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Linden Lab

Today we’re shining a spotlight on Nico Kiyori, a dynamic DJ whose passion for music transcends boundaries, both in the virtual world of Second Life and the physical world.

Second Life Spotlight - Nico Kiyori.jpg

How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it?
I've been hanging out in Second Life for about six years now. It all started in 2017 when a friend, who's already a pro at Second Life, told me about it. One day, while chatting with friends online, the same friend told me about the music scene in Second Life. I was surprised to discover this cool virtual world! I realized Second Life is more than just a game. It's a place where people from all over the world come together online. I had no clue such a world existed. Intrigued, I decided to explore this new world. 

I've always liked learning about new languages and cultures, so I got really interested in Second Life. That's how my friend introduced me to this exciting digital world. Since then, Second Life has become a place not just to escape but also to explore different cultures and share my love for music.

How did you get into DJing in Second Life?
Once I finished creating my avatar with the help of my friend, I started hanging out at the clubs to explore the music scene in Second Life. It felt like a whole new world compared to the music I used to play in my real-life DJ journey because the tunes people enjoy on SL are quite different. I did some research and practiced a lot to understand this new music culture and process to stream.

During my exploration, I stumbled upon a club, and guess what? They were looking for DJs. Gathering up my courage, I applied, went through my first-ever DJ audition, and that's when the magic began. A big thanks to the amazing people who motivated me to give it a try and always pushed me beyond my limits.

What are your favorite genres of music, and what mood do you usually go for when you DJ?
I have a broad taste in music, but my top picks for DJing are the upbeat and energetic electronic dance music (EDM) genres like house, techno, dance-pop, dubstep, and hip-hop. When I'm in control of the decks, my aim is to set a lively and energetic mood to keep the crowd fully engaged. I take pleasure in blending mainstream tunes with some house elements, and every now and then, I spice things up with creative mashups. Creating a musical journey for my crowd is something I truly enjoy, and occasionally, I mix up everything in a set just for the thrill of it – because, why not? Crafting an atmosphere where people can have an awesome time and truly relish the music is a key focus for me.

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Which venues do you regularly play at in Second Life and are there any upcoming shows Residents can see you at?
I DJ regularly at Club 511, Club Exhale, Sonance, and 7th House in Second Life. On Tuesdays at Club 511, you can find me playing popular music like pop, R&B, hip-hop, and classic rock. We even have cool giveaways sponsored by some of Second Life's hottest brands for the best-themed nights. On Saturdays at Club Exhale, I get to play a mix of different music for a diverse crowd.

Apart from my regular gigs, I'll also be performing at future events at Sonance and other places. It's been awesome DJing at past events like Sonance Grand Opening, Badder Santa by 40 Thieves, Paragon Dance Anniversary, Blueberry X Teletubbies Collab Party, Relay for Life at Camping for Cure Team, Spookzila Hunt, Breath & Electric Ice Music Fest by Exhale/BRM Entertainment Event, Snowtide 23 at Where Our Journey begins Sim, and many more. Being part of this club community is truly a blessing.

My DJ sets are known for their high energy and good vibes, and I've had the pleasure of performing at various clubs and events across the grid. For updates on my upcoming shows, you can check my Second Life group, Discord server, and my social media channels. I'm always excited to bring the beats and create memorable experiences for the residents!

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How has Second Life impacted your life? 
Second Life has been a really important part of my life. My DJ journey started in 2006 in India, playing Bollywood dance tracks at different events and parties. However, after I finished my master's degree in accounting in 2016, work got really busy, and I had to take a break from DJing. But my love for DJing didn't go away; it stayed like a stubborn spark.

Thanks to Second Life, I can still do what I love - playing music for people all over the world. Being in this club community is a real blessing. Making friends with creative people and joining popular music events keeps my passion for DJing alive. Music is like a superpower to me; it brings people together and makes unforgettable moments.

Apart from DJing, I've met some amazing and talented folks here. I wouldn't be where I am without my small group of friends who've been with me since the start. These friendships have helped me through good and bad times, and I'm always grateful for them.

I really believe in the magic of music, and Second Life has given me a platform to share that magic globally. It's amazing to see how music connects people, no matter where they are. Second Life is more than just a virtual world; it's a place where dreams come true, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to share my beats with a diverse and global audience. Cheers to the fantastic world of Second Life!

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Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL that inspire you and whose work you admire.
Every day, I get inspired by the creative folks in Second Life. Residents, artists, and creators from all over the world make the virtual world exciting for me. A huge thanks to the amazing people who worked with me, motivated me to learn new things, and pushed me beyond my limits. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who invited me to their clubs and private events. Without my small team of friends and musical family, there wouldn't be DJ Nico. I owe a lot of my growth and success as a DJ to them.

Nicole Maladay has been my rock, supporting and helping me every step of the way. She is the one who pushes me to think outside the box when it comes to Djing. She's made my Second Life experience truly special. Her kindness, creativity, and unwavering support mean the world to me, and I'm grateful to have her by my side in this digital adventure. 

Also thankful to my close friends Syd Specter and Tessa Mermaid for being incredible supporters on my DJ journey. 

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Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts.
You can find all my links in one place: https://linktr.ee/djnicolive 
I really recommend joining my Discord community to keep up with my future sets and events. Plus, you can come hang out with us there!

Thank you, Nico, for sharing your unwavering passion for music within the Second Life DJ community.

 

Each of our Spotlight posts features a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup   

Linden Lab

Friendly Greetings!

As mentioned before in our Pt. 1 blog post about moving from Jira there will be a transition that will temporarily affect access to the Second Life BUG project on Jira.

Migration to GitHub: Elevating Collaboration

We are excited to announce that the Second Life BUG project is in the process of moving the bug reporting process to feedback.secondlife.com and providing an archive of Jira issues on Github. This migration is a significant step forward in streamlining our development processes and improving collaboration among Lindens and the Second Life community.

As part of this transition, the BUG project on Jira will temporarily restrict logins to the Second Life BUG project while we migrate issues over to a public archive location. During this time, residents will be unable to log in to public Jira.

Upon the completion of the migration of the Second Life Bug project, logins to the Second Life BUG project will be reopened to non-Linden accounts for read-only access until the final shutdown on February 15th, 2024.

We encourage you to use the Second Life Feedback Portal for any new bug reports or feature requests. Your feedback is crucial to our ongoing efforts to improve Second Life, and the feedback portal provides a convenient platform for you to share your thoughts and insights.

We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to enhance the Second Life experience. The migration to feedback.secondlife.com signifies our commitment to fostering a more collaborative and efficient environment for everyone in the Second Life community: providing feature request voting, a public roadmap, tighter integration into engineering process and more.

Thank you and see you on the Grid! 

Second Life Team

Linden Lab

Happy New Year! We’re off to a great start to the year at the Lab and happy to share more Second Life updates with you. You’ll find news on scripting additions, PBR Materials, Project Viewers, and an update on the Second Life Mobile Private Alpha program. Enjoy!

👩‍💻 Scripting changes coming soon

A handful of new, useful scripting features will be getting released in the coming weeks:

llComputeHash

LSL's old llMD5 function has a significant flaw: it always adds a ":" character to the input string. This makes it useless for most hashing purposes. Enter: llComputeHash! This new function can generate a hash of an input string using any of the following hashing algorithms: md5, md5_sha1, sha1, sha224, sha256, sha384, and sha512.

llGetNotecardLineSync

You know how it takes an incredible amount of time for your furniture to boot up after resetting its scripts? Argh! Yeah, it's annoying, and likely due to your sofa/throne/maypole reading configuration from one or more notecards in its inventory.

The new llGetNotecardLineSync function makes loading data from notecards in object inventory much faster by providing a synchronous access method with the caveat that the notecard must be in the region's asset cache.

BTW, if you're interested in knowing more about the scripts that power a huge amount of Second Life's furniture, vehicles and more check out the open source AVsitter project. 🪑

llGetCameraAspect, llGetCameraFOV, and llWorldPosToHUD

Several functions have been added to help content creators position HUDs:

  • llGetCameraAspect - Returns the aspect ratio of the wearer's screen as a float (width/height)
  • llGetCameraFOV - Returns a float value for the current camera's field of view
  • llWorldPosToHUD - Returns HUD position of an in-world object

Scripting roadmap

Status of these upcoming changes and more are visible on Second Life's new public road visible at feedback.secondlife.com. If you have ideas or feedback on the scripting system check out the Scripting Features and Scripting Bugs boards.

🧪 Project Viewers

😀 Emoji

This viewer is also in RC and is based on a contribution by Kitty Barnett, and adds the ability to insert emojis in text chat.

Maintenance W

This Viewer brings many fixes (see list here), including a fix to a long standing issue with voice failing after quickly restarting your viewer

Maintenance X

This Viewer brings many usability improvements (see list here), including:

  • Saving you some clicks by allowing the deletion of folders containing worn items. 
  • In case you only wish to detach, Alt+Shift+R will now detach selected attachments so you can remove those less fashionable items at rapid speed.
  • The time format has been changed to show the more superior SLT instead of PDT.
  • The group join fee will be shown when leaving a group so you can be extra sure you want to leave it.
  • Shift+Alt+N will now open the Notifications floater 
  • Group notices can now be accessed directly from the People floaters Groups tab. Hover that mouse cursor over the group name for access.
  • Group notices will now default as being sorted by date with the newest first 

Maintenance Y

With this Viewer, you can now preview your outfit photos when hovering your cursor over outfits in the Outfit floater. You can also now remove locations from history via the context menu located in the Places floaters Visited tab.

