Jump to content

Linden Lab

Community Manager
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    3,178

  • Joined

  • Days Won

    13

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Linden Lab

  1. Linden Lab
    Learn More About the Tilia Acquisition in an All-New Lab Gab!

    Join us for a special edition of “Lab Gab” with Linden Lab Executive Chairman Oberwolf Linden, who discusses this week’s announcement that cross-border payments firm Thunes has entered into an agreement to acquire Tilia. 
    This deal is good news for Second Life residents and creators, who will soon see more payment processing options without additional costs. As part of the transaction, Thunes and Linden Lab (which is the current majority owner of Tilia), have agreed to an exclusive five-year partnership in which, post closing, Thunes will provide payment processing and pay-outs to Linden Lab, leveraging Thunes’ global network – allowing gamers to pay, and to receive money real-time, in a more cost-efficient way and with increased transparency.
    Oberwolf tackles many of the top questions emerging from the community about the transaction, including more specific details about what this means for the Second Life community now and in the future. 
    Here are links to some of the topics we’ve covered in this episode:
    https://www.thunes.com/news/thunes-announces-agreement-to-acquire-tilia-llc  https://www.pymnts.com/acquisitions/2024/thunes-tackles-us-gaming-market-with-tilia-acquisition  To learn more, be sure to watch Lab Gab on the Second Life YouTube Channel!
    For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist.
    Join Second Life Leadership in Conversation at our Community Roundtable Event
    We’re also excited to announce the all-new Community Roundtable event with Second Life Leadership, scheduled to be held May 20 at 9:30-11 a.m. SLT. 
    This is an opportunity to connect directly with our top executives, share your input, and discuss ideas on enhancing Second Life. This initiative represents another step in our efforts to improve our community interactions, ensuring that your voice is more directly heard and valued. 
    At the first meeting, we’ll be joined by Linden Lab Executive Chairman Oberwolf Linden and Senior VP of Product & Engineering Grumpity Linden. During future Roundtable meetups, we’ll rotate in other executives to participate on a variety of topics and we’ll also aim to vary the scheduling to be more accessible to other time zones.
    For the inaugural session, we’ll open with some important updates on recent developments and announcements including the new agreement by global payment provider Thunes to acquire Tilia and other recent policy changes. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during the open Q&A portion of the event, but please remember that this Community Roundtable is not meant to serve as a forum for individual support issues or personal grievances. While we do welcome candid and honest interactions, the spirit and intent of this gathering is to provide an opportunity for both Leadership and the community to listen and learn from each other. Our usual Community Standards apply and hate speech or personal attacks will not be tolerated.
    If you would like to submit a question in advance or just provide feedback directly to Leadership prior to the event, then please use this anonymous form.
    We’ll update this post with the inworld location closer to the Roundtable date…and we look forward to seeing you inworld on May 20!
    Second Life Leadership Team

  2. Linden Lab

    Concierge and Land User Group Meeting on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

    By Linden Lab,


    Concierge and Land User Group
    The Concierge and Land User Group meeting is a monthly, public meeting for discussion and education on Second Life, useful to both Mainland Residents and Estate owners.
    Topics include any issues relating to Customer Relations/Support or concerning Land in general (mainland, islands, Linden Homes, estates, auctions, etc.).
    Join Wendi, Vix, and members of the Land team, on Wednesday at 12pm PT at Linden Estate Services.  All are welcome.
     
