Celestiall Nightfire

Cato Badger wrote: @Dillon: Your response does not do much to dissuade those who believe it was the LWL themselves who persuaded the powers that be to remove a threat to their cosy existence nor does the offhand response of the cofounder and I am not just saying this because my application to join your terpsichorean oenophile coven seems to have been consigned to File 13. Hey, Cato...I just checked my email...and I have an invitation to join the LWL! (and I didn't even solicit an invite in any way, shape, or form) So, if I get in...I *could* send you an invite. But, I was thinking of creating a new group...called "Men Will be Men"...and sending You, Storm and a Particular Erudite Poster (albeit a former poster) invitations to the new group. Since I'm not actually a man, I'd just be the official group hostess. We won't have meetings, or shop, or hangout, unless it's to exchange information about some kinky sex place on the grid or a fantastic build. Who knows, we might even discuss politics or religion, you know those topics that piss everyone off. Oh, and I have some skills (feel free to fill-in appropriate innuendo with the word *skills ; ) so, I could even make us way-cool shirts, hats, or other MWM garb. Hmm, thinking now about what the logo should look like... Send me ideas for the MWM group logo! Sidenote: Just between you and me, I'll make a lousy LWL's member, but would excel at being a hostess...for the MWM.

Deltango Vale wrote:. Does anyone know how this problem is being dealt with? Mostly it's not, all you have to do is look at the SL marketplace to see that this is not actually being dealt with by LL. The procedure that the Lab has in place is this: The actual owner of the copyright must be the one to file a complaint or DMCA. So, if I go onto the SL marketplace or to an inworld shop and see Lara Croft clothing, avatars, etc, *I* cannot report it. Only those who legally represent the Lara Croft franchise can file a complaint. So, thousands of RL copyright and IP rights are being violated in SL. We, as SL residents, have little we can do about it. This is a huge problem for content creators who actually try to adhere to the rules and create original works, only to have their competitors create rip-offs of well known RL characters, poses, animations, clothing, etc. For an example go to the SL marketplace and search for "Selene Vampire" and see what you find. Then put those same words into Google search. That is just one tiny example, but the marketplace has animations, poses, clothing and avatars that are directly taken from that character's RL Marvel Action Universe movies and comics. Exact poses from the movie are recreated, with the clothing and avatar and sold on the SL marketplace. The people selling in SL even use the name "Selene Vampire". Do I think that they have the permission of Marvel to do this? Hell no they don't. So, there you have it.

Deltango Vale wrote: My specific question is whether I can take a character from an existing novel, film or game and blend it with new content. For example, can I write a science fiction story in which a new religion arises based on Lara Croft as the Messiah. No. (Venus used a good example with Harry Potter) For instance, if I wanted to write a story and use Scarlett O' Hara from "Gone With the Wind" as my "character", I could not do that without getting permission from the Margaret Mitchell estate. But, I could create a new character and call her Scarlett O' Hara, but it would have to be clear that my new character is not *the* Scarlett from "Gone With the Wind". My Scarlett would have to be clearly defined and recognizable as a different person. It's not the name that matters, its the identity. You cannot own rights to a name, so I could write a book with a character named "Harry Potter", but it cannot be Harry Potter the wizard from the JK Rowling books, who happens to also appear in my story. My Harry would have to be an entirely different character. Deltango Vale wrote: On the other hand, it seems strange to me to be forbidden to use any and all existing fictional characters in new fiction. It's only forbidden if the time has not passed that allows the writing to pass into public usage. So, for the Scarlett O' Hara example, the person who wrote the dreadful "sequel" to Gone With the Wind, had to get permission from the Margaret Mitchell estate, as the character was not one that had passed into public use timewise. This time-frame is the life of the author plus 70 years. (although there have been legal variations of this time-frame with certain characters) http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-duration.html It's this time-frame that allows us to see so many stories and movies with Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty. The copyright time-frame on those characters allows them to become general public use. Deltango Vale wrote: In broader terms, is it illegal now for all new artistic works to include any components of existing artistic works? Must all new creative art be 100.00000% original? If not, where is the dividing line? Not necessarily illegal. Most, if not all, creations by man are derived from existing works. It's near impossible to have something created that does not use some element that another person has also used prior. But, anything that is recognized has a copy can have legal issues. There are criteria for what is deemed original. See the link I've posted below about the lawsuit surrounding Shepard Fairey's infamous "HOPE" poster: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/arts/design/10fair.html Sidenote: The links I've posted are specifically US copyright law.

I'd go...anywhere out there... "Take me out to the black Tell them I ain't comin' back "

Crap Mariner wrote: Time for the first 800 pound gorilla in the room: Are unlicensed "tribute" bands performing for tips (and venue owners hosting them: A) live music B) a musical performance C) a building/animating/costuming challenge D) or a copyright violation? Answer D: All of the above. But...seriously...who freaking cares? There are so many violations in SL ( just like in RL), that it would become a full-time job for someone just to monitor, report and spread general misery, if so-inclined. And...who would be so-inclined?