 

See the list of additional fixes here.

Default Viewer

🎨 GLTF PBR Materials

At the end of November, we announced in this blog post that PBR became available grid wide! The PBR Materials project brings increased realism and enables bringing GLTF content into Second Life with expected results. Now you can create scenes with real reflections which mimic how our eyes have learned to identify that a surface is metal, plastic, or some other material. Whether you create objects in Second Life or simply enjoy seeing and wearing them, PBR Materials will provide a big step up in the appearance of the Second Life world.

Individually faceted disco ball reflections
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As of January 8th, 2024, the PBR Materials Maintenance 1 viewer became the default viewer for Second Life. See Release Notes here. There are 17 new Materials available in the Library so you can start building with PBR today!

📱 Mobile Update

On December 12th, we announced our Mobile Private Alpha, bringing the richness of the Second Life virtual world to your Android or iOS mobile device. Qualifying Premium Plus members can apply now for the Private Alpha. If you are Premium Plus, you can learn more at this link.

Check out this video if you haven’t already!

We’ve had an incredible amount of interest, so if you've applied but haven’t been added yet, you’re still on our list. Future testers will be added and notified as the Private Alpha continues to expand. Thanks again for your patience as we process the ongoing demand and we look forward to your participation!


Follow our Featured News Blog and connect with us on Social Media for future Second Life News!

Linden Lab

Today we’re shining a spotlight on Godiva Varela, a talented Resident whose artistic journey in machinima captures the essence of creativity and innovation. Join Godiva on January 24th for a premiere of one of her latest short films at the Second Life Cinema

Second Life Spotlight - Godiva Varela.jpg

How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it?
The first time I logged into SL was about 9 years ago. I had my pauses through the years but it was at the beginning of 2020 that I really started to log in way way more. The first time I heard about SL was on some documentary I saw long ago on the TV. I always wondered how it would be to get into SL after that documentary, but when I saw an article in a magazine I said enough wondering, and decided to give it a try. My computer at the moment wasn't strong enough so I didn't log in again for another year, but when I came back with a better computer I was hooked forever! 

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Tragedy 2 Preproduction

You are a very talented Second Life machinima artist, how did you get started, and do you have a background in video production? 
Thanks for the compliment! I got started by taking short videos of myself dancing and showcasing my outfits (using gyazo), after some time (around the end of 2022) I decided to make my first music video so I just simply started putting to it all the knowledge I had about building and driving in SL. It came out as a wonderful first video so I decided to keep producing more of them. 

After a couple months I attended to the Fantasy Faire, there was a film competition which I wanted to participate in, so I gave it a try with my first video with acting. I was no stranger with providing a story to my videos, so this was the perfect opportunity to test myself onto it, and let me tell you that it came out much better than I initially expected!

About my background in video production, I really do not have any former education or formation on it, the only times I edited videos outside SL was two times in RL many many years ago, and they were like birthday videos. Since I never studied for this, I tried to learn along the way, so if I didn't know how to make a transition or an effect, I would look for tutorials on how to do it. You can say I am still learning something with each video I make. I always try at least one new thing on each video, as that makes it feel more challenging.

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Mad Maxine Preproduction

What kind of software do you use to capture and edit your videos? Any tips for budding machinima artists?
I started using the old windows movie maker the first time I edited a video in RL, but when the moment to edit in SL came, I used Wondershare Filmora. It was a super easy to use program that had very low requirements and helped me all my way through my first months making videos. After some time I felt the need to have more tools and options, so I asked around my friends and Peasant Tater suggested I should try DaVinci Resolve. So that's the software I have been using since like half a year. Its amazing with loads of options and it’s free!

As for capturing the footage, I haven't tried more than the built in windows recorder, and Nvidia Shadowplay. Since I have an Nvidia card, I am able to use the latter, and it is an amazing and simple software that does not lower the framerate while recording. I haven't had the need yet to try OBS but I may try it if I need to do some streaming, or something outside of my current scope.

We loved your recent PBR video. What can we expect from you in the future? Are there any interesting projects you are currently working on?
Thanks a lot! I really like to try the new tech coming, testing and playing with it is one of my favorite things from all time, I love changes. And well, you can expect more music videos and fun videos, but also I have some series on the works. Funky Diva has been a good testbed of how to produce my own series within SL, so I plan on giving it a more detailed 2nd season. Besides that, I also have a more serious series in the works with a whole different mood, it will have robots too, and a more cyberpunk feel to it.This new series is not named yet, but it will be filmed completely in PBR so its gonna be exciting.

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Watch Funky Diva: episode 1

Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL that inspire you and whose work you admire.
When I started in SL I really didn't had the chance to watch many SL videos, because I wasnt really on the social media and I missed a lot of awesome content. But around 2 years ago I started to go way more social and I stumbled upon the videos of Sere Vene. I was absolutely impressed by her aesthetics and attention to detail. Not much after that I also found out about Teal Aurelia and again I got impressed by the level of production on her videos and the fine aesthetics. They both really had an impact on their own ways on how I saw SL from then on. There are many more Residents that inspired me, like Vrutega and Peasant Tater, but I would have to make a long list!

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Tragedy Backstage

Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Godiva.Varela 
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godivasl/videos
Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/196190976@N08

Thank you, Godiva, for enriching our world with your creativity and inspiring a new generation of machinima artists.

Watch the premiere of Funky Diva Origins with Godiva and other Residents on Wednesday, January 24th at 12pm PT at the Second Life Cinema!

 

Each of our Spotlight posts features a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup   

Linden Lab

MacOS is used by many Second Life residents, but it is time for us to say goodbye to all the versions of MacOS X.  Starting now, the new minimum requirement to run Second Life is MacOS 11.

We will still allow some older versions of Second Life to log in, but without any support.  As with prior OS version sunsetting, we have set aside a version of Second Life available for download that we believe will continue to work with older systems. Over time, this version will become less functional as we continue to add new features and keep up with modern technologies.
https://releasenotes.secondlife.com/viewer/6.6.12.579987.html

We continuously monitor supported and unsupported technologies for compatibility with Second Life and we keep https://secondlife.com/system-requirements up to date. In the future, we will continue to end Second Life support for certain OS versions, including when their manufacturers end their own support of those versions.

We encourage you to keep your systems upgraded whenever possible.

See you in Second Life!

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: The Story of Noah and the Ark

Are you ready for a nature-filled adventure? Dive into serene gardens, marvel at cascading waterfalls, and immerse yourself in the wonders of wildlife. Teleport through the Nature and Parks category on the Second Life Destination Guide!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form. Learn more about the Destination Guide criteria for Editors’ Picks or the Destinations Floater in the viewer, and increase your chances of being featured in those coveted spots!

Connect with Second Life on Social Media.
Signup for the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter.

Linden Lab

Today we’re shining a spotlight on Aline Passiflora, the current organizer of the FabFree blog and community. She credits Second Life with helping her embrace her authentic self - and finding fashion, friendship, and even real love in our virtual world.

Second Life Spotlight - Aline Passiflora.jpg

How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it?
I've been a Second Life resident for 13 years and 5 months. I first heard about Second Life through random internet meandering, as far as I can remember. I have a vague recollection of reading an article about a virtual world where you could be anyone, explore things, and get to know people from all over the world, and it sounded like fun to me. At that point in my life, I was looking for connection and belonging, and Second Life really provided a space to meet diverse people.  

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You are the current organizer of the Fabulously Free in Second Life blog and you moderate the community of more than 60K Residents, can you tell us more about Fabfree and how you got involved with it?
Not to be dramatic and biased, but FabFree is the best! I've always felt that we are a really special community, filled with helpful and enthusiastic SL residents. FabFree was born in 2007 when Cherlindrea Lamont created the Fabulously Free in SL Blog. It grew exponentially from there and birthed the inworld group. We maintain that we're the longest-running (e.g. without interruption) freebie, discount, and shopping community in Second Life.  

I stumbled across the blog many moons ago, and became an avid reader and fan of the way the bloggers found affordable fashion, styled it, and then created engaging posts to share with the community. I would visit the site daily to get my dose of SL fashion and will freely admit to becoming a massive fangirl of the bloggers of the day - such as Prudence Rexroth and Serena Snowfield.  

The story of how I got involved has always amused me, as it happened quite by accident. After reading a post in 2018, I headed over to my favourite store of that time period (the illustrious Sn@tch, sadly now defunct), and set myself up for some fishing (an activity where you can "catch" free clothing in a pond).  There, I ran into Love Trill, who was the FabFree organizer at the time and an immensely talented blogger who made FabFree what it is today. I, being a massive nerd, totally squealed at her, and we struck up a conversation. She must have seen something in me, because a week later, I was a FabFree blogger, and insanely thrilled about it.

When Love Trill decided to retire in 2020 after a decade of service, I took up the mantle of FabFree Blog Organizer, just like she had before me, and how I hope to one day (not yet!) pass the baton on to the next generation of SL freebie lovers. 

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Where can Residents learn more about FabFree and its activities and events? Does Fabfree work with Content Creators or Bloggers to cross-promote different events? If so, how can they reach out to get involved? 
FabFree is a vibrant community - we've always got something going on, from coverage of massive events, to our own hunts, to our everyday blog posts about free and affordable finds in SL. Our aim has always been to promote up-and-coming designers, giving them a platform where they can communicate with a large base of potential customers. SL is a busy place, and it can be hard to know where to go to get the word out about what you offer - we love hearing from designers and members who have something they're passionate about and want to share with the grid.