    Keep up to date with all of our user group meetings on our wiki and public calendar.
  3. Linden Lab
    Pictured: WEIRDOS
    Whether you're looking to enjoy some engaging games, relax in beautiful natural surroundings, or venture into unknown territories, we've curated a list of some of the newest places to explore. Don't forget to check our Recently Added category to see all the latest additions to the Second Life Destination Guide!
    WEIRDOS
    Step into a realm where being weird isn't just accepted - it's celebrated! Whether you're a misfit, a maverick, or just a little bit unconventional, you've found your people here. Come hang out anytime, day or night. There is a game room, and plenty of hangout spots to just chill and be yourself!
    More Info Teleport  
    HOPE
    H \O/PE was created to support all cancer fighters around the world. It is a serene beachside getaway where visitors can share stories and support each other while enjoying activities like card games, meditation, or simply relaxing with coffee and music at the local Hope café. This vibrant community fosters connection through positivity and mutual encouragement, offering a space for both reflection and joy. It is created with love, hope, and faith.
    More Info Teleport  
    Enchanted Garden Maze
    As twilight deepens fireflies emerge, their ethereal glow illuminating the path. Follow their erratic dance – they know the way to the maze’s heart. But beware: These luminous guides may lead to treasures or treachery, luring you into a trap so choose wisely.
    More Info Teleport  
    The Cloud Garden
    A serene garden up in the clouds, filled with light and beauty, welcoming photographers, explorers, couples, and friends. Immerse yourself in the magic and have a great time! Pose for photos, ride a carousel, dance, and enjoy! Use the shared environment.
    More Info Teleport  
    The Monolith Trials
    Embark on "The Monolith Trials" a game of intellect and daring. Navigate treacherous black liquid, dodge deadly lasers, and solve cryptic riddles. Unveil secrets hidden within a brutalist sci-fi realm. Are you ready to face the ultimate challenge and discover the unknown?
    More Info Teleport  
    MadPea Ascension
    Welcome to Ascension, a game full of puzzles and moral dilemmas! Can you beat the AI and reach the top level to win amazing rewards and prizes? This MadPea game is suitable for everyone!
    More Info Teleport  
    Cosmic Carnival
    Remember the thrill that filled the air when the carnival lights first flickered to life each season? Gather under the night sky where the nostalgic wonder is alive once more off Route 9. Reconnect with old friends and welcome new ones in a place where every moment is a shared adventure. Let the warm scent of funnel cakes guide you down the path to fun rides and lively games.
    More Info Teleport  
    Celestial Butterfly HQ
    Embark on an enchanting journey into the world of butterflies! Equip your net and nectars to hunt in various locations. Catch over 600 butterflies to expand your collection. Earn XP to level up and unlock better gear. Grow flowers for nectars, craft potions, and sell your creations. Explore this magical world, have fun, and earn Lindens!
    More Info Teleport  
    Wild Branch Brewing Co
    Established in 2021, Wild Branch Brewing is a craft beer brewery tucked away amidst nature's beauty. Enjoy the pub, picturesque landscape, fishing, live music, games, and so much more!
    More Info Teleport  
    Tilheyra's Bayou
    Step into Tilheyra's Bayou this spring, where nature awakens with vibrant blooms and wildlife sings across the swamp. Lose yourself in the wandering paths and indulge in the mouth-watering beignets as you immerse yourself in the rhythm of the bayou. It beckons you with Southern hospitality and a sense of belonging.
    More Info Teleport  
    Nature's Sillywood
    Warning: Spending time in nature may cause extreme relaxation! At Nature's Sillywood, you can relax by the water, feel the wind, hear birds sing, and laugh and live in peace. Let nature fill your mind with joy. “Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.” - Isaac Newton
    More Info Teleport  
    Blue Finch
    Blue Finch is a beautiful Spring and Summer inspired destination with lots to see and explore including river tube riding, horse tour rides, zip lines, and mini golf. You will find beaches, cafes, dancing and cuddle spots. Bring your partner, friends, and/or family for a unique and relaxing experience at this newcomer-friendly spot that is also perfect for photographers and bloggers.
    More Info Teleport  
    A Place in the Sun
    Feel welcome and embrace nature at its purest form. Just find a spot to sit and be comfortable, where you can take in the sights, sounds, and beauty of nature.
    More Info Teleport  
    Cinco De Mayo Street Fair
    Come and celebrate at the Cinco De Mayo Street Fair! Get your Cinco de Drinko on and learn some fun facts about the history and origination of Cinco De Mayo! There are a few gifts - if you can find them! The fair runs from April 22nd through May 10th.
    More Info Teleport  
    Fantasy Faire 2024
    The Fairelands have returned! From the 18th of April to the 5th of May, 20 incredible regions of extraordinary beauty bring the magic of Fantasy Faire to life once more, all in support of Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society's goal of a world without cancer. For eighteen days become immersed in a world of enchantment where you can shop, enjoy fantasy art and performances, discover roleplay opportunities, and hear award-winning fantasy authors all to a soundtrack provided by Fantasy Faire Radio. Come to the Faire, become part of the story, before the Fairelands once again recede into the mists for another year! Follow all the events at fantasyfairesl.wordpress.com
    More Info Teleport  
    Sonance Heatwaves
    Sonance Heatwaves is a 24/7 party on a remote beach with all the summer essentials for thrill-seeking souls: rentals, music events, killer surf, and diving spots.
    More Info Teleport  
    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!
  4. Linden Lab
    We’ve got an all-new action-packed episode of “Lab Gab” that you won’t want to miss! Tune in to get a first look at our latest developer video that showcases the newest updates to the Private Alpha release of the Second Life Mobile App. There’s been a ton of progress since our last update – and Senior VP of Product & Engineering Grumpity Linden is here to break down what’s here now and coming next for our Mobile future.
    You’ll also hear from Director of Engineering Signal Linden and Product Manager Kyle Linden as they discuss and show off new and exciting Second Life innovations and features like PBR terrain and mirrors. 
    Finally, our Manager of Support Operations Keira Linden joins us to share some news about forthcoming policy updates that will help make our virtual world safer and stronger for everyone - and did we mention that there’s also news about our upcoming SL21B celebration?
    Here are links to some of the topics we’ve covered in this episode:
    Second Life Mobile App - Developer Update Video (April 2024) Mobile Update: April 2024 - new builds, avatar updates! Premium Plus - Second Life Mobile Private Alpha Sign-Up Feedback Portal  Mirrors, PBR Terrain, and 2K textures Materials Featurettes Viewer  Accessing Aditi (the beta grid)  Second Life’s 21st Birthday (SL21B) Updates Follow our Featured News Blog for upcoming Policy Updates To learn more, be sure to watch Lab Gab on the Second Life YouTube Channel!
    For full episodes of Lab Gab, click over to the Lab Gab YouTube Playlist.
     
