SL-newspaper hunt winner Callie Blackburn with CEO Dana Vanmoer
Thank you all who came to share our 3 Year Anniversary Bash
Showing posts with label sl-newspaper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sl-newspaper. Show all posts
SLN Birthday celebrations
The landmraks can be picked up from the posters around the office and skybeam.
The grand prize was found last night by Callie Blackburn and I hope to present this to her at tonights birthday party!
Come and join us at 2pm SLT behind our main office at Skybeam
DJ Dakota Christensen will be spinning the tunes and the raffle ball will be dropping out random gifts all night to help celebrate.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam/190/252/38
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SL-NEWSPAPER AND SKYBEAM!
Dana Vanmoer
Win L$10,000 for SLNs 3rd birthday
Who are sl-newspaper.com?
Sl-newspaper.com was founded by JamesT Juno 3 years ago, now run by his partner Dana Vanmoer
This weekend we are celebrating, first with a treasure hunt with a grand prize of L$10,000
You can find the rules and Landmarks in the poster outside our main office
Sl-newspaper.com was founded by JamesT Juno 3 years ago, now run by his partner Dana Vanmoer
This weekend we are celebrating, first with a treasure hunt with a grand prize of L$10,000
You can find the rules and Landmarks in the poster outside our main office
Then a party on Saturday 2-4pm SLT with DJ Dakota behind our main office
I hope you will all join me in celebrating one of SLs longest running newspapers.
Dana
Letter from our top sponsor
Dear Fellow-residents and SL-Newspaper readers,
Astonished by the news of the situation of BNT Holdings, we would like to give a comment as TOP-Sponsor of SL Newspaper.
The consequences of the world-wide crisis has affected us as well. We haven't been able to work and be there for all our costumers for almost a year, have moved in RL and struggled with our position in SecondLife hard as so many have.
Due to technical issues we were not able to maintain our island and create new sculpties or sculpted items. Still SL-newspaper has always supported us, never let us down, even during the times we were not able to pay the usual rate. To meet and talk it over in all sincerity was scary but the best thing we could do. The understanding of Miss Vanmoer and her flexibilty helped us to survive.
We wish all sponsors would have done so, instead of taking sims offline without notice or meeting in advance.
With this comment we try to express the happiness we feel to be still 'alive and kicking' and top-sponsor of SL-Newspaper and with huge gratitude for Dana Vanmoer and her contributors!
With this comment we try to express the happiness we feel to be still 'alive and kicking' and top-sponsor of SL-Newspaper and with huge gratitude for Dana Vanmoer and her contributors!
10 & Marcthur Goosson
M&M Creations
Come and join us for a spooktacular night
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SkyBeam/190/255/38Prizes for the spookiest/funniest halloween costume
Random giveaways
Great music with DJ Qwark Allen
Find us behind our new office on skybeam
Changes
We have simplified the paper a little after listening to feedback, you will now find we have only 5 sections these are:Main news - This section will contain almost everything with the exception of -
Extra Extra - This will contain all the press releases that we think may interest you plus will continue to host the fictional columns it has always been known for.
Classifieds - This will stay as always
Red Light - For all adult themed articles, pictures and advertising
RFL in SL - this will remain only during the season and you can find any RFLinSL events listed here as well as any articles written about RFL events.
The older sections will not disappear we never delete older articles instead these sections will be available through our Archives which you can find through the left menu in main news or from the top navigation.
As always we are listening to feedback both from readers and reporters feel free to leave your comments and let us know if this makes things easier for you our readers.
Dana and James
Exclusive first view of the 7 sins dresses
Last night James and I sat and talked to Nevar Lobo and Amethyst Starostin about this 
years Clothing fair benefitting RFL and these gorgeous gowns you can see here for the very first time.Dana: Tell me about the idea of the 7 sins dresses and the pirate theme
Nevar Lobo: Well way back last year when we were talking about the fair we threw out ideas for themes and Haroldthe Burrel wanted to do the 7 sins.
JamesT Juno: So orginally the sims were to be themed around the 7 sins?
