Black Friday Originals Only Sale!
Posted on 27 November 2009 | Comments Off
Four days only! Be sure to cash in on some incredible savings and finish off your SL holiday shopping. And if you want to buy for yourself, we won’t tell!
Click on the store names to be offered teleports. Have fun!
Alderson & Charron
AYUMI
BLOOD ROYAL
Cad & Tart
PhotoGraphique Custom Photography
The Curio Shelf – Art & Collectibles
The 5th of November – The Truth
Posted on 1 November 2009 | 1 response
There’s been a lot of controversy about the Artist’s Voice group’s 5th of November boycott. And it’s understandable. Strong statements spark strong reactions. Unfortunately, many of the reactions being voiced are based on misunderstandings, personal vendettas, and are emotional instead of well-thought out. Let us look at the facts, and let us start at the beginning:
Some weeks ago, the Step Up group in Second Life began encouraging residents to not upload anything to the virtual world for 24 hours – on November 5th. Each item uploaded (snapshot, texture, sound and animation) costs the artist L$10. As thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of items are uploaded every day, a 24 hour boycott can send a powerful message.
Tenshi Vielle, the founder of the Artist’s Voice group and the editor-in-chief of Shopping Cart Disco, was eager to participate, and as always, eager to do more. She has consistently been one of the loudest and bravest voices against the many wrongs perpetrated in SL, including content theft. A woman of action, she came up with a plan!
The idea behind the 5th of November is pretty simple, and is meant to show our complete disgust with content theft, and to encourage the powers that be to give us more support and more tools to fight content theft in our brave and shiny virtual world. If we halt as many L$ transactions as possible for 48 hours, we send a clear and unequivocal statement to Linden Labs™, reminding them that the Linden economy, and thus the success of Second Life™ is based on two things: the hard work of Second Life’s content creators and the deep virtual pockets of Second Life’s residents.
The L$ transactions proposed for boycott on November 5th and 6th are as follows:
- uploads
- the purchase of $L currency
- the sale of $L currency
- XStreet purchases and sales
- in-world purchases and sales
- land store purchases
- list no new classifieds (thanks to the naysayers for reminding me of this)
- stop blogging about Second Life (while not a $L transaction, it will help)
- pay shop rents on the 4th or the 7th (you should NOT go in arrears on rent or tier)
Mind you, it is understood that not all of these options work for everyone. No one will be vilified or spurned if they cannot participate. However, your participation to some extent is vital, and very much appreciated. There’s a notecard available in world (message Kat Alderson in world for the official notecard and textures) which outlines some easy ways for you to participate.
It is important to remember that the Artist’s Voice group is not trying to hurt the Linden economy or Second Life content creators in any way. We’re only asking you to help send a message to Linden Labs. You are encouraged to shop and upload to your heart’s content on every day save for November 5th and 6th! You are simply being asked to show your support for an end to content theft for 48 hours.
Together, we can!
I am Kat Alderson and I approved this blog post.
On Posting Anonymously
Posted on 28 October 2009 | 1 response
For most people, Second Life™ is a fairly anonymous experience. Not too many people share their first life names or other first life information with other residents. The virtual world is truly a second life, a second identity, a second personality. It is often an escape from the pressures of first life.
In time, some people share a few first life details with people they are in a virtual trust relationship with – business partners, friends, romantic partners. Perhaps their first life age or name, number and ages of children, relationship status, type of employment, the state or country in which they live. But even then, there is a level of anonymity. This is understandable, and for many people, it is vital. They may engage in activities in the virtual world that would be frowned upon by their first life families, friends, and/or colleagues.
While I am not anonymous in Second Life, I understand accept that most people are. They have their reasons. It is not my place to judge them.
However, my patience is tried when people use their anonymity for ill purposes. This happens often on blogs and forums which are linked to the virtual world. Over the past few months, I have taken to reading several blogs dedicated to Second Life. Too often I see Second Life residents who create a “screen name” for blogs – or several screen names, seeking to hide their Second Life identity. They then proceed to disparage the blogs, the bloggers, the other people leaving comments. They posture, they cloak themselves in self-righteousness, and as often as not, they are promoting behavior and activities which are anti-social at best.
These people are always passive aggressive. You can tell, because they are always defensive and develop persecution complexes within the threads they invade. They ignore the facts of any article or response, and focus on how they feel. They tell you that you do not understand what they are trying to say. They try to create mayhem (and often succeed). They try to discredit any legitimate arguments (and fail). They create discord, they draw attention away from the important, and in no way, can they be held accountable.