    Want to see just the mobile updates? Check out our latest Second Life Mobile Developer video:

     
  5. Linden Lab
    Save the date! On June 23rd, Second Life will be turning 21! The 21st annual Second Life birthday celebration (SL21B) will be held from June 21st through July 21st. Get ready for a month of fun-filled days of live music, performances, shopping, and amazing community exhibits!
    This year’s Birthday theme is Elements. This theme invites us to explore the fundamental components that make up our vast virtual landscape and the diverse communities within it. From the fiery passion of creators and artists to the fluid adaptability of our social environments, from the solid bonds within our communities to the fresh breezes of innovation that propel us forward, "Elements" is a celebration of the core forces that shape our experiences in Second Life.
    We’re looking for volunteers to assist during the celebrations. We are seeking Residents with great people skills and a passion for sharing the best of Second Life to help us make SL21B a huge success! 
    If you have the Second Life spirit and stamina to promote SL21B events and serve as a guide for huge crowds, we’d love for you to fill out the volunteer application by May 12th!

    Over the next month, keep an eye on our blog for more opportunities to participate in the SL21B celebrations as a performer and merchant!
    CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR SL21B:
    Volunteer Application - Applications close on May 12th, 2024 
    Exhibitors Application - Applications close on May 12th, 2024 (Announcement)
  6. Linden Lab
    Happy spring! 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:
    Firehart
    Ravenwood
    Zennor
    Whisperwind
    Starforge
    Xochitl
    Finchfield
    Azalea
    Seabrink
    Pawprint
    Morehead
    Osbourne
    The following is a screenshot of the full list of current last names available:

    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!
  7. Linden Lab
    New Android and iOS Alpha builds were published Wednesday, April 3rd.
    We’ve been working hard for the last two months and are excited to share some major steps forward for the mobile client -- correctly displaying avatars and teleport improvements have been at the top of the list.
    If your avatar depends on an avatar shape deformer, you should immediately notice the changes to avatar rendering! Avatars that didn’t render at all before, or didn’t look the way you intended, now render correctly.




