Clarissa Lowell

"If I upload an original texture and you take a copy of it and change a few pixels, it is still a copy of my texture. If I upload an original mesh and you take a copy of it and move a few of its vertices, it is still my mesh. So I'd argue that you can't claim exclusive ownership of any possible SL avatar shape any more than you can copyright a colour on a prim. " ____ THAT - just blows my mind. First of all - the SL avatar shape IS vertices. So how is that different from changing a vertice or two of something YOU made? No we can't copyright colors (although lipstick companies and crayon companies have copyrighted names of them.) We didn't make colors, God did (or whatever you believe did it.) But you give a perfect example of why the three things ARE Alike and then throw a random element in like naturally occurring colors and claim the three hand crafted items are not alike. Do you have any idea how many shapes are possible? Maybe as many as possible mesh shapes. (People also steal mesh shapes all over the internet - is that right also in your mind because "the tools are the same for everyone?") Kelli showed you there is an INFINITE combination of sliders - it isn't just one thing it's the entire combination. So you think if someone changes one thing in a texture you made and puts it out there as theirs, that's stealing - but to copy all or part of a shape that's entirely different from the base model is NOT? Very nice justification there! /sarcasm Just make your own. If it is so easy. Just make your own (from the base Linden shape.) What is so hard to understand about that? What if someone said "just changing one thing in your texture does make it mine because the law says if you change 20% of something it is different enough" - I heard someone say that once. So why is it that most texture makers forbid that? You even said in your post that would be stealing. What if the thief justified the one change and passing your texture as their own with "we all start out with the same tools in photoshop, there are only so many photoshop brushes and only so many colors?" Or even, "all textures are flat - what's so different about them? So all your textures are belong to me." Do you not see the tool may be the same and things may look similar - for instance if a thief said "so what you made a wood grain texture, what's the difference between that one and another wood grain texture, there are only so many ways to make one" - but the things are totally different? Because not only did two different people actually make those similar seeming products but they are different? If you happen to make one that looks just like someone else's but you DID begin it from scratch then that's totally different than stealing it, or changing one thing and putting your name on the entire creation. Or stealing parts of it - like the butt, or the neck to waist, or the face. (I've heard people blithely say they stole the legs off a costly shape and put it on their own because they were spending weeks trying to make good legs and couldn't. How is that not stealing?) If you can't see that then you are just justifying theft to make yourself feel better. That is EXACTLY what it sounds like to me. You don't sound stupid, so what else can it be?? The same tools or a similar result ("two big butts" as you say - that is too vague, trust me they are not all alike) does NOT make it the same product when two different people made it! Go try to steal a corner of something from a museum and paste it into your own work and see if they like it?? ______ "I'd argue that creating a "pleasing" shape in the appearance editor is not an act of designing. You didn't create the mesh, you just modify its boob and butt sizes within the confines granted by LL. That is about as creative as choosing a colour for a prim. The human shape is not your "idea", you didn't invent the proportions that make it look "pleasing"." ______ Try saying that to anyone with any art background at all. Da Vinci didn't make the human body either - is there no difference between the Mona Lisa and a stick figure? All people can create what they see? You sound ridiculous.

