Category: Second Life

Tavana Island’s autumnal beauty in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Tavana Island; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrTavana Island – click any image for full size

I was drawn to suggest Tavana Island as a place Caitlyn and I should explore on the basis it is designed by Brayan Friller (Brayan26 Friller) and Elyjia (Elyjia Baxton). They were the couple behind the gorgeous Au Petit Jour (see here for more) and The Heart of the Sea (see here for more), so I was keen to see what they had cooked up with their latest design. As it turned out, we weren’t the only ones: digging into my inventory I found Shakespeare and Max had also sent me a landmark for the region!

If there is a word to sum-up Tavana Island, it has to be “exquisite”. This is a place we and I arrived in with the intention of having a leisurely exploratory wander – and ended up spending the better part of our evening within. It’s also a place with strong echoes of Heart of the Sea – so much so, that it was easy to imagine we’d just sailed from there aboard the schooner anchored offshore, popping over the horizon to arrive at Tavana Island and then row ourselves to shore via one of the rowing bows moored down by the beach.

Tavana Island; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrTavana Island

Visitors arrive on the largest – by far – of five rugged islands. It sits towards the north-east of the region,   four of the remaining islands sweeping in an arc from west to south around it. The landing point is set close to the southern cliffs of the island, near a set of iron gates. These point the way to a set of wooden steps leading down to the beach, which looks out towards the southern isles in the group, while a gravel path runs from the leading point in the other direction, offering a route around the major sites of interest on the island.

The most obvious of these is the Tuscan villa a short distance from the landing point.  This might be a holiday home or farm-house (there is a barn nearby and both horses and sheep grazing on the island). It looks out over the waters to the north, where two outcrops of rock rise from the sea, like sentinels standing guard.

Tavana Island; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrTavana Island

A short distance way along the path from the house is a little cuddle spot and an old chapel, while those following the path from the landing point to the villa might be tempted to turn aside and take the little junction leading the way up to a grassy plateau on the south side of the island. There is a gazebo here, complete with a dance machine (with another machine out on the grass) – and the audio stream featuring music from films makes for a perfect time dancing.

I’m not certain if either of the two islands to the south which show signs of habitation are open to the public – there is no direct way to reach them. With Au Petit Jour, Elyjia and Brayan did set a small island off to one side for private use, so this might be the case here. I haven’t been able to check with them if this is the case here, so it might be better to view them from afar rather than risk unintended intrusion. There’s certainly opportunities to this, either from the sun loungers on the sand or from the rowing boats moored by the little pier at the beach, or from the grassy plateau mentioned above.

Tavana Island; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrTavana Island

There is a natural beauty to Tavana Island which makes it an absolute delight not just to visit, but to spend time enjoying, be it sitting (on land or in a rowing boat), dancing, or simply wandering and looking. There’s a subtle sound scape perfectly matching the seasonal look for the islands, so keep local sounds enabled.

All told, another superb design by Brayan and Elyjia, one more than worth time to visit. Should you do so, and enjoy your time as much as we did, please consider a donation towards the upkeep of the region for others to enjoy as well.

Tavana Island; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrTavana Island

SLurl Details

Detectives, alien encounters and tales for Halloween

Posted on by Inara Pey
Seanchai Library

It’s time to kick-off 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.

Sunday, October 8th 13:30: Tea Time at Baker Street

The pages of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the final set of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories first published in the Strand Magazine between October 1921 and April 1927, are once again opened for another tale from the diaries of Dr. John Watson…

This week: The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger

“You will understand, Mrs. Merrilow, that if I come to Mrs. Ronder I should prefer to have a witness. You will make her understand that before we arrive.”

“Lord bless you, Mr. Holmes,” said our visitor, “she is that anxious to see you that you might bring the whole parish at your heels!”

“Then we shall come early in the afternoon. Let us see that we have our facts correct before we start. If we go over them it will help Dr. Watson to understand the situation. You say that Mrs. Ronder has been your lodger for seven years and that you have only once seen her face.”

“And I wish to God I had not!” said Mrs. Merrilow.

