Category: Second Life

Sinners and Saints in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Sinful Retreat: Sinners and Saints

The Sinful Retreat Sinners and Saints exhibition opens at 12:00 noon SLT on Saturday July 10th, featuring the work of an incredible 50 artists across two regions through until September 2021.

First announced in February 2021 (see: Sinners and saints, a new arts challenge in Second Life), the exhibition is in many respects the spiritual offspring of the great Art Challenges sponsored and hosted by the University of Western Australia and their partners (both in-world and out-world), and organised by FreeWee Ling and Jayjay Zifanwe on behalf of UWA.

In the wake of the UWA Gratitude Art Show back in November which Chuck Clip curated alongside Mariposa Upshaw, we here at Sinful Retreat and Angels Rest decided to carry UWA’s torch onward into the future in the form of occasional themed art shows. Sinners & Saints Art Show is our first show which serves the dual purpose of carrying the aforementioned torch and celebrating the culmination of our first year in Second Life. 

– From the Sinful Retreat team

Sinful Retreat: Sinners and Saints – Morlita Quan

The challenge has been for 2D and 3D artists and poets and writers to submit two pieces, one depicting the side of light (or goodness, or saintliness or The Force, or whatever you might like to call it) and the other the side of “darkness” (or The Dark Side,  or sinfulness or wickedness – again, whatever you prefer to call it). In this, the organisers were keen to emphasize that despite the exhibition’s title, they were not asking artists to think  along purely Christian (or general religious) lines.

Sinful Retreat and Angels Rest are mirrors for each other, highlighting the dichotomy of light and dark in art and humanity as a whole. We thought it appropriate that our first show should reflect that … With submissions from 50 artists and poets from across the grid, and over 20 hours of performances by musicians and DJs, plus poetry and science fiction readings, this show is sure to encapsulate all of us and serve to start some interesting conversations. We cannot wait to gaze deep into the mirror with you.

– From the Sinful Retreat team

The result is an incredibly diverse range of art that is mixed – as noted above – with more than 20 hours of music throughout the event, together with live reading of prose and poetry. The canvas of participating artists could not be broader, featuring name both well-known, and those who many not be so familiar, as well as some those who enjoyed visiting the UWA challenges will likely frin familiar from those exhibitions as well.

Sinful Retreat: Sinners and Saints – Traci Ultsch (l) and Chuck Clip (r)

Just how broad a spectrum of art the theme of the event has provided can be seen in the fact that within the pieces offered, are works that might reflect the nature of human nature – that we can be led by turns by the inner voices of our better angels or our worse demons;  on the broader suffering we can inflect on one another through multiple means, all of which lead to so many displaced and lost people; how our selfishness has led to untenable climate and environmental damage – but has also awakened the need for us to do more to reverse that damage; and more, all mixed with more familiar offerings on the themes of saints / angels and sinning / demons. There are even cosmological pieces drawing on idea of yin and yang, universal balance, and creation and entropy awaiting discovery.

Readings and music will be provided throughout the event, as noted, and the activities for July are now available via the Sinful Retreat website – expect August and September’s activities to be posted at the start of each month.

Sinful Retreat: Sinners and Saints – Meilo Minotaur

Richly diverse, Sinners and Saints will open on July 10th, 2021 with a 3-hour event featuring singers SpiritLed (nnon-13:00 SLT), Semina (13:00-14:00 SLT), and Acoustic Energy (14:00-15:00 SLT).

When visiting, I’d suggest using the local EEP settings and strongly recommend you have Advanced Lighting Model (ALM) enabled in your viewer (Preferences → Graphics → make sure Advanced Lighting Model in checked).  Also note that following the end of the exhibition, selected pieces from Sinners and Satins will be displayed in rotation on Sinful Retreat and Angels Rest.

SLurl Details

Euphoria in a Sweet Paradise in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Euphoria, July 2021 – click any image for full size

Photographer and blogger Rig Torok drew me by way of a Tweet and blog post to the Homestead region held by KrisMiss Munster (KrisMiss) under the name of Euphoria.

Dressed in an everlasting winter, the region offers visitors a break from all the summertime region designs that tend to be presented for public enjoyment at this time of year, and comes with a lot to see and appreciate.

Euphoria, July 2021

This is a place with an eclectic mix of settings strung along the snowy lands that rise from the intervening waters that break up the region, all of which flow together so as to be both individually placed yet still part of a flowing whole. All can be easily reached by foot, but for those who wish, a horse rezzer just across the bridge from the landing point offers the opportunity to ride along the paths winding through the region, while teleporters might also be found neatly hidden away here and there  for those who prefer to hop around.