Thanks for saying it isn't easy Ossian. I'm not saying mine are the be all end all either - or even good. That's all subjective. I just get a bit irate at the continual running down of shape making in the forums because I think it does require some work and ability. I don't know why it is less respected than other Second Life 'arts.' Houses and most other things begin with a simple prim and that's also available to everyone. Hair isn't all THAT hard to make either. What's hard is to make items that are good quality. That's true of all of those things. People who would never say it's easy to make a sculpt house vs. a prim shack (I don't think it's even easy to make a good prim shack) or to make hair that's like Truth makes vs. the old full perm stuff, will say all shapes are the same and anyone can do it. Then they post a pic of their own shapes and I just want to bite my lip. I can only bite it so long - it hurts. Lol There are a lot of good shape makers in Second Life. I know from my own experience as a consumer there are a lot who shouldn't be charging for what they make, either...in my own opinion. Because it's all subjective and also to help others if I can, all of mine are free for personal use. But that doesn't mean they are worth only 0 Linden just because that's all I charge for their personal use...Or that they are for resale. I'd think if someone has to COPY something that would be a clue to them that they are stealing - or to change their name on a creation - another clue that they are stealing. We do all have to begin with the basic shape made by a Linden but there is nothing we can do about that. I try to make each shape I make have its own face, life story, personality, they don't all look the same. I wish people would in general be more sensitive to the fact that people do try to make something of quality and it isn't there to be dissed or stolen just because they see no value in it. Why is it those people don't just make their own, from scratch, ever, if it's nothing? OK sorry but something in that other person's post rattled my cage. Lol It isn't easy putting one's work out there, no matter what it is or how little others value it, just to have it ripped off. Shape makers put no less work into their creations than a lot of other vendors put into theirs. It's no different and should be protected. I hope if the Lindens are listening they find a way to make slider numbers invisible once a shape transfers hands.

Thank you Kelli. I also hate when people apparently confuse "free for personal use" with "public domain." Not the same thing, at all. I've seen people reselling my shapes, I've seen them change one or two things and resell them, I've seen them brag about "the shape they made" when I know for a fact they were in my shop and the faces are exactly like mine. And stood silent while they took accolades for 'their shape' - it was for personal use, and being a dirtbag isn't against the law. (It only stung when they also ran down shape makers and claimed they'd never use one they hadn't made. Riiight.) As for how many DMCA why would that other person ask that...I really have to wonder. My personal answer would be none of your business.

Masami Kuramoto wrote: Kelli May wrote: Shape designers, like anyone else, don't want to give away their IP to anyone who wants to come along and rip off their designs. So it's very common for shapes to be sold no-mod. Does anyone else find it mindblowing that something as mundane as a slider setting passes off as "intellectual property" these days? I'm curious. Has anyone ever been DMCA'ed for imitating someone else's shape? Can I claim copyright on something like "New Shape" after modifying just one slider? How many sliders would I have to touch until the shape becomes "mine" and illegal for everyone else to use? Where do you guys draw the line? Can I still set sliders to 50 if someone else has a shape with those sliders set to 49, or am I already infringing? Coming up next: copyright on RGB slider settings. Sorry for the rant, but it seems that the word "intellectual" no longer means what it used to mean. Your rant isn't very intellectual either. I might use another word that also begins with an i. I'm insulted when people claim that making a shape is nothing, anyone can do it, it doesn't require any artistic ability, all shapes are alike, and no one has a right to any of it. I beg to differ as well. I put work and effort and time into my shapes. It also does take an eye. Sometimes it just isn't right and one tweak will make the face suddenly pull together. What had an uncanny valley quality suddenly looks more appealing. What seemed cartoonish looks more real. What seemed unbalanced or uneven suddenly is attractive. NOT everyone can make a shape as well as everyone else. Some shapes look good until you see the facial profile and then everything is caved in. I could give other examples but I'm not here to trash other people's work or aesthetics. So yeah, if you copy the numbers and pass it off as your own, that's stealing. Sounds like you think it isn't. I beg to differ with you. If it is so easy then just begin with the Create/New shape like a real shape maker with some integrity would do, and avoid the entire controversy! Sorry about your apparent lack of ethics. And by the way NO shape maker of any ability would ever just push all the sliders to 50.