With these words, John Watson once again finds himself plunged into a new mystery at the side of his long-time friend, Sherlock Holmes. The year is 1896, and Holmes has asked Watson to attend 221B Baker Street to listen to the story Mrs. Merrilow has to tell of her lodger, Mrs. Ronder. Horribly disfigured, Mrs. Rounder is the surviving victim of a terrible accident after a circus lion somehow got loose and savaged her and her husband – killing him.

While the case had piqued Holmes’ curiosity on account of a number of inconsistencies, he had not been called upon to investigate matters. Now, every night, Mrs. Ronder is beside herself with fear, shouting and screaming of murder and beasts. Her health has also deteriorated, and she has refused all assistance, asking only that her landlady, Mrs. Merrilow, seek out Holmes and ask for his aid – and to repeat two works to him: Abbas Parva …

To find out more, be sure to turn up on time for a spot of afternoon tea at Baker Street!

Plus: The Case of Lady Sannox by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: No, not a mystery for The Great Detective to solve, but a sinister short story from 1893 of how revenge is sought as a result of a notorious affair between a famed surgeon and the Lady of the story’s title.

Monday, October 9th 19:00: Reckoning Infinity

Gyro Muggins reads John E. Stith’s alien first contact story, once described as “Rendezvous with Rama meets James and the Giant Peach“!

Lieutenant Commander Alis Mary Nussem, her body partially bionic, isn’t to happy about finding herself aboard the same space vessel as the man she deems responsible for the accident which robbed her of a part of her natural body. However, she must put aside her differences with scientist Karl Stanton when a massive object enters the solar system, apparently on course to be swallowed by the Sun – but not before it will collide with a space station in Earth orbit.

Ordered to investigate the object, which is as large as a moon and quickly given the name “Cantaloupe,” Nussem, Stanton and the crew of their ship rendezvous with it, only to find they are not the first: the wreck of another vessel lies on the surface, a hole drilled into the object close by. The only means of entry to the Cantaloupe, Nussem and Stanton lead a team down through it – to make a stunning discovery.

Like Nussem, Cantaloupe is an bio-mechanical entity. It is alive, but it’s interior also have pipes, elevators chambers and more within. But it is also a place of danger – as Nussem and her also companions quickly discover – some to their cost. It’s also a place of unexpected surprises, as the crew’s biggest discovery proves…

Tuesday, October 10th 19:00: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

As All Hallows creeps ever closer, how better than to get in the mood than with some classic tales of horror and spookiness from literature?

Perhaps one of the most well-known (and well-loved) stories of dark hauntings is Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which is also one of the earliest examples of American literature of enduring popularity.

While setting his tale in post-revolutionary America in the year 1790, Irving in fact wrote the sorry tale of school teacher Ichabod Crane and his ill-fated encounter with the Headless Horseman in 1819 while visiting England, where his also penned Rip Van Winkle.

Both The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle first appeared in print in his serial The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent, which also marked Irving’s first use of that pen name. As with Rip Van Winkle, Irving claims he first heard about The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from “Diedrich Knickerbocker”, a fictional “Dutch Historian”.

With Caledonia Skytower (also presented in Kitely  hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528).

Wednesday, October 11th, 19:00 The Water Mirror

Faerie Maven-Pralou reads Kei Meyer’s tale of magic.

Merle is apprenticed to a maker of magic mirrors. She even has one of her own, with a surface of water into which she can reach without ever getting wet – magic being a relatively common thing in Venice. Meanwhile, her friend Serafin, once a master thief, now works for a weaver of magic cloth.

Both Merle and Serafin accept the wonders of the city, from the mermaids in the canal to the stone lions on which the city guards ride on their patrols. But all is not well; beyond the walls of the city, the Egyptian Empire is laying siege, an army of mummy warriors and flying sunbarks held at bay by the power of the Flowing Queen, which runs through the city’s canals and hold the enemy forces at bay.

Then Merle and Serafin overhear a plot to capture the Flowing Queen and render the city defenceless. And while no-one actually knows what the Queen looks like, they set out to protect and / or rescue her. In doing so, they must ally themselves with the Ancient Traitor and journey into the realm of Dark Reflections…

Thursday, October 12th 19:00 Zombies!

