Iridium Linden is one of the most amazing assets to Linden Lab. She plays a strong role in the community. I invited her to speak on my Machinima track at SLCC in August. At first, we weren't sure what she would talk about, but I knew it was important for her to be there on my track. She ended up using her time as an open forum for residents to sound off on what they would like to see implemented as far as Machinima goes.
She wrote down each and every request we had, and just a few days later, she made one of our requests happen! Educators and developers already had mailing lists, but Machinima was sorely lacking, so she activated one for us. Because she rocks so much, it didn't stop there! She gave us a spot on the Second Life wiki. Thanks, Iridium!
CNet has its coverage of SLCC 2007 right here, and focuses on how LL needs to step up and look at things through non-colored glasses. When I first began reading the piece, I got to thinking 'Well, of course people are looking hopeful; what kind of convention would it be if all they did was moan?' But I see the point. LL, and Philip in particular, have crowed about SL's progress and numbers and new features, when perhaps they should have been focusing on stability and UI improvements. Well, now is the time to buckle down and start this process.
The Electric Sheep's Sibley Verbeck said something at once scary and dead-on (from the article): 'This is kind of a scary term, but we kind of need to 'AOL-ify' the experience here a little bit...push a button, and you get in there, and immediately you've never seen that thing before but all of a sudden you've got mail, and that's really nice, and people are sending you things, (and there's) some entertainment, some information, some learning right there in front of you.'
He's absolutely right, and the article goes on to say how. We could use a little more direction for the new users so we don't keep seeing inflated numbers without retention. It's time to AOL-ify SL, Philip! You're man enough to do it, too; I've seen your codpiece! *shudder*
Sometimes we can't win for losing. ABC has chosen the SLCC Masquerade Ball as the focus for their article on SL. It figures. Rather than any of the great speeches or panels, the pick the thing that's going to show the wilder side of residents. Sure enough, check out the first paragraph and the accompanying photo. Pure sensationalism, just the way the readers like it!
I'll stop my rant there, and just comment on two things: 'For people who lack the social skills, good looks, and life of luxury they crave, Second Life is a way to satisfy their urges.' That's a rather sweeping generalization, don't you think? Didn't this writer take a look around the convention at all? Beautiful people, socializing, regardless of financial status. That's what it was all about!
"Second Life isn't for everybody, right now,' says Constable. That may be true, but 1) Does it really need to be? People who use Macs are in the minority among the nation's PC users, but are they suffering because of it? 2) What if it were for everybody; what would that look like? Many things thrive as niche items. It's a perfectly acceptable way to exist. Let's just concentrate on our own happiness and not worry about our status among the Great Unwashed, shall we?
One interesting thing that came out of SLCC was the revelation that it appears that Wired was not only trash-talking Second Life, but that the trash-talk was the goal and intent, quite independent of the realities.
Coca Cola's Mike Donnelly, Director of Global Interactive Marketing says that Wired's Frank Rose completely misrepresented his and Coca Cola's position on Second Life. It's a public dustup about lies and distortion in the media. Yummy.
The winners of the Linden Lab Innovation Awards ('The Hippos') were announced by Rob Linden (aka Rob Lanphier) at this year's SLCC. Rob Linden's award announcement is reproduced on the Linden blog, introduced by Liana Linden.
While not everyone's going to ultimately agree with the winners, because everyone doubtless has their own perspectives on who is most deserving in each field, take a moment to consider the efforts of each of these people towards your Second Life experience.
Rob Linden will be announcing the awards in person at SLCC. To hear him in-world, tune into the "social track" audio stream provided by SLCC. See the in-world SLCC info page for details.
Liana Linden will be organizing a gathering of award nominees inworld, at which Cory Linden will be speaking. To wangle a guest invitation for this gathering should contact Liana Linden before Friday morning.
I'm going to file this one in the "too good to be true" section. One resident has decided to take SLCC to the next level, by anonymously cruising for sex. All that's known about her is that she is newly single, a larger woman, and ready to take action. She even has a system worked out. After exchanging emails, if it goes well, she'll approach you and whisper the password in your ear.
While not many in the thread on Second Citizen have taken her up on the offer yet, she has upped the ante by posting *ahem* a picture of her nether region. I'll just let you find that one yourself. This certainly raises the stakes for SLCC. If you are interested, send her an email.
With that said, what are your intentions for going to SLCC? Are you attending for business, pleasure, or ... other? Leave a comment!
While news of his disappearance have been far-reaching, current speculation is that Starax Statosky is merely wandering the grid in an alt. He's kinda like Bruce Banner, walking the world trying to do good, but with a huge green secret inside him ... okay, he's not at all like Bruce Banner. But this event from the Oyster Bay Sculpture Garden, Market & Aquarium in cahoots with the Crescent Moon Museum might just bring him back out!
Entitled 'Hidden Starax!', this event runs for 6 weeks, beginning on the 25th of July at the Oyster Bay sim. Over 20 rare Starax pieces will be shown, with one or two on display at any one time, due to high prim counts. From the press release:
"The Crescent Moon Museum donated these Starax pieces to Oyster Bay because of our shared interest in bringing the finest Second Life art to SL's residents," said Tayzia Abbatoir, owner of Crescent Moon. "My Starax collection is an example of the creativity that is possible using Second Life as a medium. I'm excited that the world will have the opportunity to share in Starax's work."