Amethyst Starostin: actually the first idea was the 7 wonders of the medieval world
Nevar: We never did anything with 7 sins untill later when Synergy (Devonshire) found the dresses, well the pictures for the dresses
Amethyst: and then we kept kicking stuff around over the summer
JamesT: so who chose pirates and why?Amethyst: Well...when Pips Fetid was still the head of the build team...she and her team had kicked it around... the medieval builds we had in mind were very time consuming so they started to discuss other options and came up with pirates partially because the Raider's theme song is "Airship Pirates" by Abney Park...but I could be wrong about that reasoning
Nevar: When pips left because of Real LIfe .. we just stuck with the theme and it was at that time we went back to the pictures of the 7 deadly sins and decided we would do an auction
Amethyst: there was a song Harry (Haroldthe Burrel) kept referring to... "the Pirates and the 7 deadly sins" and that's how we tied itDana: The seven sins dresses can you tell me what they are about, who made them etc....
Nevar: seven deadly sins designs ..
wrath ... Raven Pennyfeather
sloth .... moxie polano
lust ... Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus
envy .... swaffette firefly
vanity .... wiccan sojuorner
gluttony ... nicky ree
avarice... Lemania Indigo
Amethyst: The artwork these are based on is truly magnificent and have inspired some amazing creations from the designers.
We approached 7 designers to create an interpretation of the dresses in the paintings for a one of a kind auction benefitting RFL. Each dress is the only one, the winning bidders will be the only person to wear that gown
Dana: and its to be a silent auction?
Nevar: We are going to use an auction script like we use when we do our Art Auctions... so people will be able to come place their bids... names will not be known, however, the top bid will show then at 8pm slt on SUnday the 22nd after the last Fashion show we will announce the winners of the gownsDana: What has been the hardest part of setting up an event this size?
Nevar: For me its been getting everyone here at the fair ...and dealing with wanting to keep letting people in and not cut off the number of designers... every day i get someone else wanting to be a part of this event .. and its hard to say no
Amethyst: For me it has been trying to remind everyone this is a team effort and to work together for the big picture
Dana: How did you manage to get 9 sims?Amethyst: Through the excitement of a couple of people that weren't afraid to dream big with us we originally planned 9, but couldn't make it happen, so we rethought it to 6 and then we met with Babe and Eyeing Daligdig and their enthusiasm was amazing within that hour we were realizing our dream of 9 sims!
Nevar: We have to thank Eyeing's RL company too , they help cover some of those sims ..
Dana: Tell me how it works: each sim is sponsored?
Nevar: The sponsorship pays for the tier of the sim ... all the sims are brand new brought online by Ohana land group. The donations of the advertising , the designers deposits and treasure hunts .. all those funds will go right to RFL
Dana: How did you find the sponsors?
Nevar: We had a couple of designers and other people tell us if you need help covering tier let us know we will pay for one so .. that is actually how the idea of sim sponsors came about we felt we needed to do something for those people to thank themso then we sent out notecards about advertising and on there was a level for sim sponsors and that is how we found the rest of the sponsors.
JamesT: One of the criticisms heard often at big events is lag, what have you done to help that this year
Amethyst: we've been very cognizant of lag, we've kept the build prims to a minimum, small texture sizes and limited use of scripts and sculpties plus lots of natural decorations... creative use of water and land
Nevar: All i can do is hope that with the amount of prim that is open on the sims and the wide space of area we will have more flow to lessen the client side lag
People need to realize that when they come to events like this.. to Shop not to wear alot of prim .. take shoes off ... and remove ao's and huds... other people are shopping and honestly they dont care what you look like they are here for the designers good stuff.
Dana: where can readers find out about events happening at the f
air?Nevar: all events are being listed in the events under search also they can follow in the blog
http://slrflclothingfair.blogspot.com/
also through you and through the designer groups of the different designers who are here at the fair. The newpaper and the blog will be the most upto date info on the fair
Dana: what to you is the most important factor of the clothing fair?
Nevar: To me ... the most important factor is RFL ... and that is why this fair benefits RFL this is all about community and raising money to help find a cure for cancer ... Together we can
Amethyst: we do this in the hope that one life will be saved...so that no one has to lose the people they love to this disease
Amethyst: The theme for this year's Relay campaign is One World, One Hope... it's about embracing our diversity and coming together for a common cause.. and my prayer is...as people work this year on Relay... that they remember this is not about them...but something much bigger than they will ever be
Nevar: i have one thing to say that i need the readers to know ... when they are shopping through this event .... and look in the stores... There are RFL vendors .. .. buy stuff .from those vendors... do the treasure hunt and remember that it takes only 1 L to make a difference ... that Together we find a cure .... and that is my hope that in my lifetime we will find one
The fair opens monday at 10am slt we hope everyone is knocking the doors down when we open the sims.
