The SL10B Community Celebration, celebrating the tenth anniversary of Second Life being open to the public, takes place across June 16th through 23rd, 2013. With the theme of Looking Forward, Looking Back, the event is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the last ten years of Second Life and look forward to what the next ten years of Second Life and virtual worlds might bring.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been involved in Second Life the full ten years or just ten months; this is a chance for all of us to contribute and celebrate – and as from Monday April 15th, applications are open to everyone who wants to celebrate their Second Life with us!
The Regions
The 20 regions for this year’s celebration are already here, and we’re hoping they’ll Astonish, Astound, Beguile, Captivate, Dazzle, Electrify, Enchant, Exhilarate, Fascinate and Mesmerize all who attend the week-long celebration, and that you’ll very much be a part of things by applying to be an exhibitor or presenter or performer, and bring your own Impressive, Incredible, Magnificent, Stupendous and Wonderous visions and talents to the celebrations and help fill the week with Pizzazz and make it the most Awesome, Spectacular and Stunning birthday event yet (and yes, the clues to the regions names are pretty obvious there!).
The regions aren’t open as yet – but as mentioned above, applications to be a part of the event are open, and will remain open until midnight SLT on Monday, May 20th.
So, if you want to be a part of things – here’s how:
Event Policies
Please make sure you read the event policies and understand all requirements.
Exhibitors
If you want to:
Host an art installation
Host an informative exhibition
Promote a community group
Run an instructional media activity (writing, machinima, photography, etc.)
Events like the SL10B Community Celebration need help – lots of help. So even if you don’t feel you can be an exhibitor, performer or presenter but want to be more of a part of things – then why not volunteer to help out? It’s a great way to be an essential part of things, make friends and get to see all that goes on throughout the celebrations. Orientation and training is given for many of the roles, so there’s no danger of simply being chucked into the deep end (although you’ll have to give up a little time to attend training sessions, obviously!).
The SL10B website has lots of information about key support roles, such as Event Host / Greeters. Exhibitor Assistant, Moderators, and Stage Managers. So if you’d like to volunteer to one (or several – yes, you can apply for more than one!) of these then please fill-out the VOLUNTEER APPLICATION.
Blog and report!
If you have a blog or other publication, we encourage you to apply. You can be “embedded” – you will promise to post about the event at least once a week or put up photos at least once a week and in return for that, you will get special early access to SL10B and an invite to Press Day! Or – if you can’t post or put up pictures so often – you can still be on the Special Press Pass List – you’ll receive an invite to the Press Day, June 14 & 15.
We’re still over two months away from the opening day of the tenth anniversary celebration for Second Life – but that doesn’t mean people are sitting around a-waiting. Oh no. We’re already looking for volunteers.
Applications for volunteers, performers and exhibitors open on April 15th, and will remain open until May 20th. As I’ve already looked at this year’s theme and what it could mean to exhibitors, it’s time to hand over to Mistletoe Ethaniel, who has put together a video for all those DJs wishing to spin a spot at the celebration…
As the Prim Reaper has decided to take a break from things this year, The Boys In The Back Room have sought long and hard to find a spokesperson for the event.
… Looks like they’ve succeeded …
Update Your Bookmarks!
As Triangle Head notes, there have been some changes to various URLs for the celebration, so if you’re blogging about the Community Celebration, please make sure you update your links accordingly:
While it may seem hard to believe, 2013 marks ten years since Second Life first opened its doors fully to the public. While SL has been around a little longer than a decade when you take into account the closed beta programme of 2002/03 and, even before that, Linden World, 2013 is nevertheless an important milestone in the platform’s history.
That’s why the organisers of this year’s Community Celebration have chosen to celebration SL’s “tenth birthday” with the theme Looking forward, looking back.
But what does that mean? Well, as mentioned above, SL has been around a long time. Some of those who were there right back at the start – as long ago as 2002 – are still here. People like Dr. Fran Babcock, who is already recalling those very early days, when Second Life was just 16 regions, and taking a look at them as they appear today. Many more of us will no doubt recall 2003 or the magical boom period of 2006 / 07, when Second Life was the media darling of the world.
