the service to allow a wider user base and a larger community.  “We want to support mobile from the beginning... Any content in the new platform will be good on Oculus and PC.”  --Ebbe Altberg http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2015/03/second-life-news-ebbe-altberg-sl-2.html)


From the Oculus Website:
Today, we’re incredibly excited to announce that the Oculus Rift will be shipping to consumers in Q1 2016, with pre-orders later this year.”  
It is interesting that the consumer Oculus Rift and SL 2.0 are both set to release in 2016,  working together it seems likely that Linden Labs and Oculus VR will be able to produce a result that is much larger than either one of them could produce on their own.  It also stands to reason that a release of the consumer version of the “Rift” would coincide with the release of a new virtual world platform so that Linden Labs could ride the wave of excitement surrounding VR.  Oculus VR is talking about a 200-400 dollar price point for the VR helmet,  which means that it will be within the price range of most people and hopefully not as cost prohibitive or as complicated to use as the present developer incarnation of Oculus Rift.


Given Linden Labs continued support of the present Second Life and their active development of Second Life 2.0 with plans toward compatibility with upcoming hardware it seems unlikely that the user base is going to be abandoned.  What is most likely is that SL 1.0 and SL 2.0 will both exist side by side for a time as people get used to the new platform and gradually shift over to it.  Any way you look at it, it is an exciting time to be a resident of Second Life.  There is so much on the horizon that promises to be far more than we could have imagined when this service came online 12 years ago.

Friday, June 5, 2015

STOP THE PRESS! – A SNEAK LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SL ENQUIRER- Mackenzie Abbot reporting



To the casual reader, the SL Enquirer is a great Second Life news source.  To others, it’s just a tarted-up blog with pretensions of being a newspaper.  However you see the SLE, you keep coming back again and again.  It’s friendly and familiar, with a great mix of news, views and interesting articles written by a team with a wide range of interests.  But behind the scenes, gentle reader, lies a different world.  A world of debauchery, greed for power and control.

To begin with, the initiation ceremony is humiliation enough.  But when you are in dire need of a handful of lindens to feed your starving family, you’ll let anyone do anything to you with a rubber chicken, a Walmart gift-card and small statue of Oprah Winfrey.  Survive that and you become embroiled in the seedier side of the SL Enquirer.  For a start, you are not allowed to address the CEO, Lanai Jarrico, as anything but “Miss Jarrico”.  The punishment for calling her anything else will earn you a donkey punch to the back of the head while still being receptive of a dog toy.  And you must never NEVER look her directly in the eyes unless given permission.


A recent image of an SLE journalist ,who missed out a comma in a sentence, trying to pacify Miss Jarrico.


The hours are long and laborious; often lasting a few days until Miss Jarrico is totally satisfied that you are worth of a reprieve from duty.  These reprieves can last from 1 to 7 seconds, depending on her mood, and may or may not include comfort breaks and/or food.  Call into the press room anytime of the day or night and you will see dozens of avatars, broken and battered by toil, endless research and spellchecking.  Many, just shells of their former selves, starting to take notice of their other male captives and doing their level best to hide broners, all why trying to avoid the wrath of their wicked, masochistic editor-in-chief.  Meetings can last for weeks with little or nothing being said.  The last meeting this reporter went to consisted entirely of singing nursery rhymes backwards, and mass mutual shame fest; interspersed with occasional cries of “Fo’ Shizzle Ma Nizzle!” (shouted as loud as possible to Miss Jarrico’s question, “Do you pathetic waste of prims love working for me?!?”) .
The women in the press pack don’t get away lightly either.  I observed one reporter being throttled with her own thong for writing an article that didn’t give praise to the SL Enquirer and dared to express her own views.  The party line (or should that be the Panty Line) should be followed at all times or woe betide your soul.



Three female staffers anger the CEO by not praising The SL Enquirer and are dealt with in line with the SLE Handbook.


One female presspacker, who we will call Jill, spoke to me discreetly from under a table.
“I turned up here all eager and peachy-keen on writing about my passion for fashion…and shoes….and purses….I was bouncing!  I longed to be a journalist and share my adoration for mesh with the world.

And then I signed the contract…



…I was still aglow at finally being a reporter and that’s when the mood changed.  She suddenly had a fire in her eyes and her voice changed.  She took off her glasses and began chanting.  Two of her goons appeared from nowhere and held me in my seat.  When she had finished chanting and her head had spun round to the right position, she stood up, disrobed and……and….”

She broke down quietly but regained her composure a few seconds later.
“Let’s just say there was a forest on the outskirts of the Amityville House Of Horror”
Jill turned a vicious shade of lime green at this point and scuttled away.  I never saw her again.  I’ve since heard rumours that she managed to escape and went into hiding on a sim close to the Blake Sea.  I do hope she’s ok…

Staff Action Figures on SLE Now!