With  Shandon Loring (also presented in Kitely hop://grid.kitely.com:8002/Seanchai/108/609/1528).

Advanced Notice!

Sunday October 22nd 13:00-15:00: Ghostly Tales

Seanchai Library and friends gather at Kultivate Magazine’s Scare Me Silly fund-raiser on behalf of Team Diabetes SL, for spooky, chilling tales of the season.

Sunday, October 29th 13:00-15:00 The 2nd Annual Holly Kai GREAT BOO!

Scary stories followed by music and dancing. Possibly more!  Stay Tuned!

 

Please check with the Seanchai Library’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.

The featured charity for August and September is Little Kids Rock, transforming lives by restoring, expanding, and innovating music education in schools.

SL project updates 40/2: TPVD Meeting; e-mail verification

Posted on by Inara Pey

Mitsumi-Town in Tokyo; Inara Pey, September 2017, on FlickrMitsumi-Town in Tokyo – blog post

The majority of these notes are taken from the TPV Developer meeting held on Friday, October 6th 2017. The video of that meeting is embedded at the end of this update, my thanks as always to North for recording and providing it. time stamps in the text below will open the video in a separate tab for ease for reference to the relevant points of discussion in the meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Rider Linden, who was filling in for Oz, and was somewhat foreshortened.

SL Viewer

There were no updates to the current crop of official viewers during the week, leaving the pipeline as:

  • Current Release version 5.0.7.328060, dated August 9th, promoted August 23rd – formerly the Maintenance RC
  • Release channel cohorts:
    • Voice RC viewer, version 5.0.8.329250 on Friday, September 29th
    • Maintenance RC viewer, version  5.0.8.329115, dated September 22nd.
    • Wolfpack RC viewer,version  5.0.8.329128, dated September 22nd – this viewer is functionally identical to the release viewer, but includes additional back-end logging “to help catch some squirrelly issues”
    • Alex Ivy 64-bit viewer, version 5.1.0.508209, dated September 1st
  • Project viewers:
  • Obsolete platform viewer version 3.7.28.300847, dated May 8th, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.

Quick notes:

  • [4:35-4:52] Work is continuing to fix the texture crashes in the 64-bit Alex Ivy RC.
  • [5:25-5:40] There is a reference to Voice changes, however, the question is non-specific, and it is unclear if it refers to the current Voice RC (updated at the end of week #39) or to further updates, the question is deferred to Oz (who is directly involved in the Voice project).

E-mail Verification

[2:56-4:00] As noted in part 1 of this week’s report, the Main channel deployment saw an update to IMs-to-e-mail as part of the Lab’s move to only handling verified e-mail addresses.

The sending / forwarding of messages to unverified addresses is not blocked – as yet. However, once a viewer-side changed has been deployed, accounts with unverified emails will no longer be able to request that IMs be forwarded to e-mail; attempts to enable the viewer-side setting will fail, and result in a message advising the account holder to verify their e-mail address.

Potential Interest List Change

[15:52-18:40] (with a lengthy silence)] There is a potential simhost change to the Interest List under discussion at the Lab. This will in essence reduce some of the aggressive culling of updates from objects behind an avatar (particularly useful in the case of light sources, moving objects, etc). If it goes ahead, this update could also benefit the 360-snapshot viewer.

Other Items

 

Estate Tools Update

[6:07-10:40 (ish) and 13:10-14:20] There is a lengthy on-off exchange, in Voice and text (with some long pauses in both) regarding the Estate Tools updates in the viewer. In short: updates to the estate ban lists (see BUG-8883 and BUG-40676 as examples of requested changes), have resumed. however, as Alexa Linden, who is running this project, was unavailable for the meeting, no detailed update was possible.

Viewer Build Issue

[10:50-12:00] There is “progress” in fixing an incorrect viewer build update involving a change to the Cmake files which results in a forced rebuild of the Windows version of the viewer (the “-z0” issue).