Looking back: the birth of Second Life – Linden World – with video footage by Andrew Linden, who is still with the Lab today
And that’s what Looking back is all about: looking back over our involvement in Second Life and celebrating what it was that drew us here and what has, over the months and years, kept us engaged in-world since taking those first few hesitant avatar steps. Whether we’ve been involved with the platform for six months or six years, it is an opportunity to celebrate our time with Second Life: what we enjoy in-world, the communities and clubs we’re a part of, the things we love to do in-world and how Second Life has been a part of our lives as it has grown from a mrer 50-or-so regions in June 2003 to the digital world it has become today. Ten years is also a long time for
Second Life as it appeared on opening the doors to the public in June 2003
The Community Celebration theme is designed to be a launchpad for ideas and opportunities in which we can all express how we personally regard Second Life and what it means to us, and the hope it that it will lead to many fascinating builds and displays which reflect our memories of times past and our enjoyment with, and enthusiasm for, the platform.
At the same time, the looking forward part of the theme give all of us, no matter how long we’ve been involved in the platform the chance to consider what Second Life might grow into or give rise to in the course of the next ten years. Right now, we’ve only scratched the surface of what immersive 2D worlds might bring by way of entertainment and practical use.
Just what will Second Life look like in 2023? What might it have given rise to a decade from now? Will it be purely immersive, or will it be augmentive – or a mix of the two? How might immersive 3D works better entertain us and how will 3D environments augment our everyday lives at home and / or at work? Let your imagination run free and bring your vision of the future of SL and virtual worlds to SL10B, and let us see where you think we’re headed in the years to come.
Bruce Branit’s moving glimpse of a possible immersive 3D world of the future (2009).
Applications for Exhibitor space on the Community Celebration regions will open on April 15th. So why not use the time between now and then to mull over ideas and seek inspiration – perhaps by visiting some of the earliest locations and builds in-world or for peeking into the future of Second Life and virtual worlds – and then apply to be a part of SL’s tenth anniversary?
It’s that time of year when we celebrate the anniversary of Second Life – and this year, the tenth anniversary of the founding of Second Life, will be very special.
This year we will have 20 sims for builds and stages and fun and freebies, and we invite you to be part of the festivities.
The theme of the Celebration will be: Looking Forward, Looking Back.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
April 15 Volunteer/Performer, Exhibitor Applications open
May 20 Volunteer/Performer, Exhibitor Applications close
May 27 Sims open to builders
June 16 Grand Opening
June 23 Official Birthday day and final day of performances
June 29 Sims close to the public
July 1 All builds to be dismantled – sims go offline
Many of your classic favourites will be back. There will be a cake. There will be a main stage, and other stage venues. There will be gifts to take away – which may well include a (non-Linden) souvenir bear. There will be an auditorium for talks and presentations. And finally, there will be a time capsule into which you can put your past year’s best creations.
How YOU Can be a part of the Celebration
You can volunteer to create your own celebratory plot, as Exhibitors are invited to show off their community and its special nature to others
You might prefer to join the team of Hosts welcoming all the visitors and handing out gifts, helping find locations, mentoring any newcomers who might need extra help and making the party happen.
Maybe you’d rather join the rock concert atmosphere and be a Stage Manager or you are a DJ or Live Performer and would like to share your talent from one of our stages. Or perhaps you want to share your passion and knowledge as a Presenter through a lecture or roundtable discussion in our Auditorium.
Others of you might be interested in Security or Public Relations. We’re looking for your energetic participation in all of these roles.
You are invited to sign up for one or more of these areas (yes, you can volunteer for everything if you like). Orientation and Training will be provided for many of the roles. Expect that some time will be required prior to the event for that purpose.
Make Sure You Stay Informed
Check the Celebration website for updates on specific aspects of the Celebration preparations
We also have an information group inworld – “The SLB Community” (without the “”) it’s free to join so sign up inworld to hear announcements there before you hear them anywhere else.
Saffia Widdershins informs us that Linden Lab has posted a survey related to this years’ Second Life birthday celebrations.
On the one hand, this might seem rather odd given the way that LL largely abdicated responsibility for organising any form of celebration at what amounted to the 11th hour. However, Linden Lab did provide a means by which events across the grid could be promoted through the Destination Guide, and the hand-off approach was something entirely new. As such, setting-up a survey that encourages people to provide feedback on the overall approach to this year’s celebrations and on things like the effectiveness of the Destination Guide channel might seem perfectly reasonable.
The problem is, however, that the survey actually fails to do any such thing. Rather than asking focused questions on the manner in which SL9B events were passed back to the community or on the effectiveness of LL’s promotional support, we get a rather odd 5-part survey which leaves one wondering just what on earth it is all about – and what LL are playing at.
The survey commences with a request to indicate one’s opinion about SL9B through the use of three sliders.
This is followed by three questions:
Was SL9B a better event overall than last year’s SL8B? (Options: yes, no, same, I did not attend SL8B.)
Did you invite friends to come to SL9B with you? (Options yes or no.)