As noted by the About Land description, these spaces include a wedding venue with an open-air reception area just a short walk from a little country chapel, a memorial space where those who have passed might be remembered, and an off-shore meditation space. Not mentioned in the description but sitting close to the latter, is a high diving point awaiting those who get to the top of the large table of rock that hides the meditation space from the rest of the region, giving it a sense of restful separation.

Euphoria, July 2021
I got this idea when a really nice guy messaged me asking if he can propose to his true love at Euphoria. Of course I said, Yes! 🙂
I got all kinds of fuzziness inside that now I want to offer it to all of you. If you want to propose to your partner at Euphoria, please message me. I will be happy to set it up for you.

– KrisMiss on providing the wedding venue at Sweet Paradise

Euphoria, July 2021

All of this barely scratches the surface of all that is to be found within Euphoria, however, as there are also places to sit and enjoy the company of a loved one (and which also extend into the air!), marvellous water-based features, atmospheric ruins and hints of magic thanks to things like the chandeliers that float in the air, the glowing waters and crystals, and a mirror frozen in time as it explodes, glass turning slowly like a glittering tornado caught in slow-motion.

From the landing point, the wedding venue of chapel and reception space lie to the east, the meditation area reached via a bridge and stepping stones just off to the south from the entrance to the wedding reception area. Across the centre of the region, with its water features and frozen fountain, lies the Memorial space.

Guarded by gates and a curtain of shimmering lights at the end of a narrow tongue of land, the Memorial space offers the means by which loved ones can be remembered in one of four ways:

  • By standing close to one of the unlit candles fixed to the columns of the memorial space and touching it. This will prompt you to enter the name of the person you wish to remember in local chat, after which the candle will light for a 24-hour period the name of the remembered one displayed above it.
  • By clicking on one of the Remember Me books on the alter, then entering a message in the displayed dialogue box and then clicking the Submit button.
  • By providing details on a note card and dropping it into the little mailbox on the alter.
  • Group members only, and limited by number / space: a glass plaque and wreath, obtained by again dropping a note card with details into the mailbox.

The above details can also be obtained by touching the Info panel on the alter plinth, and benches are placed within the Memorial space for those who wish to sit and remember.

Euphoria, July 2021

To the west of Euphoria is a second region that through both design and layout, might well initially appear to be a furtherpublic setting, but is in fact a residential region – so do be careful of any trespass.

A storybook setting rich in detail, caught until a sparkling late afternoon sky, and wrapped  within a gentle sound scape, Sweet Paradise presents much to see, enjoy and appreciate.

Euphoria, July 2021

SLurl Details

  • Euphoria (Sweet Paradise, rated Moderate)

Carmel Air Fair 2021 in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
2021 Carmel Air Fair

Now open at the Carmel Art Community, is the 2021 Carmel Summer Art Fair, organised by Martha and Robert McFarren. An open-air air show the winds its way through the streets of the community’s village and passing it shops and studio galleries, the Fair is organised for members of the Carmel Art Community and their guests.

This year, around 28 artists (assuming I’ve not missed anyone, which is always possible!), are exhibiting at the Fair, with members of the community displaying up to three pieces of work, and their guests two pieces each.

2021 Carmel Art Fair – Emeline Laks (l) and Deyanira Yalin (r)

In all, the participating artists include: Carelyna, CybeleMoon (Hana Hoobinoo), Martissima (Marta Gabardini), Mousie (Malia Kenyon), SecondHandTutti, Venk (Stephen Venkman), Victoria (VictoriaBlue), Willow (cutewillow Carlberg), Xirana (Xirana Oximoxi), Aneli Abeyante, Anouk Lefavre-Huntsman (Anouk Lefavre), Audie Whimsy, Dhyezl Ravenhurst (Dhyezl), Deyanira Yalin, Elle Thorkveld, Emeline Laks, Jaelle Faerye, Life Charron (Zeroys), LilyKitty Sixpence, Maggie Starr (maggiemagenta), Michiel Bechir, Robert McFarren (RobertMcFarren, Tara (TaraAers), Trinity Ermintrood, Vanessa Jane (VanessaJane66), Viktor Savior (ViktorSavior), Zia Sophia (Zia Branner) and moi.

The art itself is an engaging mix of physical world paintings and photography, avatar studies and Second Life landscapes, all presented in a broad range of styles: watercolour, oil, mixed media, digital manipulation, abstract, colour, monochrome.  Thus, there is much for visitors to appreciate and, if the mood takes them, purchase. And of course there is the opportunity to pop into the studios used by members of the community and see more of their work.

