Second Life Update

SL Pro Content Creation Challenge Winners

We wrote recently about the SL Pro 2010 Conference in Second Life. One great event was a content creation challenge. Participants competed in different categories and winners each received L$10,000. Below is a list of the winners:

You can Teleport to view the entries until March 31, 2010

SL Pro Content Creation Challenge Winners:

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Linden Homes in Second Life

We have written frequently about Linden Homes in Second Life. Linden Lab has just released some new details about the popular Linden Homes. Below is a list of the top ten things you may not know about them.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Linden Homes in Second Life:

HD Video Rotating Prim Cubes around a Sphere

I don't really know why but I just thought that this video was really cool. It shows some prim cubes being rotated around a prim sphere in the virtual world of Second Life.

There is a second sphere which does the rotation much faster using a different script. Both of the scripts were done in Mono.

The high definition video is about 5 minutes long. Check it out below.................

Shocker: Pathfinder Linden Fired from Linden Lab

We have written before about the exodus of employees from Linden Lab which includes the Linden CFO and to some extent even the founder of Linden Lab.

Today another shocker as John Lester (known as Pathfinder Linden) announced that he will be leaving Linden Lab on Friday, March 12, 2010. It looks like he has been fired "reorganization". Pathfinder Linden was the Evangelist, Market Development (customer market development in Education and Healthcare) and has been with the company since 2005. Here is his farewell letter.....................

Survivors of Suicide Offers Support in Second Life

This issue is particularly close to my heart. I had a very good friend commit suicide when we were only teenagers. It was such a tragic waste.

Survivors of Suicide and SOBS (survivors of bereavement by suicide) is a group seeking to offer support, prevention, and healing for for potential and suicide survivors and their families. The below video features the group virtual sim and some beautiful imagery. There is help out there. Even in the virtual world.

Teleport there now. The video is about 5 minutes long. Check it out below................................

Video Tour of Virtual Zoo Neunkirchen in Second Life

We have written before about 3d animals in Second Life. Below is a video tour of Zoo Neunkirchen which is a virtual zoo featuring tigers, lions, polar bears, elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, and more.

Teleport there now. The video is shot from atop a cabel ride. The below video is about 3 minutes long. Check it out below...............

Today is International Women’s Day in Second Life

If you are woman that it is time to let people hear you roar. Today is International Women's Day in Second Life. This event recognizes and celebrates the many achievements of women from all over the world. The first IWD began in the year 1911. There will be a celebration today at noon (Second Life Time) at the SLLUU Feminist Network Headquarters at the Flagg virtual sim in Second Life.

The event will feature live music of DJ Xavia Plamiram. Teleport there now............................

What are Your Second Life St. Patrick’s Day Plans March 17th?

What are your plans for St. Patrick's Day in Second Life?. St. Patrick's Day is almost here coming March 17, 2010.

One popular tradition is Belfast which features live music, art, and more. There are a ton of parties and parades as well. Check out the below high definition video to get you in the mood. It is about 1 minute long..............................................

Machinima: Acts of Light

The below is a machinima showing some interpretive dance by two dancers. The video is about 4 minutes long. Check it out below..................

2 Virtual Birth Videos

Below are 2 different virtual birth videos created in Second Life. The first is about 4 minutes long. Check it out below...............

XStreet SL Terminals Removed from Second Life on March 8: Web Transfers Replace Inworld Method

Linden Lab has announced that you will no longer need to deposit funds in Xstreet SL terminals in order to make purchases. You can login to your XStreet SL account and linden dollars from your Second Life account L$ balance. The process is simple:

How to Transfer L$ Into XStreet SL Without Terminal:

1. Click on the Transfer option in the "My Marketplace" box.

2. Enter the quantity of L$ to transfer from your Second Life account.

3. Click Transfer to complete the transaction.

This will make the process much easier and reduce fraud. All terminals will be removed inworld by March 8...................

