Logos representative only and should not be seen as an endorsement / preference / recommendation
Updates for the week ending Sunday, November 25th
This summary is generally published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:
It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy. This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog.
By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.
Note that test viewers, preview / beta viewers / nightly builds are not recorded in these summaries.
Official LL Viewers
Current Release version 6.0.0.520636, dated October 18th, promoted November 14th. Formerly the Animesh RC viewer – No Change.
Recently opened to the public is Tranquil Bear Winter Resort, a homestead region designed by Alex Luciano (AlexandraSadie). Given the time of year, it’s another snow-themed region, in which Alex invites visitors to enjoy horseback riding and ice skating along with walks along the trail that winds its way around the region.
Visitors arrive at a gazebo on the west side of the region, the main track commencing at its foot to offer a route around the island, running east to turn south and then back west, concluding at an open-air stone fireplace and seating area. Along the way, it passes under a step of rock on which sits a large wood-built lodge, and encloses a large frozen pond occupying the region’s centre.
The ice skating referred to in the About Land description can be enjoyed on the pond. There’s a couple of skate givers on the south side of the pond, one alongside the coffee wagon beside the track, and the second on the ice itself. The skating animations are a little basic, so if you have your own skates with animations, these might be a preferable choice.
Horse riding is available to those who have wearable horses, the trails offering one possible path to follow, although the region has plenty of space out under the trees to make further wanderings possible.
Up on its vantage point, reached by stone steps cut into the rock, the lodge offers warmth and places to sit for those who might find the outdoor setting a little too cold. It also includes the café also referred to in the About Land description.
A walk from here leads up to ruins on a hilltop, offering a view across the woodland of the region. The route up to ruin passes over a high rocky arch, beneath which a spur of the track points the way to where some of the region’s outdoor seating. More seating can be found alongside the frozen pond, offering the chance to watch any skaters on the ice. Those wanting something a little more romantic can enjoy a cuddle on a horse-drawn sleigh.
The track running around the landscape could perhaps benefit from a little experimental re-texturing to see if it could be better blended with the snow on the ground, as it does tend to stand out a little, but other than this, Tranquil Bear Winter Resort makes for a photogenic visit.
Those taking photos might like to share them via the region’s Flickr group. Those needing rezzing rights for props can join the region’s group (via the joiner close to the landing point gazebo). But do please clear away anything you put out once done.
Surrounded by mountains, this is a simple region design that offers a natural setting that can easily be enjoyed without putting a heavy load on a computer even with the constant snow falling across the region.
Saturday, November 24th saw the opening of a new exhibition at DiXmiX Gallery, curated by Dixmix Source. Osmosis De Un Sueño: The Return sees Kimeu Korg return for the second part of an exhibition first witnessed in June 2018 (read here for more), moving to the White Gallery at DiXmiX this time around.
Kimeu is perhaps Second Life’s artist most rooted in surrealism in the presentation of his work, which can easily equal the likes of Max Ernst and René Magritte. Sometimes blending in-world images with elements from the physical world, for this part of Osmosis De Un Sueño, he presents pieces firmly produced in-world, several of which include his sense of whimsy, others of which present a more pointed expression.
This part of the exhibition offers a baker’s dozen of images to b appreciated. I don’t usually ascribe an order in which to view an exhibition unless the artist has indicated one, but with Osmosis De Un Sueño: The Return, I would recommend starting a visit by taking the steps closest to the gallery’s main entrance up to the mezzanine level White Gallery.
Doing so will take you past Look and Retrato Equestre (Equestrian Portrait) into the core of Kimeu’s exhibition, allowing the full richest of his surrealist approach come to the fore, peppered in places with his sense of humour – and his ability to question norms, as with the subtle Prisoner, beautifully layered in potential meaning as it is, despite Kimeu’s disarming claim about his work.
Given the preponderance of skeletons in the pieces, one might think there is a little touch of post-Halloween in the exhibit, but to me these are in some way a lead up to what I consider to be the last piece in the exhibition – or at least, the one I would recommend coming to last of all, sitting above the entrance to the gallery’s events venue, The Atom.
Entitled Blind Obedience, it is a sobering piece, one which in the toxic political environment prevalent in parts of the world today, perhaps bears a special meaning and / or warning. Such is the imagery used, it sits well apart from the rest as it makes an extraordinarily strong statement, one given added impact by viewing it last of all (and the reason I’m not reproducing it here – it should be seen first-hand).
Another remarkable exhibition by one of Second Life’s most remarkable artists, and one that should not be missed as it remains open through until at least late December 2018.
It’s time to highlight another week of storytelling in Voice by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s home at Holly Kai Park, unless otherwise indicated.