2021 Carmel Art Fair – Zia Sophia (r) and someone called “Pey” (l)

As well as the art, the Fair features a range of events, all of which are promoted through the community’s in-world group, highlight of which can be summarised as (all times SLT):

  • July 8th, 13:00: Special July Chatnic hosted by Jaelle Faerye, and guest artists.
  • July 12th 13:00: Particle Show with VENUS ADORED & music by DJ Hein.
  • July 19th 12:00 noon: DJ Riff Gaffer Music & Poetry.
  • July 21st 12:00 noon: Live Stream with artist Kisma Reidling as she shares a 40 minute “Come Smudge With Me” class.
  • July 24th 12:00 noon: Concert with Bsukmet with a particle show by Roxy & 1Earthling.

Those visiting the art fair also have the opportunity to take the stairs down to the little courtyard alongside the two large gallery buildings, where Hermes Kondor is exhibiting a selection of his utterly mesmerising digital art.

Carmel Art Community – the Art Fair also offers the opportunity to visit the current exhibit by Hermes Kondor

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July 2021 SL Web User Group summary: mobile and new user experience

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Web User Group meeting venue, Denby

The following notes cover the key points from the Web User Group (WUG) meeting, held on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021.

These meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of the month, with dates and venue details available via the SL public calendar. A video of the meeting, courtesy of Pantera, can be found at the end of this article, and the following is a summary of key topics / discussions.

Web Properties Updates

  • Operating system updates are still on-going; the tools work has been continued through the last month as a well.
  • The Land Store has had some cosmetic updates.
  • World API and Map:
    • There has been some work on the World API to make it faster.
    • Searching for an empty string on the Map should no longer generate an error message.
  • New user sign-up: two small improvements:
    • E-mails are now validated when entered during the sign-up process.
    • The viewer download link no longer opens a separate tab to display the download button – on sign-up the browser is now directed to the download page / button.
  • Marketplace improvements:
    • Work has started on updating to the new Second Life blue logo.
    • Test deliveries have been fixed so they no longer generate an error message.
    • There have been updates to search / keywords to better match the maturity of words against the maturity rating on the item. This was largely due to some creators were adding punctuation marks into their adult item descriptions in an attempt to get around the maturity rating and have the item show up in results where the user has otherwise restricted what they want to see to General / Moderate.
  • Premium downgrading:
    • Until now, if a Premium user decided to downgrade their account from Premium to Basic and then changed their mind, they would have to contact support to cancel the downgrade.
    • It is now possible to cancel a downgrade request directly from the website without any need for Support intervention.

New User Experience

See also: Poking at the new Welcome Islands.

  • The new Welcome Islands that form a part of the new user experience are now undergoing A/B testing alongside the existing Learning / Social Islands and monitored against Firestorm’s Community Gateway for the next month or so.
  • These islands are used in conjunction with the Guidebook that is now part of the official viewer (and starting to be included in TPVs).
  • There is a “Welcome Back Island” that is physically identical to the Welcome Islands, but which is open to general visits for those who are curious.
  • During the A/B Testing, the Lab will be particularly looking at the numbers of retained users who come through the various points of entry (Welcome Island, the Learning / Social Islands / Firestorm Gateway) and how each performs.
  • If the Welcome Islands / Guidebook prove to be successful, then the Guidebook will likely undergo language localisation to make it more useful. In the meantime, and during testing, there could be smaller changes to both the Guidebook and the Welcome Islands (e.g. the station for new avatars may undergo further updates and offer a “newer” selection of avatars).
  • Both the Welcome Island regions and the Guidebook have been developed as modular units, allowing both to be revised / updated.

Mobile Update

  • The iOS version has now been accepted by Apple.
  • HOWEVER, it is not currently publicly available through the Apple Store, as the Lab is working on the first set of updates, which they want to incorporate before the app is made generally available.
  • At the moment, the iOS version is in testing with some 40 or so users.
  • The Android version remains somewhat behind the iOS version and won’t be appearing in the short-term.
  • As has been repeatedly indicated, the client will initially be a communications companion and will not include any 3D world rendering – this is on the roadmap (assuming the interest / use of the mobile app warrants the additional development work), but is “way down the line.”
  • Those using the app will be logged-into dedicated “SL Mobile” regions for the purposes of communication. Obviously, if the app reaches the point where it is rendering the world, this will all change. However, until then:
    • These regions will not be accessible to anyone not using the SL Mobile client.
    • Those using the App will not have a physical presence within the regions.
    • It will not be possible to engage in local chat within the regions – although obviously, IMs will be possible, and the ability to use Group chat will be added.
  • Again, the initial purpose of the App is not to offer a fully-function alternative to the viewer for people on mobile devices; rather, it is intended to provide a means by which people can stay in contact with those they already know / need to contact (via search) when they are unable to make use of the viewer. Although again, functionality will be added as time goes by to move it beyond this initial use-case.