Dana: is there anyone you would especially like to mention?
Nevar: I would like to give a very special thanks to Moxie Polano ... who did all these wonderful stores... To Eyeing and Babe Daligdig for the sims... to Viscount Menatep for his building and getting us these great ships... You and James... for the continued support and partnerrship on this event ...Every designer who participates and of course the Raiders. Timeless modeling agency and lastly .. my wife .. cuz wihtout her i would have lost it a long time ago
Amethyst: there were many people who gathered to make this a success...they all deserve a big round of applause
Nevar: Together we will find a cure !
Photo's by Mystique Sassoon (except Wrath by Raven Pennyfeather and Gluttony by Nicky Ree)
FOCUS ON ARCHITECTURE by SCARLIT Pink
Architecture in SL - from Camelot to derelict factory building, without constraints of real world engineers, the totally unfeasable can stand magnificiently before us in jaw dropping splendour, and, like Hindu sand art, with one click can vanish into the ether, keeping company with my long lost Soho Sofa.I am Scarlit, I have been inworld for 2 years now and still never cease to be amazed at what I see - the artistry, imagination, sheer talent and diversity, all here to discover, all just a teleport click away
In the comming weeks I will be interviewing some of SL's top builders and the designers of some of our favourite places, giving us an insight and deeper appreciation of their work. With a veritable smorgesboard of talent to choose from, I look forward to the task ahead and it should be only a matter of time when one of your favourites is showcased here for prosperity.
From beach hut to steam punk, the skypad dwellers and Captain Kirk followers... what keeps us comming back... perhaps it's no knowing what one will discover next in this inexhaustable ever changing landscape.
Architecture in SL - such a rich part of the SL experience.
SCARLIT Pink
New reporters and new blood?
Yesterday I introduced you to Lizzy whose first story you can find in the people section, today I would like to introduce 2 more new members of the SLN crew:Christina can be found in the PEOPLE section and she will be helping newbies to find their way in the complicated world of SL as well as exploring the grid herself:-
First Day
There have been so many things written about Newbie's, and there are so many help tips out there to help make things easier for your Second life. I don't want to do a repeat of what has already been done, but I will probably repeat some of the advice that experienced avatars have given you or will give you. I suppose I will start with giving some personal experience with my first days in this virtual world of Second Life and then I hope to give a weekly update as to what you can do as a newbie..............
Continued in the PEOPLE section
Next Joan introduces herself:If You Build It?
If there is one thing I've learned in my period in Second Life, it's that the saying "If you build it, they will come." is not always as true as it should be.
I'm sure most readers who enjoy exploration will have at some point stumbled across an awesome sim or location, only to find it completely f****** deserted, without even a tumbleweed to grace it's empty streets. (And for those readers who find the word f*** offensive. I would suggest you are perhaps reading the wrong section.) It was at one of these places my first adventure into the world of reporting began, at the Vampire Succubus Club.
But by now your asking yourself, "Who the hell are you? I came for Penance Sautereau's special brand of hotness. Why am I reading you instead? Has a band of ingenious hackers seized SL-NEWSPAPER.com? Has the very fabric or reality itself been torn asunder?" .......................
Continued in the REDLIGHT section
Welcome to all our new Crew members
Dana
Introducing Lizzy Arriaga
We have 2 new crew members this week to introduce you to, the first is Lizzy who joins us a freelancer:Newbie in Second Life
Let’s be honest here, all of us have been through the “Newbie” stage in Second Life. It’s a stage full of mixed emotions. You feel happy for being part of a new evolution in the game world. You feel confused because you have no idea what to do in the game. But, mainly, you feel excited as you learn to play and learn the tricks to survive in such a strange world. Survival! Yes, I never thought that would play such a great role in a game!
Continued in the PEOPLE section
Last Day at the fair
Today is also the last day of the Fair make sure you get down there to check it out before we pack it all up!The building contest is hotting up as contestants start to build ready for the judging on Saturday, there is still time to join in.
Watch out for changes to Fridays' agenda, more info later!