Dear reader, please take it from someone who has seen and experienced the horrors at first hand; the SL Enquirer is not what it seems!  Yes it’s a great read and seems like fun to work for from the outside.  But brutality and fear reign supreme in the world of Miss Jarrico.  Please, spread the word, send help.  We implore you.

I must close now as I hear the sound of 12 inch spiked heels approaching.  Please, save us!  I must now return to pixel-counting, if I’m caught writing this, I will be subject to pain beyond human imagination….



…Keeping Up With The Kardashians…

What's Hot this Season for Your Spring Wardrobe- Ceciliarosalie Reporting…


Spring is coming to an end but it doesn’t mean you can’t shop for things that you can carry over to Summer! This season, clothing and jewelry creations seem to have taken a cue from nature. This spring there was a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. An eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals drawn from daydreams of simpler times. Remembrances of retro delights, folkloric and floral art, and the magical worlds of tropical landscapes restore a sense of well-being as we head to the summer.

I went window shopping because I want to renew my wardrobe. I have highlighted for you some of the creations that follow this year’s spring trends. It is just a feast for your eyes so keep on reading!


My first stop was at **Asteria Creations** main store where I noticed these two wonderful clothing sets, Asia Mesh Dress and Destiny Mesh Long Skirt with matching mesh blouse.



Two more goodies come from **MOREA STYLE**, KERY -FLOWERS BORDDEAUX which is a partial mesh and Sunny Mesh Dress.

Next on my list follows the Stila Jumpsuit from A Piece of Chic and a Garden Romper from LUXE Paris Fashion House from left to right.




Lastly, let me recommend a collection of flat shoes and handbags.
BAGS: Hilly Haalan Fashions - [hh] Evie Bag ''Leather Pack'' and [hh] Evie Bag ''Patterns Pack''


SHOES: Florida flat sandals for Slink flat feet and Lacey set for Slink high, Maitreya, Belleza, TMP and JD mesh feet.


2) Just Design - Lacey set for Slink high, Maitreya, Belleza, TMP and JD mesh feet http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Love/93/35/1501

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Visiting Virtual Africa- Debby Sharma Reporting...


Africa is the second largest continent with the second largest rank in terms of population. It covers 6% of the land mass of Earth surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. It is  the only continent to stretch from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere crossing over the Equator creating a vast climatic ranging area from tropical to sub-arctic. It is also home to the one of world’s earliest and longest lasting civilizations, the Pharaonic Civilization of  Ancient Egypt in 3300 B.C.  


With such rich cultural heritage, how much does Africa in Second Life showcase? It was worth a visit to explore and learn more about this part of our world.
My first impression of Africa in Second Life was amazement paired with educational information. A club accompanied with a library gives almost all the information to get one started. Among the many books stacked at one end, one that caught my eye was about Queen Neferatari (Queen Nefertiti), whose marriage to Ramesses II is one of the greatest royal love affairs that brought an end to a hundred year war between Nubia and Egypt making it a perfect political conglomeration to two power houses.
 There are books on Kings and Queens, music, folk songs, folk lore and others. The knowledge imparted does not end in the library; one may find books and notecards at every important landing throughout Africa in Second Life. A detailed history on Candace of Meroë, King Hannibal, King Mansa Musa I (Emperor Moses), Shaka (King of the Zulus), King Prempeh, Nana Yaa Asantewa, King Ramesses II, Amenhotep IV, Taharqa, Queen Nzingha or “Amazon Queen of Matamba”, “Makeda” or “Belkis” are given.


Moving on, to one side are small thatched huts with vendors of many designers selling costumes of Africa. Clothing outfits are in vibrant colors embroidered with Jelabiya like that worn in North eastern Africa. There are outfits similar to Djellaba, Dashiki garments worn in north western Africa, The designs are with rich proportions of different colors. One may also find various vibrant coloured bandanas or headbands worn by women in Africa.


On the other side of the library are the protected wetlands where one may see the many animals of Africa wandering about. One may also find migratory birds in the dense thicket or on the perch. The area is called Africa Live Terredarmoise where one may walk or relax on the silts of construction like in a typical mangrove swamp in West Africa, Benin Republic. Be ready to find underwater fauna like tortoise, mangrove tress and many migratory birds. The environment is peaceful with the sounds of nature nurturing ones soul.


Alongside is the Africa Green Ekolo with all the real life news and latest updates on initiatives on environmental issues. Detailed information in presented on the RAMSAR Convention on wet lands, uranium pollution, loss of wetlands and the endangered species among others. One may also find an interview with Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) who are working along with Trade Foundation (AbTF) to reduce the imbalance in cotton prices. Their main aim is to address with its initiative, working with small holder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve social, economic and ecological living conditions.