In Brief

  • Marketplace Requests:
    • Bulk image uploads for listings: this has been requested numerous times, and a feature request Jira has been asked for, so it can be logged.
    • Store block list (feature request BUG-230941): the ability for users to compile a list of MP stores where (for whatever reason) they do not wish to shop, and have them excluded from Search results. This is actually something the Marketplace team have been discussing as a general idea.
    • “Discount linking” for listings: the ability for creators to offer links between listings in their own store to give shoppers a discounts.
      • Example: a creator brings out a completely new version of s product (rather than an updated version) – they could use the “discount linking” to allow those who purchased the “old” version at a discounted price).
      • Example: a creator could offer a discount on a new skin or make-up kit for a specific mesh head within a their range of head products, rather than for all of the heads they sell.
      • This is something that, if submitted as a feature request, would receive consideration by the Lab.
    • Variant listing: Keira re-iterated (as per my June meeting summary) that the Lab is considering variant listings (e.g. a single listing for multiple colour versions of the same item). However, this is unlikely to be something that is implemented before 2022.
  • Search: an upcoming project is that of Search, encompassing how it currently functions, how the Lab would like it to function and how users expect it to function. This will then hopefully lead to improvements being make to Search, although this may not happen until much later in the year or until 2022.
  • Broken Support links: some of the pages on the dashboard at secondlife.com (e.g. Billing Information, Account History/Statements) have a broken Help / Support links due to a missing “secondlife.com” in the URLs. This is a known issue.
  • Last Names:
    • The Premium account SL Birthday themed Last Names will be shortly be withdrawn from use and replaced with a new selection of Last Names, possibly within the next week or so. After this, next update to Last Names will likely be timed for Halloween.
    • Feature request BUG-230299 asks for the current Custom last Name programme (US $500 annually for a dedicated last name) to be made more broadly available, if on a more limited basis (and presumably a lower price-point) for those who wish to have a dedicated Last Name for their “family” / community / group. This is something that the Lab is considering, but it is unlikely that there will be anything to announce on it, should it move forward, until some time in 2022.
  • Grid-wide user experiences: there has been some further internal discussion on these at the Lab, but right now, they are a long way down the list of priorities.

Next Meeting

  • Wednesday, August 5th, 14:00 SLT.

Poking at the new Welcome Islands

Posted on by Inara Pey
The new Welcome Islands

Update: Keira Linden indicated as well as A/B testing against the Learning / Social Islands, the Welcome Islands are also being compared with throughput via the Firestorm Community Gateway. you can find more on Keira’s comments on the Welcome Islands and the Guidebook in my July 7th Web User Group meeting summary). 

Following my recent look through the new Guidebook that now forms a part of the official Second Life viewer (and is filtering its way into TPVs), and which is aimed at helping those get started on the platform, I’ve had the opportunity to take a poke at the new Welcome Islands that are designed as an arrival point for incoming new users, and which leverage the viewer’s Guidebook.

Before getting down to some of the details, it’s worth pointing out a couple of things:

  • The new Welcome Islands and Guidebook appear to be in A/B testing alongside the existing Learning Islands / Social Islands that are in use.
  • This means that should you opt to create a new account to try-out the new Welcome Islands, you may not actually be directed to them, but are instead directed to one of the existing Learning Islands / Social Island (reviewed here).
Arrival: the Guidebook opens at the first page, and a path directs you around the island

Given this, I opted to use the Guidebook within the viewer to get me to the new Welcome Islands rather than creating a new account and relying on pot luck to get me delivered to them via the on-boarding process (when I might easily be routed to a Learning Island).On arrival, I found the Guidebook had opened itself at the first page – much as I would expect it to do for a new user on their arrival at the Welcome Islands. As with other new user experiences, Welcome Island presents a path for  arrivals are to follow, one that meanders through a park-like setting built around a water feature. The latter offers an interesting view of the Second Life grid – as a planetary globe, canted on its axis and spinning gently, its watery surface dotted by the Mainland continents, mini-continents and private estates / islands.

The Avatar picker area displays a selection of start avatars, all of which are animated in their display area

Along this path can be found the three main stations referenced within the Guidebook for interacting with objects,, changing / customising an avatar and gaining familiarity with avatar attachments, all of which sit relatively close to the landing point. Beyond them are two more large stations – a bar and a café, each with interactive food / drink givers – and a number of open-air seating areas offering the chance for social interactions – if there are sufficient new users on an island who wish to mingle.