Also, at our core - we just love a good free find! We love letting our readers know about the latest group gifts or under 75L finds that are exciting us each day. Second Life is for everyone, and everyone can make their avatar their own, no matter their budget! Our blogging team works hard to cover as much as we can, and we often are looking for new people to add to our friendly and dedicated team. I'm always inspired by the selflessness of our bloggers - it's a tough job and we do it out of the pure joy of sharing a great affordable find with our readers.  

If you're looking for freebies and deals, check the blog daily at fabfree.wordpress.com, or join the Fabulously Free in SL inworld group to get up-to-the-minute updates from our community about great finds they want to share - the chat is a busy and exciting (and a very friendly) place!

If you're a designer or event promoter, you can apply to be a part of our Designer program - we have over 100 stores that participate, and in exchange for an exclusive gift for our group members, you gain access to notice rights in the group to spread the word on what's going on in your store or event. You can find application details at fabfree.wordpress.com/fabulous-designers.

If you're a blogger, you might consider joining our team - we sometimes have openings for people who are team-oriented, passionate, and kind.

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You also run your own personal blog, how long have you been a blogger and do you have any advice to give to new Residents looking to get involved in the Second Life blogging scene?
I started my blog back in 2016, at a time when fashion was really starting to take on a life of its own in SL.  I kept collecting fabulous outfits, gorgeous shoes, and beautiful hairstyles. I was aching for a place to document and show off all these creations. Thus, Aline's World was born, and my pile of pretty items continues to grow.  

My first piece of advice on becoming a blogger is to make sure that it's something you're passionate about - if documenting items you're wearing on your avatar isn't something that interests you in the least, you'll tire of blogging quickly. If you're really into creating a look, a space, or a feel - then jump in and see where the adventure takes you. Also, don't be too precious about what your "style" is - you will end up taking on so many different looks that by a few months in, your style will just be seeing where an outfit takes you.  

From a practical standpoint - get on Flickr to check out the blogging scene. That's where I started, and it's where most bloggers share their looks!  

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How has Second Life impacted your life?
I think SL has taught me to be more authentically myself and take more risks fashion-wise. I've met people from everywhere, with differing views, and different styles - and those differences have informed my thought processes over the years. It's been an adventure! The other big adventure was meeting my real-life partner. Yes.. love in SL is a real thing! 13 years ago, we met by a virtual pond and now we're married and living together. Who knew?!

I've made so many friends and met so many special people who have touched my heart deeply as well as my imagination, and I think that THAT is the true magic of Second Life. We've all come together in this crazy virtual land and created a special world where we can all be our authentic selves.

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Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL who inspire you and whose work you admire.
I'm endlessly inspired by other bloggers, especially those who came before me in the freebie scene - Love Trill is always creating beautiful scenes featuring affordable finds. I also love to follow the work of Grant Valeska, Bunny Fluffz, P e d r o, and Meriluu Lumoss (and so many more!). Also, designers who craft some beautiful outfits, avatars, accessories, and attachments such as Alaskametro, Miss Chelsea, Ricielli, Cureless, Moon Amore x Muse, Lelutka, Magika, Stealthic, Truth, Ysoral, Dust Bunny, Apple Fall, Euphoric, Foxcity, Ishiku, and ChicChica, ... and far too many others to name - their craft and dedication are amazing to me. 

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Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts.
FabFree Blog
FabFree Inworld Group
FabFree Info Hub
Aline's World
Flickr

Thank you, Aline, for dedicating years to guiding Second Life Residents in their quest for fabulously free and affordable treasures!  

 

Each of our Spotlight posts features a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup 

 

Linden Lab

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This is the first installment of a series of posts on moving Second Life issues from Jira to a new community engagement portal, feedback.secondlife.com as well as Github Issues.

jira.secondlife.com is Second Life's venerable bug reporting repository, development tracker and feature request system. It is used by thousands of users and the entire SL development team to envision, fix and build the future of Second Life.

Unfortunately, Jira Server, the software and license agreement we use to host Second Life's jira.secondlife.com site, is being discontinued and its official replacement cannot handle the number of users (over 300,000) that Second Life needs. Long story short: we need to move off of Jira before support ends in early February, 2024.

As part of this migration effort, we're excited to announce that we are opening up a new community feedback portal for early preview: feedback.secondlife.com. This site will host feature requests, bug reports and ultimately replace the public BUG project on jira.secondlife.com.

Support issues should still be reported to support.secondlife.com. We will keep using Freshdesk for all personal and content-sensitive tickets.

Where are my issues going?!

Your issues will be preserved and will not be deleted. Second Life has a 20 year history, and Jira represents one of its best sources for documentation. Jira will remain in operation until we migrate all issues to a new home on Github. We will share more information about working with the issue archive in a future blog post.

Feedback Portal

Second Life has a long history of collaboration with its residents. Rather than be bummed out by needing to leave Jira, we wanted to take this opportunity to select a community site that offers a better experience to both users and staff.

You can check out the new engagement portal at feedback.secondlife.com. This new site uses canny.io, a platform designed for receiving and responding to community feedback. We believe it will be a demonstrably better experience for residents due to features such as:

A public roadmap

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We will be providing a public roadmap of user-suggested features which have been accepted and will be implemented. This will provide greater transparency into the future of Second Life and drive accountability for us, so that we deliver what we say we would. 😜

Multiple boards

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The new feedback portal provides boards for different areas of Second Life: general feature requests and bugs, website bugs and features, scripting, etc. This will allow users to easily read up on bugs and feature requests pertaining to their area of interest, and allows triagers on our side to more easily figure out who should review new information.

Board features

  • Markdown - Text can be formatted using a simplified version of Markdown
  • Issue merging - Staff can merge issues instead of marking them as duplicate
  • Trending Posts - Boards may be sorted by trending posts, which combines freshness and popularity

Better Process

We have come to realize that the effects of some of our Jira workflows were, intentionally or otherwise, rather adversarial to engagement (read: unfriendly.) We are fixing this by acknowledging the following problems and resolving them with different behavior on the new feedback site:

Conversations remain open
One of the most detrimental features of our public Jira workflow was how it locked conversations (comments, etc.) after tickets were marked as accepted. This is not the default behavior in the new portal: comments will be allowed throughout the entire lifecycle of the request!

Know when your idea ships
The "clone issue" process on Jira resulted in a large portion of user-submitted issues never being marked as completed when their respective issues were shipped. This will be much less of an issue on feedback.secondlife.com because issues will be directly tied to their internal development tickets and automatically closed when the change ships.

Voting is Encouraged!
Vote to your heart's content. We want to hear from you which issues are most important.

Behind the Scenes

Part of the rationale for moving to Canny, the software behind feedback.secondlife.com, as opposed to alternative issue tracking solutions is that it is a very focused product that is tailor made for responding to user feedback and prioritizing ideas. In addition, the platform fit the bill by providing the following necessary requirements:

  • Single sign-on (SSO) - Users can log in using their Second Life account
  • Github Integration - Posts can be linked to Github Issues, the platform we are adopting for software development, and automatically marked as completed when the Github issue is finished.
  • Triage Tools - Canny provides a fast, unified view for triaging issues, prioritizing work, and getting it onto a roadmap.

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Public issues are not the only thing moving off of Jira --internal tickets will be migrating to Github Issues. Canny provides easy ways to create and link issues on Github, providing a better workflow than the previous "Clone" system we used on Jira.

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Open Source Collaboration

On the topic of Github, we will be making it easier for open source contributors to engage with Second Life project maintainers and our OSS projects through Github and Github Issues. Canny provides convenient integration with Github Issues, and we will be exploring ways of opening up Second Life development to open source contributors by more directly working in the open.

😖 Differences from Jira

Not everything is perfect. Both staff and residents have developed a lot of well established mental wiring, process and infrastructure around Jira. Canny is also not a Jira replacement: it's a community engagement tool which may require changes to behavior:

  • Limited attachment support - Canny only supports image attachments. All other media types will need to be linked to.
  • No private posts - If your report contains sensitive information then please redact/censor private information. If this is not possible, because it is material to the issue being filed, then please file a support ticket if it is personal in nature or security report if it represents a vulnerability.

Timeline and migration details

Jira access will end in early February. In the time leading up to that date we will be performing backups, migrating existing issues to their new home on Github, and allowing residents to use and provide feedback on the new engagement portal.

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Details about the issue migration process, such as how to find Jira issues post jira.secondlife.com shutdown will be talked about in a future post. Until then, we are excited to see new feature requests and reports over at feedback.secondlife.com.

Conclusion

Making a significant change like this is no small task. Staff and residents alike have grown deeply familiar with jira.secondlife.com through countless hours spent using the site. We hope you will have patience as we migrate data, build documentation, develop new muscle memory and smooth out wrinkles in tools and processes. These updates, along with changes like moving our engineering organization to Github and Github Actions, are part of a larger initiative to modernize Second Life development. The future is exciting, and we hope you can bear with us as we drive down the path to get there.

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Primitive Museum

Dive deep into the roots of our virtual world at the Primitive Museum and then journey through the rest of the Museum category on the Second Life Destination Guide to learn more about art, science, and global cultures. A world of discovery awaits! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find even more Museums and other Learning Experiences in the Education category.

 

Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form. Learn more about the Destination Guide criteria for Editors’ Picks or the Destinations Floater in the viewer, and increase your chances of being featured in those coveted spots!

Connect with Second Life on Social Media.
Sign up for the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter.

