Sammantha Koppel

Shelby Silverspar wrote: Whatever you need to tell yourself, sweetie. Don't take it so personally, unless you are one of those who are hoping our President fails miserably - I wasn't calling you a racist. I hereby state that I never called you a racist.There are, however, people out there who dislike him purely because of his race, I've heard it said out loud right in front of me more than once. It's hard to believe, isn't it? Are you really saying that anyone who doesn't want four more years of Obama is a racist? I've never heard anyone mention his race (color?) as a reason for wanting him out. I have heard many of his supporters fling accusations of racism. It would have been interesting if Herman Cain had been able to sustain his run. How would you have played the race card then?

I first discovered SL back in October of 2007. On my first login, I did the tutorials, changing my shape and learning to fly (sort of). I wandered around the orientation place, thinking that there really wasn't much to this Second Life. After a couple hours, I logged out, not having ventured beyond that place. I thought I would delete SL as soon as I got around to it. The next day, I looked at that icon and came very close to deleting it. I still have no idea what made me give it one more chance. I logged in and found my way to one of the welcome areas where I met a guy who got me hooked on SL! Not only did he take me around, showing me some of the wonders of SL, the stranger bought me everything I needed so I wouldn't look like a noob. I had no idea how much or how little he spent in real dollars. I was amazed at his generosity. We remained friends for a couple years after that but he's since disappeared. So, from the beginning, I never really looked like a noob. Yet, in so many ways, I still am! Nice thread, Hippie

Another fun way to get free stuff is to do hunts in SL. It used to be that most of the stuff was, well, not so great. Now a lot of the merchants have pretty cool items. You can get skins, hair, clothes, furniture, even houses. Plus, you get to see a lot of great shops and sims you'll probably want to revisit. If you do a Google search for Second Life Hunts, you should find a few. There are usually two or three going on at any given time. Welcome to SL, Tsukiko!

Canoro Philipp wrote: JLU and Unions are forms of organization that their purpose is to protect the weak against abuse. i agree that some of those organization dont use the best methods, but at least they are doing something. the more people get together for that noble purpose, the better. im up for anything that fill that hole in second life. Doing something is not always better than doing nothing. Would it not be better to teach "the weak" ways to be stronger? Why not empower them so that they will not always be victims? If JLU goes after their (alleged) abuser, the abused remain victims and learn to be dependent on others to come to their rescue. Who decides if there is abuse or not? Do these organizations accept (alleged) victims at their word? Just because someone gets their feelings hurt or ends up on the losing end of a transaction, doesn't mean they are abused. From what I've read so far, it appears that organizations like JLU hold themselves above the law. They are reactionary vigilantes, bullies and abusers themselves. Instead of resorting to asking for the assistance of such groups, people who find themselves victimized have other options. Follow SL's guidelines and use the AR feature when appropriate. Surround oneself with trusted friends for support. Research large purchases ahead of time. Empower oneself with knowledge. Sending a band of power-happy, self-appointed police after someone is usually not the best course of action.

JeanneAnne wrote: That would be sure to draw the attention of the OWS crowd to LL. Jeanne It was only a matter of time.

Silly is a good word!

AnneMarie Draconia wrote: How many dj's in here are digging up their RL money to dj in SL ? A lot, that I can assure you. Or do you think that downloading tracks is for free, that buying good dj software/licences is cheap ? That mixing hardware and other audio tools are for granted ? If they are dj'ng the legal way. I fully realize that DJs in SL have a lot invested, especially the good ones. Are you suggesting that the club owners should reimburse them for their investment? No one that I've enountered has ever forced a DJ to play against his/her will. Yet, for some reason it's okay to force club owners to pay wages based on someone's idea of what's fair. Do you think that the club owners haven't also spent RL money? I have nothing against DJs, hosts or dancers in SL. Some do a fantastic job (and they do very well tip-wise). If one isn't happy "working" where they are, there are plenty of other venues!

Welcome back

JeanneAnne wrote: Sammantha Koppel wrote: AnneMarie Draconia wrote:So, my questions are : - Is there already some Union in Second Life ? I hope not - If not, would it be interesting to have an Union ? No - What should be the powers of that Union ? n/a - Should LL offer any kind of protection towards this Union and its members ? OMG NO! If people are working and not getting tipped, they can quit. That makes it not slavery. Or they can keep doing their thing because they enjoy it. What good would a union do? Force patrons to tip? There's enough begging for tips already. Maybe you want to force club owners to pay an hourly wage? Most clubs in SL run in the red anyway. The fact that they offer DJs, hosts and dancers an opportunity to make some $L should be enough. Tips should be earned, not demanded. I agree that patrons can't be forced to tip. On the other hand, club owners paying DJs an hourly wage might be a good idea. If most SL clubs run in the red that's because the exorbitant tier LL charges is way too high. It certainly isn't the DJ's & host's fault. I think that club workers should organize and demand fair treatment and an hourly wage from owners. Tips can't be demanded but fair treatment and fair remuneration for time and talent can be. Otherwise... STRIKE!! Jeanne So the club owners should dig into their RL pockets to pay staff if the club isn't turning a profit? Just what is fair treatment? Do you know how many dancers hop on a pole and then go AFK? What is fair treatment for them? How about "workers" who don't show up for their shift? How about the ones who send out multi-line spammy gestures constantly? When DJs, dancers and hosts accept a position in a club, they know about the compensation package, if there is one. They don't have to strike if they don't like it. They can leave. You must have this idea that anyone owning a club is just rolling in cash. Oh, maybe they can take out RL loans to pay their virtual staff.

AnneMarie Draconia wrote:So, my questions are : - Is there already some Union in Second Life ? I hope not - If not, would it be interesting to have an Union ? No - What should be the powers of that Union ? n/a - Should LL offer any kind of protection towards this Union and its members ? OMG NO! If people are working and not getting tipped, they can quit. That makes it not slavery. Or they can keep doing their thing because they enjoy it. What good would a union do? Force patrons to tip? There's enough begging for tips already. Maybe you want to force club owners to pay an hourly wage? Most clubs in SL run in the red anyway. The fact that they offer DJs, hosts and dancers an opportunity to make some $L should be enough. Tips should be earned, not demanded.

That seems like a reasonable suggestion. Alas, they will not see it since I don't think they actually READ anything here. Spammers usually don't.

It would appear that certain "vamps" were given a list of questions to answer. Apparently, vampires do not engage in dialogue, even with others of their particular species. Instead of each of them starting their own thread(s), why not add to existing ones that ask the same questions?

I posted to his feed...and it did feel good Thanks for the link!

Sy Beck wrote: Klint Clowes wrote: I’d go to the top of the Castle and yell, "The End is neaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!" And I'll be right behind you to assist in your prophecy. This made me LOL

I don't know if it's fair to limit what should or should not be considered an event. Instead of complaining about those who use the calendar to their advantage, why not encourage more to use it? There are many different inteterests in SL. If more people used the events calendar, it would make it easier to see what's going on at any given time and then choose something. I've always seen the events calendar as being an opportunity for a bit of free publicity. I don't see anything wrong with that.