I was there eariler today, and all was fine. But, I have been monitoring our group chat..and saw the...ahem..glitches. ; ) My volunteer time is tomorrow...and hoping all is smooth.

IMPROMPTU PARTY INVITE: To Celebrate the SLCC at Oakland / San Francisco Bay Area. Time: 10 pm SLT Saturday Aug 13th, 2011 Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Drawbridge/49/174/73/ Hello, <insert name here> , you've been selected from a very exclusive list of SL residents that includes my friends, acquaintances, forumites, frenemies, and those random people who try to chat me up.* This hastily tossed together party will feature fabulous exclusive activities, (which are still being decided upon at this time)....But!...there will be at least the following: 1) Runaway Streetcars! Streetcar rides into the unknown... 2) Sailing scavenger hunt, with sailboats provided, and prizes! ** 3) Canal Boat rides at the next-door neighbor's place (Beautiful Canal du Midi from the South of France) 4) Dunktank*** 5) Suicide Jump**** For those that dare! 6) Dance Balls...the ever popular and ubiquitous social activity of SL. There will be a lovely area for dancing, and both couples and singles dancing. Also, a Chimera dance ball for those that wish to dance in the SL-avatar chorus line. 7) Music***** 8) Places to sit and talk, moonlight stroll paths...and..maybe...a teleporter to skyboxes that have..ahem.. "animations"... ; ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Ok, I didn't really invite the chat-me-up random strangers. Sheesh. ** There will be great little take-home sailboats that you can use later for any sailing in SL. (Your prize is a hunt well-done and admiration of all) *** For those that wish to partake in this lowbrow excuse to have a wet T-shirt...and those who may self-identify as a frenemy and who wish to dunk me instead of dance with me ; ) ****Note to those sensitive souls who may be offended by this activity and/or want to tell me that their cat committed suicide...sob, sob..and so on : "Laughing! Seriously?! " ***** Well...not really. There *will* be music if each of you either chooses to listen to my streaming music or you play your own music on your computer. Thanks to *Anonymous* for the initial party concept and activities. Kudos to James aka Nemo for helping search the SL marketplace. Warm thanks to Randall Ahren for providing SL with the Trolley and sailboats. Cheers, Celestiall Nightfire Note: Do not arrive early, as there is nothing on that land before the party starts. Seriously. 

Pamela Galli wrote: I just got a new iMac (my MacPro was less than 2 yrs old) and this one (finally!) kicks @ss in SL even when I have a bunch of graphics programs open all the time. Hi Pamela! : ) You have Lion installed? If not, go here to see if your purchase date lets you download it for free: http://www.apple.com/macosx/uptodate/ Also, if you haven't installed Lion on your older MacPro and plan on keeping it, Lion comes with an unlimited license for all the Macs you own...you can install it on the MacPro too.

Void Singer wrote: you also don't seem to be logged in, probably because that doesn't happen automatically when you aren't using certain viewers (like vaniLLa V1, which is that apears to be) Oh, you mean my beloved 1.23.5? I also use Imprudence...and can't seem to read my messages that way either.

Shocked!.. why...I'm just aghast...that anyone would do such a thing! *looks over her shoulder nevously* Just becsause LL is trying to give shinies to the V2 crowd...and leave the rest of us to fend for our-socially-handicapped-selves...is no reason to grief the Gov's mansion. *quickly brushes a small bit of tiolet paper from her shoe*

I'm inworld right now..and someone posted a comment to me on the Slum...and I get inworld notification. So, I click the link and see my profile with this banner across the top: Looks like I don't have permission to view that post. (laughing)

Keli Kyrie wrote: Have you lost or gained friends because of SLums? I can't find my way back! I'm lost... Deleted my emails that had the link...and now can't find the SLum.... Help me, Obi-Wan Keli....you're my only hope.

Pussycat Catnap wrote: That;s cause the real job creators are the poor. How many poor people do you know that hire others? How many poor people do you know that employee others? Pussycat Catnap wrote: Wealthy people get there by exploiting others - Seriously, laughing out loud here Pussycat. So, President Obma and his wife are considered wealthy. Hmm, I wonder who did they exploit? Oprah Winfrey is wealthy...who did she exploit? Here's a list of the wealthiest black Americans: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/06/richest-black-Americans-business-billionaires-richest-black-americans.html Who'd they exploit? Here's a list of Black Billionaires : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_billionaires Who'd they exploit? What about all the rich Asians, Hispanics, etc? They *all* exploit others to gain wealth? Or is is just wealthy Caucasian folks (Republican perhaps?) that exploit others? ; ) Also, Pussycat...if tomorrow you were wealthy...I guess that would instantly make you one of the exploiters of the poor. Since, by your logic, all that it takes to be seen as a bad exploiter of the poor...is to have money. Never mind that someone might have worked for that money...or taken years to acquire it through investments and product creation and marketing.

