Return to Book Island

As reported in early 2010,  Book Island was undergoing a revitalization.  During the first quarter, the Island has flourished and now the community of writers and publishers is even more vibrant and alive. The new area  is full! Nearly all of the Island's homes and shops have been rented. Each home has  an upstairs patio, 2 bedrooms, private jetty, some with sunset and waterfront location. An individual  texturing service is also available for both. 
Many exciting events are now scheduled weekly on the Island, including readings.  Often held in the Beach area is a monthly salon hosted by RL romance writers, Melissa Mahue (FaeWritr Brookmite) and Elaine Laveine (Vinnie Mimistrobell).  The have hosted RL literary figures.
The Podcasters group was organized by Emz Mazie, Insight Zadark and Imarad Breen.  In addition to podcasting the live readings,  frequent tapings of the Horrow Addicts podcast are held in front of a live audience.  This group also promotes Marketing and has fairly regular office hours if you want to go to learn and get advice about it.  As well,  Emz Mazie holds regular meetings at Quills, her shop on the island, where the audience can witness an actual podcast being made and broadcast. Recently, Imarad Breen, author of the novel, "The Fox,"  made a podcast of her short story, "The Nibblers."
A New Community Centre  provides a popular hang out on the first floor, while classes are held on the second floor.  The second floor is also available for RL writers' groups to meet, eliminating the need to commute.  Assistance is available for any newcomers who would like to use this area for their group.
Resident psychotherapist, Micca Hedrick, leads a free weekly  Relationship Support Group. This group discusses RL relationship issues.   
The Book Island Beach area continues to host many classes, some of which include/have included:

• Building with 10 Goosson (co-owner M&M Creations).  This was a 5-week building course which has now concluded. 
• SL Photography with Elsbeth Writer.  This was also a one-time course offering, but is another great example of what is being done and planned on Book Island.

Future planned events include:

• Sandor Zabelin's poetry readings read by Persephone Phoenix from Blue Angel Poets Dive, scheduled for 29 April at 7 pm
• Neal Herriat reading from his book "The Thistle"
• The very popular Sabreman Carter reading his poetry
• Jay B. Cox Harvey Lurra) reading his book, "Memoir of a Mind Toy" (Doesn't THAT sound interesting!)
• Nightmare Scribe and Magaere Swansong's  free lecture series and paid course: Henry and Hollie Snider, founders of the award-winning Colorado Springs Fiction Writers' Group will be offering lectures and classes on the writing process and covering aspects ranging from characterization and mechanics to scene development and storyline.

It is evident that Selina Greene and her crew have done some remarkable things on the Island to bring it back to life.  The place is alive with interesting and exciting things!  If you are a writer, want to be a writer, or just an avid lover of reading and books, this is the place to go!  Join the Book Island Events and Discussion Group to receive notices of their weekly and other special events.


By Shellie Sands

TRP360 Up and Away at Sialimonus

It is always wonderful to go exploring and find a new astonishing site I have never seen before. I arrived at the entrance of an ethereal Stonehenge. The view is of an airy gossamer Stonehenge with the universe circling. “Turn around “ I was instructed and touch everything. So I did.

Off I went into space with my first tap, following a meteor ‘s trail around and around. I found a lineup of the planets, and sat on a few that again sent me off into space in various dances and poses. It is great fun to walk - run in space Asteroids bumbled through the air, barely missing the site.

Back on the ground, I spied a teleport to the “Fun House." Hah! I cannot tell you much about that journey, not wanting to spoil the experience, but get ready for an escapade that will take you through mazes that really amaze!!! Make sure you have time to enjoy, or you will need to revisit this experience again and again , trying to solve the way through. Look for a happy face to guide you. You will smile back.

Back at the entrance you will find a teleport that will bring you to other magical sites. Enter and enjoy!!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sialimonus/156/168/210

Gemma Cleanslate

Syzygy Celebrates Alice in Wonderland

Thirteen residents and friends of Syzygy held a progressive Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party on March 20. Resident Kulta Hannu organized the event and led the group on a trek down the rabbit hole.
  