    Teleports are also greatly improved – no more getting stuck on a loading screen! If you’re on a parcel with streaming audio, you’ll now be able to use standard audio controls to stop/start and change the volume (tap main menu > tap the audio metadata at the bottom of the screen). 

    We also found and fixed some issues with the order of group chat messages.
    There are definitely some known issues (h/t flexiprims!), but overall we’re sure you’re going to love the changes we’ve made in this release.
    Interested in checking out the Second Life mobile client? All Premium Plus subscribers are invited to participate - learn more about how to apply here.
    If you’re already participating in the Private Alpha, we appreciate your time, participation and feedback! Please continue to report issues in our feedback portal and from the app (main menu > Give feedback or file a bug).
    We’ve heard you, and know that there are lots of people waiting for wider access to mobile.  We are working hard to expand access - and we will keep you updated with details and timelines as soon as we can!
  8. Linden Lab
    Save the date! On June 23rd, Second Life will be turning 21! The 21st annual Second Life birthday celebration (SL21B) will be held from June 21st through July 21st. Get ready for a month of fun-filled days of live music, performances, shopping, and amazing community exhibits!
    This year’s Birthday theme is Elements. This theme invites us to explore the fundamental components that make up our vast virtual landscape and the diverse communities within it. From the fiery passion of creators and artists to the fluid adaptability of our social environments, from the solid bonds within our communities to the fresh breezes of innovation that propel us forward, "Elements" is a celebration of the core forces that shape our experiences in Second Life.
    Just like last year, your exhibit does not need to stay in theme. Share your Second Life passions with us. Your interests. Your communities. Your world! Every year we celebrate because of you, the amazing and creative Residents who have chosen to call Second Life home. What has drawn you into this world, and what keeps you here? These annual festivities are an opportunity to show us what fuels your Second Life. Let's celebrate that together! 
    This year we are again offering two types of exhibitor regions, General rated regions and Adult rated regions. 
    If you would like to participate as an exhibitor with a presence at SL21B, then please fill out this exhibitor form no later than May 12th. 
     
    Over the next month, keep an eye on our blog for more opportunities to participate in the SL21B celebrations as a volunteer, performer, and merchant!
    CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR SL21B:
    Exhibitors Application - Applications close on May 12th, 2024 
  9. Linden Lab
    As promised in our PBR Materials announcement last year -- as of this morning’s Second Life server grid roll, we have increased the allowance of Land Impact by lowering mesh Download Weight by 15% for all of Second Life! Since much of Second Life today consists of mesh content, anyone who owns or rents land will see more land impact available on their parcels. 
    How can I check if my objects have been affected? Right-click on the object you want to inspect, then click Edit, then click the More info link to see the current Download weight.

    We’d like to take this opportunity to remind residents that this allowance is being given for no charge and is intended to help offset any additional Land Impact spent on manually rezzed reflection probes and lights, and of course in anticipation of the upcoming Mirrors release.
    Land Impact is a finite resource, please rez responsibly!
     
    Updated: Frequently Asked Questions.
    Q.  My private region can hold 20,000 prims (Land Impact). How many prims will I have after this 15% Download weight reduction?
    The region will still only be able to hold its original 20,000 prims, as the same for any parcel, or 30k private region. With this update mesh object's download weight has been reduced, requiring less land impact for objects where download weight is higher than physics and server cost, and letting your prims go further. Imagine a box that can only carry 20 pounds. With this update, the box is still the same, but the objects inside are lighter!

