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  1. I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to the Second Life community. Thank you for being part of this wonderful world and giving us the time to carefully assess our situation after we became the subject of a blog post that has the potential to cause harm to our dedicated community members and the virtual world platform that so many people call “home.” The post contains a complex mix of accusations regarding Second Life, and it questions our strong dedication to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of the Second Life community. Our Response to the Allegations At the heart of the blog post were unsettling accusations about sexualized, virtual avatar ageplay, including alleged violations of our community guidelines. I want to be clear: we have a zero-tolerance policy against sexualized ageplay. The safety and integrity of the Second Life platform are paramount to us, especially concerning the protection of minors. We will continue to enforce our existing governance policies and community standards and we are proud of our collaboration with law enforcement and organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to combat child exploitation. These efforts underscore our commitment to a safe online environment. With that said, I want to acknowledge that we can do better; this has been a harsh wake-up call for us that we need to take tangible actions to improve Second Life’s governance policies and protective features that benefit the entire community. Our Actions Moving Forward I promise you that we are taking this very seriously. Very. Full stop. I promise we hear you. We know you're angry and you're confused. We are working to do our best to resolve your concerns and restore your trust in us. These are complicated issues and we want to do things right. We will make mistakes along the way. I wish I could say we will not, but we will. As owner of Linden Lab, I have initiated a thorough investigation, both internally and with external partners, to review whether or not there have been any violations of our company and community policies by employees, contractors, or community members. While early preliminary internal investigations suggest that some of the accusations are unfounded, I want to make sure that we get additional investigative support externally to ensure that the process is fair and thorough. One of our top priorities has been to ensure the safety of our residents, moles, employees, and families. There are real people behind the avatars, and it has been important to confirm that nobody was in actual physical danger. Additionally, I am taking proactive steps to review and revamp many of our policies, including a comprehensive review of our Community Standards, Content Guidelines, and Ageplay Policy. Any violation detected will be met with swift enforcement actions to protect our community. We’ll be sharing these revised policies in the coming weeks and, critically, we are turning to the community to help us shape the future of how governance operates within Second Life. Our Commitment to You Second Life remains a vibrant platform for expression, creativity, and connection. I and the Second Life team are deeply committed to protecting our community and ensuring that Second Life continues to be a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for everyone. Your trust is our priority, and we pledge to work tirelessly to maintain and enhance the integrity of our virtual world. I appreciate the patience and support of our community as we navigate this challenge. Together, we will emerge stronger and more united in our mission to build the best possible virtual world experience. Oberwolf Linden Linden Lab Executive Chairman
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  2. Happy Spring! It’s time to catch you all up on recent product developments! Continue reading for mobile updates, scripting news, new feedback portal (and end-of-life for JIRA), and Viewer releases. 📱 Mobile Private Alpha Update Big and small updates! This is a reminder that Premium Plus members can apply to participate in our Mobile Private Alpha. If you are a Premium Plus subscriber, and you’re ready to try the app and help us make it better, find out more. We recently updated the Second Life Mobile Alpha to support streaming audio! You can enjoy music in Second Life on your mobile device while hanging out with friends inworld. Streaming audio is off by default. To turn it on, go to Settings > Developer tools > Enable Streaming Audio. We have brought you a couple of new Chat UI features: Start a new chat from any chat screen On the Nearby Chat screen, see how many people are nearby. Next up - teleport and avatar display improvements. We think we’ve got avatar shapes figured out…and the real challenge - skeleton deformers - are also in the works! 🐛 JIRA end-of-life Yes, the king is dead, long live the king! While we have said goodbye to Jira as the platform for collaboration with our residents as well as for internal issue tracking, we believe this has allowed us to improve visibility and collaboration. The new Second Life Feedback Portal is a great place for any new bug reports or feature requests, while the public Second Life Viewer project on GitHub is where we continue our open-source work. Speaking of the Second Life Feedback Portal, it has already received 672 posts, 2635 comments, and 6426 votes! We thank you for your enthusiastic participation. We have made many updates since we first introduced it in January including a whole new UI and dark mode (based on your system settings). We will continue to improve the feedback portal and, most importantly, review all the incoming reports and requests! Although Jira is dead, the archive remains. As mentioned in our Pt. 2 blog post, the Jira archive of the Second Life BUG project on GitHub is now available. You can find the public BUG archive at https://github.com/secondlife/jira-archive/issues. The archive currently contains most of the previously public Jira tickets from the original BUG project. However, there are a few that we are still moving over. It does NOT include tickets that previously had restricted access. 👩‍💻 Scripting changes Out now: Increased sensor result limit We've increased the maximum number of results returned by llSensor and llSensorRepeat from 16 to 32. This will reduce the need for workarounds such as repeatedly scanning small slices of space. Coming soon: llSetLinkSitFlags, llGetLinkSitFlags, SIT_FLAG_NO_COLLIDE In an upcoming server release we will be allowing scripts to set and get the sit flags of linkset sit targets via llSetLinkSitFlags and llGetLinkSitFlags. In addition, scripts will be able to set the SIT_FLAG_NO_COLLIDE flag to disable the avatar's collision volume when they are seated. This will be useful for clown cars and other creations. Scripting roadmap Status of these upcoming changes and more are visible on Second Life's new public roadmap at feedback.secondlife.com. If you have ideas or feedback on the scripting system check out the Scripting Features and Scripting Bugs boards. 