Of course, this is not true of all residents who post anonymously. But it is true of many. There are times I want to rip my prim hair out by the roots.
If you are a Second Life resident who feels the need to respond on blogs and forums dedicated to the Second Life virtual world, please have the decency to use your primary avatar name – even if you feel the need to be crabby or argumentative. For the most part, doing so lends you at least a shred a credibility, while anonymity strongly suggests you do have something to hide.
Follow-Up To Understanding Intellectual Property Rights
Posted on 27 October 2009 | Comments Off
Recently, I made a slide show for the Artist’s Voice group in Second Life™ which deals with the basics of copyright and trademark law, and the steps content creators can take in world to mark their creations. Last week, I presented the slide show as a class at Wind River Territory.
On Friday, October 30th, 6pm – 7:30 SLT, I will do a quick review of the presentation. This will be a moderated presentation, with specific time set aside for questions and comments (both of which will be taken in text only. The presentation will be in voice, with a slide show available for reference. Presentation location: Wind River School
Please note that GPL and Creative Commons will not be among the topics presented, and discussion of these items will be entertained only if time remains at the end of the presentation.
Artist’s Voice
Posted on 26 October 2009 | Comments Off
Tenshi Vielle of Shopping Cart Disco recently started a group in Second Life™ called Artist’s Voice. The Artist’s Voice is a group dedicated to educating consumers and content creators about intellectual property rights and content theft.
Artist’s Voice is not a witch hunt group, nor does the group endorse witch hunts. Witch hunts are counter-productive. They spread fear, propagate misinformation, and create more discord among residents.
Instead, Artist’s Voice is about open, friendly dialog with an end goal of putting a stop to the madness of content theft. Educating content creators about their rights, and educating consumers about the effects and consequences of content theft is really the only way to go about snuffing out content theft.
Content theft hurts everyone: consumers and content creators alike. If you’re in Second Life, you will eventually become one or the other, if not both.
Consumers are harmed when their hard earned Lindens get unwittingly spent on items which violate intellectual property rights (read: break the law). No one wants to be hoodwinked by a thief or a con artist. Consumers are also harmed by the dwindling quality of goods. Many great content creators have left the grid or just closed their shops because their works have been ripped. This diminishes our overall experience in world. And, unfortunately, some content creators need to raise their prices on goods to make up for the loss of income on stolen merchandise. Inflation retards the growth of any economy, and generally has negative impacts on communities.
Content creators suffer a lot from content theft. Shop-owners either rent shops, rent land, or own land in the virtual world. It costs them real money to set their items out for sale. When sales stop paying for shops, most content creators close the shop. It is only common sense to do so. Other costs are involved in content creation: building supplies and tools (textures, sculpties, animations, scripts, sounds). Even if a content creator makes their components, there are costs involved: each texture, sculpt, animation, and sound uploaded costs L$10. One sculpt or animation loaded can take hours, if not days to complete. And then there is advertising. Classified ads start at L$50 per week. Often, content creators have to spend much more to get a prominent listing. And, of course, the time to make assemble, package, and market content. In today’s demanding world, time is priceless.
Content theft doesn’t have a place in our world. Together, we can end it.
If you would like more information about intellectual property rights, content theft and what you can do to help, please feel free to contact an Artist’s Voice Council member (Tenshi Vielle, Darkley Aeon, Teagan Blackthorne, Arabella Steadham, Arwyn Quandry, Tracy Rubble, Rebel Hope, Ayumi Shinn, Kat Alderson). Be sure to check council members’ profiles for the best way to contact them.
Content creators and concerned consumers are welcome in Artist’s Voice. If you are interested in becoming an Artist’s Voice member, please drop a notecard on Tenshi Vielle. Be sure to include your avatar name, your SL email address (one you don’t mind sharing with other AV members), and if you are a shopkeeper, be sure to include your shop landmark or SLURL, and links to your XStreetSL™ listings. Artist’s Voice maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding their members and applications for memberships are screened.
Noble Charron (Michael A. Stackpole) and Kat Alderson (Kat Klaybourne) are members of Artist’s Voice. We strongly urge you to join in this important cause.
Congratulations to the Contest Winners
Posted on 3 October 2009 | 1 response
First Place is No More Thought Today by Cristian Rexie
Second Place is Waiting the StageCoach from Cilene Christen
Third Place goes to New Sherriff in Town by Tully McLeod
Contest Winners
Visit the Photo Contest Winners
Cristian will be displaying a collection of his works at Creative Gardens Art Gallery. In his works he gives free play to his imagination, giving you his vision of the SecondLife World: especially the part of this world that is more curious, strange, unusual and charming. I am thrilled to be able to present this incredible collection to you.