Linden Lab

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Happy new year! Thank you for all the suggestions sent in for future last names through our Last Name Suggestion Form

Today we are doing another big last name refresh by removing some of the older last name options and adding the following new ones from your suggestions:
Eton
Harmony
Serenade
Ethereal
Celestia
Sable
Astral
Starling
Saccharin
Rizzler
Enthusiast
Pratchett
Elara
Cerulean
Onyx
Peridot
Winchester
Fluffington
Mainlander
Wicken

The following is a screenshot of the full list of current last names available:
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We will continue to make additional updates to the available last name pool, so if these options aren’t for you, stay tuned for future updates. You can also continue to suggest your favorite name on our suggestion form, all new names are chosen from there! 

For more information about the costs and how-tos involved in name changes, read the Changing your username FAQ. Click to change your name now!

Linden Lab

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Happy New Year, Second Life Residents! If you're eager to kick off 2024 with a burst of excitement, here are some fun and educational community-driven activities and events lined up throughout the year. Enroll in building classes, attend lively festivals, and immerse yourself in educational conferences throughout the coming year. 

Relay For Life - Unveiling the Power of Unity

Go on a journey of compassion and support as Relay For Life of Second Life events kick off this year. Mark your calendars as registrations open this month. SL Living Expo, Fantasy Faire, and other event dates have already been announced. Don't miss out on any details - follow the American Cancer Society Google calendar for all the info! 

Burn2 - Festival of Community, Art, and Fire

Experience the virtual rendition of Burning Man in Second Life with Burn2! With captivating events every quarter, their first event, Winter Burn, starts on January 26th. Explore the details on their website and get more info about their weekly meetings and events in their Google calendar. It's a virtual festival you won't want to miss!

VWBPE - Unleashing Educational Innovations

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The Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education (VWBPE) is a community-based open conference that provides opportunities for participants in all virtual worlds to share current teaching, learning, and research practices in 3D virtual environments. This year's theme is "Mythic Origins" and it runs from March 14-16, 2024. Join the event for three days of lectures, workshops, discussions, games, and fun! It's a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the intersection of virtual environments and education. Learn more on their website at vwbpe.org.

VWEC - Igniting Educational Conversations

Continue to elevate your educational journey with the Virtual Worlds Education Consortium (VWEC) Eduverse! If you're passionate about fostering collaboration among educators and navigating the virtual landscape, this is the destination for you. You can learn more about VWEC from the Spotlight interview of three of their coordinators. Additionally, you can check their website and their Google Calendar to attend their daily events and fireside chats.

Virtual Ability - Empowering Lives in Virtual Worlds

Virtual Ability, a non-profit corporation founded in 2007, is dedicated to enabling individuals with a wide range of disabilities to flourish in online virtual worlds. They have two major events throughout the year, keep an eye on their website for more information coming soon: 

  1. Mental Health Symposium (May): In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Virtual Ability hosts the annual Mental Health Symposium. This event serves as a platform to share crucial information about mental health and disabilities with the broader population. The cross-disability community within Virtual Ability includes members dealing with various mental health issues. The symposium not only offers a chance for community members to learn from experts they might not encounter otherwise but also opens the doors for the general public to attend a professional conference at no cost.
  2. International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (October/November): Taking place around October/November each year, this conference is a testament to Virtual Ability's commitment to advocating for disability rights globally. Join this empowering event that brings together voices from the disability community to discuss, affirm, and advance the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Builder's Brewery - Crafting Dreams Since 2008

For all aspiring builders out there, Builder's Brewery is your go-to destination. Established in 2008, it stands as one of Second Life's oldest hubs for learning. Dive into free training classes covering everything from building to scripting, textures, mesh, animations, and more. Check their schedule of classes on their Google Calendar.

 

Find even more educational destinations and exciting events in the Education, Help & How To, and Featured Events categories on the Destination Guide throughout the year!

But wait, there’s more! Along with these community-driven activities, we here at Linden Lab also have a lot in store for 2024 - including the Valentine Shop & Hop which is about to open on February 1st, and of course our 21st birthday celebrations in June! 

Get ready for a year filled with excitement, creativity, and unforgettable experiences in Second Life. Don't miss out on the action - stay connected: follow our Featured News blog, sign up for our weekly email newsletter, and connect with us on social media.

Let the adventure begin, happy 2024!

Linden Lab

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As the end of 2023 approaches, Second Life is entering an exciting and pivotal moment in its development and evolution. The past year has seen the release of several new features and breakthroughs highlighted by the Private Alpha release of our Mobile Viewer.  

Imagine experiencing Second Life anywhere, anytime through your mobile device. For the first time, you’ll be able to stay connected to your friends and communities - no matter where you are.  

We believe that Second Life Mobile has the potential to transform the way people experience and engage with our virtual world forever. We are grateful for our early Alpha testers’ feedback and impressions - they are helping us move forward already …and we can’t wait for the entire Second Life community to check it out in the coming year as it enters into wider release. 

2024 Roadmap

So, what else can you expect in the coming year?

More About Mobile

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In 2024, everyone will be able to experience the magic of Second Life in the palm of their hands. While the early Private Alpha release includes some popular and much-requested features, we expect that mobile will quickly evolve to more closely align with the desktop functionality as the year progresses. Eventually, you’ll see innovative mobile-specific features that take full advantage of the flexibility and, well, mobility of being freely untethered from your desktop.

AI & Other Innovations

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (virtual or otherwise), you’ve probably heard a thing or two about the rise of AI over the past year. For Second Life to remain relevant as a progressive platform that serves, empowers, and entertains our communities and creators, we know that we must find the right balance in embracing some aspects of AI while also preserving and protecting what we all know and love about Second Life. 

In the coming year, we plan to carefully explore some cutting-edge use of AI in Second Life including experimental use of smart AI-driven chatbots to help greet, educate, and mentor newcomers. We know that there are additional opportunities to integrate AI across all aspects of Second Life, but we also know that AI can be a polarizing topic and there are many sensitivities on how (and if) we should explore AI integration at all. We've already established internal policies governing the selection and use of AI tools with user privacy as the foremost consideration. Our goal is to find the right balance to bring some AI advancements and innovations into the virtual world – but only in a way that respects the rights of content creators, while also advancing the overall Second Life creator ecosystem and quality of the overall community experience.

After the much anticipated release of PBR Materials, we are looking forward to Third-Party Viewers integrating the functionality so that everyone in Second Life can enjoy the new shiny. The early experiments from our community have been so fun! In the meantime, the graphics team is working on the next set of updates including PBR materials support for terrain, true mirrors (planar reflections), and the long term goal of supporting GLTF Mesh Import & Hierarchy. 

That’s not the only excitement awaiting creators in the coming year - we are also focusing on improvements and extensions to our scripting capabilities, taking a look at tools for creating complex and compelling combat systems, poking at the animation import pipeline … because we know that every time we make things better for our creator communities, they make things better for everyone!

Something Spicy

Second Life turns 21 in 2024…and, to celebrate, we are turning attention to the spicier side of Second Life with some bold and innovative new adult-friendly initiatives. Something wickedly wonderful is coming soon…

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We’ll be taking the sheets off this mystery initiative and sharing more bedroom secrets soon…so stay tuned!

Improving the New User Experience

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Improving the first-time experience for newcomers continues to be a top priority - and in 2024 you’ll see us continuing to tweak and innovate on this early introduction to Second Life. For example, we recently began testing an all-new Community Hub complete with human greeters and mentors that are eager and available to help educate and enlighten newcomers on all aspects of Second Life. We’ll continue to iterate and improve the Hub, too. We’re at work on a Community Exhibition expansion to the Hub that will more easily and quickly connect our newest Residents to the many communities and experiences across Second Life.

New Residents are also benefiting from the recent debut of Senra starter avatars, making easier work of avatar customization at the very beginning of their Second Life journey. We’ve got updates to the customization experience and fun new wardrobe choices coming - and we’re looking forward to the community-created Senra content too!

2023 Highlights

There’s a lot of promise and potential for the coming year, but we also want to reflect on some of the key accomplishments and improvements from 2023.

Improved Performance & Viewer Enhancements

In addition to the introduction of PBR Materials mentioned earlier, there were improvements to Group Chat History and the debut of Inventory Item Preview and Single Folder View which helps Residents more easily manage and find items in their inventory.  In the background, we’ve been doing work to improve performance during teleport. 

Additionally, we unveiled more improvements to help community members seek and find items and places in Second Life. For example, Updates to Marketplace Search and improvements to the Destination Guide also help our community find the items and places that matter most to them.

We also took steps to make Second Life more secure with various security improvements including enforcement of Viewer Login MFA.

Improving the Land & Home Experience

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Buying and managing land got a lot easier over the past year, as we debuted the all-new Linden Home Store to make selecting your new home simpler. Several new Linden Homes themes also debuted in 2023, including Ranch, and Fantasy Treehouses. We also ended the year with drop of the new Mediterranean Premium Plus homes! With all these Linden Homes choices, it is now easier than ever for people to explore all the new and classic themes inworld via an all-new centralized Linden Homes demo region in the BelliHub!

We’ve also made additional improvements to Estate Options and added Scripted Agent Estate Access to improve the land owning experience in Second Life.

Simplified Avatar Customization

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It’s no secret that newer Second Life Residents often struggle to customize their avatars. While seasoned Second Life community members appreciate the complex and diverse range of avatar customization options, we recognize how important it is to simplify things for those who are just learning the basics. Enter the all-new Senra Avatars, which entered beta in August with a subsequent formal 1.0 release unveiled earlier this month. The Senra team is already hard at work on the next phase of the Senra project, which features an expanded content library with additional customizations and options.