🪀 Creator news Coming soon: 15% reduction to mesh download impact Download weight is one parameter used as part of calculating an object’s Land Impact (LI). We will be reducing this by 15%, decreasing the land impact of many mesh assets. LI for mesh-based objects is either download weight, physics or server cost, whichever is greatest. This change will not impact animesh or mesh upload fees. Coming soon: Scheduling automatic daily region restarts This feature has been on people's wish lists for many years. Estate managers will soon be able to schedule automatic region restarts via the region console: > help region_schedule region_schedule Display or modify scheduled region events. An empty parameter list will display the current schedule. unset <event>: Removes the scheduled event. set <event> daily HH::MM::SS will set the event to occur daily at the scheduled time. set <event> weekly days HH::MM::SS will set the event to occur on the indicated days at the scheduled time. S=Sun, M=Mon, T=Tue, W=Wed, R=Thurs, F=Fri, A=Sat Note: Times are in GMT While most regions do not need to be restarted more frequently than weekly, which is automatically scheduled, some regions with high traffic may benefit from more frequent restarts. When you restart a region, keep in mind that everyone on the region will be kicked out. 💻 Viewers Maintenance Viewer GLTF PBR Maint 2 contains another round of fixes and refinements to PBR rendering, including a preview of Materials from Inventory while editing objects. Download version 7.1.3.7821226606 and check out the release notes. Default Viewer 😀 Emoji This viewer was finally promoted to default release and is based on a contribution by Kitty Barnett, adding emoji support to text chat. Featurettes sneak peek! Our Post Materials Featurette Package is sharing early access to: Mirrors PBR Terrain 2k textures Initially this will only be available on our Beta Grid (Aditi). Please keep your eye on our blog as we will post more details in the coming days. Catch more Second Life news on Thursday, March 14th at 12pm PT at the VWBPE Above the Book interview with Grumpity, Signal, and Kali Linden! Follow our Featured News Blog and connect with us on Social Media for future Second Life News!
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  3. We have some exciting news to share – Second Life is implementing support for WebRTC Voice! What does this mean for you, our Residents? higher quality audio for voice improved security removes external dependency on third party provider for voice simple setup from behind firewalls, private networks enables greater control of Voice from Second Life WebRTC features, including: audio device selection, stereo audio, noise reduction, automatic gain control, echo cancellation and more! We look forward to WebRTC Voice being available grid-wide and supported in our default Viewer, but only after feedback and hardening while deployed to the Beta Grid (Aditi). Note, peer-to-peer voice calls, ad hoc voice calls, and group call behavior don’t rely on the Voice settings of the region. On the new viewer, incoming calls always work. Outgoing calls from the new viewer are WebRTC and won’t be received by the old viewer. Interested in hearing these improvements for yourself? Download this early-in-development Viewer from here (scroll down to Roadmap) and go to these regions on Aditi WebRTC enabled regions on Aditi. webRTC1 - secondlife://Aditi/secondlife/webRTC1/128/128/23 webRTC2 - secondlife://Aditi/secondlife/webRTC2/128/128/23 If you’re a developer and interested in integrating these changes into your project, go here https://github.com/secondlife/viewer/tree/webrtc-voice and see the documentation here.
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  4. Second Life is getting some new, exciting features that will make the world look even better. Mirrors are arriving soon! While we love the realistic reflections PBR materials enable, mirrors take reflections to a whole new level. You can create a mirror using a method similar to reflection probes, but with a twist -- when a reflection probe is set to use the “Mirror” option, all surfaces near the probe will exhibit a real-time mirror reflection, including PBR and legacy materials. We chose this method to enable maximum flexibility. For example, you can create a big wall of mirrors and have minimal performance impact regardless of how many mirrors are on that wall. As long as they’re aligned with the mirror reflection probe, they can all show a mirror reflection. To conserve performance, mirrors are subject to some limitations. The Viewer will show the effect of only one mirror reflection probe at a time -- the one closest to your camera. Mirrors are planar, so they won’t work very well on the body of a car, for example. Like so many good things in life, mirrors are best enjoyed in moderation. Applying PBR materials to terrain will be possible in the upcoming featurettes release. You will soon be able to apply most GLTF materials to terrain. Initially, PBR terrain will support normal maps and metallic-roughness maps. Emissive textures will not be visible on some machines and transparent materials are not fully supported. We expect PBR materials on terrain to vastly improve the beauty of SL -- because there’s a lot of terrain out there! PBR terrain uses triplanar mapping, a texture-mapping technique which is new to Second Life. On steep slopes you will notice far less texture-stretching. To conserve performance, triplanar mapping will be enabled only when the graphics quality setting is set to “High” or greater. With the advances in GLTF PBR Materials and upcoming Terrain materials, we know it is time to increase the texture size limit to 2K (2048x2048 pixels). We are approaching this change carefully, and are still weighing pricing options for images larger than the current max size. 2K textures will allow artists to add significantly more detail to their creations and do things like efficiently consolidate more UV surface area onto a single asset. Mirrors and PBR Terrain will be available on the Beta Grid (Aditi) to start with, on the following regions: Rumpus Room 2048 Rumpus Room 2049 Rumpus Room 2050 Rumpus Room 2051 Interested in trying out these new features? You can download the Viewer here. Never accessed the Beta Grid before? Here’s information on how to access the Second Life Beta Grid: https://lindenlab.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/31000156725-accessing-aditi We can’t wait to see what fun and exciting new things residents create with these featurettes!