    To learn more about how weight is factored into an object’s land impact visit: https://community.secondlife.com/knowledgebase/english/calculating-land-impact-r273 Q.  What types of items are NOT affected by the update?
    Animesh, primitives, and sculpties are not affected. The update will only affect static mesh objects that are rezzed onto your land. Q.  How can I see what my meshes download weight used to be?
    At this time you will only be able to compare it by rezzing an object on the Beta Grid (Aditi) running older server code, which will be for a limited time as we are constantly moving forward. Any Beta Grid regions running server build 2024-02-21.7995320426 should report the old Download Weight. Q.  This is confusing.  Why didn’t you raise the region's prim (Land Impact) limits?
    Download Weight effectively controls the scene triangle budget.  While the limit was appropriate when Download Weight was first introduced, it’s too restrictive by modern standards.  By adjusting Download Weight independently of other resource limits, we can avoid overloading other systems (such as physics and script time) that are already using appropriate limits.  Essentially, the weights were out of balance, with download weight carrying too much emphasis compared to other weights, and this change moves towards a better balance.
  10. Linden Lab
    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.
  11. Linden Lab
    Pictured: Nederlandse Bergen
    Spring is here! Take a moment to stop and smell the virtual flowers at these picturesque nature-themed destinations. 🌸
    Nederlandse Bergen
    Nederlanse Bergee is a beautiful island, ideal to get away from everything. It's a place to explore, discover, enjoy, relax, and spend a romantic time with your loved one. It is owned by Aloriana Shadowstar and landscaped by Marie Nova.
    More Info Teleport  
    Kaleidoscope - Monarch Education Project
    Kaleidoscope, a Monarch Education Project, brought to you by MORPH Productions and SPARK Project, is an experience for the mind, heart, and soul. Follow the nature hike to learn about the importance of this beautiful butterfly and experience the breathtaking views of the monarch wintering grounds. Immerse in the butterfly experience while cuddling your beloved.
    More Info Teleport  
    What the Buzz Bee & Pollinator Reserve
    Welcome to "What the Buzz" a haven for bees and pollinators in Second Life! Immerse yourself in the vibrant landscape as you wander through this preserve. Take a moment to pause and discover how you can contribute to saving our little, but mighty, pollinator friends. Join the group for info on exciting events, including informative sessions on native bees and beekeeping. Celebrate the beauty and importance of bees and other pollinators. Let's make a buzz for a better tomorrow!
    More Info Teleport  
    Elvion
    Indulge yourself in this green land full of history and natural beauty. From stunning water views and forest trails to the cozy harbor and city. Elvion is an ideal place for photographers, bloggers, and couples.
    More Info Teleport  
    Luanes World - Le Monde Perdu
    Luanes World - Le Monde Perdu is a beautiful, romantic Island far away from everything. A place where you can find inner peace, enjoy and relax. Landscaped by LuaneMeo and Gorba McMahon.
    More Info Teleport  
    Soul Deep
    Embrace the season of growth as spring has officially arrived at Soul Deep! Stroll through nature around the beautiful lake with cute animals, blooming flowers, and cozy cuddle spots all around. Let the enchantment of nature awaken your senses.
    More Info Teleport  
    Calas Galadhon
    Escape to the vast estate and nature park of Calas Galadhon, a peaceful, romantic place to enjoy the beauty of the natural world brought into Second Life. Explore by horse, buggy, boat or balloon.
    More Info Teleport  
    Perpetual Moonlight
    Perpetual Moonlight is a tranquil haven nestled under the celestial canopy. Imagine a grassy expanse, dew-kissed and soft beneath your feet, where time slows to a languid waltz. The air carries the whisper of dreams, and the world hushes to a soothing symphony. Gentle raindrops fall, weaving a silver veil over the landscape. As darkness descends, flickering candles, lanterns, and fireflies emerge, casting their warm glow upon the velvety night. Here, you can unwind, linger, and immerse yourself in serenity. Come, let the night embrace you, and discover the peaceful magic of Perpetual Moonlight.
    More Info Teleport  
    Joyful Gardens
    Joyful Gardens is a picturesque destination ideal for romantic evenings, family outings, or as a photogenic retreat. It features a botanical garden, maze, and rides. Visitors are welcome to explore and enjoy its diverse attractions where romance lingers in the air.
    More Info Teleport  
    Cherry Blossom Cove
    Welcome to this bubble surrounded by Cherry Blossoms. Explore, dance, sail around the islands, hang out with your friends, and take pictures. Add your images to their Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/14881749@N23
    More Info Teleport  
    Or enjoy some April showers in these rainy destinations!
     