Community Highlights - Celebrating 20 Years

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Second Life’s 20th birthday celebrations set several new records for all-time community engagement in 2023. Our SL20B event was visited 647,952 times and included three weeks of parties, live music, deejay performances, special events, exhibits, gifts, and shopping!

Our big milestone didn’t go unnoticed by the mainstream media, either. Major media and tech outlets noted and praised our longevity and loyal communities throughout the year including some great media coverage in The Atlantic, The Guardian, and Bloomberg.

Eagle-eyed viewers of the popular Apple+ program “The Morning Show” may also have noticed a certain Linden executive cameo during a pivotal scene that prominently featured Second Life in the season finale. 

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Second Life also scored some prominent coverage in the acclaimed music trade publication Billboard, which had the exclusive reveal for our partnership with legendary music label Motown.

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The official Motown presence in Second Life accompanied the debut of the first experimental version of our New User Community Hub, which aims to more quickly and easily help newcomers connect with the relevant people, places, and communities that matter to them. The new Hub also hosts the return of many passionate Second Life Mentors who seek to lend a helping hand.

What Was Hot in 2023?

Finally, we thought it would be fun to assemble a few year-end charts to show what was hot in 2023. Let’s take a look at what the community was up to last year…

Top Linden Home Themes 

  1. Houseboat
  2. Log Home
  3. Traditional
  4. Victorian
  5. Stilt over Land

Top Last Names released in 2023

  1. Blossom
  2. Nightingale
  3. Spicy
  4. Waifu
  5. Shadow

Most Visited Regions 

  1. LeLutka
  2. Firestorm Orientation
  3. Rapture
  4. VELOUR
  5. Adventure Island

Top Destination Guide Categories 

  1. Photogenic Spots
  2. Fashion
  3. Role-playing Communities
  4. Shopping Events
  5. Winter Attractions 

Most Watched YouTube Videos

  1. Second Life Mobile - First Look
  2. Second Life Mobile - June 2023 - SL20B Update
  3. Second Life University - How to Create PBR Materials
  4. Second Life University - How to Create Your Starter Avatar
  5. Made in Second Life: The Movie

Most Popular Facebook Posts

  1. Inventory Item Preview and Single Folder View
  2. Second Life Pic of the Day by Mac McGregor
  3. The SL20B Official Guide & Magazine
  4. Introducing the new Linden Home Store
  5. Friday the 13th Haunted Destinations

Happy Holidays from Second Life

On behalf of the entire Second Life team, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy new year! We are thankful to be part of your virtual family and send you blessings from both the virtual (and physical) worlds!

The Second Life team

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Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: A Calas Christmas

Embark on a virtual winter journey in Second Life with 100+ enchanting destinations to choose from! Whether you're seeking snowy landscapes, cozy cabins, or festive activities, the Winter Attractions category on the Destination Guide has it all. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you're in the shopping mood, you have until January 1st to grab deep discounts and gifts from 320 participating merchants across 16 shopping regions at the 2023 Holiday Shop & Hop.

 

Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form. Learn more about the Destination Guide criteria for Editors’ Picks or the Destinations Floater in the viewer, and increase your chances of being featured in those coveted spots!

Connect with Second Life on Social Media.
Signup for the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter.

Linden Lab

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While the festive cheer, twinkling lights, and echoes of holiday celebrations still continue, we are thrilled to announce the early opening of applications for the 2024 Valentine’s Shop & Hop!

As we prepare for an extra special Valentine’s event, we're on the lookout for enthusiastic Merchants ready to join the celebration of love, which runs from Thursday, February 1st through the 19th.

We are looking for Merchants willing to offer a discount on their items (at least 20% off) and provide a new non-exclusive gift to shoppers. This year we will also be highlighting designers who are creating for our new Senra mesh bodies. To be considered a Senra designer for the Valentine Shop and Hop, you need to have at least 2 items available at the Shop and Hop for Senra bodies. Special consideration will be given to Senra designers when applications are being reviewed.

If this opportunity sparks your interest, fill out the application form promptly, and no later than December 22nd. We will notify successful applicants in early January.

Happy holidays!

Linden Lab

The Second Life app brings the richness of the Second Life virtual world to your Android or iOS mobile device...and Second Life Premium Plus members are among the first to get access.

With the new Second Life Mobile, you can experience a new level of convenience and engagement in your Second Life adventures, whether you’re at home or on the go. In this initial Private Alpha release, you can:

* See your avatar & edit appearance by changing outfits 
* Explore the world via the Destination Guide, mobile showcase, own favorites (teleport, deep links, TP offers)
* Interact with the world through a limited set of movements (walk, run, fly, sit, stand) and object interactions (touch, sit) - or park your avatar and explore via flycam.
* Socialize and stay connected (nearby chat, group chat, IM, group notices, find contacts, inspect profiles)
* Create and log in with a new account

…and there’s more to come in future releases!

Qualifying Premium Plus members can apply now for the Private Alpha. If you are Premium Plus, you can learn more at: Premium Plus - Second Life Mobile Private Alpha Sign-Up

Please note that while all Premium Plus subscribers are eligible to participate in the Private Alpha, we’ll be adding users in small groups over time. There is a server registration limit and we’ll be adding participants on a first come first served basis.Your patience is appreciated! We know you’re excited (and so are we!) but we’ll need time to process applications, add test accounts via TestFlight and Google Play and then, most importantly, process your feedback.

And please remember, this is still early Alpha! That means it’s buggy, and it’s missing functionality. It also means we’re looking for your help in making it better. 

Once we are through the alpha and beta testing phases, Second Life Mobile will be accessible to all users.

Not Premium Plus? Upgrade today at https://secondlife.com/premium 

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: M2D Light Week

Looking for some fun and festive activities and events to attend this month? The Featured Events category on the Second Life Destination Guide has all the action!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And check out the following Linden Lab events - Santa Patch happens today!

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!

 

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form. Learn more about the Destination Guide criteria for Editors’ Picks or the Destinations Floater in the viewer, and increase your chances of being featured in those coveted spots!

Connect with Second Life on Social Media.
Signup for the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter.

Linden Lab

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Calling all Second Life machinima enthusiasts! Embrace the spirit of the season and join us for a special screening of "Scrooge - A Second Life Christmas Carol" directed by the talented Caligula Aquila on Wednesday, December 13th, at 12pm PT at the Second Life Cinema.

Immerse yourself in the timeless tale of Scrooge as reimagined within the immersive world of Second Life. Caligula’s unique vision brings Dickens' classic to life, blending the magic of virtual cinema with the charm of a holiday favorite. 

You can also watch the premiere on our YouTube channel at this link

Don't miss this festive celebration! See you at the Second Life Cinema, where holiday magic comes to life.

Linden Lab

Senra Announcement


News

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Greetings, all!

We are thrilled to announce the release of Version 1.0 of our Senra Avatars – Blake and Jamie! These avatars represent a leap forward in user customization and ease of use for new users. These avatars are now available in the Library. Search for “Senra” and you will find the full variety of clothing and bodies.

What’s new?

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We’ve taken feedback from our initial beta release and made some adjustments to make sure new users are able to take their first steps into Second Life in their very own customized avatar experience. Additionally, when they’re ready to move on to other avatar body ecosystems, transitioning to other mesh bodies has never been smoother! Whether you're a veteran or just starting your Second Life journey, Senra avatars offer an intuitive and immersive experience.

Additionally, the team is currently hard at work on what’s coming next! In the first quarter of 2024, we’ll be rolling out the next phase of the Senra project, which features an expanded content library with additional customizations and options. More choices mean more ways to express your identity. Get ready for an array of customization choices that will set you apart in Second Life.

SDK Information
Content creators! Dive into the Senra experience and create magic with our developer kits. The Senra Body SDK application is open, offering you the chance to contribute to the growing world of Senra avatars. Find more information and find the application for the Dev Kits here.

Additionally, we will have a special announcement regarding Senra and the upcoming Valentine’s Shop & Hop coming soon! Content creators, be sure to apply for the SDK and get creating now for an opportunity to participate. The Valentine’s Shop & Hop application will have special Senra-specific questions for creators working on Senra-compatible content. 

Stay tuned for more updates, and let the customization adventure begin!

Linden Lab

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Winter is here!

As winter wraps its icy arms around the grid, we are thrilled to unveil a brand new Winter Wonderland that transcends the ordinary. Brace yourselves for an enchanting journey as we delve into the glittering highlights of this snowy spectacle.

The first snowfall brings with it not just a blanket of glistening snow but also the shimmering arrival of the first fully Physically Based Rendering (PBR) enabled LDPW experience. This groundbreaking technology is set to transform your in-world experience by bringing an unprecedented level of realism to the virtual world. Picture the crunch of snow beneath your feet, the sparkle of ice crystals, and the subtle play of light on every surface. With PBR, winter landscapes come to life like never before.

Step into a world of gaming bliss as Winter Wonderland introduces a lineup of sensational new releases that promise to be the highlight of the season. This includes Sled Rides, Ice Skating and Capture The Flag! Or, collect snowflakes across the Winter Wonderland regions and win prizes! Anyone can get a Snowflake Hunt HUD and play the game through the month of December.

There are 3 prize tiers for this event depending on how many snowflakes you collect:

- 50 Snowflakes: Snowman in Sweater (deco only)
- 150 Snowflakes: Snowflake Character (deco, huggable)
- 400 Snowflakes: Nessie in a Bowl (deco, huggable, and animesh versions).
- Additionally, the first time you obtain the Snowflake Hunt HUD from the vendor, you will receive a custom winter display shelving unit for any future Boopies you collect.