Click the poster to explore
Why is 2 years important?
The second anniversary feels so different from the first and I actually don't know why.We seem to have moved from just another blog to a viable, respectable newspaper all of a sudden at least we are getting a lot more notice recently.
For example We have been interviewed quite a lot, often by students doing degrees in journalism or for other media outside SL, like Zoidberg Exonar who came to ask us about SL as a whole and also on the way newspapers work within SL, Zoidberg interviewed us for Vox Publica, an online-based periodical for Norweigens.
The questions he asked James were quite an insight to me of how SL is percieved by the 'outside world':Zoidberg Exonar: 12. Do you think ethical and democratic aspects of SL might be different in the future?
Zoidberg Exonar: I'm thinking maybe 5-10 years down the line.
JamesT Juno: not SL - I dont think so, residents dont think in ways of making money - they live here for fun not realising it costs money to create this world - two opposites
Zoidberg Exonar: Yeah, I see your point.
JamesT Juno: Linden labs have proven time and again that residents opinion does not matter to them.
Zoidberg Exonar: What do you think, Dana?
dana Vanmoer: that the Lindens have their business plan of which residents are unaware. The way most residents feel now is like guinea pigs
Zoidberg Exonar: OK. Interesting.
dana Vanmoer: at least those that have been here any length of time not those that just come to play a game
Zoidberg Exonar: Do you think perhaps virtual newspapers operating in SL might have more rules and constraints put on them by Linden in the future? Thus limiting your freedom to print basically what you want?
JamesT Juno: they can try - but again impossible to put it outside sl so, inworld magazines maybe yes, with a web based newspaper like ours ? no way - they can ban our avatar but its free to come back and let James and Dana keep living in the newspaper (I would love to run an underground newspaper hahahahaha)
dana Vanmoer: or by suing us for libel - which if we are expressing an opinion or someone elses' I dont believe they can do
Zoidberg Exonar: Ah Ok. I understand. That almost reminds me of "Braveheart": "You can take my avatar, but you will never take my printing freedom"!JamesT Juno: love it, but we tend to live by the rules too
dana Vanmoer: we can continue through other avatars or by our writers remaining nameless
Zoidberg Exonar: You can print my quote in SL-Newspaper if you want ;)
dana Vanmoer: they cannot prove who wrote anything
Zoidberg Exonar: I understand.
Zoidberg Exonar: What role do you envision virtual newspapers such as SL-Newspaper? might have in the future, not just in SL, but in virtual worlds in general? Do you think that virtual newspapers at one point might be just as important to people as RL newspapers are today? Please elaborate on your answer. I am here of course making a distinction between web-based real newspapers, and newspapers such as SL-Newspaper which operates specifically in a virtual WORLD.
JamesT Juno: yes - we do , but most will be an informing task - let people know whats going on, SL is a series of islands and most other virtual worlds are the same, finding everything that is going on is not an easy thing to do therefore, people will always need a central point to get information.This is just a small portion of a very lengthy interview.
We are also featured in the new Venture Magazine which has moved to an online version with Solan Nightfire the new CEO & Art Director who interviewed us on how it all began and what keeps us going, read the full interview HERE
Thank you Venture for featuring us in our anniversary month.
Is there something about turning 2 years in SL? I don't know, I just get the feeling people see us as 'all grown up' .
Maybe you have turned two years, has peoples' attitude towards you changed? Do you get a different reaction from others? Add your comments let me know if I am imagining things?
The pictures here are from yesterdays events and many more can be seen in our Flickr HERE
Todays events can be found in the EVENTS section
Gambling back in Second Life?
On September 11th, last week, the US House of Representatives passed Bill H.R. 6870 amending the UIGEA, the part of the Safe Port Act that forced Linden Lab to ban all gambling in Second Life in July last year. This new Bill states that the ban on internet gambling only attacks sports betting. Furthermore it appoints a commission that will determine further definitions of what constitutes internet gambling.
Last year, on July 25th 2007 to be precise, Linden Lab announced a change to its Terms of Service (ToS), banning all gambling for money in Second Life. Basically, any game of chance that involved L$ transactions were outlawed. As most of the people who are in SL for at least a year remember, this caused a huge uproar and large protests. Not only that, but the economy of SL also got a direct hit (see chart).