     The party kicked off at Cake, http://slurl.com/secondlife/cake/72/92/24 . Cake is a fun, whimsical sim owned by Pipsqueak Fiddlesticks, another resident of Syzygy. The party-goers imbibed some wicked tea, brewed up by Dr. Elric Anatine, and snacked on tasty cakes while they waited for everyone to gather. Approximately 13 residents came to the party, all dressed in Wonderland costumes.
  

      The first stop was Cheshire, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cheshire/7/69/33 . Everyone crawled through the spiraling door that led to Alicés Room. A few residents hopped into Alicés drawer, and one reportedly got trapped. Soon the remaining residents were spotted climbing on blocks, riding the train, and exploring Alicés other possessions.
  
      Next the group visited the Alice in Wonderland Dark Ride, located at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Black%20Sand%20Beach/103/200/25. The rezzer for the gondolas wasn´t working, but that did not stop the party-goers from enjoying a walking trek through this amazing treat. Kulta had warned everyone to beware of the jabberwock and jubjub Bird, but some did not heed the warnings.
     After everyone recovered from the ride, they were off to the last stop, New Wonderland http://slurl.com/secondlife/Silence/188/8/27. Although this is a RP sim, visitors can explore it without taking part in the play.  An Observeŕs name tag can be picked up near the fireplace and worn. One by one the group climbed onto a chair and jumped Through the Looking Glass to continue the Mad Tea Party adventure.

  
Grey Lupindo
Photos by Bixyl Shuftan

“Avatar” in Second Life

James Cameron’s science-fiction movie “Avatar” has taken cinema by storm, setting box office records in the United States and elsewhere across the world. Inevitably, people began making avatars of the alien “Na’vi.” Whenever there’s something big in science-fiction, people are drawn to begin with to recreate it here. With “Avatar,” there was a certain irony to it. There’s the movie’s name, making the “Na’vi” in Second Life “Avatar” avatars. And just like the humans in the movie create “avatars” to go about in an alien world in an imersive and personal manner, people have been doing so with “Na’vi” avatars here in the Metaverse. And of course Second Life avatars tend to be much taller than normal human anyway.

Many of us have already seen the familiar blue, thin humanoids showing up at clubs or other places. As it turns out, there have been efforts at more, trying to recreate the world of Pandora in Second Life.

Probably the most detailed of these Pandora areas is the Pandora Magic sim in Second Life. The entry area has a few freebies nearby, notably the rp combat system. Portals can take you to shops, or straight down to the planet. And given a little time to load, it is a most beautiful sight. Trees standing tall in the air, luminous plants and creatures providing colorful light - notably when seen at nighttime, flowers that make “crunch” noises and temporarily vanish when you walk near.

And of course there were a few Na’vi avatars about, walking here and there. There was also a couple embracing in a leaf boat moving slowly along a river. There were other cuddle poses throughout the sim, for any couples going here for a stroll in the woods. Supposedly some people after seeing the movie are depressed about not being able to visit Pandora for real (Click Here for CNN article). Logging into Second Life and going to Pandora Magic would certainly be one way to ease these down feelings.

Pandora Magic and its sister sim Pandora Hellsgate are the location for a German Na’vi roleplay group, though they don’t seem to have a problem with visitors going about the forest. The language at the starting area was German, though some notecards had English translations. Most of the chat heard was not in English, but there was one who did, commenting, “I think the reason Second Life has gone AVATAR crazy is because the movie related to us in a big way. A lot of us log in to a new body and a new world with unimaginable possibilities. SL is the outdated version. (laughter).”

Going into Search and typing Na’vi or Pandora, one will find other sims. Checking some of them, none led to a forest as lush as Pandora Magic’s, but there were some other roleplay groups. Angels Sanctuary had a Na’vi forest, which while not as detailed as Pandora Magic was better than most other "Avatar" places I saw. Two places had the same design space station, with a free human Hardsuit and 1L hovercraft, though except for demos the Na'vi avatars were a little costly. And some areas, while a nice place to stroll, seemed to have nothing to do with the “Avatar” movie, or were just a place to sell expensive avatars and props.

So if you’re someone who’s seen the movie and wants to relive it, or just want to see a little of what all the hype is about, Second Life offers places and things for you.

“kîyevåme, eana-txim.”

“(See you soon, blue-butt).”