Boopie prizes are available from the vendor as soon as you have collected enough snowflakes for that tier level. Snowflakes are not “traded” for prizes. When you get the prize for one level you do not have to recollect that amount to apply toward getting the next level prize.

Come kick off the season in the new Winter Wonderland!

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Additionally, as the weather turns colder across Bellisseria and the festive season approaches, what better place to celebrate than in the new Victorian winter community region?

This season, the Victorian community region has been magically transformed with a generous dusting of snow for Winter.

Come and celebrate the joy of Winter! Wrap up warm and play the fairground games. Sample the delights inside the Victorian cafe. Take in the festive decorations and have fun together ice skating on the frozen lake!

Come check out the new winterized Victorian community region.

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

Linden Lab

Happy December! We have lots in store for you this holiday season!

Winter Wonderland

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Winter Wonderland opens on December 4th with a new look! Here’s what you can expect: 
- Completely new Region Design
- Full PBR Region & Objects
- New and improved Snowball Fight
- New Mini Game: Sled Rides
- Reworked Ice Skates & Location
- Snowflake Hunt with Boopies as prizes

Linden & Resident Snowball Fight

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‘Tis the season for some snow-slinging shenanigans at the NEW Winter Wonderland Snowball Fight Arena!

Get your warm clothes and throwing arms ready - it’s time for a Lindens and Residents snowball fight! This snowball showdown means you're free to pelt your fellow Second Life Residents and Lindens with a bevy of sparkling snowballs - launched fresh from the snow-arsenal available at the arena.

The battles take place on Friday, December 15th from 8am to 9am PT and then again from 12pm to 1pm PT. Spots are limited, so be sure to get there early to grab your free snow-launching weaponry from the vendors around the arena. 

Mark your calendars, assemble your dream squad, and be there!

2023 Holiday Shop & Hop

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The 2023 Holiday Shop & Hop returns with 320 participating Merchants across 16 shopping regions, bringing you loads of festive fun! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above! Check the Shop & Hop blog post for a full list of all 320 merchants with slurls!

Winter Last Names 2023

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To celebrate the winter holiday season, we have released some festive new last names!

The following winter-themed names are only available for a limited time:  
Snowfox
Icicle
Evergreen
Candycane
Frostypaws
Yulepurr
Jollyfluff
Tidings
Tinsel
Feliz

These names for winter are seasonal and may come back around this time next year, for a limited time.

We will continue to make additional updates to the available last name pool, so if these options aren’t for you, stay tuned for future updates. You can also suggest your favorite name on our suggestion form, the new names were chosen from there! 

For more information about the costs and how-tos involved in name changes, read the Changing your username FAQ. Click to change your name now!

New Winter Premium Gift

Premium members - we have a special surprise for you - a limited and exclusive Premium and Premium Plus gift that’s sure to delight and add a little extra holiday charm to your inworld adventures. Drop by one of the Premium Gift kiosks and pick up your exclusive holiday gift starting December 4th!

Winter in Motown

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Starting December 4th the Motown region will transform into a snowy paradise, offering a festive twist to your favorite classic and contemporary Motown hits and even a new Winter Holiday playlist. Dance and socialize with new friends amid the enchanting snow-covered setting, while enjoying a multi-station radio streaming both classic and modern Motown tunes. 

The 13th Annual SL Christmas Expo to Benefit the American Cancer Society

This year’s SL Christmas Expo brings more than 125 merchants, Breedables, Auctions and Raffles, Special Events, and more than 150 hours of entertainment at 2 venues - all for the mission of the American Cancer Society to End Pediatric Cancers. The event covers 11 regions and will run from December 1st through the 10th.

Read more about the Linden Lab activities at the expo: 

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Head over to discover the magic of the holiday season and the joy of giving!

Winter Attractions on the Destination Guide

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If you’re looking for even more winter activities, there are already over 100 snow-covered locations in the Winter Attractions category on the Destination Guide. We’re adding new regions daily, so if you have a spot you’d like to invite other Residents to explore, make sure to check out the submission guidelines and submit yours today!

Wishing a safe and happy holiday season to everyone in our virtual community!

Linden Lab

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The 2023 Holiday Shop & Hop is almost here with 320 participating merchants across 16 shopping regions, bringing you loads of festive fun! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above!

The event formally opens to the public on Friday, December 1st at 9am PT - but who wants to wait when you can get early access?! If you can’t contain your excitement, join the official Second Life Birthday group inworld to be granted immediate access.

Before you jump inworld, you can get a sneak peek at many of the items that will be available in the official Second Life Shop & Hop Flickr pool. And don’t forget to share photos of your haul after your shopping excursion!

To visit the 2023 Holiday Shop & Hop - start at any one of the Regions - but be sure to visit them all to see everything that's available. Happy shopping!

A complete list of all 320 participating Shop & Hop Merchants in alphabetical order, and the direct slurls, is below: 