People will all tell you to make your own shape - They never tell you to make your own clothes, hair, or shoes, even though the tools for those are also in Second Life. I would start by finding a good shape. But then I'm biased. I think the shape is the basis for your three dimensional appearance. A really really good skin can hide a lot of things in a bad shape but not everything. And most newcomers cannot find or afford a top quality skin right off the bat. (Al Vulo is one good resource for free skin, new one each month if you join that group. But they never do male skins as freebies.) Things like too short arms, strange proportions and other things are not fixed simply by a good skin - mainly the face is and only from the front. Not everyone can make a shape that looks good or holds up from all angles, either. Of course, tastes vary, and you will need to adjust any shape somewhat depending on what brand of skins you choose - Skin makers begin with a template or a photo source, and the measurements within those faces will not work with all shapes. Or will need to be adjusted in the shape's face to fit it somewhat. So, try to get a shape that has a MODIFY capability - it will make that part much easier. There are various resources for free shapes. The library avatar shapes are now pretty good, most of them. There is also Miss Murder (I always get that name wrong, someone correct me) and I offer some for free personal use also. There are even some decent full perm shapes at some freebie malls. If you do create a shape, then begin with Create/New Shape, and do yours from scratch so that it really is all yours. Creative decisions such as head shape, face shape, and many other things do require some ability and work, and it isn't fair to steal someone else's...even if it seems like it's all the same to begin with. It isn't. Anyway! Once you have a good shape, go get some good skins. Try on the demos unless the skin itself is (legally) free. Go to skin shops and see if they have free one if you join their group. For only 250L (one dollar) you can join Belleza group and get a bunch of top quality skins, male or female. He also sends some new ones out a few times a year. I'm assuming "charliecav" means your avatar is male. But Belleza offers male and female human skins both. Of course I'm also assuming you want your av to be human? In here people can also be quadroped, furry, fantasy creatures like dragon or griffin, even vehicles. I'd get the hair next. By then your av should be taking shape, no pun intended. Sometimes I begin from a mental image and sometimes from just letting what's available for free, help guide what the av will be like. There are so many possibilities. Hopefully you will end up with a unique result, not cookie-cutter. I would get the clothes and shoes after that, and an AO last. Some good resources for male freebies are Santo (join his group) for clothes, Fab Free shop space in world, K MADD for eyes, Tuty's or Vista for AO, maybe hoorenbeek for shoes (you have to join their group, and it sends a LOT of note cards, but they have good freebies, sometimes including boots or leather jackets.) Have fun!

You must have gone to Caledon. Join the Fab Free group or go to their shop and pick up free stuff from designers all over the grid in one stop. There are so many freebies now. Unlike when I joined. Lucky you!

I thought Bryce hair was good and had some regular guy hairstyles too, if you want your av to look like your photo does. A lot of the avs in Second Life have vampire long hair or shaggy biker hair. Also try Savoir Hair it has 1 Linden hair and a lot of it is men's styles.

Storm Clarence wrote: What is your definition of a good citizen, and how are you a good citizen in second life? Well just try to help others and if you can't say something nice don't hit the send button. I am a good citizen because I TRY to do that. I am helpful if I can be. I also put time and effort into offering free shapes for people, that come with a photo and styling card. I do that even knowing that some could rip them off. In fact I've caught a few of those... But it is worth it if it helps somebody. Especially newbies. To be honest though? I tried one of the new library avatars on an alt and modded it a little bit and it was really good. They did a nice job with the library avs just like the avs on the main site are looking really good too. (I did not copy or sell it please note! I just felt lazy and was curious so I made the alt with one of those. I wanted to wear something different than my own backstock. Same reason I've started to just be a dog as Clarissa, literally, when I'm not me. Bit bored with my little hobby I guess! Lol. I look forward to making mesh shapes some day!) But I guess I offer a little variety in spite of mesh avatars and library avatars improving choices already. I do hate it when people are dishonest because they can do the same thing I did at least for their own shop or own use which is make a shape from scratch (I always do) default shape.*(ETA I mean, default create-a-new-shape, not the library ones! I am rigorous in that.) It isn't necessary to steal. Don't steal from other people and you are cool with me. That is a good citizen sometimes too just not doing bad.

What a pisher.

Just buy the av and you are set. There are places and groups for mer folk in Second Life if you are interested. No, the type of avatar you have does not make a difference in whether you can go different places. Not like you meant. Anyone can go on land air or sea. The only time it matters what kind of av you have is if a place doesn't want that type of av there. But that isn't part of the Linden Lab programming. That's the resident making a choice.