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  5. Interested in learning more about our Second Life Mobile app? Our development team is working hard to add new features and fixes to bring the best of Second Life to iOS and Android mobile and tablet platforms – it’s an entire virtual world in the palm of your hands! Linden Lab executives will be discussing the latest updates and future plans for Second Life Mobile in an all-new pre-recorded Lab Gab scheduled to air on socials in the near future. Want to ask questions directly to the team behind Second Life Mobile? Please fill out the Google Form and submit your question in advance for a chance to have your inquiries answered on Lab Gab! Act quickly, as the form will close on Monday, February 26th. To learn more, be sure to watch Lab Gab on the Second Life YouTube Channel!
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  6. Watch the video on Flickr
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  8. Happy Wednesday! We’re writing to remind everyone that we’ll be holding our monthly Web User Group meeting today at 14:00 SLT in our usual meeting place, where we’ll be discussing our status with ongoing projects and our near future plans for our web properties. As always, we’ll leave plenty of time for Q&A from the community. This meeting is conducted using voice. We're happy for you to contribute in voice or in text, but you'll need to have your voice settings activated. We look forward to seeing you there. Keep up to date with all of our user group meetings on our wiki and public calendar.
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  9. We’ve got some great news to share with you about the Second Life Mobile app. The latest Private Alpha release has a bunch of improvements and bug fixes – and even adds support for streaming audio! Interested in checking it out? All Premium Plus subscribers are invited to participate - learn more about how to apply here…and be sure to check out this video preview to get the full scoop on why Second Life Mobile matters. It’s been three months since we announced our Second Life Mobile Private Alpha and we have been blown away by the support and participation. During this time - with help from the Private Alpha participants – we have been able to find and fix important issues and we’ve continued to make strides with feature development. We have made substantial improvements to connection stability, reduced the sensitivity of avatar movement, decreased the memory footprint of some inworld items (sculpts!), and added additional error logging so that we can continue to dig into new or existing issues. We also fixed a nasty issue with some avatars not appearing at all! Based on feedback reported in Canny and from bug reports sent directly from the app, we have improved the user experience by decreasing the sensitivity of pinch and camera controls, moved the camera target closer to the center of your avatar and we are iterating on the size of the area for the vstick. In addition to these improvements, we’re also excited to announce that our latest release of our Second Life Mobile Alpha app now supports streaming audio! Now you can enjoy music in Second Life on your mobile device with a friend or a group of friends inworld. (Note, streaming audio is off by default – go to hamburger > Settings > Developer tools > Enable Streaming Audio.) What’s next? The UI is getting some additional refinement which we hope to share soon and we’re working on improving teleports, chat, and avatar rendering. If you are a Premium Plus subscriber, go here to apply to participate in the Mobile Private Alpha. We are excited to continue this mobile development journey with you and look forward to expanding participation in the Mobile Private Alpha program. With love, Your Second Life Mobile Team
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  10. Today we’re shining a spotlight on Kacee Popstar, a multi-talented Resident known for her pivotal role in spearheading events and elevating brands with a unique blend of creativity and strategic marketing flair. Photo by Aria Christen How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it? I first entered Second Life around 2010, initially exploring the platform without a specific focus. I dabbled in creating a clothing store called Fresh 2 Def and enjoyed spending time with my SL family. After a few years, real-life commitments led me to take a hiatus. It wasn't until August 2021, prompted by the unique circumstances of the global pandemic, that I decided to revisit Second Life. To my surprise, my entire SL family was still active. Soon after returning, I met Fang Palazzo (greatfang.novo), an uber talented Live Mix DJ in Second Life. My return marked a significant shift as I delved into managing DJ Fang under Pop Entertainment. Soon after, I met my partner-in-crime Sugarplum Zsun (sugarplum85) and I found myself fully immersed in SL’s vibrant club scene and surrounded by the most amazing people driven by the love of music. I spent most of my time attending sets and promoting DJs and clubs by recording short, fun real-time party videos that seemed to really resonate with people. I am a support machine! If you are doing creative things in SL, chances are you’ve seen me right there cheering you on! My real-world experience in the music industry in NYC seamlessly blended with my virtual endeavors, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with creativity and excitement. Second Life became a space for creativity and virtual adventures. The immersive and dynamic nature of SL really drew me back, and I've been deeply engaged ever since. You are a multi-faceted individual who is involved in the design, production, and marketing of different events, activities, and brands in Second Life. Can you share some of the projects you are involved with and how they have evolved? My journey in Second Life is a tapestry woven with my real-life passions and talents. Hailing from a background in the music industry, where I specialized in experiential marketing, I bring a flavor to the grid that's uniquely me. In every endeavor, one golden rule guides me - a dedication to infusing joy and prioritizing the user experience. The excitement began with event planning and creating Pop Entertainment. Orchestrating and promoting lively DJ and club events connected me with a huge network of dedicated club owners and talented DJs throughout Second Life. These amazing people and their love for music is truly inspiring. From there, I ventured into the world of creation and design with the clothing brand DAO, meaning 'star' in Thai. This was merely the starting point for a journey that led to the evolution of Palazzo Park, a small idea for a bowling alley that blossomed into a dynamic entertainment destination. It means everything to me that so many residents visit and enjoy Palazzo Park daily and infuse a little fun into their Second Life! Around this time, I began managing marketing for various brands. The most gratifying journey has been HexPosed. I was trusted to take over management of the brand and it has been a blast cultivating HexPosed from the ground up and steering a modest pose store with only a few products into a known brand expanding its offerings to include backdrops, holdables, and furniture. Along this path, my mission was clear - to bridge the gap between the mainstream and urban