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.

This is an old picture, but still my favorite friends pic! It's my original avatar with my oldest and closest friend in SL. (also my first time posting a pic in the forums)

I used to help out at a club, hosting events. From my personal experience, it can actually be a pretty hectic experience. We didn't have more than one host at a time, so I had to greet everyone who showed up. You might be surprised at how offended some people get if they aren't greeted right away. Of course I also had to keep the party going, chatting almost constantly in local. At the same time I had to deal with up to 5 or 6 IMs from patrons either complaining, suggesting or just wanting to chat. Add to that several ongoing IMs with the DJ, dancers, club owner. I was also responsible for sending group notices about the event, as well as group chat notices. Fortunately, I did all this because I liked the club and wanted to help out. I had a tip jar out but never asked for a tip for myself. Honestly, I would never tip someone who blatently asked for one. I did "remind" people to tip the DJ and dancers. I was lucky to walk away with $L200 from a 2 hour event. I will probably never host an event again. Actually, it's not easy to get me to go to an event. I'm not telling you this to get you to tip hosts at events. That's entirely your choice. Just don't assume they aren't doing anything besides saying hello. Maybe it's true of some, but definitely not all.

I see what you mean after re-reading the policy. Though it's still a little on the vague side when it comes to proximity. I do know of several places that don't allow child avatars at all. Clearly, child avatars are not allowed to engage in sexual activity. Anyone in a child avatar that hangs around others having sex (or vice versa) is asking for trouble.

CaramelBombshell wrote: a million sex places and even places for perverts to have sex with CHILD avatars. Seriously? I've met several black avatars in my time in SL, not on any particular sim. I don't know if they are black in RL or not. I don't really care, to be honest. What's disturbing is your statement about places where sex with child avatars is allowed. If you know of such places, I suggest you report them immediately. Child avatars are not allowed anywhere near sexual activity in SL.

The good news is that it may not be griefers, especially if you can't think of any reason someone would do that to you. I had a place a couple years ago where this same thing happened to me all the time. Fortunately, they landed in my front yard instead of inside the house. As it turned out, they were using an old landmark. Seems my front yard used to be the landing point for a sex club. Usually I igored them and they went away quickly. Sometimes I chatted them up (I even friended one). Only one got really obnoxious and went in my house and wouldn't leave. My landlord gave him the boot. Almost all of them were one to ten days old. My guess is that your old home was a previous landing point for a popular spot that might still show up in search. The house disappearing? Probably some freakish SL glitch.

I disagree that music and visual art enhance language. They simply remove the need to use one's imagination to a degree. If I'm reading a book, I don't want pictures in it. I don't want a musical score to accompany it. I certainly don't want smells coming out of the book. However, as I read, I assure you that if the author did his job, I will see, hear, smell, taste and feel things much more clearly than if someone "enhanced" it with other elements.

I don't want smells coming from my computer! It's annoying enough when someone insists on voice in SL. Can you imagine if it were possible to send smells? No thank you! I believe more in the power of words. A good story teller can put the reader or listener right in the middle of an experience by touching the imagination. Perhaps we need to focus more on language than technological advances for sharing experiences.

Seetka Barbosa wrote: Years later, nothing improves. Things just get worse. Lag. Nothing works. You are losing. You keep making mistakes. You are going to go under. LOL Are you sure you're talking about SL and not RL?

Hi Raven, the shape of your face will stay the same with a new skin. You're probably not going to find a skin with exactly the same makeup as the one you have now. The best thing to do is grab a bunch of demos from a variety of skin makers and see which one you like best.

Deltango Vale wrote: For example, a huge difference between Anglo-Saxons and almost everyone else is the focal point of social interaction. In most of Europe, Asia and South America, people gather around food. Alcohol is considered a type of spice to go with food. When I was growing up in North America (and the same applies to Britain, Australia and New Zealand), people gathered around drinks. Food is treated as a chore that comes with drinking ("Damn, I'm hungry. Hold my place while I use the loo and order a plate of fries.") What people in North America gather around drinks instead of food? Certainly not my family or friends. Alcohol has always been present at family gatherings, but never the focus. We've always made a huge deal about the food we prepare when we gather together. Drinks were just kind of there. The only time I can think of when people gather around drinks instead is when hanging out at the bars. Most of us get past spending every night in bars by the time we are 25. So that leaves a pretty small segment of the population gathering around drinks. With over 50 million people in the US considered obese, it's laughable to say we don't gather around food in this country. I'd say food is more of an obsession than a chore.