Pazzo (nice name by the way!) stop by my store. Half of the shapes are male and all of the shapes are modify, copy, no transfer and free for personal use. Just please everyone don't 'steal' or put your own name on my work, because it IS work, that includes making a few tweaks and calling it yours. That's the only part about it being modify that I hate. I wish the slider numbers were invisible.

Hi Ashleigh, If you ever want help, here are some good groups to join: New Citizens Incorporated (NCI) help group Forum Cartel Chat group There are a lot of people willing to answer questions from newbies. You found the forums though so that's good.

I have a whole shop full of free modifyable shapes. You could've saved a little money there. The male nose in the male mesh is ugggglyyyy. It is very hard to make an attractive male face that doesn't look the same as all other males in Second Life. Unless you use the female mesh, which I don't do. The skin looks different in some of your pix. The skin shading around the nose can make a big difference. Some of your pix don't have any nostrils. Maybe it is a bad skin?

Cheaters spoil everything if you think about it not just Linden Realms. Some would say if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Woot. I hear control plus z works for a single item not sure about if that is placement or coming back from lost and found. Not sure if that is for more than one thing stuck together too. But control plus z.

Sounds like the hooker made a runner. Linden Lab does not get involved in disputes between residents. I'm surprised you got the advice you got so far. What if she simply says she was going to but something about you creeped her out and she changed her mind? Think about it, you're basically saying "she did not deliver on mah virtual prostitution." Of course I'm sure it is possible that you paid a stranger 2000L just to chat about politics.

Too much plastic surgery.

Sky hasn't fallen yet and people have been saying that it is since at least 2006 which is when I joined. Don't worry. Actually I joined in like 2003 but lost the log in, joined again about a year later, that log in was eaten, and only began playing regularly with a third log in, in 2006. I still wonder if I can somehow get those first two log ins back.

Ziggy21 Slade wrote: us, the third largest population by nationality in SL. Who are 1 and 2?

That is true. It won't be returned when you deed the land, if you only set a radio. But the stream won't work either. Media stuff has to be deeded for the scripts to work if it is on group land. Make sure the radio is copy because if that is ever returned by someone else you will lose no copy deeded objects. It just gets better and better! Lol

Well if you are good at the edit window you can still save this. Rez a cube, stay in build mode and drag the stuff out of the lost and found folder, as one piece. STAY in build/edit mode and put it all approximately into place. You might have to fine tune it but that is a lot better than starting over. Good luck. If land has auto return on then, anything not set to group will be returned once land is deeded. When land is just set to a group the owner's stuff will stay. Set, deeded, it is two different things. It can be confusing. Even more confusing your stuff does not have to be deeded to stay, only set.

I need someone to translate a few pages of a book in German. From what I can tell on babelfish it's a foreword to a book and then two paragraphs more. Babelfish isn't very good with the German language so only about half of it made any sense. I typed it out by sight so you will have to be smart enough to figure out where the umlauts should be. :p Send me a note card in world with your rates. I don't check this often. So send me a note card in world with your rates and availability (how long it would probably take to get it back.) German to English translation.

Probably stay home even more because the mainland would be crawling with pent up angsty avatars.

Hi Sylvery First think about what you like to do most in real life or maybe things you want to do but have never tried or are afraid to try. In Second Life you can ski, hang glide, drive a car, swim, boat, fly (with or without a plane), all kinds of sports like that. You can go to concerts and clubs. A lot of people start out just by exploring, going to clubs and concerts and shopping. If you care about your avatar appearance you can find freebies until you are able to buy Linden dollars to spend. There are freebie clubs in world. There are freebie websites that link up to places in Second Life to find the freebie. You can roleplay if you like to use your imagination to pretend to be someone or something else. Vampires are popular. Some people roleplay being in a 'family' and some people see Second Life itself as a big roleplay. So it really depends on you.

How did you know my favorite blend?