Would you invite your Second Life friends to future SL birthday events? (Options: yes or no.)
Finally, there is the feedback section, which includes the question, “Do you have any suggestions related to the community birthday celebrations? If so, please add them here”, and provides a text box in which feedback can be typed.
In her post, Saffia suggests that the survey is aimed directly at gaining feedback about the central SL9B event held across 20 donated regions this year. I think she has a point. While on the one hand “SL9B” can be used in reference to any and all Second Life birthday celebrations that took place this year, there can be no denying that the term became synonymous with the central event itself. Furthermore, the questions seem singularly aimed at this event: “Was SL9B a better event overall than last year’s SL8B?” Why not, “WERE this year’s SL9B EVENTS better overall than last year’s SL8B”? .
SL9B central event – outstanding success
So if the Lab is poking into the organisation and success of this year’s central SL9B celebrations, then one has to ask why?
Are they assessing things with a view towards once again taking over the driving seat for future SLB events? I doubt it; the Lab doesn’t really have a track record of reversing major decisions once made – and withdrawing from full participation in SLB celebrations was a major decision. Given that the organisation of a week-long, multi-region event requires a considerable investment in terms of time and manpower – an investment LL were unwilling to make this year – it seems unlikely that they are looking to reverse their position outright on the basis of one resident-lead series of celebrations.
This leaves us with two possible points to the survey based on the way the questions are worded: either LL are simply curious as to how things turned out overall; or they are looking to perhaps re-engage in SLB activities in a limited capacity.
Neither option can easily be dismissed for somewhat similar reasons.
In terms of simple curiosity, let’s put a little context on things. Over the last few years, SLB events have witnessed declining numbers and have frequently be subject to negative feedback from users. Ergo, it is in some way hardly surprising that LL didn’t think it worth the effort to host a major event this year – and it is probably fair to say the overwhelming demand for there to be centralised celebrations caught them by surprise (hence the hasty, if misguided, negotiations with the LEA over hosting a central event). Not only that, but such was the support for the event that it easily matched LL-organised events of recent years in terms of size, number of exhibitors and scope of entertainment. As such, the survey could simply be an attempt by LL to try to understand why this is so, without any additional ulterior motives being attached.
Pretty much the same observations can be made in relation to LL wanting to re-engage in things to a limited degree. The very fact that the central event was such a success has caused them to reconsider their involvement, and so they are trying to find how they might be able to have limited involvement without being perceived as trying to make a grab for the reins and take over completely. As such, the survey might both be a low-key means by which they can better determine where and how they might seek to engage in future events and a means by which they can get a better feel for the organisation behind this year’s event without having to go the route of direct dialogue (which might be so easily misinterpreted by others).
Of course, it might just be that the survey really is about trying to gain feedback on the Lab’s own strategy and approach to handling SLB celebrations this year. If so, it is hard to see the how the questions, as phrased, will yield anything that is actually meaningful.
Whatever the underpinning reasons for the survey, if you’ve not already completed it, I encourage you to do so – and also to take a few minutes to complete the SL9B feedback form if you attended activities there or give feedback to any SL9B event you did attend across the grid.
When one attends an event as big as SL9B, it is easy to get carried away with all the excitement and hype. This tends to overshadow thinking when looking back on the event and looking at it perhaps a little more objectively, as one’s perspective can be swayed by the residual excitement and fun. So I decided to leave it a week and let matters percolate quietly before providing a personal round-up on the event.
The back story, as I’ve mentioned before, is well-known: Linden Lab’s decision to withdraw from active involvement, the scramble (and drama) to try to make a centralised event happen:, the generous donation of 10 regions be Dream Seeker Estates, followed by six more from an anonymous donor; the further donation of two regions apiece by Kitty CatS and Fruit Islands and nEoStreams stepping forward to supply all the required media streams. And, of course, then the mad dash to pull everything together in just five weeks!
Building work commences
And, frankly, the results were fabulous. That’s not the hype speaking: it’s a simple fact. Over 450 applications received from people and groups wishing to participate in the celebrations; 397 separate exhibits; the entertainment calendar so over-subscribed a fifth stage had to be hastily commissioned and fitted into the established layout. From the start, it was clear that “the community” – residents across SL and around the world – wanted this to happen; they wanted a focal-point for celebrations, and many of them wanted to be an active part of it.