Now it seems that the House has un-done this ban, at least for normal casino games like Poker and Roulette and BlackJack and even including the good-old Sploder. As long as it doesn't involve betting on sports results, this bill makes it legal again.
But of course, the fans of gambling in SL can only call this a glimpse of hope, because the Bill hasn't changed into Law just yet. First the US Senate has to pass this Bill, and after that the US president (currently Mr. Bush) has to sign it. And after that, Linden Lab has to feel compelled to revoke their ban through the ToS.
So there are still a few heavy steps to take, but in general it seems that at least some people in the Land of the Free have come to their senses. And of course, with the commission in place, they still have the power to outlaw casino games again, but that is not expected because that is not the intention of this new Bill.
The SL Newspaper will keep an eye on further developments although it will probably take some time before we hear anything else about this. When it's time to start in-world protests to convince the Lindens to change the ToS again, we'll certainly let you know. Or protest AGAINST changing the ToS again of course, if you want to keep SL free of gambling.
Last year, on July 25th 2007 to be precise, Linden Lab announced a change to its Terms of Service (ToS), banning all gambling for money in Second Life. Basically, any game of chance that involved L$ transactions were outlawed. As most of the people who are in SL for at least a year remember, this caused a huge uproar and large protests. Not only that, but the economy of SL also got a direct hit (see chart).Now it seems that the House has un-done this ban, at least for normal casino games like Poker and Roulette and BlackJack and even including the good-old Sploder. As long as it doesn't involve betting on sports results, this bill makes it legal again.
But of course, the fans of gambling in SL can only call this a glimpse of hope, because the Bill hasn't changed into Law just yet. First the US Senate has to pass this Bill, and after that the US president (currently Mr. Bush) has to sign it. And after that, Linden Lab has to feel compelled to revoke their ban through the ToS.
So there are still a few heavy steps to take, but in general it seems that at least some people in the Land of the Free have come to their senses. And of course, with the commission in place, they still have the power to outlaw casino games again, but that is not expected because that is not the intention of this new Bill.
The SL Newspaper will keep an eye on further developments although it will probably take some time before we hear anything else about this. When it's time to start in-world protests to convince the Lindens to change the ToS again, we'll certainly let you know. Or protest AGAINST changing the ToS again of course, if you want to keep SL free of gambling.
Welcome back! It's Party Time!!!!!!
Well firstly We apologise for the delay in getting us back - but we hope you will find it was worth it!Have a look around sl-newspaper and discover the new way we are bringing everything to you. Above you can find the navigation - all main news sections are on buttons - other information can be found in the text links beneath them. Each section also has a short description in the header to give you some idea of what they may contain.
Along with the new look newspaper we have 3 new vendors for you to use at home or in your shop/club/mall.These vendors reflect our new style - but don't worry if you prefer the older versions they will still work and are still available. Click the box cover on the left to go get yours from SLeXchange.com or pick them up inworld at our main locations. All of our vendors are free and copy, transfer enabled so you can rez however many you want to and also give to friends.
With the help of ArtiZan and the personal help of Zanara Zenovka we also wish to help you free up group space by using a subscriber group instead. This will enable us to easily keep you up to date and let you know of our events without having to take up a precious group space.Find them in these locations:
Sunrise Fair
Head Office
Zurich City
A single click will join you up and then you will free up one more group!
Finally IT'S PARTY TIME!
Join us tonight to celebrate with a fun, sexy and adult party at the Playboy Mansion - I will put the Landmark here BUT be aware it will not work until 2pm SLT tonight!
Playboy Mansion
We will be entertained with a special selection from DJ Qwark Allen to keep us in the party mood - its a pool party so come 'dressed as you are' or 'DARE to bare'!
Hope to see you all there!!!
Feel free to let us know what you think of the new look in the comments here!!!!
JamesT and Dana
Do have a story to tell?
Most of our readers don't know that we love to hear from them!Of course you can always comment under articles that appear, but what if you have a story you think should be told?
How about news we haven't got to hear about that could affect other readers?
Do you have a strong opinion about something happening in Secondlife? Or another side to a recent article?
Maybe you have discovered a better way of doing things or a wonderful new gadget that could help hundreds of players if only they knew about it?
We are always willing to listen, send me a letter and we could publish it in an appropriate section.