communities in Second Life. I started by introducing HexPosed and supporting urban events and ventures with HexPosed’s involvement. This ambition translated into DJ Fang joining Sneaky Link Entertainment, an energetic and dedicated organization featuring talented Urban DJs (DJ Gunnklips, DJ Kevo, DJ Brockie, DJ Lola Bunny, DJ Ultra Violet, and DJ Blackice), managers (Shawn X. Gunner, Kevo B. Wylin, Symone Gunner, King Slaughterhouse Gunner, Luna Laveaux, Dee Allure, and Lyric Skye), and a team of exceptional hype girls who keep the vibe hype and events enjoyable. The cross-community acceptance has been incredible, with followers on both sides of the grid attending and enjoying events. My role extends to marketing Sneaky Link, contributing to its success and popularity in the Second Life community. It has been an extremely enjoyable experience! Simultaneously, my love for designing spaces gave rise to Spellbound Manor - a fantasy-themed residential community. Here, I express my creativity by crafting high-quality resort-style luxury homes surrounded by an enchanting forest. The success and popularity of Spellbound Manor led to a venture into offering interior design and landscaping services with Spellbound Spaces & Events, where we blend enchantment with luxury in every build. Then came FLOURISH, my most recent venture aimed at revolutionizing shopping events in Second Life. Being a marketer, I take note of the trends and feedback on social media regarding events. Acquiring FLOURISH wasn't just about business; it was about spotlighting creators and brands and their unique journeys. Some might call my ideas over the top, but that's just the way I like it - to bring back the spotlight to the creators who are often taken for granted, but are architects of our magical experiences here in Second Life. Photo by Panda Banana What unique experiences do you aim to offer visitors of Palazzo Park, and how do you keep the entertainment fresh and engaging? Palazzo Park is all about interactive fun, inspired by the desire to create a voice-enabled, interactive space for residents to play and socialize. With attractions ranging from bowling and laser tag to a movie theater, rides, and fully interactive arcade, the goal is to foster friendships and fun in a unique environment. We aim to create a space where every corner offers something exciting and are honored to have the support of fun and talented creators, such as TIHQ, Bergson Bowling, HIVID, and Erfe Design, whose creations made Palazzo Park what it is today! Their sponsorship helps to keep the entertainment fresh by allowing me to add regular updates, new rides & attractions, and engaging events creating a dynamic and ever-evolving experience. We are in the middle of an expansion that will make way for all new and fun attractions, so stay tuned for that! Those interested in the park can connect by following our Facebook Page and joining our In-World group! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalazzoPark Group: https://world.secondlife.com/group/e5bbd64f-fa3c-d70b-2197-e9002255e368 Those interested in renting Palazzo Park or sponsoring our expansion, please submit your interest via these forms. Park Rental: https://forms.gle/XeKyh1pDDyi6aDcD7 Sponsor: https://forms.gle/dR2WaNjMo8h6JQ1F9 Photo by Aria Christen Running a monthly shopping event like Flourish is a significant undertaking. What's your approach to selecting brands and creating a unique shopping experience each month? When is the launch date for Flourish? How can eligible brands participate? FLOURISH is indeed a labor of love that involves meticulous planning and a commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for both brands and shoppers. We focus on curating a diverse range of brands, each with its own story to tell. When selecting brands, my approach is centered on providing a diverse and exciting array of products that cater to the varied tastes of the SL community by taking into consideration the uniqueness, quality, and appeal of each brand to ensure a well-rounded and captivating shopping event. FLOURISH stands out through its unique business model and features, such as the FLOURISH Mens Edition, which focuses on providing a dedicated and exclusive space in the center of the event for men's brands. We also will launch “FLOURISH Unveiled”, a monthly show that will put the spotlight on a featured brand and take us through the journey of the brand. This will be in correlation with a dedicated brand exhibit area, housed right in the middle of our Sponsor Concourse, that will take you through the timeline of your favorite brands’ evolution! We also prioritize collaboration over competition, fostering a supportive environment for brands to work together. I've introduced a streamlined process without the usual collaboration fees, encouraged collabs by offering discounted Collab Sponsor booths so brands can engage in collaborative releases with reduced financial risk. The commitment to brands doesn't end there. We have also incorporated features like the FLOURISH Cafe, at the landing point, for food and beverage creators who often get the short end of the stick at events. Additionally, our Concourse Kiosks offer a low-cost opportunity for emerging and small brands to gain visibility in a real-world shopping experience, reminiscent of the shopping kiosks in your local mall. We have partnered with Luke Rowley, creator of the EasyBloggers platform, for a seamless blogging experience for brands and bloggers. Furthermore, FLOURISH will launch a unique rewards program for brands with continuous participation, providing perks such as late fee waivers, premium booth selections, discounted and permanent booths, and social media features. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what FLOURISH will offer and my amazing team, Lillian Onyx, Fang Palazzo, Symone Gunner, Lyric Skye, Cakhez Blvck, and I are so excited to bring it all to you! The launch date for FLOURISH is set for April 7, 2024. FLOURISH is not just a shopping event; it's a movement dedicated to improving the overall experience for both brands and shoppers. Interested brands and bloggers can join the movement and experience the fun at FLOURISH by submitting an application found on our website, http://flourisheventsl.com. Photo by Panda Banana With Spellbound Manor and Events, you blend enchantment with luxury. What are the key elements you focus on when creating an immersive and luxurious environment? How can Residents get more information about your design and landscaping services? Spellbound Spaces & Events is another passion project involving myself, Lillian Onyx who handles day-to-day business operations and landscaping, and Fang Palazzo, our talented and creative lighting expert. My way of building is truly unique. Beginning with choosing environments to set the mood of a space and using high-quality, luxury decor and furnishings, plant life, and lighting to tell the story of a space. I often tell clients, that I don’t create spaces, I design with my soul to create experiences. Key elements in creating an immersive environment include meticulous attention to detail, blending fantasy aesthetics with high-end resort-style touches, and fostering a sense of wonder. The enchantment is brought to life in a way that feels both magical and grounded in reality. My goal, through the use of rich and earthy tones and shadows, is