Bixyl Shuftan

Outerland: A Different Kind of Estate

The Outerland Estate is comprised of 130 carefully landscaped and designed islands across 90 regions on 111 sims.  The Estate was founded in April 2006 by Dana Bergson, who remained the owner until June of 2009.

Originally called the "Otherland,"  Dana had to sell it in June 2009 due to personal reasons.  The Estate was purchased by the ACS group owned by Anshe Chung. 

Although the name was changed, and a few internal changes came with the sale,  the "base and philosophy of the Estate remains unchanged."   The motto for the estate, coined by Dana Bergson, was "Make Otherland a different kind of land."  The idea was to create something special, beautiful and an estate viewed as a whole and not by the individual components/sims  which it encompasses.  Rivers run through almost the entire estate and there are oceans to sail on.  This provides the residents the opportunity  to explore the estate beginning at their own doorstep. 

What a wonderful thought:  to walk out of your front door, hop into a boat and sail around the Estate...although I imagine in a place that massive, it would be quite easy to become lost.

An important project for the Outerland staff has been the Outerland Archipelago, a unique concept.  Consisting of a group of private sims, it is a beautifully landscaped area, free of griefers and excessive lag.  You will not see large, flat areas without structure there, no typical "tropical islands in the sun.  The result is certainly some of the most beautiful land in SL. Think of islands large and small. Think of lakes, rivers, waterfalls. Think of softly rounded hills and some steep cliffs. "

I had a chat with Julienne Caudron recently, one of the  Estate Managers for Outerland, who was able to provide me with a wealth of information.  Julienne joined the Estate Team in March of 2008.  

Julienne, together with Natasha ACS, are the main players in keeping the residents happy, resolving any issues and answering questions.  

Their different times zones allow them to be available during most of the time zones around the globe. 

Combined with customer support, bookkeeping, and language skills, the two managers have enough skills to keep residents informed, as well as satisfied, and tend to the various administrative tasks associated with the Estate. 

The staff at Outerland place emphasis on quality rather than quantity.  Hiring staff consisting of "poorly paid real estate agents whose main aim is a sale" is just not an option. Ban lines are not allowed so residents will not be booted during their exploration around the estate.  The residents contribute to the Estate's outstanding status.  Friendships have grown between neighbors who share a common love of regions such as New England.

Mother Nature recently showed up at Outerland in the form of snow and an "All-Around-Christmas-Party" is being planned  by the residents.  There is a great sense of community.   "When the lake in Xabbu Park froze over, Sylvia Sonoda opened her famous ice skating course for everybody. She put some awesome ramps with some special surprises for the real skating pros. Hot Chocolate, basic skates, and snowball fighting fun are on the house until January, when the snow is going to melt."

The Outerland Estate has recently welcomed Wandering Star to the Estate.  This group is in the Verdant Homewood, a long established community of music lovers, holding regular music events in a pub on the Khao sim.

A visit to one of the New England themed parcels revealed what one might expect to see in New England in the winter...landscape and trees all covered with snow.  There are some tropical themed parcels as well, including Ellaidhu and Antibes.  The two boardwalks at Dulcie and Anwin are charming indeed, with a rustic seaside appeal.  Eschach Castle is a part of Outerland, a small, cozy looking castle nestled up against a snow covered peak.  There are just so many beautiful sims and islands to see. 

The entire Estate is beautifully and carefully landscaped and it is obvious that great care went into every design.  This Estate sounds to me like an awesome home for those who want a sense of community spirit in a place that has a covenent for ensuring beauty and not commerciality.  

By Shellie Sands

http://www.otherland-group.com/real_estate/

SNOWY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Before I came to Snowy Mountain, I was wondering how I should start my report. I had never seen it before and did not know what to expect, except snow and mountains. Even, I could get that!

But when I rezzed here, on the veranda of the log cabin, I turned round and the view took my breath away. It was an immediate emotional reaction!

Continue reading Kims' adventure in the Community section.........

T&A Estates, the place to be

When you first arrive on the T&A sim, you rezz into a startlingly beautiful room. You are surrounded on all sides buy an enormous starscape. Take a while to focus and you can then see what must be the control centre of the sim.

 Just in that one place there is a playable pool table, together with a greedy greedy table and a U-know table. There are Zyngo games arranged around the wall, and other games I have never seen before, Phrase Invaders, UFO Abductor, Scrambo and RetroArcade. What are they? Come and see for yourself!