The fun with freebies, shopping and information does not end here. There is an Auditorium Ganvie that has various informative videos and movies for free. It is also a place where Open Concerts are held. Events like the Earth Week, Route of Slaves, Black Genies, African poetries Week, Slammers Recital, Peace Train among others are held throughout the year.

Visit Africa Live for a fulfilled experience with exotic music and dance at Grand Popo above sharks, turtles and squids. Look around for the free African art market and art gallery accompanied with various glass sculptures and carvings. Shop for African clothing for formal ethnic groups and don’t forget to relax near the "palaver tree" and read the tales of Mami Wata and other African ancestral stories around the Baobab in the Mangrove forest. Take a boat to visit the lakeside village of Africa today and come home with a big smile after a relaxed yet adventurous vacation.


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

We Need a Marketing Manager and Digital Media Interns!



Join the VIRTUALVillage Media Team Today.

We Need a Marketing Manager and Digital Media Interns!

VIRTUALVillage Media continuously seeks talented and driven professionals to join our ever growing team and brand.  
For More Information and to Submit an Application,
CLICK HERE:


Inworld Office: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Business%20District%20Lima/71/119/23

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Matching Fashion Sets for You and Your Partner- Tea Couturier Reporting....



The best part about going out is looking good. It is even better when your outfit compliments what your partner is wearing. However, finding outfits that work well together can be a task. Have you ever wanted to match your partner. I don’t mean like twins but in outfits that accent each other? Well, it is possible to do it without looking tacky.
It can be difficult advising your partner what to wear but I have found a few items of clothing which your partner is sure to love and you will both look great together.

Formal wear
I love when you’re able to change the color of your outfit with a click of a HUD. These two outfits  not only complement both male and female but also comes with the HUD options making complimenting each other so handy.

SHEY - Azull Extraordinary Gown L$599

- Mesh Mermaid Gown ( 5 Sizes ) 
- 20 High Quality Textures 
- Hud Version 
- Alpha Layer 
- You can wear it with any shoes or you can wear it without shoes.
SHEY dresses are beautifully designed and a must have for your formal wear closet.



Zaara : [Mesh] Classic Suit *coal* L$800

Color changing HUD on the shirts!
A classic two button slim fitted suit comes with its own HUD wardrobe of 9 shirts and 24 ties to mix and match. Made for standard sizes and available in 9 colors (please check related listings)
Includes: Mesh jacket, shirt, ties, Mesh pants, color change HUD for shirts and ties, alpha layers, alpha full perm textures (boxed)



Fun Casual
This is a fun yet causal matching outfits for both male and female

Cookie Monster Bagged with Transferable Mens Outfit L$199

Matching Men’s and women’s outfit. 
Mesh Tanks S,M,L,XL 
Matching Jeans included




Leathers

Yes we are approaching summer but we can still get away with wearing a leather jacket with jeans and this set which is not from the same store but I thought it worked well together as a couple matching set. Each outfit looks trendy and stylish.

Coco Leather Jacket Blouse with 10 Color hud Jeans Slink Shoes L$199

New summer 2015 CoCo is a laid back outfit that has it all. Black leather jacket with choice of silver or gold hardware that you can wear with or without the under blouse. The under blouse has an 8 Color HUD. The jeans and SLink HIGH studded ankle boots are the perfect accompaniment to the leather jacket, and the ankle boots come with either silver or gold hardware. Boots require SLink HIGH Feet. Feet not included.



DAFNIS FAT PACK COATS WITH SHIRTS HUD DRIVEN EDUARD L$380

This outfit content sizes are standard
3 SIZES STANDARD- M, L, S 
2 SIZES FITTED MESH 
hud change textures coat and SHIRT 
ALPHAS


Bed Time
It is always fun to wear SL Pj’s. I found this perfect robe to wear over them. Warm, fluffy and comfortable this is certainly a nice robe to buy for you and your partner.

VIP- Couples Robe Set & Slippers - Spring Love (Mesh) L$149

This set includes matching robes and slippers for ladies and men. Slippers work for both Slink flat feet and regular feet with resizer.
*5 Sizes - XS, S, M L, XL 
* Alpha





So here are 6 individual outfits which I found that can be worn as a couple or even on your own and still look good. Remember matching does not always mean it has to have the same pattern. Just as long as it fits the same theme..

Happy Shopping!

The SL Enquirer is Hiring in our Advertising Department!


We are looking for candidates who are social and can help us in the Advertising department. If you think you have what it takes to be part of Team SLE and the longest running news source in Second Life. Apply today!  