Also to be found on the islands is a sign directing all those who wish to move on elsewhere in Second Life to use the Destinations tool bar button. However, what the sign fails to indicate is that if it is clicked, it will (via a dialogue box) offer to open the web search at the Destination Guide, which can then also be used to locate places to visit.

Two new arrivals work on avatar looks – or try to(?)

These islands are a simple in design, easy-to-explore settings with some nice touches (e.g. seats that actually offer poses, drinks and refreshments trays that attach objects to an avatar in order to help new users gain familiarity with interacting with scripted object) and sits well with the Guidebook.  However, part of me does wonder if it is a little too minimalistic in approach in order to satisfy all incoming new users.

The grid as a globe within the new Welcome Islands

Certainly, there is a strong contrast between this somewhat contextual approach and the more tutorial-oriented Learning Island / Social Island approach. There are strengths and weaknesses to both, so continuing with them on a side-by-side basis even beyond A/B testing is likely not a bad idea, so it will be interesting to see what happens down the road.

What I will say is that, whilst loitering in the Welcome Islands I was delivered to, several people dropped in as well. Those who responded to me indicated they had just signed-up (although looked like they were coming back to the “Welcome Back” Island where I was hiding, rather than being “brand new” users”), and further indicated they were finding the Guidebook useful – although this obviously didn’t stop questions! – although one who had managed to find their way into inventory did admit to getting somewhat confused and wanting more information on have to change looks without having to pick an entire new avatar, and what was the difference between WEAR and ADD.

I’m not sure we’ll be given any clear insights into how well the new Welcome Islands perform when compared to the other routes into Second Life, but hopefully it will contribute not only to getting people into SL, but also giving them the level of information they need to keep on visiting – and exploring.

In Perpetuity in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Perpetuity, July 2021 – click any image for full size

Designed by the in-world partnership of Tamara Sierota and Camis Sierota (Camis Lee), Perpetuity is a Full region presenting a refreshing pastoral setting that is open to visitors to enjoy and photograph. It offers much to see in as very natural setting that carries  something of an emphasis towards lovers and couples, as the About Land Description indicates:

A place for quiet moments & photography with areas to bring your date, lover, partner or to come alone & relax surrounded by nature in all its beauty. 
Perpetuity, July 2021

Group membership is open for those who wish to have rezzing rights, and motorbike and horseback riding are welcome along the dusty track that winds its way around the region, whist a bicycle rezzer is also available at the landing point for those who are sans horse or motorbike options, but who wish an alternative to wandering on foot. Poses for photography may also be rezzed via group membership, with the request that these are kept small and are discreetly used – and are cleaned-up afterwards.

The east side of the region features a ribbon of beach that runs north-to-south. Watched over by a summer house and a small café, the sands of the beach offer several places to sit and look out over the water to the far horizon, and is spanned by a long pier that forms the landing point while also providing access to the rest of the setting  as arrivals walk its length.

Perpetuity, July 2021

The majority of the region is given over to an arable / livestock farm, with corn, sunflowers and lavender in the little fields, and cattle and sheep grazing while horses wander.

How much emphasis is put on income from farming, however, is open to interpretation: one field has been given over to a music event space and the main barn appears to be more used as a front attraction for Camis’ Apple Pie & Moonshine bar than as a home for farming implements and / or horses, the old tractor parked within it notwithstanding.

Perpetuity, July 2021

Elsewhere across the region are further signs that that farm – assuming the entire setting was once all a single farm holding – has diversified its business comes in the form of the little cabins and old chapel that have been converted into retreats for artists, and what might have once been a barn that is now a motor-cycle friendly bar as it sits across the track from the farm’s produce shop.

The farmhouse itself sets to the south-west, tucked into a corner where the track loops around a small natural bay fed by fresh water that tumbles from a stubby thumb of rock poking its head above the surrounding fields. Backed by the high mountains that cup the region within their off-sim arms, it’s a cosy house perfectly set to give itself a sense of privacy without actually being divorced from the rest of the setting.

Perpetuity, July 2021

Given this is a place intended for the romantics among us, as well as explorers and photographers, there are numerous places to sit and spend time with someone close to be found throughout, indoors and out, on the land and on the water. All are gently washed over by the local ambient sound scape that adds a little more depth to the region, and all can be found as a result of gentle exploration of the island.

Rich in detail, easy on the eye, with a welcome and encourages people to explore, Perpetuity is a delight to visit. A calm haven caught in the midst of summer for both visitors and the local animals and wildlife (keep an eye out for the black bears!).

Perpetuity, July 2021

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