Name of Store SLurl to Store
- Scafall - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/41/153/53 
-Jane&Finch- http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/153/40/53 
:::boyberry::: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/72/41/53 
::WetCat:: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/41/153/53 
!!Firelight!! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/50/50/53 
!dM deviousMind http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/184/41/53 
.:.Tm:.Creation http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/41/153/53 
.Enfant Terrible. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/215/183/53 
.lovelysweet. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/104/215/53 
.Tardfish. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/50/50/53 
[ADD] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/216/153/53 
[AERTH] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/183/216/53 
[Aleutia] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/41/184/53 
[CIRCA] Living http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/214/103/53 
[Cubic Cherry] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/206/206/53 
[Krescendo] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/184/41/53 
[lf design] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/41/184/53 
[MoonSha] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/73/216/53 
[MSN Design] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/215/183/53 
[NC] - Noble Creations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/73/216/53 
[QE] Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/215/72/53 
[SURPLUS MOTORS] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/104/215/53 
[White Raven] & [Scaletta Studios] http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/72/41/53 
{ wren's nest } Shapes http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/41/153/53 
{amiable} http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/216/153/53 
{Poeme} Couture http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/207/48/53 
* SK * http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/104/215/53 
***Ambrosia*** http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/41/153/53 
*~*HopScotch*~* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/153/215/53 
*Elite Equestrian* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/216/153/53 
*katat0nik* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/153/40/53 
*paper moon* / Eventyra http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/206/206/53 
*Second Moon* by MoonRiver Darcy http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/184/41/53 
#PrettyGirlRock http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/153/40/53 
++Twilight++ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/72/41/53 
+Half-Deer+ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/50/50/53 
= LiZAIL = http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/153/40/53 
~ Enchanted Fantasy ~ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/184/41/53 
~PPC~ Prim Pile Creations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/153/40/53 
~Tea Lane~ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/72/41/53 
3rd Eye Perceptions http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/72/41/53 
7wishes / 1313 Mockingbird Lane http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/153/215/53 
Aardvark http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/50/206/53 
ABC - Awesome Breed Creations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/104/215/53 
ACCENT (previously A&D Clothing) http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/50/50/53 
Achroma http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/73/216/53 
ADDAMS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/41/153/53 
Aitne / KYMILE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/72/41/53 
AlaFolie http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/216/153/53 
alaskametro<3 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/73/216/53 
Alli&Ali Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/50/50/53 
ALTGARD / OTHER FACES http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/153/40/53 
Anastyle http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/40/73/53 
andika http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/104/41/53 
Angelic Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/184/41/53 
ANGELICUS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/215/183/53 
Aphrodite shop http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/153/215/53 
Ashbourne & Burleigh Couturier http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/41/153/53 
Astral Technologies http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/50/206/53 
AtaMe http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/73/216/53 
AURORA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/214/103/53 
AXE STORE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/40/73/53 
AZOURY http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/50/50/53 
BackBone http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/104/41/53 
Bad Girl http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/50/206/53 
Badwolf Accessories & Co. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/184/41/53 
BBX Yachts & Buildings http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/206/206/53 
BE BOLD http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/72/41/53 
Beauty Factory http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/207/48/53 
Believe http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/72/41/53 
Belle Epoque http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/184/41/53 
Beloved Jewelry http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/42/102/53 
Birth http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/50/206/53 
BLACK NEST http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/42/102/53 
Blackstone http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/42/102/53 
Bloom! furniture & Decor http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/153/215/53 
Blow-Up http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/104/41/53 
Blue Blood http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/183/216/53 
Blueberry http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/153/215/53 
BMe, BlueMoon enterprise http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/153/40/53 
BobsCreations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/41/184/53 
Body Language Sweet Lovely Cute http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/73/216/53 
BOILDEGG http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/42/102/53 
BONDI http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/73/216/53 
BONNICCI http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/153/40/53 
Boscato http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/42/102/53 
BRON http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/184/41/53 
Bumblebee http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/104/215/53 
BYRNE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/50/50/53 
C I C A http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/215/72/53 
CAROL G. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/40/73/53 
Carol's Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/215/72/53 
Carpe Noctem & AYAYA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/50/50/53 
Cheeky Pea http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/207/48/53 
CHEZ MOI FURNITURES http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/40/73/53 
ChiC buildings http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/215/183/53 
CHIMAERA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/40/73/53 
Chris Two Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/183/216/53 
COCO LOUIS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/215/72/53 
Corgi Poots http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/42/102/53 
Crocodoggle http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/72/41/53 
Cube Republic http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/215/72/53 
D-LAB http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/184/41/53 
DABBLE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/207/48/53 
Dahlia http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/42/102/53 
Dark Mouse Jewelry http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/184/41/53 
DarkMoon Dinkie Fashion http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/206/206/53 
DAVID HEATHER http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/215/183/53 
Deep Static http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/41/184/53 
Demicorn http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/183/216/53 
Dench Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/72/41/53 
DFS - Digital Farm System http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/153/215/53 
DICTATORSHOP http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/50/206/53 
Diesel Deluxe http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/215/72/53 
Dirty Rat http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/153/40/53 
DRD http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/73/216/53 
Dreamer http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/41/184/53 
Dress to Impress http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/104/41/53 
DUST http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/41/153/53 
Duvet Day http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/73/216/53 
e.marie http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/73/216/53 
Eclectica http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/40/73/53 
En Pointe http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/183/216/53 
enLight http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/206/206/53 
EPIC Effects http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/215/183/53 
Essenz http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/206/206/53 
etham http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/215/72/53 
Evelyn http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/50/206/53 
Everfaery http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/42/102/53 
Evergreen http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/183/216/53 
ÈVORA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/214/103/53 
eXxEsS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/183/216/53 
Faida http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/153/40/53 
Fancy Decor http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/207/48/53 
Fantasy Illumination http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/41/184/53 
Fantavatar & Moonstruck http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/50/206/53 
Fashiowl Poses http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/41/153/53 
FKD Fashions http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/40/73/53 
FlowerDreams http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/215/72/53 
Forest Fantasy Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/41/184/53 
Formanails http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/216/153/53 
Fourth Wall http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/153/40/53 
Freda - Fashion and Accessories http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/184/41/53 
Freya's Fashions http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/104/41/53 
GA.EG http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/206/206/53 
Gabrielle Hamelin - Pretty Things to Wear http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/216/153/53 
Ghee http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/153/215/53 
GIULIADESIGN http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/216/153/53 
Glitzz http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/40/73/53 
Gloss http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/50/50/53 
GOOSE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/104/215/53 
GothiCatz http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/153/40/53 
Grumble http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/183/216/53 
Harshlands http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/73/216/53 
Hayabusa Design http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/183/216/53 
Heartsdale Jewellery http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/41/153/53 
HERO http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/42/102/53 
HILTED http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/153/215/53 
Hipster Style http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/153/215/53 
HolliPocket http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/42/102/53 
HOSSWORX http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/42/102/53 
House of RFyre http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/206/206/53 
HS / Black Deer http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/153/40/53 
Idona's Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/184/41/53 
Infected Skies http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/40/73/53 
Infinity Industries http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/73/216/53 
InkMe http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/216/153/53 
IONIC http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/40/73/53 
irrISIStible http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/50/206/53 
Izzie's http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/216/153/53 
Jazabelle Boutique http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/41/153/53 
Jinx http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/216/153/53 
Junk Food http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/50/206/53 
Kaerri http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/206/206/53 
Kali (*) Ma http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/214/103/53 
Kealoha Home Goods http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/41/184/53 
Khargo Christmas Market http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/50/50/53 
Killer's Production http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/207/48/53 
kira tattoo http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/214/103/53 
KOPI http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/41/184/53 
KUMIHO http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/72/41/53 
Kunglers http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/214/103/53 
L+B Swear http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/104/41/53 
larnia http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/207/48/53 
lassitude & ennui http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/50/206/53 
LeCock http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/214/103/53 
Libertine http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/153/215/53 
Lil Val's Clothing & More! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/215/183/53 
Lilith's Den http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/183/216/53 
Limited Addiction http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/73/216/53 
Linkrave http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/183/216/53 
Little Big Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/214/103/53 
Little Dreamers Boutique http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/153/215/53 
LORE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/104/41/53 
LouChara Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/104/215/53 
LOVE SUPERSTORE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/153/40/53 
LuluB! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/183/216/53 
Lush http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/215/183/53 
MadPea http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/104/215/53 
MADRAS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/206/206/53 
Magic Party http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/215/72/53 
Magnetic http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/50/50/53 
MALified http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/104/41/53 
Mamere http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/216/153/53 
Mandilena Gestures http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/41/184/53 
May24 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/72/41/53 
MedievalFantasy Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/41/153/53 
Mesh Entity http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/153/215/53 
Miamai http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/206/206/53 
Mirage Treasure Co. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/183/216/53 
MONKEYGirl http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/50/50/53 
moon amore http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/207/48/53 
Mossu http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/206/206/53 
MRCOIN http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/41/153/53 
MY BAGS by Mila Blauvelt http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/50/50/53 
Mysterious Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/50/206/53 
MyStory http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/42/102/53 
neve http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/215/72/53 
no.match_ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/216/153/53 
nope. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/184/41/53 
Nox Equine http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/215/183/53 
OakLeaf Hair http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/104/41/53 
OLD TREASURES http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/214/103/53 
On A Lark http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/215/72/53 
Paper.Sparrow http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/50/50/53 
Peeps Dinkies http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/50/206/53 
Petit Chat http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/50/50/53 
Phedora http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/104/215/53 
Pink Cream Pie http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/153/215/53 
Pixel Box http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/72/41/53 
Pixel Doll http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/184/41/53 
Poet's Heart http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/206/206/53 
POISON ROUGE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/104/41/53 
Polenth's Mushporium http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/216/153/53 
Potomac Signature Homes http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/214/103/53 
PULSE http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/42/102/53 
PUMEC http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/104/215/53 
PurpleMoon http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/41/184/53 
Rebel Poses http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/104/215/53 
rnR http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/104/41/53 
Roawenwood http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/215/183/53 
Roped Passions http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/40/73/53 
ROZOREGALIA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/215/72/53 
Rumah Kita http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/207/48/53 
Salt & Pepper http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/50/206/53 
Sanjak http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/216/153/53 
SAP http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/72/41/53 
Sascha's Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/207/48/53 
Sassy Sweet Poses http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/104/215/53 
Scarlet Fey http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/215/183/53 
Schadenfreude http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/184/41/53 
Second Nature Jewellery http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/104/41/53 
SEKAI / SODA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/215/183/53 
SEmotion Libellune http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/153/40/53 
SENTINUS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/214/103/53 
Serenity Style http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gilded/104/41/53 
Shapes for Everyone! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/215/183/53 
Sherbert http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/215/72/53 
Shu Mesh http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/73/216/53 
Shutter Field  &  DJ.SF Original Mesh http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/40/73/53 
Silver Spoon http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/215/183/53 
Simply Shelby http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/214/103/53 
small http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/40/73/53 
SOFIA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/104/41/53 
solares http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/104/215/53 
Soul2soul http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/215/183/53 
sparrows nest http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/183/216/53 
Spells & Charms http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/104/41/53 
Stardust http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/104/215/53 
Static http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/215/72/53 
Stiff Store http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/41/184/53 
Stone's Works http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/207/48/53 
Stories&Co. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/207/48/53 
Sugar N' Spice Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/206/206/53 
Swank & Co. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/40/73/53 
Sway's http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/41/184/53 
Synnergy Mystic http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/42/102/53 
Tachinni Clothing http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/214/103/53 
tarte. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/216/153/53 
Teegle http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/153/215/53 
Tentacio http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/73/216/53 
The Annex http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/104/215/53 
The Discord Experts / by Babel Products http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/153/40/53 
The Flying Pony http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/206/206/53 
The Hase Gallery http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/207/48/53 
The Kitty Corner http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/41/153/53 
Thundr http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/50/206/53 
Tilted Halo .... and Meijhana Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/183/216/53 
TONKATIHEAD http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/73/216/53 
Tosca Piccolo http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/41/184/53 
TREND http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/104/215/53 
TrigiGifts http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lavendar/40/73/53 
Trompe Loeil http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Poppy/214/103/53 
TRS Designs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/153/215/53 
UNA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Halcyon/50/206/53 
unstable. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/207/48/53 
UZME Poses http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/41/153/53 
Vagrant http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/183/216/53 
Vanity Hair http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/215/183/53 
VELOUR http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lupine/41/184/53 
VIENA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/40/73/53 
Watercolor http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/72/41/53 
Wazzer Works http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gleaming/207/48/53 
What Next http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/215/72/53 
Why Not http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden/184/41/53 
Wicca's Originals / BodyArts http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/50/50/53 
Witch In A Box http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/214/103/53 
Witchery http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zinnia/153/215/53 
Wonderful World http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snapdragon/72/41/53 
X-CLUSIVES ANIMATIONS http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/41/153/53 
Xeolots http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/216/153/53 
YALLA http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/104/41/53 
Yasum Design http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tinseled/42/102/53 
YinYang Kitties http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/42/102/53 
You Know, For Kids! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hollyhock/214/103/53 
Yūgen http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jubilant/206/206/53 
Zerkalo http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sugarplum/41/184/53 
Zex / Pink&Love http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Delphinium/215/72/53 
Zibska http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forsythia/207/48/53 
zOOm http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chickory/50/206/53 
Linden Lab

Today is the official release of the literal new shiny in Second Life, PBR Materials! With our weekly grid update, all of Second Life will now be capable of using PBR Materials in the Second Life viewer.

The goals behind the PBR Materials project are increased visual realism, keeping with industry standards, and bringing GLTF content into Second Life with expected results. One method of enhancing realism is to create scenes with real reflections which mimic how our eyes have learned to identify that a surface is metal, plastic, or some other material. Whether you create objects in Second Life or simply enjoy seeing and wearing them, PBR Materials will provide a big step up in the appearance of the Second Life world.

In the remainder of this post, we have included some more technical points for creators. We can’t wait to see what you all create!