The theme of “community” – which I felt at the time it was announced by LL was of a hand-washing affair than an actual attempt to define a “real” theme – actually worked very well. The exhibits showcased the rich diversity of communities and groups within SL, most of them in every imaginative ways. The theme also served to highlight the many ways in which SL serves as a platform to bring people together to in mutual support and understanding, and can unify people in the fight against illnesses. For me, one of the highlights of the week was being able to visit pavilions raising awareness of AIDS, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, autism, cancer and cystic fibrosis, together with those hosted by a number of support groups and help networks, and being able to learn more about their work in SL.
BEF: raising awareness of cystic fibrosis – one of several exhibits bridging SL and RL
Of course, there were a few hiccups: one display was replaced as it caused some upset among other exhibitors and volunteers prior to the event opening, while another artist opted to withdraw while some exhibitors failed to subsequently develop the parcels they had been allotted. But taken as a whole, the event seemed to bring out the very best in people, with everyone involved determined to ensure things would succeed.
Even when things went wrong on the technical side, the majority of people reacted with grace a humour. When opening the regions for the press preview proved to be a little problematic, people appreciated being kept informed and were content to wait while we resolved matters. Similarly, when teleports to and within the event regions went awry just after opening (requiring LL’s intervention over several hours to fix), most people refused to have their spirits dampened – as evidence by the fact that over 300 people arrived in the regions as things got underway – and numbers remained high across the regions despite the teleport issues.
The organisation of the event was marked by a lot of hard work from the core team – KT, Doc, Saffia, Honour, Diane and Budster (which is not to diminish the efforts of all the volunteers who stepped forward) – together with sparks of genius, such as the aforementioned roll-out of an additional stage for festivities at the 11th hour. Another spark of brilliance was Crap Mariner’s video promotions for the entire event, featuring the Angel of Death.
The Angel’s first outing
Some commentators, standing well off to one side of things failed to grasp the rich inventiveness in using the character, which perhaps speaks more of their own perceptions and bias than anything else. There can certainly be no denying the impact of the character in communicating important information about the event, or in its overall popularity throughout the thirty-one videos Crap produced – as evidenced by the fact that the videos even appeared in blogs not directly reporting on or promoting SL9B. I’m personally hoping we’ll be seeing him back once more as the doors open on preparations for SL10B.
Farewell to SL9B from the Grim Reaper
That LL were no longer calling the shots meant that the event had some greater freedom than previous years. Time could be side aside for raising money for a charitable cause; greater control could be exercised in preventing exhibits becoming little more than gaudy advertising, and so on – all of which further added to the attractiveness of the event.
When the event was announced, there were inevitable concerns (and grumbles) that it would overshadow other SL9B celebrations taking part across the grid. Rather than become embroiled in any controversy on this front, the organisers simply responded in the most positive way they could: by inviting other organisers to pass along details of their own events, which were then advertised at the Celebration Hub at the welcome area, allowing people arriving to learn about and visit other celebrations occurring across SL.
The Welcome Area and SL9B Celebration Hub
Could things have been handled better / differently? No doubt – and this is why the team behind SL9B want to hear back from everyone who attended. Feedback is important if mistakes are to be corrected next year and problems avoided. I’ve already dropped a couple of ideas via the feedback form, such as considering straddling the auditorium area across two sims in future (particularly if planned events are likely to pull-in a large audience). Aside from very crowded party venues, the auditorium area was the only place I experienced severe viewer issues and crashes.
While there is an inevitable desire not to disappoint those applying for exhibitor space, I’d also suggest considering the inclusion of a designated teleport point in each region (or perhaps “shared” between pairs of regions), perhaps with a directory listing of the exhibits to be found there. This would possibly allow easier movement around the regions and help people more easily find the exhibits they might be particularly interested in. Obviously, putting a complete directory of exhibits together is no easy task (and I’ve already volunteered to help with it next year, if one is done), but similar approaches have been used elsewhere (albeit on a smaller scale) to great effect, while still leaving people free to wander on foot.
KT Syakumi’s “History of Invisiprims”, a memorable exhibit
That the event was a success there can be little doubt. Even before the gates had finally closed on SL9B, many of those directly involved were already talking in terms of SL10B – and of the possibility of organising other events between now and then, and anyone travelling the Lotus Express on the last day can attest.
Perhaps that was the greatest magic that came out of this year’s anniversary celebrations: the feeling that something new and special had been created by residents, for residents, together with a very strong desire and commitment to see it continue into the future. That is something which is pretty special at a time when it is so easy to repeatedly turn a cynical eye on SL and / or hark back to the “good old days”. It shows that people do very much still love and care for all that SL represents and can stand for.
I know I’m now looking forward to 2013 – and that I’m not alone in doing so.
Another of my favourite memories from SL9B: exploring what it means to be a petite
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 