    Le'eaf Forest Retreat
    Once a bustling train depot of adventurers, the Le'eaf Forest Retreat has been reclaimed by mother nature and of course caffeine. An umbrella waits for your arrival as you wander through the rain, seeking shelter and a warm beverage.
    More Info Teleport  
    Green Story
    Green story is a beautiful, calm, and peaceful place for everyone. It's a place to relax or have a romantic time with a loved one. A perfect place to take pictures and create memories.
    More Info Teleport  
    Falling Waters at LeLoo's World
    Welcome to Falling Waters at LeLoo's World. In this land of rain, waterfalls, and ponds, time seems to stand still. Feel free to wander and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Be warned, you will get wet! So make sure to grab an umbrella and the Spring Gift, the wearable Leaf-Glider, and float your way along the ponds! For the best experience turn on Advanced Lighting and sounds. Everyone is welcome to this PG event!
    More Info Teleport  
    Stormy Sips & Play
    Welcome to Stormy Sips & Play, where guests can enjoy delicious drinks and classic games in a cozy, vintage ambiance. Challenge friends to board games and arcade classics while savoring a cup of coffee and the relaxing rain atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to unwind, sip, and play!
    More Info Teleport  
    VAHA
    Enjoy the most attentive music at Vaha, a commercial club integrated with nature, featuring quality music and DJs. Vaha means Oasis in Turkish and is a pleasant place for those who want to have a few drinks with a lake view on a rainy day.
    More Info Teleport  
    Rainy Alley
    Rainy Alley is an old alley lost in time. It's a small space that aims to bring you peace and relaxation in your busy life.
    More Info Teleport  
    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!
  12. Linden Lab

    Mirrors, PBR Terrain, and 2K textures

    By Linden Lab,


    Tools & Technology
    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!
  13. Linden Lab
    The Concierge and Land User Group meeting is a monthly, public meeting for discussion and education on Second Life, useful to both Mainland Residents and Estate owners.
    Topics include any issues relating to Customer Relations/Support or concerning Land in general (mainland, islands, Linden Homes, estates, auctions, etc.).
    Join Wendi, Vix, and members of the Land team, on Wednesday at 12pm PT at Linden Estate Services.  All are welcome.
     
    Keep up to date with all of our user group meetings on our wiki and public calendar.
  14. Linden Lab
    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
  15. Linden Lab
    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.
  16. Linden Lab
    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!
  17. Linden Lab
    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.
  18. Linden Lab

    Web User Group on January 3, 2024

    By Linden Lab,


    Web User Group
    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.
  19. Linden Lab
    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!
  20. Linden Lab
    Event Regions are a new feature in Second Life, a special type of region with extra capacity for both visitors and objects, depending on the package chosen, as well as other benefits noted below. To make this additional capacity possible, Event Regions run on a special hardware configuration.
    We’re introducing a lower priced offering called Event Regions Pro, priced at $449/mo with no additional setup fee.
    Each Event Region Pro includes:
    175 avatar limit More than 20% improvement in script performance Extended chat range (upon request) -- allowing everyone on the region to see and participate in Nearby Chat if desired Add-ons available for a fee:
    Rollback service (completed within 48 hours) for $25 per request Instancing Service -- Cloning of an Event Region for $50 per request. (Your region must have 100% original content) Increase to 30,000 Land Impact -- $30 monthly add-on We have permanently lowered the price on the original version of Event Regions, which will be called Event Regions Elite, priced at $599 per month with no setup fee.
    Each Event Region Elite includes all features of Pro:
    175 avatar limit More than 20% improvement in script performance Extended chat range (upon request) -- allowing everyone on the region to see and participate in Nearby Chat if desired Event Region Elite includes additional benefits over Pro:
    Land Impact limit raised from 20,000 to 30,000 at no charge No fee for Rollbacks Service No fee for Instancing Service White-glove Concierge service We’re excited to be able to offer these two tiers -- Pro with a la carte pricing, and the all-inclusive Elite.
    In addition to these new product offerings, we are pleased to announce region rollbacks as a service. This service is now available to all private region owners. If you make a mistake with region content, or want to restore a previous build, you can now request to roll the region back to a specific time. Please note that rollbacks will still be at Linden Lab’s discretion and are not guaranteed. Rollback services are available at $25 per request.
    We continue to work on performance improvements for Event Regions as well as all of our land products. As well, you’ll see performance improvements in the latest release of the Performance Viewer.
    Here’s how to order an Event Region Elite or Pro:
    Submit a request via our support ticket system: https://lindenlab.freshdesk.com/support/home Select Land & Region > Order Events Region Note that you may order multiple Event regions on the same support ticket
    If you would like additional information about Event Regions, please contact Support and we’ll be happy to help.
    We look forward to seeing the exciting new events that you, our residents, create using the new Event Region feature!
     