Try to keep it short and to the point and include an image in jpeg format.
You never know you could be reading your story here next week!
Email me at dana.vanmoer(at)gmail.com
SL5B: Rounding up the wagons ...
On it’s 5th anniversary SL is way passed the pioneer era. But then again ... It’s not.
"It is always an uneasy transition for the pioneers, and I think we’re going to go trough that again." (Mitch Kapor)
Under the flawless pixel summer sky, a crowd that was way passed the limit of safe occupancy of sims, struggled with lag and gathered to attend Mr. Mitch Kapor’s closure speech of SL 5th birthday celebrations.
People there where anxious, and hoping to hear announcements of change. Maybe we have this feeling about the Linden Lab being a kind of a nice Big Brother, but a Big Brother after all, that is supposed to provide us with tools for enhancing the experience and help make our virtual existence richer, more comfortable, more successful.
He encouraged residents to stop whining and start acting like the grown ups that the platform has become.
I sensed I bit of disappointment (Especially from residents who pay money to be here). I think both points of view are partly right. To people "in the know", the showing of clips from the video previewing his 3D camera (www.handsfree3D.com) was no news.
There was, instead, a 'political speech'. Sounding a bit like President Kennedy ("We stand at the edge of a New Frontier ..."), Mitch talked about the Internet, and about how a new technology always starts out in a frontier condition. In the beginning, SL residents have been pioneers, and he compared their spirit to those who settled the West.
The first pioneer era is ending now. We are at the gates of a transition. It's like we have reached the moon… and now we have to figure out how to move on from there.
It's not have been easy for pioneers. It's still not easy for newcomers. Only the strong stay.
He spoke about the 'high attrition rate' of the early years (many believe it's still high). "There are some things that Linden Lab has to do, to allow the potential of the platform to unfold, to improve ease of use, ease of learning", is a phrase that seems to point in the right direction.
Please see the video of Mitch Kapor's video, or just hear the audio, by going to the Linden Lab official blog. He spoke about the SL5B week, about the stage of development that Second Life is now in, and about new upcoming developments including real photo-realistic avatars, controlling your avatar by moving in front of a webcam. He also talked about other things, but please see the video on the LL blog for that.
Mitch Kapor is member of the Linden Lab board of directors. He has been involved with Second Life long before it was opened up to the public as an investor. Besides this, he has made a name for him self in the IT and internet world for various accomplishments. Please see the Wikipedia page about him for more detailed information.
Written by: Covadonga Writer
"It is always an uneasy transition for the pioneers, and I think we’re going to go trough that again." (Mitch Kapor)Under the flawless pixel summer sky, a crowd that was way passed the limit of safe occupancy of sims, struggled with lag and gathered to attend Mr. Mitch Kapor’s closure speech of SL 5th birthday celebrations.
People there where anxious, and hoping to hear announcements of change. Maybe we have this feeling about the Linden Lab being a kind of a nice Big Brother, but a Big Brother after all, that is supposed to provide us with tools for enhancing the experience and help make our virtual existence richer, more comfortable, more successful.
He encouraged residents to stop whining and start acting like the grown ups that the platform has become.I sensed I bit of disappointment (Especially from residents who pay money to be here). I think both points of view are partly right. To people "in the know", the showing of clips from the video previewing his 3D camera (www.handsfree3D.com) was no news.
There was, instead, a 'political speech'. Sounding a bit like President Kennedy ("We stand at the edge of a New Frontier ..."), Mitch talked about the Internet, and about how a new technology always starts out in a frontier condition. In the beginning, SL residents have been pioneers, and he compared their spirit to those who settled the West.
The first pioneer era is ending now. We are at the gates of a transition. It's like we have reached the moon… and now we have to figure out how to move on from there.It's not have been easy for pioneers. It's still not easy for newcomers. Only the strong stay.
He spoke about the 'high attrition rate' of the early years (many believe it's still high). "There are some things that Linden Lab has to do, to allow the potential of the platform to unfold, to improve ease of use, ease of learning", is a phrase that seems to point in the right direction.
Please see the video of Mitch Kapor's video, or just hear the audio, by going to the Linden Lab official blog. He spoke about the SL5B week, about the stage of development that Second Life is now in, and about new upcoming developments including real photo-realistic avatars, controlling your avatar by moving in front of a webcam. He also talked about other things, but please see the video on the LL blog for that.