 All part of the service is a DX terminal which enables you to buy Lindens without even having to have a credit card. If you want to buy products inworld, there is an Apez terminal, too. In between these two terminals you will find vendors for T&A Estates own products. Well worth a closer look.

 Having seen the gaming area, I went to the teleport terminal to find out what else was in store for me. Ummm. Right what do I do first? 

How about racing... or some racing or maybe some racing! 

Wow! What more could you want? Well, how about the Demolition Derby? Get some friends together, go to a teleporter and choose from more than ten options. They have a fantastic teleporter system here. Zap! You arrive in no time at all. Select to Demo Derby, pick a vehicle (you’ve got a choice of a half dozen) and you are out in a huge arena with a 1000 health points. See how long you survive!

If you like crashing into each other, you can go to the Battle Dome and have a go on the bumper cars. 

Tame? No way! 

There are hospital beds waiting outside. Woah! now that’s what I call a warning! Behind them is a vendor for DCS weapon, if you want to carry on your battle, back home.

 About the racing… I have just come back from the Red Rock Track. My heart is thumping. I accidentally found how to go REALLY fast on one of the demo bikes. I should have read the instructions first! So many bikes to choose from AND you can buy one if you want to. You don’t have to go to the T&A Cycleworks to buy one but… Come On! It’s so cool down there. And there’s the Photo Studio, , too, where you can take a selection of single, pair or group photographs. You can even have them framed if you want to.

 Altogether there a six tracks, each one different, testing different skills in different ways. On most tracks you can rezz a bike or a kart. You can even buy the track, if you want to!

Tired of the countryside? Go to the sea. That fantastic teleporter system can take you there. Domino Island is a very beautiful place at ground level. It has little hideaways and islets to sit on and watch the day go by. If you want more entertainment, go to the South Pier and pick up a paddleboat, a fishing boat, a bumper boat or, for more speed thrills, a jetski, or you can sit on the dock a spend some time fishing with the Seven Seas fishing game.

This is definitely a place for people who want to DO things. I know because, I've done it and I recommend it. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Domino%20Island/129/125/1026/

By Kim Trefusis

CHRISTO ISLAND

When I landed on Christo Island, I had a quick look round to get my bearings.

I decided to go for a flying survey of the whole island, to look at the big picture, so to speak. I could immediately see that it is very beautifully designed. Somebody has a good eye for detail. In the north West corner, there is a smallholding with a wheat field and a small vineyard and a vegetable garden. I’ve got to say, it made feel really good inside. It had a very soothing effect on me! Behind it there was a mountainous island which only added to the atmosphere.

Find out more in the COMMUNITY SECTION with Kim Trefusis

Da Vinci Lives

I was intrigued when I read about the Feathers Boa in Extra Extra that is being held in Da Vinci sim and went to see.
Feather’s work is always wonderful and I enjoyed looking at her new creations.
Since I had not been in the sim I went wandering. 'Da Vinci' Just the word evokes so many images : Mona Lisa of course, beauty, machines, inventions. And here it is!
The creator has given us a multitude of discoveries. It is amazing.
When I first saw the sim I was impressed by the beauty of the scenery. That is only the tip of the iceberg!
As one begins to explore it is evident there are endless places to enjoy, take a tour, or two or three. You have a your pick.
Under water, ride a seahorse or be a diver, to Mars - take a rocket ship, to see the whole sim, take a boa feather.
Each is delightful. Grab a diver’s suit or two, as you travel. You will find a tp in many places that offer a myriad of choices. I took at least 5 of them but must go back to really check them all out but wanted to share with you first.
One of the most interesting was the Inner Space, here you will have the opportunity to learn about your own body, collect bacteria as you travel the inner veins. If you pick up a bacteria collector you may even earn some money if you follow directions!
I met some avatars riding the seahorses you can find on the island. They were having a great ride while I was trying the diving suit.
As I flew I encountered avatars enjoying the dancing areas.
I do not know where to stop !
Be sure to stop at all the delightful galleries and do not miss Feathers Boa. So much to see.
Experience it yourself!!
You have to begin somewhere ….. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kalepa/200/175/32

By Gemma Cleanslate

Second Earth

Next to the NOAA sim Meteora, I found a noteworthy place: Second Earth. The sim is also sponsored by NOAA. It is made around a globe, but what a globe. The height of a skyscraper, a normal-sized avatar appears only as a small speck next to the Second Earth sphere.