  21. 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

    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!
  22. Linden Lab
    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
     
  23. Linden Lab
    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        
  24. Linden Lab

    Moving From Jira, Pt. 3

    By Linden Lab,


    Tools & Technology
    Friendly Greetings!
    As mentioned in our Pt. 2 blog post, we are excited to announce that the process of providing an archive of the Second Life Jira BUG project on GitHub is now complete! 
    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 Jira BUG project. However, there are some edge cases that we are still in the process of migrating. It does NOT include tickets that previously had restricted access.
    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 the engineering process, and more.
    Thank you and see you on the Grid!
    Second Life Team
  25. Linden Lab
    The Isle of View is our annual tribute to all things romantic via four regions filled with forested walks, cozy nooks for cuddling, and romantic swan boat rides. 
    Visit one of the Love Pavilion gift kiosks to browse through a variety of gift selections that you can send to your friends and loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The selection of gifts includes heart lollipops and balloons, an adorable teddy bear, a chocolate box with rings, cutesy cupcakes, love lanterns, and, of course, romantic roses. We even have a special limited edition Boopie you can have sent to your special Valentine or just get one for yourself! To select and send your free gifts, follow the directions on the sign adjacent to the kiosk. Or alternatively, click on the help buttons on the gift kiosks. 
    VALENTINE'S LOVE TRAIN

    Our special Bellisseria Valentine's Event returns this year. "Love Train Trolleys" operated by our own LDPW Moles depart from the station on the Welcome Hub every few minutes starting at 12:30pm PT. The 30 minute ride ends with a teleporter that will take residents directly to Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole, but residents can hop on at any point as the trolleys go by! Learn more about it from Patch Linden's forum post with a map of the route.
    DUNK & HUG A LINDEN OR MOLE EVENT

    Are you feeling “some kind of way” about the Lindens or Moles? Show your love (or friendly aggression) for the makers of Second Life at our annual Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole Event, held this year on February 14th from 1pm to 3pm PT at the Isle of View. Come early for some fun conversations and plenty of soaked Lindens!
    Roses are red,
    Violets are blue,
    Hug and dunk some Lindens & Moles,
    At the Isle of View!
    NEW LAST NAMES

    Additionally, we have just released new last names for the season!
    The following Valentine-themed names are only available for a limited time:  
    Bae
    Flirt
    Lovelace
    Lovingood
    Simp
    Snuggler
    Sweetheart
    Trueheart
    These names for Valentine’s Day 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!
    2024 VALENTINE SHOP & HOP

    The 2024 Valentine Shop & Hop returns with 280 participating Merchants across 14 shopping regions, bringing their best to inspire your Valentine's fantasies from a romantic evening with your bae, to a party with your friends, and everything in between. You will definitely find something to suit you! 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 280 merchants with slurls!
    ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

    Pictured: Crystal Line Romantic Ballroom
    Are you looking for even more romantic destinations to explore this season? Grab a loved one and go on a date at one of the many beautiful places listed in the Romance 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!
    Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
×
×
  • Create New...