I also highly recommend a visit to his shop. It is set on a beautiful island in the midst of some spectacular ocean views. Here you can also view a much larger selection of his artwork.
Please help me congratulate these winners.
Thanks,
Doctor Who Audio Plays Weekend
Posted on 2 October 2009 | Comments Off
Come join us at the AstroCast Podcast Pub and listen to the following Doctor Who Audio Plays. Part 1 on Saturday and Part 2 on Sunday at 6PM SLT.
Eighth Doctor Adventure
‘Theosophy? Ha! Surely you mean theophany? Because we’re not talking about real gods here, are we? We’re talking about the appearance of gods. Your heavenly powers are a little too mechanical for my liking. And, if I may be so bold, Lord Zeus, your demeanor is not very godlike.’
Whispers of Terror
The Sixth Doctor and Peri find themselves in the Museum of Aural Antiquities, where every sound is stored for posterity – from the speeches of Visteen Krane to security service wire taps and interrogation tapes. But they also find an intruder, mysteriously changed recordings, and a dead body.
Freewriting Challenge Winners
Posted on 29 September 2009 | 1 response
The Fantasy & Science Fiction Writer’s Workshop hosted its first freewriting challenge last evening at Wind River, as part of the sim’s Grand Opening Celebrations. Two rounds of writing produced much furiously-written fiction and a clutch of talented winners. All writers were required to start with the same first sentence, and write from there.
Round One results found newcomer Yugguth Chrome in first place, Jordyss Paine in second place, and a four-way tie for third place among contestants Aplomb Pomilio, Chalice Piers, Justine Rhapsody, and Chuck Hamelin. All entries in the first round were required to start with the sentence, “There was a snake in my boot–again.” We promised to share the first-place winning entries, and here is Yuggoth’s (remember, these were written in five minutes flat):
There was a snake in my boot–again. Don’t ask my why it didn’t bother me..it just didn’t. Charlotte stood beside my cot and smiled that dark little smile that she reserved for me but I just couldn’t find the strength to smile back.
“Snake again?” she asked, blue eyes glittering in the pre-dawn light of our bio-lantern. It was nearly 4 am but here on Gamma it felt more like 7am Earth time.
“Imagine that.” I replied stomping my foot into my boot and standing with a stretch.
“We aren’t getting out of this place alive again are we?” I asked, watching the raptors spiraling in the grey haze of the atmosphere above.
“I don’t think so,” was Charlotte’s reply, “We may have to seed again later in case we don’t make it.”
“Are we ever going to be able to finish this survey without losing a clone?” I muttered.
Round Two provided a close race and resulted in a tie for first place between Justine Rhapsody and Chuck Hamelin, a tie for second place between Chalice Piers and Madison Talon, and Tok Tiratzo in third place. The starter sentence for this round was, “The old lady looked like she hadn’t seen the sun in decades.” Here are Justine and Chuck’s winning entries:
Justine:
The old lady looked like she hadn’t seen the sun in decades.
But then, this was a prison, I reminded myself. And it was five levels underground, with ascending levels for progression toward freedom. The old lady was on the fifth level. So was I. I wondered if I’d look like that before I went back up to the fourth level.
When I asked her name, she only laughed and said names were no good down there; names brought memories, names brought hope. And both were part of the torment of that prison below Titan colony.
But we shared our meal together that night; my first meal in the prison; her 5000th. It looked like rattlesnake; and she said it was, straight from the nanofab. When she said nanofab, she said it as if it were spelled nawnofawb. That made me wonder even more where she was from. I never found out.
Chuck:
The old lady looked like she hadn’t seen the sun in decades. Her skin was extremely pale, almost translucent.
Geoff almost let out an audible yelp when the old lady answered the door. She smelled of garlic.
“Ma’am, I’d like to get the count of persons in the househould for the census,” Geoff said, after recovering.
“Well … My Da, has since passed on … does he count?”
“No, Ma’am, only people living in this household.”
“Kippers is my dog, he’s really smart.”
“That may be, ma’am, but I’m trying to get a count of *people* living here.”
The old lady walked out onto the porch, and pointed out to her yard. “Hey you, get out of my yard!”
Geoff didn’t see anybody there.
“Can’t you tell him to get out of my yard?”