to invoke a feeling as you enter the room. Pro-tip: When stepping into any space that I create, ensure you are in “Shared Environment” to experience it the way it should be! The reception from the community has been overwhelming and we are so grateful for the support. Residents interested in our design and landscaping services can reach out to us via the form linked on our Facebook page. Watch this video submitted by Kacee about Spellbound Manor. Video production by Sabina Valeska How has being a part of Second Life transformed or impacted your personal or professional life? Second Life has been a transformative journey. It has allowed me to explore and expand my creativity, connect with an incredible community, and merge my real-life skills with virtual experiences. Seamlessly weaving together my real-world background in business, marketing, and the music industry with the dynamic opportunities of the virtual realm has allowed me to explore new facets of creativity, business management, and community building. The synergy between my real and virtual experiences has been harmonious, contributing to a fulfilling and enriching Second Life. It's not just a platform; it's a canvas for personal and professional growth, offering unique opportunities that have enriched both aspects of my life. Kacee with DJ Fang Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL who inspire you and whose work you admire. In Second Life, the community is filled with so many talented individuals who inspire me every day! One notable figure who continues to inspire me is Fang Palazzo, DJ Fang. His passion for music and dedication to creating memorable experiences for residents constantly motivates me. I couldn’t do what I do without his continued support. My mother, Heaven Release, keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me that I am capable of anything! Between her and my father, King Slaughterhouse Gunner, I’ve had the most amazing support system. Vrutega, one of my most staunch supporters from day one, has really been a driving force behind me, giving me the courage to continue to do what drives me. Sugarplum Zsun and her passion for music and creating her mark in Second Life is what started my journey within the SL’s colorful music scene. The adorably sweet and talented SEMINA, who blessed me with my first Live Singer event, continues to inspire me with her creative shows and innovative ideas! Working with her is always a vibe and man, can she sing! Shawn X. Gunner and Symone Gunner both have hearts of gold and know no bounds when it comes to supporting me and all my different endeavors! Their patience and guidance are a gift as I navigate through this virtual world. Highlife Destination owners Tye & Gabriel Easton are truly inspiring to me. The hard work and ingenuity they put into their vacation destinations and events raise the bar and add a level of realism with flawless roleplay and endless activities. They inspire me to keep growing my ideas and I aspire to be on their level one day! Ras Solaris and all the education and awareness he brings with the Meroe Museum. He is the definition of inspiration! Second Life Creators are my biggest inspiration! Each has a distinct style and passion that continues to motivate and push boundaries. Their dedication and the unique contributions they make to the SL community are truly admirable. Their creativity and drive really keep Second Life filled with vibrant experiences, and for that, I am forever grateful. All my club rats in the SL Music scene I have a special love for! Imagine day in and day out they are here simply for the love of music. Inspiring! There are too many to name, but the support and inspiration from Second Life residents continually drives me to explore new horizons and contribute positively to this virtual world. Kacee with Sugarplum Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts. Yes! Please connect with me! You can find all my links and info at http://kaceepopstar.carrd.co Palazzo Park: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spellbound Manor/105/85/2223 FLOURISH Event: https://flourisheventsl.com Spellbound Manor: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spellbound Manor/251/210/21 Spellbound Spaces & Events: https://www.facebook.com/SpellboundSpaces Thank you, Kacee, for your invaluable contributions and for enriching our community with your creativity and dedication. 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
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  12. "Lap – as he was known – was a much-loved and important figure in the SL Arts and Machinima worlds. He ran the TV channels, Aview and SL Artists, and was one of the first people to work on ways to bring machinima showings into Second Life. He also ran Festivals such as the 48 Hour Film Festival." Read more on the blog
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  15. Watch the video on YouTube Watch the video on YouTube Watch the video on YouTube
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  16. "On Thursday, March 14th, 2024 Grumpity Linden, the Lab’s Senior Vice President of Operations, along with Kali and Signal Linden joined Phelan Corrimal for the annual Above the Book session at the Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education (VWBPE) conference, entitled What’s Up At the Lab. The function of the session is to explore what’s “new” at Linden Lab / with Second Life and their impact on educators and non-profit organisations using the platform. The following is a summary of the session covering the core topics raised. The notes provided have been taken directly from the official video of the session, which is embedded at the end of this article. Time stamps to the video are also provided to the relevant points in the video for those who wish to listen to specific comments." Read more on the blog
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  17. "10 years of LL sponsored work has come to an end and I want to thank Brett, Strawberry & Ebbe (RIP) for embracing my very subjective way of telling stories from the SL grid ... (before you start reading please note: I will be livestreaming at 10am SLT on Saturday 3/16 and I will take questions from YouTube. I will also be asking for your support in going forward as a producer of human/furry/tiny/etc interest stories from Second Life. Please do join me!)" Read more on the blog
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  18. "Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education has been pioneering immersive pedagogy for years, so I'm super honored to be giving a keynote talk at their annual conference next week. Held March 14 at 4pm PT, here's the info and teleport links:" Read more on the blog
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  21. "Welcome to the annual event SKIN FAIR 2024, presented by LeLUTKA and Juniper Events" Watch the video on YouTube
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  22. Decor info on the blog
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  23. "Greetings family! Its been a hot minute since i streamed, last year would be correct 👀 BUT I'm back now with 1 livestream a week for now 🥰 I hope to see you , i cant wait to hang with you again. In this stream we are going to Explore Ethereal City Dusk - Late Summer - Always Amazing Gorgeous rental, photography and hangout region welcoming all in the tradition of the Ethereal City region. Join us for waterfront rentals, cozy dinner and and dancing, music venue, zen garden and more! Spring, summer 😘 I feel ready for warmer days now 😍" Watch the video on YouTube