PBR Material Features

  • Move from sRGB color space to Linear for all lighting and blending
  • HDR Environments
    • Auto exposure and tonemapping - If you look at a dark space it will brighten, and a bright space will darken.
    • The default environment of Second Life has always been a sunny day with blue skies and this will be more apparent now.
    • A new default Midday setting
  • Continued support for existing materials (Diffuse, Normal, and Specular) 
    • Yes, you may use old materials and PBR materials on the same object
  • Reflection probes - Automatic and Manual (content creators see additional links below for more information)
  • LSL may only use llSetPrimitiveParams and llSetRenderMaterial to change PBR material values
  • Materials system folder (empty by default so try creating a new PBR material to fill it.)

PBR viewer at Midday 
pbr-zanzibar.png
Image and scene created by Zanibar Darkstone (located on Rumpus Room 3)

Prior release viewers at Midday 
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Scene created by Zanibar Darkstone (located on Rumpus Room 3)

The New Normal

  • Transparency is done in linear space, so some objects will be slightly more transparent and others will be slightly more opaque
  • Fullbright will now be affected by atmospheric lighting
  • Auto exposure and tonemapping will be based on the contrast of the scene in front of your camera
  • Content creators and builders - Interior spaces that utilize manual reflection probes will require light sources
  • Transparent water is actually transparent water rather than blue texture
  • Reflections of projections have imperfections
  • On Windows, graphics quality set to ‘High’ or greater now receives shadows from Sun and Moon. It required higher settings previously.
  • Mac HiDPI now defaults to off

Additional Resources

Future Features

  • Now that Second Life needs lights to illuminate rooms and interior spaces that use manual reflection probes, we’re going to reduce the download cost of objects by 15%, across the board, without any additional charges, which will create more available Land Impact for everyone.
  • Point lights will soon be affected by dense fog and haze
  • Mirrors!
  • PBR Materials on Terrain!

PBR.jpg
Scene created by Sere Vene (serevenaen) (located on Rumpus Room 3)

Linden Lab

Today we’re shining a spotlight on The Nature Collective, a nature-loving community in Second Life. Learn more about TNC from the founder, Emm Evergarden.

TNC SL20B.jpg

How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it?
I joined Second Life after rewatching The Office during the pandemic, during a time when I was feeling a little lost. I figured if Dwight Schrute could live his best life not once, but twice, then so could I and here I am!

Emm at Walsh County.jpg
Emm at Walsh County

What does nature in Second Life represent or offer to you personally and how does it connect or resonate with physical world nature experiences? 
Nature to me is a very spiritual thing. I feel like we can learn so many lessons from it like how to slow down and be present in our lives. It can teach us that things end, but there is also rebirth and new beginnings. I’ve always felt that we are connected to all living things and nature has always been a huge part of my life. It’s where I can be still and truly feel at peace with myself.

Nature in SL gives me that same sort of solace and peace but in a different way. It offers a place where I can do things that I can no longer do in my physical first world life such as biking, horseback riding, hiking, etc. It also offers an outlet for my creativity by giving me a blank canvas with which to create.

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The Coffeehouse at The Nature Collective

Tell us more about The Nature Collective, what inspired you to create it, and have you seen any positive impacts TNC has had on the Second Life community?
I was inspired to create the Nature Collective after exploring so many beautiful places in my early days of SL. It was obvious that there were so many talented nature creators here and I wanted to find a way to help showcase these areas, make it easier for people to find these locations and get people out exploring them. I also wanted to inspire people to stop and look at the world around them, virtual and real, and maybe get inspired to help with local, national and international nature-related causes.

At its core, The Nature Collective is a group, or a collective if you will, of nature-based sims and locations in Second Life – but we are so much more than that. We encourage exploration of our member locations through our various group events. Many of our locations are focused on real environmental issues and are working to educate people and make an impact. Whether we are nature creators, nature explorers, or both, we care about nature in all its forms and are doing what we can to make a difference and help people connect with nature both in Second Life and in our day-to-day lives.

I feel like The Nature Collective has helped inspire people to create more nature spaces in SL. People get excited about creating and sharing their spaces. It’s also helped people connect. Our little community now has over 2100 members and is continually growing. TNC offers group events aimed at getting people out exploring in SL while meeting new people. We’ve seen friendships blossom over common interests in nature. It’s been truly heartwarming to see our little group into this beautiful community.

Explore - Prior TNC location.jpg

TNC has implemented an Explorer HUD, can you tell us how that works exactly, and how has it enhanced the exploration of nature experiences in Second Life?
Our Explorer HUD has over 160 different Nature Collective member locations. Nature Explorers attach the HUD, click on the arrows to either page forward or backward through locations with each one having their own text-based image and SLurl. People can then click on the HUD and it will open up the world map and allow them to teleport directly to that location. There is also a search option available that lets people type in the name of the location they’re looking for, if they don't want to page through every one.

Our Explorer HUD has made exploration in SL easier and more fun. Using our HUD means there’s no need to keep 160+ different landmarks in your inventory. The HUD also auto-updates when new locations are added, meaning that our members have the most-up-to-date list available at all times.

TNC Coffee Collective - The Dancing Rabbit.jpg
TNC Coffee Collective at The Dancing Rabbit Cafe

What are some of the events and activities that TNC runs? Can anyone attend and join? Where can Residents learn more about them?
We have several group events such as our Coffee Collective, Shutterbug Club, Trails ‘n Tails, Come Sail Away and our Book Club! Most events happen at different Nature Collective member locations as a way for people to visit and explore more of our locations. We have some laid back events like our Coffee Collective, where we meet up twice a month at different TNC member coffee houses and cafes to chat, mingle and just enjoy talking and getting to know people. Our Shutterbug Club is a once-a-month event where we visit different TNC member locations and take photos. Trails ‘n Tails happens once a month and is one of my favorites; we grab our SL pets and walk and hike as a group throughout different locations and explore, chat and try to take in as much of our surroundings as we can.

Anyone can join in these events, and we welcome everyone! You don’t need to be a Nature Collective member, but it helps to be in the SL group and in our Discord server so you can easily get event info, reminders, and updates. Event info and our event calendar can also be found at the Nature Collective headquarters in SL as well as on our website.

TNC Trails n Tails - November by Kup Haroldsen.png
TNC Trails n Tails - November by Kup Haroldsen

What can we expect from TNC in the future? Are there any new upcoming features, events, or goals you have for its future development that you can share with us?
We are always looking ahead at the different ways that we can get people involved and out exploring. We are working on our first publication, which will launch in the first quarter of next year, as well as revamping our Explorer HUD to make it more interactive and easier to use. We will also be adding more group events for our members and some different educational and informational events aimed at helping people make the most out of their Second Life. And last but not least, we are working on a new immersive mainland experience for the TNC headquarters with more informative content showcased and shared in fun and inventive ways.

We are also looking for ways to bridge our two worlds by working with various nature conservation organizations to promote fundraising efforts as well as showcasing what a Second Life presence can offer to these organizations. We are always looking for ways to inspire people to form a deeper connection with the world around them.

Tilheyra by Teagan Tunwarm.jpg
Tilheyra by Teagan Tunwarm

In what ways has building and managing The Nature Collective and being a part of the Second Life community impacted your life?
Without meaning to sound dramatic, it kind of saved me. I was more than a little bit lost after a life-changing health diagnosis. Second Life and creating The Nature Collective has opened new ways for me to dream and create and allowed me to do things that I can’t do anymore in my first life. It’s given me a sense of community and belonging and a sense of purpose when I needed it most. I’ve met so many wonderful and beautiful people from all walks of life and from all over the world that I wouldn’t have otherwise met and learned so much from them and from Second Life in the process. Second Life truly is a remarkable place.

Big Sky Over Florence by Meycy Bailey.png
Big Sky Over Florence by Meycy Bailey

Where can people get more information about The Nature Collective? Please share links to any sites and social media accounts.
- Website   
- Explorer List  
- Discord  
- Destination  
- Flickr Group

Evergarden Equestrian by Teagan Lefevre.jpg
Evergarden Equestrian by Teagan Lefevre

Thank you Emm, for being not only a promoter of nature's beauty and importance, but also for building such a thriving community where others can share in this appreciation. 

Each of our Spotlight posts features a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup    

Strawberry Linden

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Pictured: Winter Love Valley

We're only in mid-November, and the Second Life streets are already transforming into a snowy paradise. Grab your winter coats and gather your closest friends as you dive into our Winter Attractions category on the Second Life Destination Guide to experience the joy of group winter activities such as skating, skiing, sledding, and more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!

Got a spot that you’d like listed in the Destination Guide? Make sure to check out the submission guidelines, and drop us a note at editor@lindenlab.com or submit your spot via web form

Connect with Second Life on Social Media.
Signup for the Second Life Weekly Email Newsletter.

Linden Lab

Second Life Cinema - Saffia Widdershins.jpg

Calling all Second Life film buffs and machinima mavens! Get ready to be enthralled by the cinematic magic of "Harland Quinn and the Omega Hex Ep 1," directed by the talented Saffia Widdershins

Join us on Wednesday, November 15th, at 12pm PT at the Second Life Cinema for this exciting movie screening. Immerse yourself in the world of Harland Quinn, where fantasy and adventure intertwine, leaving you at the edge of your seat. The screening concludes with an exclusive promotional commentary on the Fantasy Faire in Second Life, offering a glimpse into another spectacular event within our virtual world.

The excitement doesn’t end with the film! Continue the celebration at the Designing Worlds Ballroom starting at 12:45pm PT. Dance to the fantastic tunes spun by DJ Elrik Merlin, connect with fellow film lovers, and meet the director herself! 

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to experience the art of machinima in Second Life. See you at the Cinema!

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