Mitch Kapor is member of the Linden Lab board of directors. He has been involved with Second Life long before it was opened up to the public as an investor. Besides this, he has made a name for him self in the IT and internet world for various accomplishments. Please see the Wikipedia page about him for more detailed information.
Written by: Covadonga Writer
"How to get a second life" - writer interview
After having posted a 3 pieces from the book (links here, here and here) last month, it was time to have a sit down with the author of the book and ask him some questions. James and I welcomed Mr. Madddyyy Schnook in our headquarters and we had a fun and informative talk.Dixie: Your rez-day is January 1st, 2006. Did you start Second Life on a boring new-years day or did you choose that date for a reason?
Mr. Schnook: It was a new years resolution to change my job and I had actually been in SL in 2005, so I had flu and re-rezzed while on antibiotics on that date. It was a name change from one name to a fresh one...
Dixie: Do you remember your first days in Second Life? How did that go?
Mr. Schnook: The usual opening a club, being so in awe of just what could be done with a little thought and determination. And seeing beyond the sex and gambling.
JamesT: How did you come up with your first name? Whats with the triple letters?
Mr. Schnook: My name goes all the way back to 1985. I used to work on ships in the merchant navy. I went with the currrent trend of blonde streaks and Miami Vice jacket and went to see Maddonna on a world tour. When I got back on board ship I got called Madonna, shortened to Maddy.
Dixie: But this interview is not about your first life, I guess. You have become an SL celebrity by writing how-to books, called SL Guides. When did you discover that there was a need for those?
Mr. Schnook: That was in 2005, in August to be precise. I stumbled across a very basic notecard explaing how to make a t-shirt and wanted to learn to make clothes. I managed to learn how to make multilayerd womens clothes and i had a club with my own mall. I showed a few women the notecard I had made from my own memory and it went from there.
JamesT: Those first notecards are collectors items now :)
Dixie: How many SL Guides are there now? Are you still expanding the SL Guides series? And what are they about?
Mr. Schnook: I have over 65 and i have just started expanding them 3 days ago. We have one on advanced texturing, advanced photography, skins, and we have another 200 planned for release this year.
Dixie: Did you write all of the SL Guides yourself, or did you have any co-writers?
Mr. Schnook: i wrote all but 2. 'Business in sl extended edition' and 'snow family' were written by someone else.
Dixie: Let's talk about your RL book, or paper book, called 'How to get a Second Life'. On the cover it says 'Build a successful business and social network inworld'. There already are plenty of 'how to' books about SL, which also cover this topic. What makes your book unique?
Mr. Schnook: imagine a jouney through sl. Day one is you signing up to SL. The last day is your business in place and all your knowledge in place. That's the book from page one to end... The rest is up to you.
Dixie: So the book is more than 1 thing. A beginner's guide to start with, but also about more serious matters, like branding and having a successful business. What part of that has the upper hand, you would say, and why?
Mr. Schnook: It's different because it's not a user guide. It takes you through building, scripting socialising but more importantly it gives you my knowledge of branding and marketing. It's more heavily biased towards marketing and brand recognition in SL. How many times have you seen a fantastic product, and its got some dumb blonde sitting on it without good advertising. I have seen the holodeck 2 years ago and the guy had zero knowledge on how to sell it... He got left behind.JamesT: Whats the most stupid thing you did in your newbee years?
Mr. Schnook: 'Click here for free lindens', and ended up with a chicken on my head. In a sandbox. Actually, I think i still got that chicken.
JamesT: You have become a celebrity in SL, through the SL Guides and now with a paper book. How does this affect your Second Life experience?
Mr. Schnook: Unfortunately I live in my selfmade prison cell. I go nowhere now or even talk to anyone except close friends. So I wouldn't know about being a celeb, lol.
Dixie: In your book you say that RL branding and marketing also applies to SL. You did marketing etc in RL. Does that help you out a lot? What do you think is the biggest difference between RL marketing and SL marketing?
Mr. Schnook: Knowing your market in sl... There is not really any big difference, although not being to big to be seen as corporate is my main concern... the Anshe effect.
Dixie: You have said that you constantly try to look forward at least 3 months and anticipate on any changes in Second Life. How do you do that?