Underneath the globe is a base with a few controls, a much smaller globe a little bigger than an avatar’s head, and a board. The board and the base have the NOAA emblem as their default pictures. But one can bring up a satellite picture of the weather and detail it either in a geographical map or a normal one. One can also narrow or expand the map, and move it in any of all 4 directions. The weather patterns seem to update every several minutes. On the small globe, one can also highlight a location on the big one (provided it’s in the database).

Both the globe and the base are in a transparent sphere, clear on the outside, but from the inside looks black with stars. The globe is also covered by a clear “plastic” cover with cloudlike patterns on it. By accident or design, there are some tiny gaps in the cover. One can zoom in through the gaps and look at the globe close-up inside. The globe itself is very well done, showing exaggerated mountain heights and close detail to terrain. When razzing, sections may seem to fit roughly, but smooth out when fully rezzed.

This huge globe can be used like any other in real-life. But with people here in Second Life having friends many miles apart, sometimes on different continents, it can be fun for a group to head there and point out where friends are in reality.

Second Earth is at Second Earth 1 (125, 132, 29). There are other sims named “Second Earth” nearby, but this reporter has yet to find out what they are for.

Bixyl Shuftan

Space Frontier Saturn V Moon Rocket Ride

It was about forty years ago last week that Apollo 11 went to the moon, mankind landing on an alien surface for the first time in history. Many of us in Second Life know of space areas, such as the International Space Museum, but can one find a place where the moon landing is re-enacted?

The answer: Yes, but it’s not quite finished.

In the Space Frontier Workspace (formerly known as the Space Frontier Sandbox) near the Sci-Lands, there is a Saturn V rocket on a launch tower. Built to scale (two avatars at it’s base in the picture can just barely be seen), the rocket stands high in the air, connected to the red launch tower. The rocket is very realistically detailed, and includes a “sound HUD” for audio from the Apollo 11 mission (does not always work) which one gets by clicking an old-fashioned computer on the launchpad’s corner. This grand build was made by Wicked Quasimodo.

One enters the rocket by clicking on the command module, almost at the top of the Saturn V. The huge vehicle launches at 32 minutes past the hour, every hour, with the tower’s gantry retracting just a few minutes before. If you’re outside, it’s a spectacular sight as the great behemoth launches into the air. If you’re inside the rocket, you’re in for quite a ride.

I had the fortune of speaking to one of the people responsible for the sim, Rocket Sellers. “I was just mitigating some space debris here,” he told me, “impromptu erotic photo studio in the sky. ... I’m the owner of record here, and there’s a crew with cleaning powers. I try to clean politely so they do not reincarnate as pesky griefers.”

Asking about the Moon rocket, “It’s still a work in progress. This is Version Two. Wicked Quasimodo had an earlier build, but Havoc 4 broke it. This one is lower prim, and the lunar module is sculpty. It really should be on NASA property, but there’s no NASA region that will adopt it. He first tried on the NASA CoLab Testbed, but the sim was just too lagy, and there was just too much junk in the sky. So he began working on it here, with the idea it would find a home at NASA for the Apollo 11 Anniversary. Instead, NASA put some posters around with landmarks to here.”

“The first iteration did the whole flight profile, including splashdown back on Earth. ... The last time I took the trip (on this rocket), we only got to lunar orbit. ... I don’t know if it lands yet or not.” Rocket Sellers then mentioned a famous name dropping in, “Last week, we had an avatar named ‘Buzz Aldrin’ visiting here. I asked him if he had taken the Saturn V Apollo 11 ride to the Moon yet. He answered, ‘Yes, 40 years ago.’ ... I don’t believe it’s really Buzz, although I can’t figure out how he got the name. ... I guess Linden Labs is not assiduous about protecting famous names.”

Rocket Sellers invited me to go along for a ride on the Saturn V, and so we and one other person got aboard the command module. And at 32 past the hour, the rocket roared and thundered up into the air. The ride is best seen with Environment set to Midnight, and being a Second Life spaceship, the stages shake a little as it travels upward. Eventually, the first stage falls away, and then the second. Soon, the ship comes to orbit a megaprim Earth, “It’s very beautiful from up here” “Approaching New Guinea.”