Monday, November 26th 19:00: The Legend of the Engineer
Industralia is a country some might recognise – a mix of Victorian England and the American Midwest thrown in, with just a touch of Australia. It’s a place where steam power is the modern wonder, while the mode of dress is, like the setting, decidedly Victorian – not that the locals call it thus.
What is decidedly not Victorian, however, is the common use of mechanical human-shaped creations, called tikkerbots, to complete most menial tasks, or the airships that regularly pass overhead while mail is delivered by a pneumatic postal systems. It is a place we in this world would call “Steampunk”.
On the coast of Industralia lies the city port of Steamkettle Bay. It is home to Letitica and Gerard Liddle. Gerard is a talented inventor who has achieved a modest level of success with his practical yet whimsical household inventions. His wife Letitica is a very short, energetic woman who has a habit of mixing up her words. Together with their neighbours, the Liddles are preparing to celebrate the incoming new year – 1883. Why not join them?
The Dickens Project once again opens its doors on Friday, November 30th. Ahead of that, on Tuesday, November 27th, visitors can gain a preview of this year’s event – through the eyes, a Victorian street urchin.
This HUD-based game combines elements of a hunt with free form (and optional) role play, together with an invitation to create (and share) your story. An urchin avatar is not required to play, but definitely encouraged. When you pick the game HUD within The Dickens Project, you’ll receive suggestions on how to set up a low cost urchin “outfit.”
As a poor urchin, you need food and money. The grocers, the bakers, the butchers all have food. Can you buy some? Maybe steal some? You might see the gleam of coins on the street. Can you pick those up? If you ring a shop bell, the owner might have a job for you. Maybe down on the mudflats, treasure might be hiding.
Read the game play page for more. As an urchin, players are encouraged to interact with others in character, if they respond in kind, then role-play as you wish – see the role-play page for help and ideas. Afterwards, you can have the opportunity to write about your experience through a story that can be shared in a special reading event in Second Life.
Aoife Lorefield will be available at The Dickens Project throughout the day (North American daylight hours) to show interested urchin-ages around, answer questions, and share information concerning the event and The Dickens Project.
19:00: Everything on a Waffle
In the small Canadian town of Coal Harbour, in a quaint restaurant called The Girl on the Red Swing, everything comes on a waffle–lasagna, fish, you name it. Even waffles!
Eleven-year-old Primrose Squarp loves this homey place.She a young girl who could use a little extra attention; her parents were lost at sea and believed to be dead, and while her Uncle Jack tries his best to care for her, doesn’t have a lot of free time, and the guardian he hires to look out for Primose is so old, child welfare isn’t foremost on her mind. Similarly, the school councillor is far more interested in listing her own concerns and telling her own tales to actually listen. All-in-all Nobody knows what exactly to think of young Primrose, and Primrose doesn’t quite know what to make of her small community, either.
So Kate Bowzer, the owner of The Girl on the Red Swing takes Primrose under her wing. She teaches her how to cook, doesn’t patronise or chastise her, even when she puts her guinea pig too close to the oven and it catches fire. And so Primrose, in her own perceptive way, develops wisdom beyond her years and a belief system we could all do well to adopt – including the idea that hope is not crazy.
Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she reads Polly Horvath’s 2002 Newbery Honor winner.
Wednesday, November 28th 19:00: The Quilters
With Caledonia Skytower.
Thursday, November 29th
19:00: Leiningen vs The Ants
Shandon Loring reads Carl Stephenson‘s short story about a stubborn coffee plantation owner in Brazil who refuses to evacuate his family and staff when faced with a vicious, deadly army of ants – regarded as “an act of God”, as they ravage and destroy everything before them – and the plantation lies directly in their path. Also presented in Kitely (hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/144/129/29).
21:00: Seanchai Late Night
Contemporary science fiction and fantasy with Finn Zeddmore.
Friday, November 30th 21:00: The Dickens Project Opens
Idle Rogue Productions presents: Guerilla Burlesque – pre-show seating at 21:00, music and dancing after the performance from 23:00.
I’ll be previewing this year’s Dickens Project closer to the opening.
Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
Serene Footman and Jade Koltai specialise in designing regions based on real locations around the world. Each of them has always been popular among visitors and bloggers, perhaps none more so than Isle of May, which opened its doors in May 2018 for a month before closing once more.
As someone who certainly appreciated the original version of Isle of May, I was delighted to learn – by way of the ever-vigilant Shakespeare – that Isle of May re-opened on November 23rd, 2018, albeit it in a new location.
When we closed the Isle of May in June we promised ourselves that we would try designing a winter version later on in the year to see how it turned out. Having worked on the sim for a couple of weeks, we rather like it.
– Serene Footman, discussing the return of Isle of May
The actual Isle of May is located on the north side of the outer Firth of Forth. It’s a small island – less than 2 kilometres long and under half a kilometre wide – sitting 8 km off the Scottish coast. It forms a rugged finger-like uplift of basalt, home to over 285 bird species, including puffins, kittiwake, guillemots, razorbills, shags and fulmars. It is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve, and from October through Easter, is a home for seal pups.