In-world Posing

[20:48-end of meeting] NiranV Dean has been experimenting with a means of in-world posing an avatar through the viewer (e.g. for things like photography), which would be visible to the person posing their avatar (as it would require server-side support to be visible in all viewers). There may be interest from the Lab in accepting as a proposal / contribution, if the details of what is required can be agreed between the Lab and Niran.

There were concerns among those attending the meeting (and raised largely in text) on what Niran is trying to achieve and how it might related to content ripping. If nothing else, the conversation underlines the need for a clearly thought-out proposal outlining the idea, its purpose, how it might be implemented, potential issues which will need to be considered and addressed, etc., rather than requesting people “try” the idea and give feedback.

Date of Next Meeting

The next Third-Party Viewer Developer meeting will not be until Friday, November 3rd, 2017.

 

The Galleries: celebrating art in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Galleries: Ini Inaka

The Galleries, curated by Ernie Farstrider is a complex of four interconnected gallery buildings, each of two floors, located on a floating sky island. It is a place where those wishing to explore a broader (and no pun intended) canvas of art available for display and purchase is Second Life can wander among the works of 32 Second Life artists, who work encompasses pieces created within the platform and pieces they have produced in the physical word for upload to SL, with both 2D and 3D art represented among them.

Each of the four buildings is in turn divided into 8  exhibition spaces, four on each level. Eternal ramps and paths link the two levels across all four buildings, offering visitors a variety of paths through the halls and exhibitions. This means one can enjoy moving from the wide range of styles on display quite freely, with each hall and display visited often standing in strong contrast to the last, keeping one’s attention honed.

The Galleries: Kitty Mills

At the time of my visit, The Galleries was hosting work by the likes of Xirana Oximoxi, Freyja Merryman, Kitty Mills, Anna Anton Raymaker,Graham Collinson (always a delight to see his work), Kicca Igaly, Kayly Iali (with more of her physical world paintings that delight the eye), Theda Tammas, Janine Portal (of whom more anon), Louly Loon, Collin Key, Ini Inaka, Moewe Winkler, and more. To anyone familiar with SL Art, these names alone should help signify the rich mix of art and styles on display.

As noted above, there are a number of artists  exhibiting at the Gallery whose work I always enjoy seeing. However, a new name to me on my visit was that of Janine Portal. I’m not entirely sure how I’ve missed her work up until now, but I can say – and with due respect to all of the other artists exhibiting at The Galleries – it kept drawing me back to it.

The Galleres: Janine Portal

Romanced presents seven images which, in the worlds of the artist:

Speak to the issues of having relationships, specifically digitally aided or enhanced relationships, in this technological era.

While our romantic feelings and basic notions are no different from our ancestors’ were, and our emotional and irrational natures are still as mysterious as alchemical processes, we soldier on, finding intimacy in ever more distant and technologically enhanced ways.

Each of her pieces plays on a classic image and adds a “digital signature”, so to speak, to it. This may take the form of a scrolling element, such as numbers or text; or it might be the addition of formulae or precise lines and curves, or perhaps the embedding of circuit board elements and similar. In doing so each offers a unique perspective on the art, encouraging a closer, more considered look.  It is, in a word, entrancing.

The Galleries: Freyja Merryman

From avatar studies to abstract, fractals to landscape, real life to Second Life, The Galleries makes for an engaging and enjoyable visit.

SLurl Details

Lab calls for Creepy Crawl 2017 venues in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Do you have a suitably creepy venue with space enough to entertain, indoors or out? Why not sign-up to be a part of the Lab’s 2017 Creepy Crawl for Halloween?

The Creepy Crawl is becoming something of a Second Life tradition, and is back once more. Xiola Linden has put out a call for venues interested in hosting the 2017 travelling meet-up with a chance to chat with members of the Lab’s staff, as it winds its way across the grid.

The event will take place on Tuesday, October 31st, between 10:00 and 14:00 SLT. In particular, the Community Team is looking for suitable venues where there is room for people to mingle, chat,have a little fun and offer suitable ambience for the time of year, as the blog post explains:

Are you unafraid of things that go bump in the night? Love a screaming good time with fellow Residents, and dressing up in your Halloween best? Well, it is that time of year when once more – a-haunting we will go!