There is a black square under the Moon rocket at this stage. Rocket Sellers explained, “That’s the work platform, and also when you transfer to the Lunar Module, it keeps you from falling through space.” The Command Module does have windows that you can see your avatar from the outside. But looking inside through either mouselook or panning, the inside is quite detailed with numerous instruments and panels.

Eventually, the faring on the last rocket stage separated, and the Lunar Module, folded up, appeared. The Command/Service Module then rotated, and connected to it. Passengers could then right-click to board it. The connected ships then went into Lunar orbit. Unfortunately, the ride did not progress any further. It had yet to be finished.

Despite this and the tiny flaws, this reporter, can only consider it a great and memorable build, especially if one is a space fan, or otherwise nostalgic for these glory days of the manned space program.

The Space Frontier Saturn V Moon Rocket is at Space Frontier (154, 126, 137).


“It’s good when a rocket or space person finds the place.”

Bixyl Shuftan

The USS Defiant

Recently, I was informed by the Trek Museum about a ship that was recently built, getting a Landmark to the location, and an invitation to look around. The ship in question, the USS Defiant. For those less familiar with Star Trek, the Defiant was the starship frequently used on missions in the “Deep Space Nine” series. It was smaller than the Enterprise, but was heavily armed. In Second Life, this Defiant will be the location of a Trek Roleplay.

Getting aboard and looking around, I was soon met by one lady in a gold Trek uniform and a silver collar: Donnaj Firehawk. She greeted me, and offered me a tour of the ship, starting with the transporter room, and going to the ready room, and then the room most think of with Trek ships, “This is our main Bridge. It has a changeable screen behind you, and in the front, and also an alert system.” And just after taking a picture, the ship began flashing Red Alert, “Ooops, are cameras considered a security hazard?” I asked in jest. Donnaj giggled, “We are still in the finishing touches. The Captain is anyway.” She explained the ship hadn’t been up for very long.

Donnaj showed me the Captain’s Office. The desk being neat and tidy, there wasn’t much to distinguish it, except for a small fishtank with a half-globe display set in the wall with a lionfish swimming inside. “This is Trigger,” she explained. She then showed me the brig, with a room with not much more than a bunk at one end, “Our holding cell.” With a weak field up, moving into and out was no problem. But after Donnaj strengthened it, “Now try to walk through the force field.” And indeed there was no simply walking in or out.

Going along, I noticed several pictures of avatars on the wall, some in uniform some not. I asked about them, and Donnaj told me those were of the upcoming crew, which was still incomplete. The trip went past the upper cargo room with a few containers, and led to a place familiar to Trekkers, “This is the top view of Engineering,” she pointed to a group of four columns lit up in pulsating blue light, ”with working warpcore.” When she turned it off, the ship announced in the loudspeaker, “Warp Core is offline, Condition Yellow.” Donnja explained, “Also, it’s connected to the alert system.” She turned it back on, the computer then announced, “Warp Core is online, Condition Green.”

The trip then went to the rear Crew Quarters. The ship being smaller than the Enterprise, most of the crew were assigned not individual rooms, but bunks, “There are four bunks here.” The trip then went past the datacore, the heart of the ship’s computer. We then came to the front Crew Quarters, “There are six bunks here.” We then headed to a room with some tables with chairs and control panels with shelves underneath on one side, and a larger than normal door with another panel on the other. “This is the Mess Hall andHolodeck,” Donnaj explained, “Click the replicators. Those meals are copyable; three different meals.” Turning to the other side of the room, “Of theHolodeck , the Captain is currently working on making it workable.” This would probably be the last part of the ship that would be finished.

Heading out of there, we went to Sick Bay, which stood out from it’s several beds with panels with X-rays and graphs behind each one, “This is our Medical Facility. If you’re have a lay on a bed, I’ll activate it.” I did, and an arch went over my avatar, the computer going, “BioBed closing, please stand clear.” After a few seconds, “BioBed opening, please stand clear.” Donnaj remarked, “Scan complete, you’re in good health.” Unlike McCoy with Spock, there were no jokes about the differences between human and non-human physiology.