The name of the island is subject to some dispute, but it is thought to be either of Old Norse origin, meaning “island of seagulls”, or from the Gaelic Magh meaning a “plain”. It is uninhabited outside of its wildlife, but open to day trippers between March / April through until October, and makes for and intriguing place to re-create.
What we were hoping to create is something wild and untamed: less desolate and abandoned than Khodovarikha, or even Furillen, but still a place where you’d feel the wind and snow hurting your face, and the cold gnawing away at your insides. We imagined a roaring sea, with north-easterly gales blasting onto isolated beaches.
– Serene Footman, discussing the return of Isle of May
Jade and Serene have certainly succeeded in creating a winter’s scene, and one that is not uncommon to the rugged Scottish coastline. Those familiar with the original Isle of May from earlier in 2018 will also recognise this design, which retains the core look and layout of the original – hardly surprising, given it is based on a real location. However, there are some subtle changes as well they go beyond the weather.
For example, this design appears to offer a broader path down to the beach from the landing point, while the greenhouse that once sat on those shingles has been moved a north-side beach, reached by a similar twisting path down from the island’s plateau. This northern beach runs around the north-west coast, to the east offering a walk between the greenhouse and an A-frame cabin, while to west it offers a way to a lonely stone cottage.
Such abodes are in keeping with the look and feel of many of the Scottish isles, and while Isle of May may not have permanent human residents, it has a long history of occupation that encompasses both the Vikings and the site of one of the earliest Christian churches in Scotland. So the cottage isn’t that out-of-place, while the religious history is reflected this time not only by ancient ruins, but also the presence of a small chapel on the north-east headland. Another path switchbacks down from this headland, providing access to one of my favourite Second Life house designs: the Skye Luxury Forest Cabin, by Alex Bader. Facing this across the southern bay is the peninsula mindful of the real Isle of May’s Rona headland.
This build also expands on the rich diversity of Isle of May’s wildlife. As well as the birds, the region includes otters, goats and wild rabbits, together with orca and dolphin out in the waters. The latter might be hard to see through the snow, but all are fully in keeping with the real island’s creatures. A couple of liberties have been taken, however, as Serene notes:
As always with Serene and Jade’s design, the region is rounded-out by a superb sound scape, one that should not be missed during a visit, as great care has been taken to incorporate he sounds of the actual wildlife found on the island (as well as mixing in the plaintive cries of both orca and wolves).
Rounded-out by off-sim islands, and a now moving fishing boat, the new Isle of May is a masterpiece of design – but I would add a small comment of my own: it is a very busy region, both in terms of visitors during this, its opening week, and as a result of things like the heavy snow falling. As such, it can take a toll on systems when visiting – so do be patient, and if you’re used to running with shadows enabled, you might want to turn them off except when taking photos – which can be shared through the region’s Flickr group.
In September, I wrote about Frog Hollow, a parcel designed by Stella Mahogany. Since then, Stella has moved on, and now offers a Homestead region for people to visit and enjoy. Called Winter’s Hollow, it is, as the About Land description notes:
Welcome to the winter version of ‘Frog Hollow’ Please enjoy your stay, take photos, ice skate or sit a while in the coffee shop but please pick up your items when you are done. Private residences are out-of-bounds.
Given the title, it should come as no surprise that this is a snowy, winter’s setting. As the description notes, there are some private residences on the region, but on the whole, it is open to exploration, and offers places for photography, but it is perhaps a little low on places to simply sit and cuddle and enjoy passing the time.
Which is not to say it is unpleasant – quite the reverse. Skating, dancing and sledging can be enjoyed, and the region does offer a highly picturesque setting, particularly as rezzing is open to props, etc.
The coffee shop mentioned in the description sits in the north-west. Seating is available inside and out, although the latter has largely been claimed by the local squirrels. A road lies close by, running along the north side and down the west, each branch leading the way to one of the private residences on the region – so do take care approaching them.
The western road also turns to run along the south side of the region a short distance, ending alongside a cabin. However, it was not clear at the time of my visit whether or not this is also private or public.
The promised ice skating can be found inland, a little to the north of the region’s centre – just look for the penguins having a little fun. Couples wishing to enjoy something a little less strenuous, a pavilion on the south side of the region offers dancing. Cuddle spots can be found in the form of a couple of old cable cars, long since removed from their lines. One offers sheltered views back across the region, while the second sits just off the loop of one of the roads, a place where a couple can be watched as they let their young son play on the local swings.
Winter’s Hollow makes for a pleasant visit, one where care has been taken not to overload the scene with too much scenery, an important factor given the use of mesh snow. Nevertheless and as mentioned, the opportunities for photography can be found throughout.