HD Video: Second Life Twitter Integration OAuth Demo

Linden Lab has built a scripting library that allows Second Life and Twitter to integrate easily. It has been converted to run on the LSL scripting platform. It is now easier than ever to Tweet from Second Life without having to set anything up and without requiring you to re-enter information every time. An open source protocol known as OAuth is used. This is a secure API that passes your login credentials.

In addition you can configure which objects in Second Life can send updates to Twitter. There are some HUDs out there that allow for easy tweeting and other applications such as inventory notifications, relay of inworld activities, and scoreboards.

The OAuth Library currently has a Wiki Page and you can download the script library for free. The below high definition video shows a demonstration fo the OAuth Integration with Twitter and Second Life. It is about 5 mintues long. Check it out below...........................

nAvitar Sim Video Tour

We have written before about nAvitar in Second Life. In the below video we take another short tour of this beautiful sim. This version is a fly by and overhead view of the virtual sim recreation of Pandora from the movie Avatar.

The video is about 3 minutes long. Check it out below.........................

3d Battleship HD Video: SL Destroyer WarShip

The below high definition video features a virtual Destroyer Warship created in Second Life. This virtual boat supports the VICE combat system, has 2 canons driven independently by either a pilot or gunner HUD, depth charges, torpedoes, 11 flags, and 2 anti-aircraft machine guns.

It was created with only 88 primitives but has a high level of detail. Teleport to the YAMATO Japanese Sim for a closer look.

The video below is about 2 minutes long. Check it out below......................

Video: 1000 Second Life Avatar Faces in 3 Minutes

In 2007 a project was begun which went around taking pictures of the faces of Second Life avatars. 3 years later the amazing diversity and beauty of these faces has been assembled into a 3-4 minute video. The below video features the music "Additive Piano" by Lordfly Digeridoo. Please check it out below......................

There.com Shutting Down Forever on March 9 2010

The announcement that There.com is shutting down forever shocked many people today. The 3d Virtual World There.com began in 2003 and welcomed people of all ages. Many corporate sponsors came online in the game.

Today There.com Chief Executive Officer Michael Wilson announced that There.com will be closing on on March 9, 2010 at midnight. Registration, billing, and other programs such as developer submissions will be immediately be shut down. No more rent or fees will be collected. Purchases of of Therebucks after February 1, 2010 will be refunded.

The shutdown was blamed on the recession and poor economy as well as a loss of market share and decrease in revenue. There was no word on layoffs but there will probably be some if they have not already happened.

Many players are of course moving to Second Life. Check out the below high definition There.com gameplay video and player reactions about the announcement................

HD Video Tutorial – Enabling Global Illumination for Real World Lighting & Shadows

The below is a high definition tutorial video showing how to enable Global Illumination in the Virtual World of Second Life. This features is available for the Second Life Viewer 2.0. Enabling Global Illumination will give more realistic lighting and shadows in the viewer.

The video is about 1.5 minutes long. Check it out below...........................

HD Video Tour of Pteron Virtual Sim

The below is a high definition video tour of the Pteron virtual sim in Second Life. The Pteron virtual sim was created by Kei514 Flow and makes you feel like you are visiting an alien world.

Teleport there now

The video is about 4 minutes long. Check it out below.....................

Video: Using Google Street View in Second Life

Yes, thanks to the SL Viewer 2 you can now use apps and sites like Google Street View in Second Life.

It creates quite an interesting visual effect to have your avatar navigating the real life pictures of Google Street View. Is this the future my friends? Yes it is.

The below video is about 1.5 minutes long. Check it out below.............

Video: Second Life – So Easy Your 2 Year Old Can Do It

The below is a video featuring a 2 year old walking and flying in Second Life. Yes the controls and concept is that easy that even a 2 year old can do it.

Linden Lab is going to have to develop a Toddler Life version.

The video is about 3 minutes long. Check it out below....................