Mr. Schnook: Also being low profile. I look at what is going on daily. I visit about 15 blogs, newspapers and sites and have friends who I talk to... and I have a nose for business.
Dixie: What are upcoming changes that you are anticipating already?
Mr. Schnook: Windlight is the main one and new viewers and new grids. I have land in a new off-world grid, which hopefully will connect to SL someday. It's good to be a breast of new technology. Like when prims go, importing meshes from 3dmax etc. Meshes are also already used in most 3d shooter games.
Dixie: What is the hottest type of business right now in SL, would you say?
Mr. Schnook: Still has to be fashion and skins. Land trade is a very small minority I think, specially with land bots, were as fashion and skins is more wide spread and accessible. Land prices are driven up because the land barrons keep buying off each other .. lol ..
Dixie: In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake people make when they start or run a business in SL?
Mr. Schnook: thinking they will make lots of money in a short time and expecting to stick a badly done picture of a pair of jeans on a box in a white box in a mall and expecting to make money.
Dixie: So people who are in sl business for the longer period will do better, you think? People who are in it for the long run?
Mr. Schnook: the long run and those who plan what they do. If you plan and market correctly then you will succeed in sl, but to do that takesd time, because it takes time to get to know SL.
JamesT: Did you ever fall in love in SL? or have loving feelings in SL?
Mr. Schnook: lol. Maybe. Not the sex thing, never understood that bit.
Dixie: Over a year ago, you were ready to quit your day job and earn a living with Second Life. This is probably the dream of many people who are SL addicts. Was that an easy decision to make?
Mr. Schnook: Not really, no. But I had to do it. I was totally fed up with my RL job, I was good but it was hard. So I had enough to see me through a 3 month trial shot at it. And it worked.
Dixie: Now some other practical questions, if you don't mind. What viewer do you currently use most of the time?
Mr. Schnook: I use the official SL viwer but as old as I can. And sleek.
Dixie: Is your book based on a specific viewer, or even computer? (Windows, Linux, Mac)
Mr. Schnook: Mac and Windows, and it mentions alternative viewers.
Dixie: One of those alternative viewers is linked to the CSI:NY thing. What do you think about the whole CSI business? Where did they go wrong?
Mr. Schnook: I think the concept was fantastic, one of my fave shows, being in the UK it was not aired here so I watched it online. But they abandonded the concept to quick. It was not maintained if you know what I mean, a shame really. By the way, I love the Die Hard 4 film set. Another good sim. Static but a good example of what SL can be. Like being inside a movie.
Dixie: Allright, last question. You already had a lot of publicity on your book. RL and SL. If it hits off, which it very probably will, will you be writing more books about Second Life? Or do you have any other plans?
Mr. Schnook: Hmmmmm ... I wanted the book to be more technical than it was, and it originally was. But it never ended up being that way in the end. So if I was to do another book, then it would be a far more technical book.
Again, James and I would like to thank Mr. Schnook very much for this opportunity. We both are great fans of the SL Guides series and are looking forward to seeing more of his work.
This book is published by Fusion Press and is available through Amazon.com and Visionpaperbacks.co.uk.
Chat logs have been used with permission from Mr. Schnook.
SLurl to SL Guides main shop: click here.
Are you a Linden?
If you are online right now, you must be a Linden!
Due to some troubles at Linden Lab (how come they often happen during the weekends?) the grid is offline. The official LL blog says that they're working on it and that the global shutdown is intentional.
I personally feel like I'm leading half a life right now, with only my Real Life being 'online'. On the other hand, this gives us the opportunity to give our RL loved ones a call or a hug, right?
Let's give the guys and girls at LL a break. I bet they must be breaking a sweat right now to fix the problem. Don't panic!
In the meantime, this is a nice opportunity to catch up with the SL news in our newspaper. :)
Due to some troubles at Linden Lab (how come they often happen during the weekends?) the grid is offline. The official LL blog says that they're working on it and that the global shutdown is intentional.
I personally feel like I'm leading half a life right now, with only my Real Life being 'online'. On the other hand, this gives us the opportunity to give our RL loved ones a call or a hug, right?
Let's give the guys and girls at LL a break. I bet they must be breaking a sweat right now to fix the problem. Don't panic!In the meantime, this is a nice opportunity to catch up with the SL news in our newspaper. :)
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