Geoff didn’t know what to do. Obviously nobody was in her yard.
“He’s taking his clothes off. Damn hooligan. Oooh.”
“Ma’am, maybe you could just tell me the number of people in the house.”
She looked at him and pointed a crooked finger.
Prizes for the event were sponsored by Alderson & Charron, Third Life Books, A Space for Dreams, F&SF Writer’s Workshop, Noble Charron, Delaney Imaging, and Graegor Aeon. This event was so much fun, watch for more freewriting challenges in the future! Thanks to our sponsors and all who came to participate.
Grand Opening Celebration! Sept. 23rd – 30th
Posted on 22 September 2009 | 1 response
We are so pleased to announce the Grand Opening Celebration of Wind River Territory. When Mike Stackpole (Noble Charron in SL) took a look at Second Life two years ago, we rented a 6144 square meter plot on the mainland, and we thought it was HUGE. Less than two years later, we have Wind River Territory – our own island. And we have plans to bring on two more island in the foreseeable future.
Our merchants are excited, too. Together, we have come up with an amazing line up of special events and sales – something for everyone, and a fair sampling of what we are about. Click on the picture or title of the event to be offered a chance to teleport in and join the fun!
Sidewalk Sale
September 23
12 am – 11:59 pm
__________
Alderson & Charron Fine Furniture – Grand Re-opening Sale!
September 23
6 pm – 8 pm
Stop in and meet Alderson & Charron Fine Furniture designer, Kat Alderson. Get demonstrations of our furniture functionality, browse our ground level and main showroom selections. All purchases made during this refund will earn a 50% rebate to be paid after 8 pm on September 23rd!
__________
September 24
6 pm – 8 pm
One of the longest running podcasts in the podosphere, the wildly popular science fiction variety show can be heard in the FarPoint Media shanty on most Thursday evenings!
__________
September 25 – 27
All Day
Ten (or more) horseshoes will be hidden around town. They may be inside or outside of the shops or buildings on the sim.
Prizes:
Each horseshoe will contain a unique prize for the lucky hunter that finds it.
Rules:
You may come to the hunt at any time between the start and end date. Please act responsible and don’t shout out the locations to anyone. Some people actually enjoy a good hunt.
Backstory:
To get ready for the Grand Opening of the Independence Territory sim, some extra special shipments were coming in on stagecoach. Unfortunately, the horses on one of the stagecoaches got spooked by a snake and the driver couldn’t control it. The horses went one way and the stagecoach the other. We were able to gather up most of the cargo, but some of the horses lost their shoes.
We need help finding the missing horseshoes. As a reward for finding each shoe, a special prize is hidden magically inside the shoe and all you need to do is touch it to free the prize inside.
__________
GRAND OPENING DANCE PARTY WITH KONA RADIO!
September 25th
6 pm – 8 pm
Come as you are, or in your favorite western gear and party like it’s 1885! The lovely KONA Radio DJ, GoSpeed Racer will be spinning all of our favorite tunes!
__________
BOOK TRIVIA: GO WEST, YOUNG MAN!
September 26th
12 pm – 1 pm
The Bookstacks Trivia Game is held every Saturday at 12 noon SLT. The game has 25 Literary questions on various topics – previous topics have included Shakespeare, Science Fiction, Poetry, Myths & Legends, colors, weather, and many others. Questions can range from incredibly easy (how fast can you type?) to insanely difficult (brush up those Googling skills!) with everything in between. Even if you don’t get the answers, the commentary from contestants make the event worth attending.
To add another twist to the game, we invite participants to come dressed for the theme of the quiz
Winner of Trivia is awarded $500 lindens, and the person in the best costume also wins $500 lindens.
The costume contest is sponsored by Age & Country Hotel.
__________
NaNo-Sprinting Class for NaNoWriMo writers!
Saturday, September 26th
2 pm – 3 pm SLT
__________
Paranormal Book Discussion: The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
Sunday, September 27th
11 am SLT
The Illustrated Man consists of 18 short stories tied together by the frame device of “the Illustrated Man”, a vagrant with a tattooed body whom the unnamed narrator meets. The man’s tattoos are animated and each tell a different tale. (see Wikipedia for additional information) Read the book or a few stories and join the discussion!
Brought to you by Bookstacks!
__________
__________
First Life Author Robert E. Vardeman Reading
Sunday, September 27th
4 pm – 5 pm SLT
Details to be announced!
F&SF Writer’s Workshop – Freewriting Challenge!