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  24. "I really like this river houseboat, which is a new release by THOR out now at Kustom9. It includes single and couple bento animations, the details and the quality you can see for yourself." Read more on the blog
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  25. Today we’re shining a spotlight on Shawn Gunner, whose decade-long journey in Second Life has transformed from a curious newcomer to a pivotal machinima artist, DJ, and educator. How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it? I have been a passionate follower of Second Life for nearly ten years, finding this virtual realm to be a constant source of amusement and social connectivity. Surprisingly, I initially discovered this platform through an online forum dedicated to IMVU, another well-known virtual world. However, upon entering Second Life, I immediately recognized its superior qualities compared to any other virtual world I had encountered previously. With its captivating visuals, limitless customization opportunities, and thriving community, Second Life has undeniably become a cherished sanctuary for me. You are a talented machinima artist, how did you get into it and do you have a background in video production? Upon discovering machinima in Second Life, I was immediately drawn to its captivating and imaginative possibilities. Initially unaware that real users were behind these creations, I mistook them for a feature available for purchase within Second Life. I recall reaching out to a machinima video creator, expressing my interest in acquiring something similar. It was only after they enlightened me about their personal involvement in the video's production that I truly appreciated the depth of their creativity, and my fascination with the realm of machinima was born. Spurred by this encounter, I developed a passion for crafting my own machinima videos. Although I initially considered commissioning a video from the creator, I ultimately declined due to cost and resolved to embrace the challenge myself. My friends, impressed by my non-Second Life video creations, wholeheartedly encouraged me in this pursuit. Countless hours were devoted to researching and honing my craft. I carefully studied a multitude of videos on YouTube and reached out to numerous experienced videographers for guidance and assistance. I eagerly absorbed insights into various techniques and software, integrating them into my creative endeavors. Experimentation with camera angles, lighting, and effects played a crucial role in achieving my desired outcomes. While I lack professional experience in video production outside of Second Life, my ardent interest in the art of filmmaking has always remained steadfast. You’ve recently started teaching film classes at GPS Studios, can you tell us more about that and how Residents can sign up if they are interested in learning? Due to my passion for teaching, I am thrilled to have begun my career as a videography instructor at GioNation. During my time there, I had the pleasure of meeting Sergio Castellanos, the school's founder. Although initially nervous, Sergio's polite and welcoming demeanor helped put me at ease. Following a successful interview, I accepted a teaching position at GioNation until its closure. Undeterred by this setback, I sought guidance and support from Sergio to continue my teaching journey. With his invaluable assistance, I established GPS Studios, where my team and I offer comprehensive filmmaking classes. These courses cover essential aspects of videography, such as lighting techniques, camera movements, and numerous vital skills. At GPS Studios, we take pride in our straightforward teaching style, striving to make the learning process enjoyable and accessible for our students. Additionally, we provide a wide range of effects for Premier Pro, which can enhance video quality. If you are interested in creating machinima in Second Life, we would be delighted to have you enroll in our classes. Our team is excited to share our knowledge and expertise with you. You can find our sign-up page here: https://forms.gle/mJtBQgnHU4CSvxnP7 You’re also a DJ, how did you get into DJing in Second Life and which venues do you regularly play at? Are there any upcoming shows Residents can see you at? I have always had a deep passion for music. My sister Junie Hendrixx and I started from nothing on Second Life, playing music and slowly building a following of people who appreciated our talent. Through hard work and dedication, we honed our skills in mixing and blending, which eventually led to the creation of our esteemed entertainment company, Sneaky Link Entertainment. Although we initially started small, over time our company grew, and we were fortunate enough to bring on my best friend and business partner, Kevo B. Wylin. Together, we have established ourselves as one of the premier entertainment companies within our virtual world. Our diverse roster of DJs, including DJ Kevo, DJ Lola Bunny, DJ Ultra Violet, DJ Blackice, DJ Fang, DJ Brockie, and myself, offer a wide range of music genres, catering to various tastes from Rap/Hip-Hop to R&B and House. Behind the scenes, our exceptional team of managers, including Symone, Dee, Luna, Lola, Lyric, Kacee, and Slaughter, plays a vital role in keeping our company thriving. Additionally, we have a highly dedicated hype team consisting of over 15 members who assist us in promoting our events and reaching a larger audience. To stay updated with our upcoming shows, you can join our in-world group or follow us on social media. Our Facebook and Instagram links are provided below: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SneakyLinkEntertainment IG: https://www.instagram.com/sneakylinkentsl Inworld Group: secondlife:///app/group/2f521f16-f593-e83a-90b1-59771471c838/about Are there any other interesting projects you are currently working on? What can we expect from you in the future? I am currently involved in multiple projects that hold significant professional importance for me. One such project is a collaboration with Moon Studios, where we are working together to achieve an exceptional result. Additionally, I am working closely with Peasant Tater, a highly regarded videographer and voice actor in the Second Life community, on a detailed project. Our focus is to compile various scenes into a cohesive work that will undoubtedly impress. Peasant is making significant contributions to the project by creating multiple custom animations. Furthermore, I am collaborating with a carefully chosen group of individuals on a music video project. The casting call for the video was overseen by Sauda Moon, the CEO of Moon Studios, and Revienne Decosta, CEO of Revienne. Ryah Plastique, the founder of Mu Alpha Chi Sorority, is responsible for animating the dancers in the video. In summary, I consider myself privileged to be involved in these projects and eagerly anticipate their final outcomes. These projects hold immense professional significance for me, and I take pride in being able to contribute my expertise to their success. Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL who inspire you and whose work you admire. Within the realm of Second Life, a multitude of gifted and imaginative individuals exist, uplifting and propelling others to new levels of achievement. Fortunately, I have had the privilege of encountering a handful of these remarkable residents who have left a lasting impact on me. One such individual is DJ Brockie, who, in my estimation, stands as one of the premier DJs in existence. Sadly, I believe he does not receive the recognition he rightfully merits. Nevertheless, his prowess behind the turntables is unparalleled, and his passion for music is contagious. He is unquestionably a role model for me, and undoubtedly, my entire team feels the same. With respect to videography, the Second Life community is teeming with countless talented figures, too numerous to mention entirely. However, several individuals stand out prominently to me, namely Vrutega, Sere Vene, Sergio Castellanos, Malus Castamere, Peasant Tater, and many others. Each possesses a distinctive style that sets their work apart, showcasing their exceptional abilities and the unwavering commitment they pour into their respective crafts. I would like to emphasize my deep reverence for each of these individuals. I wholeheartedly support and admire them in their endeavors, whatever they may be. They serve as a wellspring of inspiration for not only me but also for many others within the Second Life community. Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts. https://www.facebook.com/GunnerKlips https://www.instagram.com/gunn.klips https://www.facebook.com/GPSStudiosSL https://www.instagram.com/gpstudiossl https://www.facebook.com/SneakyLinkEntertainment https://www.instagram.com/sneakylinkentsl Watch this moving machinima created by Shawn for this Spotlight interview, where he shares his unique connection with Second Life. Thank you, Shawn, for enriching the Second Life community with your talent, creativity, and musical expression. 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
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  26. As part of our effort to better connect virtual world newcomers with some of the best and most active inworld communities, we’re excited to debut an all-new expansion to the Hub – the Second Life Community Exhibition (SLCE). SLCE aims to bring more visibility and exposure to a diverse range of Second Life communities during the earliest moments of the new Resident journey via primely-positioned exhibition space in one of our most active and popular starting points for all newly-registered Residents. A wide and diverse range of community participants will be cycled in as we learn more about what resonates best with our newcomers, but early participants include a cross-range of communities including Caledon, Bay City, Furzona, BURN2, and Virtual Ability. In total, there are 11 initial participants in phase one with additional community participants planned as the project continues to evolve and expand. Watch our grand opening event live on a special edition of “Lab Gab” streaming live on our social channels today at 1pm PT. Then join the fun inworld as we open the doors right after the broadcast. P.S. We plan to expand and cycle in more communities soon! If you are interested in being considered, please fill out the application form. Space is limited, but we will review all submissions! Second Life Community Exhibition The Second Life Community Exhibition (SLCE) is designed to showcase a variety of communities to new Residents right from the start, by featuring them prominently at the Welcome Hub, a key initial gathering spot. We will regularly update the exhibition with a diverse mix of community showcases. More Info Teleport
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  27. "Last Spring THOR released several wonderful sets that made my heart sing." Read more on the blog
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  28. 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? 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!
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  30. We are pleased to announce two new inventory features today. We think you will find both of them very useful! Inventory Item Preview Many of us have very large inventories. You can now add preview images to your inventory items to help you find your favorite items more quickly. Looking for exactly the right shoes out of your huge collection? Adding previews to these items will make it much faster to find them. Then you can buy even more shoes -- or whatever it is you like to collect in SL! Finding this new feature is easy. The option menu for inventory items, including folders, now has the option “Image.” There is no L$ charge for uploading an image as an item preview. Merchants and creators can add previews to their delivery folders and items, and you will see them in your inventory with no extra effort on your part. For textures and snapshots, you do not need to add previews yourself. The Viewer will show previews automatically. You’ll see your texture packs and photo album as you’ve never seen them before! Single Folder View The other new feature is what we call Single Folder View. This allows you to see the contents of a single inventory folder in its own window. Reorganizing your inventory? Let’s say you want to put all of your shoes in a new folder “All Shoes” and another new folder “All Boots.” You can create those folders, open a single-folder view on each of them, and drag items from your main inventory into those folders. No more scrolling and carefully aiming your cursor to drag into the intended folder! Single folder view works well alongside the traditional scrolling view you know and (maybe) love. You can use either view, or switch between them on a window-by-window basis. Single folder view is entirely optional for the traditionalists among you. Single folder view also makes it easy to see item previews. By default, the single folder view will show you any previews attached to items inside that folder. Items without previews will appear in the usual way as lines of text. There are two other views -- all previews, or all text. It’s up to you, but our favorite is the combination view. Project Viewer To use these new features, you will need a viewer that supports them. Currently you can download the project Viewer from the Alternate Viewers page. Examples of these features in action Adding a preview to an inventory item: Taking snapshots to add as previews for several inventory items: Combination view in a single folder window showing a combination of items with and without preview images: You can also use a texture already in your inventory to attach to an inventory item! Saving a preview for Sky settings: If you find issues or unexpected behavior, file a Jira issue! Mini FAQ Is there a size limit on preview images? Yes, a maximum of 256x256 What is the cost to upload preview images? It’s free! Which items can preview images be applied to? Clothing Body parts Gestures Environment settings Calling cards Landmarks Notecards Scripts Objects Folders What about no-mod items? You can add preview images to no-mod items as well. Will inventory item preview persist? Yes, items with previews attached to them will persist when rezzed in world and taken back into inventory. Previews will also persist if an object is added to inventory and then taken back out.