Adds Morris Vig, Oyster Bay owner: "Making the free Starax pieces easily accessible to the public is a passion of Tayzia and mine. Like any collectible market, the market for Starax brings out the unscrupulous element. I personally was taken on a Starax piece when I started collecting his work and did not know the pieces were free. Offering these pieces to the public is our way of helping make sure that never happens again."
This event will also interface with the SLCC from the 24-26 of August, with the display of 3 of Starax's most prized pieces. This will be an event to remember; if anyone anywhere has any contact with Starax, let him know it's safe to come out again!
Welcome to the fourteenth episode of On the Inside, Second Life Insider's Official Podcast!
This episode features our interview with Jennyfur and FlipperPA Peregrine, organizers of the upcoming Second Life Community Convention 2007. Haver Cole co-hosts with me, and we talk about SLCC, banana onions, and pawjobs. As always, feel free to leave your questions and comments!
Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to On the Inside directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the SLI Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [Mp3] Download the MP3 directly
A number of the SL blogosphere have been up in arms about the Community Standards and the contract for musicians. They've even taken to attacking other planners that have NOTHING to do with the main conference, or the Social track. How quickly people forget that there are *three* other tracks, as well as other activities to enjoy on Friday and possibly Saturday.
Less than two months before SLCC is set to start, it's falling apart, after all the hard work put in by the other planners. It's not some "in" thing for many of us, where we favor our friends over others. We've tried to keep it fair and honest.
Here's an idea. Come to enjoy the convention itself without performing, or just see Chicago. Maybe you could meet with some friends there, since everyone will already be in the hotel. The live music portion is such a tiny part of the entire thing. Don't drag down the morale of the rest of us.
Has the music portion turned you off from attending? Will you be requesting a refund for either issue cited?
There's a row brewing over live music at the SLCC this year. Slim Warrior appears to have been the first to speak out, when the release agreement for his performances was presented to her, and at least one other pair of performers (Kaoru and Jennie of The Deathline) are also objecting.
The issue here specifically is not actually the terms of the release agreement (which seem to be rather broader than is usual for a performance release), or who the rights are assigned to (Phreak Radio, in this instance), but a matter of timing. You see, the musicians have already agreed to perform, booked hotels, paid conference registration (albeit discounted) and booked and paid for flights. Now additional terms are being imposed on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, leaving the musicians out-of-pocket.
With the registration of a couple of controversial Second Life residents, some are in a state of panic. Many feel that these individuals would hamper their convention experience. Another issue that has also cropped up is the entrance of "press" requesting permission to film. Due to these incidents, The Future United Group has decided to clarify their policies in a Community Standards Agreement.
By registering for SLCC, you would be agreeing to these policies. If you are already registered and feel that you cannot follow them, there is a limited time cancellation period that lasts until July 13th. They will cancel your registration and refund your money. Among the policies on their list are: not harassing other attendees, asking permission before taking photos or video, and not hogging the microphone during question and answer periods.
Are you registered for SLCC? Will you be cancelling or staying? If so, why?
A while back, I heard about a convention that would be similar to SLCC, but would take place in Amsterdam. To my knowledge, nothing ever came of this, but now there is one in Berlin, Germany. Are they one and the same? No matter, because there are bigger issues to take up with this endeavor.
I have actually just learned that there are *two* conferences in Germany in September. Why did these two organizations not get together to plan one big conf? This seems to be a situation where greed and glory are the motivating factors.
It just doesn't seem like that attractive of a conference...
Welcome to the seventh episode of On the Inside, Second Life Insider's Official Podcast! This episode features our interview with Brooke Barmy and Mercury Metropolitan of the Teen Grid! Saeya Nyanda co-hosts with me, and we talk about what it's like on the TG, age verification, SL Views, and SLCC. As always, feel free to leave your questions and comments!
And, as promised, here's a photo of Brooke and his vendor:
Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to On the Inside directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the SLI Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [Mp3] Download the MP3 directly
I've just received word that the registration site for SLCC 2007, taking place in Chicago from August 24th-26th, is now open! The cost of the full weekend will be $185 USD, or 50,000L. The event will be held at the Chicago Hilton where there will be four tracks: Business, Education, Social, and Machinima.
There will also be an optional Masquerade Ball, sponsored by Strokerz Toyz, for an additional $5 USD, or 1500L. The registration caps at around 850 or 900 residents, so if you would like to attend, it's advised that you register now! For more details, please visit the official blog for SLCC 2007.
Iridium Linden is one of the most amazing assets to Linden Lab. She plays a strong role in the community. I invited her to speak on my Machinima track at SLCC in August. At first, we weren't sure what she would talk about, but I knew it was important for her to be there on my track. She ended up using her time as an open forum for residents to sound off on what they would like to see implemented as far as Machinima goes.
One interesting thing that came out of SLCC was the revelation that it appears that Wired was not only trash-talking Second Life, but that the trash-talk was the goal and intent, quite independent of the realities.
The winners of the Linden Lab Innovation Awards ('The Hippos') were announced by Rob Linden (aka Rob Lanphier) at this year's SLCC. Rob Linden's award announcement is reproduced on the Linden blog, introduced by Liana Linden.
The 
I'm going to file this one in the "too good to be true" section. One resident has decided to take 
A number of the SL blogosphere have been up in arms about the 
There's a row brewing over live music at the SLCC this year. Slim Warrior appears to have been 
A while back, I heard about a convention that would be similar to SLCC, but would take place in Amsterdam. To my knowledge, nothing ever came of this, but now there is one in Berlin, Germany. Are they one and the same? No matter, because there are bigger issues to take up with this endeavor.
I've just received word that the 