Duties

  • Assist ad clients with set up
  • give information businesses inquiring about advertising
  • Answer advertising question 
  • follow  leads and bring in new clients
  • submit progress reports


Pay: 35% commission per sale

To qualify you must be professional, a people person and commit to your job.

Contact Lanai Jarrico at lanaijarrico@gmail.com

Monday, June 1, 2015

THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE AIR: Spotlight Feature on Distant Thunders Rock Club- Mackenzie Abbot Reporting




I have to admit, I had never heard of Distant Thunders before in all my 3 years on Second Life. 
I also have to admit I’m not a rock music kind of guy, but I put aside my preconceptions and headed over to gain an insight into what goes on over there.  I found a warm and friendly place where people actually speak to you when you enter for the first time.  I was made to feel welcome from the second I walked in, and that matters to someone who has been to places where you’re just another cash cow for the club.
So I was intrigued to get the assignment of writing the Spotlight feature for the SLE.  At the anointed time, I was whisked over to the board room and was greeted by a variety of people, including the owners, Joy and Kimmy Maldor.


Mackenzie Abbot: Why did you decide to set up Distant Thunders? Aren't there enough clubs in SL already?

Joy: I never had plans to open a club but I was trying to get a club to my sim when I heard they had changed the sim. And when I spoke to the owner of that club, the response was not very good, so I decided to open one of my own.

M: Was it difficult in the early days, setting up a club?

Joy: It’s easy to open a club, anybody can, but holding on to it is very difficult, 24/7 makes it worse, so yes having a club in SL is a very difficult indeed.

M: And how long have you been open?

J: 1 year

M: Is it disheartening during those quiet times, when a DJ and Host/ess are playing to an empty (or nearly empty) club?

J: We do sponsored events, sometimes just contests to attract VIP’s, but many times it’s what it is, next set improves.
K: We also have really good host/hostess that are good at drawing VIPs in when things become slow.
J: Yes I agree. 


M: So what is the unique selling point of Distant Thunders?

J: We value our VIP’s and give personal attention.  Good music, friendly place, fun hangout.
Fiona Whelan: I would also say the different options you have available to them
K: And a lot of other fun things to do while they're here
J: For example, the other attractions at the club include a bowling alley, white water rafting, jet ski-ing, hang gliding, fan boats, sail boarding, ATV riding, paintballing, biker ball, the DT Mansion, weekly sponsored events, firing range, balloon rides and sky diving.  There is something for everyone.


S: and our DJs don’t just play music, they interact and make the VIP’s part of the set.
K: It's about the experience they can have here. It’s a great place to hang out with friends.

M: And is that a bike track I saw out there?
J: This is a Rock and Ride club, so anybody who likes to ride, we have a great track for you to use.


(I laughed)
M: I took the Editor of the SL Enquirer out on my bike and nearly killed her.  I hope you have insurance

J: failure is the stepping stone of success; you will ride well next time :)

M: I appreciate the faith you have in me, but I fear it may be misplaced.  Anyway, if you had to sell Distant Thunders in 3 words, what would they be?

J: Rock Ride & Play

M: That's probably the best answer to that question I’ve ever seen.  Ok last question, what's next for Distant Thunders? Where do you see the club this time next year?

J: Well we have some new services in progress, including Distant Thunder Wedding Venue with end to end wedding service, Distant Thunder DJ/Host School, Distant Thunder Fashion Academy, Distant Thunder Studio and the Distant Thunder Monthly Magazine.
K: Still here, and more popular and better than ever!


M: As a fashion designer myself, I’m intrigued about the Fashion Academy.  What’s that?

J: Distant Thunder Fashion Academy is about helping creators in the fashion community showcase their products. We also have a school for training those who wish to learn the methods and tools it takes to excel in the modelling field. We host a fashion show at the end of every month on the Distant Thunder sim too.

At this point, I concluded the interview and was about to thank everyone for their time when Joy stopped me

J: I would like to take this opportunity, if I may, to thank the DT staff for their hard work every single day. I would also like to thank the management staff for their commitment and hard work, as well as all the people who stood by me for building Distant Thunder.

M: I'm sure each and every single one of them appreciates that sentiment

K: We have the greatest staff you could ever find in Second Life.

Leaving the boardroom and crossing the dance floor, I get an overwhelming sense that Joy and Kimmy take an immense amount of pride in their business and staff.  Not once did the subject of making money come up.  In fact, they seem to be ploughing what money they do make, back into making the club bigger and a more fun place to be.  This reporter finds no fault with that.  Too many clubs in Second Life seem hell-bent on making as much money as they can at the expense of services or staff well being.  Maybe there’s something in that for all of us to consider.
 It is refreshing to see that Distant Thunder stands out and truly appreciates their staff and visitors as well as shows where their priorities are for making it a fun place to be.

Additional Information:

 
cookieassistant.com