Pussycat Catnap wrote: Tea Party wingnuts and libertarians need to be strung up on ropes for bringing us to this state. Ahh, yes...nothing like violent, prejuidce comments toward other people, *that* always helps. Pussycat Catnap wrote: They've brought down the age of the US in an intentional drive to eliminate the middle class. Wow, you sure do have a huge chip on your shoulder to constantly be tearing down a whole bunch of folks that you don't even know. So, how's that Christain-love-toward-your-fellow-man thing working out for you? Because, you seem a little confused on the concept. (not to mention others... ; )

DQ Darwin wrote: Well my last word, and maybe I shouldn't have had a first one is pretty simple. The analogy is not flawed but just a simplistic statement of a deep fact Not so. If you think that then you did not read or understand my comment. Me attending was about not being around a certain person. DQ Darwin wrote: Hate and anger tend to affect those that continue to harbour those feelings and in the end the person they hate carries on happy in life while the one that hates sinks deeper in the abyss. It's the double edged sword syndrome. No idea what you're talking about. Me not attending is about not being griefed anymore. It's about not being harassed. Can you not understand that someone does not want to be anywhere near another person? DQ Darwin wrote: If one continues to open the hate can and look inside, ones bound to get some on them. You clearly do not know me. Nor do you have any idea how I think. DQ Darwin wrote: My underlying complaint I guess was the need you felt to bring it all up again, you could have IM'd Hippie and explained. Hmm, someone had voiced their feelings on this issue. Hippie had replied that he welcomed honest commentary. I guess he was the only one that does. DQ Darwin wrote: BTW the person you are referring to told me some time ago they would probably not attend also for similar reasons resulting from other people. Small world the grid can be. Sadly, that person created an environment of strife that radiated into a wide circle. I wanted no part of it then, nor do I now. DQ Darwin wrote: If you come I'll say hi, if you don't then I can't. Either way it all becomes a mute point doesn't it. The word is "moot", but your version seems very appropriate given the turn this thread has taken. *almost a smile*

Dillion, my comment had nothing to do with the actual Hippistock. My comment was about they reason I chose not to attend. You simply do not know what I experienced on the old GD forums. The only reason I even posted here was because that particular person seemed to have gone. I absolutely have zero interest in being around that person. Period. So, it would not have mattered what the event was...if that person were there...then I would chose to not attend. It's that simple. I have no interest in discussing other people's experience at that event...as it has nothing to do with why I commented here. Guess this thread only welcomes those comments that agree with happy, happy, joy, joy...and one's true feelings on this are seen as a blight. See you inworld, as this forum is not the place for me.

Dresden Ceriano wrote: How sad it is that you feel you have to lash out at people that are just trying to point out the positive aspects of what was meant to be a positive experience. Go ahead and concentrate on the negative if you wish... I, for one, will not let myself be sucked into that black hole. I wish you all the best. ...Dres Excuse? What are you talking about? I didn't lash out at anyone. I responded to Lia calling me "negative" when I posted a comment directed at Hippy. I used language that he used...and mentioned how I felt. How is that "lashing" out? Then I replied to a comment made by DQ...directed at Lia...but clearly pointed at me. As her comment was way off base...I addressed that. At no time have I made observations about anyone's else experience...nor do I care to. My comment was about how I felt...and my reason's for not going. It has nothing to do with you...or anyone else in this thread. (unless there are those here who wish to continue griefing by proxy) And now you are addressing me for stating my opinions? At no point have I replied to anyone here to counter their positive experience. I comment first to let Hippy know something that I had never told anyone. Then two people decided to jump in and comment to me and about me. Correction...three people...as you did too. Thanks Dresden, for reminding me of why I don't want to be on SL forums.

DQ Darwin wrote: Lia, it sort of reminds me of this scenario: (I won a free trip to Paris, but I didn't go because the guy at the back of the plane pissed me off. Boy did I show him.) Again, an analogy that is deeply flawed. It would be more like this: (I won a free trip to Paris, but didn't go because there was a guy on the plane, who was on my last plane ride and made my life hell. Even though I tried to avoid him and and did not fly for three months, he found me on this plane, and moved up to sit behind me, and punched my seat for two hours, and then tripped me when I tried to go the he bathroom, called me name vile insulting names, harassed me, threatened me, and will follow me around Paris harassing me...and apparently no one will stop this person. [on the contrary, this person's "friends" cheered them on, and will harrass by proxy] And...this person is going to be on the plane to Paris) My not going to HS1 had nothing to do with something as nonsensical as "I''ll show him". It had everything to do with me not wanting to have anything to do with that person...as they had harassed me, and I did not want to be anywhere near them. Period. This thread is an example of the "souring" that still radiates from that person. Factions & Cliques. Guess, I'll stick to my non-socializing ways in SL. That way I avoid all this.