If you’d like to host a stop along the Creepy Crawl, own a spot that will be decked out for the holiday, and don’t mind if a parade of Residents and Lindens come through, then you might be just what the witch doctor ordered. We’re looking for spots that will have music, are appropriate for general and moderate audiences, and can handle a crowd.

If the event is run along the same lines at 2016, it will likely see selected venues visited for around 30 minutes at a time (although this is subject to confirmation), and people will be welcome to join the entire Creepy Crawl, or drop in and out of it as they wish.

Here’s how to submit your venue for consideration:

 

Oh Deer: a taste of Heavenly Waters in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer – click any image for full size

Update: Oh Deer has closed, and Bambi now operates Missing Melody – see here for more). SLurls have therefore been removed from this article.

Oh Deer is the name Bambi (NorahBrent) has chosen for her Homestead region of Heavenly Waters. Designated as “under construction” at the time of our visit, the region already demonstrates a charm and romance perfect for the Second Life photographer.

“What started as an intimate sweet café grew into an Autumn Dream,” Bambi says of the design, “with the leaves crackling under your feet and the wind blowing in your hair. It’s a place to enjoy this magical season.” And the leaves do indeed pattern the ground and swirl on the occasional gust of wind as this little corner of Second Life sits beneath a cloudy evening sky.

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer

Visitors arrive in a small square lined on two sides by buildings and the third by a red brick wall. The fourth, reached via a short flight of stone steps, looks out over waters reflecting the evening sky towards a little group of islets and floating wooden walkways. A fountain splashes before this waterfront view, formed by a quay-like section of foot path running east-to west across the scene. Steps are also cut into the seaward side of the wall, suggesting perhaps moorings for boats might be added, and with them, a way to reach the offshore islets.

Of the buildings in the little square, these are split between commercial properties on the east side, sitting with portico’d town houses. More shops occupy the west side of the square, extending around to the north facing water front. Centre stage among this little parade, and facing the square, is a glass-roofed café with seating indoors and out. It is a delightfully cosy setting – cosy enough for someone to apparently be settled in for the evening, blanket and cushion draped on a chair, book and magnifying glass on the table alongside a huge mug of cappuccino and a rack of warm toast – and knitting awaiting attention in a carpet-bag occupying another of the chairs at the table.

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer

The windows to the rear of the café offer an intriguing view out to a small alley and courtyard, dominated by the green and yellow flank of an old electric tram. But how does one reach it? There is no door from the café  to either the ally or the courtyard.

The answer instead lies in the florist’s next door to the café. Equally as cosy, and with doors flung wide, it offer a route through to the courtyard and a chance to examine the tram and wander the short distance to the door of what was called – at the start of our visit, at least! – Deer Beer, a micro brewery occupying the building directly behind the café. I say “at the start of”, because by the time we were ready to depart, the sign had vanished in a demonstration that things really were still under construction!

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer

Beyond the high wall at the back of the courtyard stands a tall ribbon of woodland – doubtless the cause of the leaves which swirl and flutter their way across the stones of the courtyard and square. Many of these are eventually blown to the waterfront, where they fall to draft lazily on the calm waters below; islands without substance, drawing the eye to the little group of islets further out over the water.

At the time of our visit, these could only be reached by flying – although I hope a rowing boat or two (perhaps a rezzing system?) gets added for reaching them. Connected by wooden board walks floating serenely on the water, and which meander from isle to isle, this little group has much to offer, from cuddle spots and seating areas, to little climbs up hills –  and even a touch of gentle autumn rain.

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer

Oh Deer is always an idyllic setting, even though apparently not yet complete. There are some minor little bumps that need smoothing, but nothing which detracts for the serenity of the setting, or which unduly protrudes into a visit.

For the photographer there are many opportunities to be found here, and rezzing is allowed (30 minute auto-return, but do please clear up for yourself afterwards!). Those who do take photos here are invited to share them on the region’s Flickr group. Should  you enjoy your visit, please consider a contribution towards the region’s upkeep via one of the tip jars scattered through the scene.

Oh Deer, Heavenly Waters; Inara Pey, October 2017, on FlickrOh Deer