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  31. Pictured: India at Island of Jahesa Grab your virtual camera and explore these photogenic spots in Second Life this weekend! India at Island of Jahesa India at the Island of Jahesa is Hera (zee9)'s latest installation. It is inspired by the Red Fort in Delhi, India with intricate carvings and a pinkish color. Visit this majestic beauty of India in a virtual world. Visit in Second Life Wind River Travel back in time to the era of gunslingers and saloon girls, of massive migration and settlement. The Old West comes to life at Wind River, a photogenic backwater town at the end of the 19th century. Have a drink at the saloon, play a round of poker or explore the great plains surrounding the town. Photographers and bloggers welcome! Visit in Second Life A Samurai's Tale The Samurai were taught to be fearless in battle and kind to family and elders. There were seven main virtues that the Samurai were expected to maintain: justice, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. Come surround yourself with gardens, temples, and the beauty of the Samurai. Visit in Second Life Fellowship Falls Fellowship Falls is an Elven and Tolkien-inspired destination where all free folk are welcome. Rez a free horse or walk through the autumn forest, taking in the stunning scenery of waterfalls, animals, and mountains, and make your way to Rivendell. Also, explore The Labyrinth of Light, an underground maze of lights that leads to a Fantasy Forest. Ideal for photographers. Visit in Second Life Cap Thunderbird Cap Thunderbird is a beautiful, peaceful, and romantic destination that is carefully landscaped. It is separated into two parts: the wedding venue (classic chic theme) and the park where you will relax and enjoy the aquatic garden, the ruins, and the old watermill, listening to the birds and water. Visit in Second Life Highwind Valley Hidden behind the peaks of a vast mountain range is the village of Highwind Valley. A gathering place for friends shielded from the noise of the outside world. An open space to fly, run and be free for furry, feral, dragons, and your imagination. Visit in Second Life Tilheyra As its namesake suggests, Tilheyra welcomes visitors to belong in the Euro-inspired countryside. Browse the farmers market with a cuppa in hand courtesy of the Le'eaf & Bean Cafe, enjoy a glass of wine at the winery, or explore one of the many scenic spots perfect for photographs or romantic rendezvous. Visit in Second Life Aurora Falls Nestled beside the coastal mountains, Aurora Falls is the perfect location for a romantic date, the avid explorer, photographer, or just a place to come and relax. Enjoy the ambiance, nature, food, and animals, and rent your own cabin retreat. Visit in Second Life Exoplanet 2 - On The Way Back In Exoplanet 2 join the crew of a vast futuristic orbital station on the eve of their return to Earth. This is a region-wide installation comprising many sites to visit and activities to enjoy: with animated and interactive objects and vehicles. Custom EEP spatial sceneries will improve your experience in deep space. TP connection to Exoplanet Part 1 makes this a full two-region wide immersive journey. Visit in Second Life The Pond From the builders that brought you Ravenport Reclaimed comes a new experience, The Pond. Dream BIG in this upsized koi pond to explore and relax in nature in a big way. Dance on the lily pads, cuddle in a flower, sightsee with the fish or join the oversized picnic if the ants leave enough crumbs. There is much to discover above and below the water! Visit in Second Life 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: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr | Pinterest | TikTok | LinkedIn
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  32. Hi Everybody! I would like to introduce a new member of the Linden Support team, Boxy 5000. Boxy 5000 is a virtual assistant/support bot trainee. But wait, wasn’t there already a chatbot who answered questions for premium users? Indeed there was! Boxy 3000 was the earlier model of the trainee chatbot. We are learning from some design flaws and moving forward with a more advanced bot. Boxy 3000 has been re-invented and given an extra 2000! But wait a second time! Won’t this bring about the machine apocalypse? Not just yet–Boxy 5000 is more advanced and learns as they go but Skynet is still a few upgrades away. The upgraded bot will be a 24/7 support option for both premium and non-premium residents! (Previously only available for premium customers.) Boxy will have the ability to answer commonly asked questions, keep you up to date on current issues, help with ticket submission and in some cases handle a support request. Boxy has uses for all residents, from early adopters to fresh new faces. For new and more casual residents Boxy is available to help them find the support they need. For our seasoned veterans Boxy can offer support options for some specific requests. Specifically, Boxy will be able to submit an abuse report on your behalf and in some cases help with the restart of a region! Boxy will continue to learn as we go. Boxy might not have all the answers currently, but we will continue to review questions posed and help the bot to better answer your support queries. We realize that a chat bot is not a substitute for a customer support representative, and this bot is not meant to be. It is however meant to help when we are unavailable or may be experiencing higher call volumes. For premium residents Boxy will only be the first point of contact before being passed to a support representative during office hours. Utilize Boxy to help better explain your issue once you are transferred to a support representative. Outside of office hours Boxy can help or create a ticket for when we are back in the office. The ability to get an answer to your question or to get your issue resolved without having to wait until our Support Lindens are available is Boxy’s primary directive. Anyone interested in saying hello to Boxy can access it by logging into our support portal. The Boxy 5000 chat widget should appear in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Boxy 5000, it’s advanced…
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  33. "While hardly new to SL, rezzing systems are something I’ve written about on a few occasions as a means of making convenient use of space, and being quickly able to swap between house interiors with things like Linden Homes" Read more on the blog.
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