Lia Abbot wrote: I think you are being rather negative Celestial. How so? The entire time that HS1 was being promoted in the old GD forum, I never once mentioned it, never discussed it, or tried to rain on anyone's parade. My comment here was directed to Hippy, as an explanation for why I did not attend. He seemed to welcome honest commentary. So, I gave mine. My comments are not negative regarding HS1...or the actual event. I pointed out why I had no interest in going. I notice that you're not saying anything to Hippy about using words like "soured the soup"..Because it was his very accurate description that promoted me to tell how I felt. Lia Abbot wrote: I know there are those who dislike that person, but missing some real fun like Hippiestock is rather like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Oh, good grief. I didn't miss anything....because I could have attended...but I chose not to. My choice. Your analogy is waaaaay off.

Hippie Bowman wrote: It was just the fighting and snarking that went on before, and after the event that "soured the soup" so to speak. I am truly sorry for this. I did not want that to happen. So again I state the reason Hippiestock exists. To get everyone in one place, so we can enjoy each other for just a little while. To stop the fighting for just a little while. It is my hope that Hippiestock 12 will be just that. Hi Hippie. I was very aware of Hippiestock...the first time around. But, I had no interest in going as soon as I saw one particular person co-op the event. It is someone, who was so dreadfully vile to me and others, that I had no wish to be associated with anything that person did. She "soured the soup" (or poisoned it) for me, and from what I've heard, this same person continued to sour things and spread her poison around after Hippiestock was over. If I knew that person was not going to be at Hippiestock II, then I might be interested in attending. As life is too short to associate with those that create dissension wherever they go. Regardless of whether I attend, I would like to say that your efforts to make SL a more genial place, are much appreciated.

Yes, my screen keeps freezing up too. I have had to shut down my computer in order to close out of SL. SL client totally freezes. I've crashed every night for the last three nights. Last night and tonight have crashed multiple times. The people that I'm working with inworld, are also crashing multiple times a night, in the past week. This has happened on private sims, mainland and university sims. In the past month, I've tested different viewers to see if I can crash less, and nothing seems to help. It's not my computer, as it's very capable to handle SL. There is something going on with grid stability. I'm heading to the beta grid to work, and it's sad that the only place that seems stable, is beta grid.

Smoothie Perl wrote: So my advice for every newbie who comes here, asking help and then stands there looking avatars, pictures, profiles and choose from whom it’s most appropriate to get help..... Smoothie, I disagree. In RL people make decisions regarding who to listen to, based upon what they see and can learn about the other person. It is clear in RL, that some people are going to be more knowledgeable, more experienced, and a better source of advice. Why shouldn't people in SL also be discerning and try to determine who they think may be a better source of advice. It makes no sense to toss aside the discernment skills that we use in RL...just because we're in a virtual world. In the 3.5 + years that I've been in SL, my RL ability to gauge other people, has shown to be dead-on accurate. Smoothie Perl wrote: So if you asked for help, accept it and don't be selective or….. don't ask at all.  Again, I have to disagree. When one is offered help, to just blindly accept it, and not be selective, could result in very negative consequences. Why should anyone blindly accept "help", without making a common sense evaluation, of that help which is offered? Of course, one should always extend "thanks" to those offering helping, but to automatically accept, and not be selective is counter-productive to the goal of getting help, as some of the "help" offered may not actually be helpful. I would like to say this regarding offering help: If you do offer help, understand that the person you offer it to, may or may not, see your offer as helpful. When offering help...do so without the expectation of receiving "thanks". Just offer the help, and let the person who you offer it to, decide if you're helpful...or not. If you offer help with the concept that it's the other person's needs that matter, not yours, then there is no need to be disgruntled if they decline the help or choose someone else's help.

Kenbro Utu wrote: As a side note, anybody heard from, or know what is up with "Apotheus Silverman," aka, Calyle Linden, these days? Hey, Kenbro! Good to see you. Apotheus is still around, I recall him actually posting here in this forum, eariler in the year. Here's a link to that thread: http://community.secondlife.com/t5/Merchants/Value-of-Commerce-Meetings-Just-Blog-It/m-p/711269#M180 Sixth comment down is his. There are others from the old SLX & Xstreet days that post here too, but they might not have seen this thread. (Ishtara posts here...and others)

Mayalily wrote: No, I don't think your formula's compute too well in regards to gold and dollar. Uh, I never said that formula explains the low value of the dollar. it is how the gold reserves are determined. I said that formula is a factor in determining credit worthiness.

Checking in. Present.