Monday, September 28th
5 pm SLT
Fast fiction and fun! We’ll need both participants and judges, so the more, the merrier!
What is Freewriting?
Freewriting means taking a topic and writing on it for a specified amount of time, without stopping to think, plan, correct mistakes, or worry about what you are writing. Just write!
How will the challenge work?
Participants will be given a writing prompt, then allowed 5 minutes to write something based on that prompt. The results will be shared with everyone in attendance, and votes collected to decide the winners.
Will there be prizes?
Of course! We’ll do two rounds, with prizes as follows:
1st Round
1st place, L$750 sponsored by Third Life Books, and the winning entry will be posted, with credit, on the Alderson & Charron blog
2nd place, L$450 prize sponsored by A Space for Dreams
3rd place, L$250 prize sponsored by F&SF Writers’ Workshop
2nd Round
1st place, L$750 sponsored by Alderson & Charron, and the winning entry will be posted, with credit, on the Alderson & Charron blog
2nd place, L$450 prize sponsored by A Space for Dreams
3rd place, L$250 prize sponsored by F&SF Writers’ Workshop
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate, whether they are members of the F&SF Writer’s Workshop or not.
Competition rules:
One entry per participant per prompt.
Keep entries to a PG rating, please.
Decisions of the voting & administrators are final.
Questions? IM Luta Lassard
__________
Grand Opening Photo Contest Winners Announced
Monday, September 28th
6pm SLT
__________
Office Hours with New York Times Bestselling Author Michael A. Stackpole
Wednesday, September 29th
5 pm – 5:50 pm SLT
Michael A. Stackpole (Noble Charron in SL) is an award-winning novelist and New York Times Bestselling author. In addition to writing over forty novels, Mike has also won awards for editing, screenwriting, comics writing, game design, computer game design and podcasting.
Mike is also the author of The Secrets, a service sheet and podcast for writers. In his commitment to helping aspiring writers succeed, he also teaches writing classes at several conventions, including Origins, Gencon and Dragon*Con – as well as several classes her in Second Life!
A leader in the gaming industry for over 25 years, Mike also authored The Pulling Report, and serves as a Board Member Emertius for GAMA (The Game Manufacturers’ Association).
As a Skeptic and a well-respected critical thinker, Mike also serves as the Chairman of the Phoenix Skeptic.
At his weekly Second Life office hours, Mike takes questions on writing, publishing, epublishing, Second Life publishing gaming, podcasting, the convention scene, and critical thinking.
__________
Skirtsitter Workshop by Dress with Aplomb
Wednesday, September 30th
6 pm SLT
ATTENTION, FASHIONISTAS! Tired of searching and searching for the PERFECT skirt, finally finding it, buying it, only to discover you can’t sit down it? Your troubles are over! Second Life fashion designer Aplomb Pomilio shares the secrets of Skirtsitter, a script she adds to her own creations to make them simply marvelous. Aplomb will show you how to fix any modifiable skirt you own so you, too, can finally sit like a lady was meant to!
F&SF Writer’s Workshop Freewriting Challenge
Posted on 21 September 2009 | Comments Off
Come join us on Monday, September 28th, 5 pm SLT, for fast fiction and fun! We’ll need both participants and judges, so the more, the merrier!
What is Freewriting?
Freewriting means taking a topic and writing on it for a specified amount of time, without stopping to think, plan, correct mistakes, or worry about what you are writing. Just write!
How will the challenge work?
Participants will be given a writing prompt, then allowed 5 minutes to write something based on that prompt. The results will be shared with everyone in attendance, and votes collected to decide the winners.
Will there be prizes?
Of course! We’ll do two rounds, with prizes as follows:
1st Round
1st place, L$750 sponsored by Third Life Books, and the winning entry will be posted, with credit, on the Alderson & Charron blog
2nd place, L$450 prize sponsored by A Space for Dreams
3rd place, L$250 prize sponsored by F&SF Writer’s Workshop
2nd Round
1st place, L$750 sponsored by Alderson & Charron, and the winning entry will be posted, with credit, on the Alderson & Charron blog
2nd place, L$450 prize sponsored by A Space for Dreams
3rd place, L$250 prize sponsored by F&SF Writer’s Workshop
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate, whether they are members of the F&SF Writer’s Workshop or not.
Competition rules:
One entry per participant per prompt.
Keep entries to a PG rating, please.
Decisions of the voting & administrators are final.
Questions? IM Luta Lassard in-world
Hosted by Luta Lassard and members of the F&SF Writer’s Workshop
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