We then went to another large room, “This is our Main Cargo Bay.” She then pointed to something not normally seen on a Federation ship, “Also Borg Regeneration Chambers.” Asked if there was this kind of character in the RP, “We do have a Borg on board, yes.” The cargo bay door was open, but a force field was up for keeping in the air. We walked on, and came to the last large room, with a two-man ship sitting inside, “This is the Shuttle Bay. The shuttle does fly. If you like, I can take you down.” I agreed, and we both walked inside, “Have a seat.” After we did, the computer announced, “Pilot Donnaj Firehawk. Say ‘start’ to begin flying.” She did, and the ship floated up a few inches, and she slowly backed the ship out of the shuttle bay and the Defiant.

Donnaj took the shuttle towards the ground, telling me that another ship was being worked on, “The Captain is currently working on a Borg Cube.” Which for someone familiar with Trek suggests a few rough and tumble adventures ahead. Getting closer to the buildings of the Trek Museum grounds, Donnaj pointed out a few places, though she was soon having some trouble steering as the ship was closer to more and more prims, “Our shuttle seems to be having a mind of it’s own. It’s not letting me turn the direction I want to go.” She eventually decided to land it a little short of where she wanted, “I will have to have my Captain take a look at it.”

The USS Defiant is at the Saint Clara Island sim, at (72, 201, ***)

Bixyl Shuftan

African Adventure

Have you been to Virtual Africa? Four sims of adventure and education.
Watch out for the rhinos!! One came up behind me as I arrived.
You can take a balloon ride of choice over several sims watching the African animals roaming below along the savannahs. You will hear, in chat, a presentation of the sim explaining the whole project and where to visit after the tour. There is more water than I expected to see in Africa with the crocs waiting for you if you are not careful. Take a look at the trees and other foliage you will pass, Amazing.
Stop to fish at the 7seas fishing in the river if you are a fishing addict.
See the elephants, listen to the chirps and shrill calls echoing around you.. If you dare, walk into the water where you are warned to watch for crocodiles but I had to walk under the water to see the fish.
If you like to shop there is a wonderful market.
My partner identified several of the trees there for me as ones he has seen in Africa when he lived there. Don’t miss the Eagle outlook, and you can hang glide over the sim too. There is so much here! It was created by a nonprofit South African group called Uthango Social Investments and you can read about the sl project at slafrica.wordpress.com/
You must go there yourself to see it all!
More than one visit is in order.
Start at the balloon ride for an overview. Virtual Africa 238,16,23


Gemma Cleanslate

SL malls - DC District Style

With the launch of my new wedding line and the *DANA* brand I have been looking for mall spaces all over SL, BUT I do not accept invitations I always go by reputation and recommendations from other designers (before i get flooded with invites), I have store at Narkissos shopping village and Skybeam plus a small outlet at Dutch Delights as well as my main store now I was looking for visibility and somewhere that cared about your business not just filling the spaces.
After speaking to friends I went to look at DC District Mall and found a thriving shopping sim with many designers i recognized like, My Precious, AZUL, Nardcotix, Zhao, Allure, Vanity hair, Pheonix rising and many many more.

D.C.District Fashion District Package

Rent 2 weeks and get 2 weeks free only on first sign up .
Participate in events by sponsoring one ,and the dj keeps repeating your store name over and over during the event .
We own a Second Life Gateway -400 new residents born there daily - have a freebie box placed there with a item from your creations and include a landmark to all your stores ( Free only to DC District merchants)
Give us a full perm logo texture and have a direct tp from our landing spots to your store
Provide us with a banner and we will host it on our website for 1 month free
1 month free advertising on Dc District Radio station
Free use of our modeling agency to do fashion shows for you provideing you use our models .

This place is a breathe of fresh air in a world that seems to think that if you have a plot of land you can stick a mall on there rent out spaces and forget it exists except as a way to bring an income.
Click the logo above to visit.

Dana Vanmoer

Role Playing World War II

World War II has been a great part of history in every aspect, from the Holocaust, the Nazis, the Jews, the Allies and of course the combat zones. Lately on SL Newspaper, there have been a few stories written about Holocaust survivors and the places of remembrance. Now, we present to you the World War II combat area role play sim. Continue reading in the EXPLORE section with Lizzy Arriaga