An Average Guy on Second Life

So, I decided to hang a bit at the welcome area, cause it has been so long since I had. I wanted to see what newbies are getting exposed to, when they are just starting out.

It really hasn't changed much...if at all actually, and there always seems to be a steady stream of people coming in and out. But a couple of things struck me though.

First of all...WHAT is up with unsolicited friend requests? This is analogous to somebody walking around, handing out their business card, to EVERYBODY they meet. Walking down the street, handing them to everybody. WHY WHY WHY would I accept one of these requests? To be nice? so I can just delete it later?

I often wonder, why people seem to think that social interactions that don't work in the Real World, would work in Second Life. I mean...yes...we are all avatars, but there is a real person BEHIND that avatar, typing at a keyboard....controlling that avatars speech, movements, etc. Is it just me that wonders these things?

Second, the unsolicited landmarks to clubs. Which, I guess, is like hiring some kid, to stand at the bus station, handing out flyers for some underground band at a club or something. I rarely take those in RL, so again....no so much in SL either.

but, I suppose the random Landmark would not be so bad to a newbie, looking for something to do, or some place to see. I remember going all over when I started, looking at everything I could find. So maybe I should not rant about THAT one..:)

Have to say though, there are some very helpful people on at the Welcome Area. There always seems to be a Mentor around, which I would imagine is VERY helpful. I did chat with a few, and they seemed to be very knowledgeable, and helpful to those who asked questions.

Since I am a HUGE people person, and an avid profile reader, its always entertaining to just sit down, and watch the goings on. Seeing how different people dress themselves, what they say about themselves in their profiles, how they interact with other avatars, etc. Makes for HOURS of entertainment....let me tell you.

It seems many people use the Welcome Area, as a home base. It allows you to set your home there, so when you log in, you are in a familiar spot, each time. And I would think, that if you hang there enough, you would make some friends, which is always good too. :)

So, I guess, what started out as a rant, really, is more of an endorsement? The Welcome Area is not ALL bad!....:) who woulda thought.

But...still want to point out...only request a friendship, from somebody you have at LEAST talked to a bit, and maybe have established some sort of rapport with. The random friend request, is RARELY accepted.

Just my $.02 lindens.

Till next time

Ok, as promised in my previous post, I am gonna talk about my dog Rocky.

Rocky is a Second Life pet, created by Enrico Genosse, and can be found at the Virtual Kennel Club. These dogs are really amazing!

There are 11 breeds of dogs available as of this writing. German Shepard, Chow Chow, Doberman, Irish Wolfhound, Australian Shepard, Bloodhound, Labrador, Chihuahua, Bichon Frise, Rottweiler, and NewFoundland.

Now, as is pretty obvious from the previous post, Rocky is a German Shepard. How did I decide to pick a German Shepard? Well, I will tell ya.

I was walking around Turning Isle Dog Park, checking out all the different breeds. I was walking around, and I walked away from all the dogs, to check out some of the shops around there. As I started to walk back, the German Shepard broke from the pack, and ran across the lawn, over to me. I thought that was pretty cool! It was like he picked ME! How strange is that!??!!

Anyway, These dogs are completely trainable, and controllable. When Rocky and I were out last night, hanging out around a campfire, he was running around, sniffing everything, checking everything out, just as a real dog would do! He even went over to some other people who were at a campfire a ways away...and said hello! It was VERY funny. All I had to do was call him, or shout for him, cause he was a ways away, he came right back! (BTW, during my stay at the campfire, had a couple of woman wander by, and they all stopped, and asked about Rocky!...:) ).

I am able to give Rocky commands, and like any well trained dog, he follows them! I can tell him to sit, speak, down (lay down), sniff, beg, and many many more. It was fun to have him run up to someone walking by, and sniff them! Of course my favorite command is "bang", to which Rocky plays dead. It's a TON of fun!

There are also commands to keep your dog on YOUR parcel, if you happen to own land, or even keep them within a determined square area (i.e. 10 x 10). That way, even if you rent, or have a skybox, you can leave your dogs out, and they won't fall off your porch!

These dogs have LOTS of accessories avaiable also. Toys, water/food bowls, dog houses, etc..that they will actually USE! Its very interesting, to see your dog running around, then all of a sudden, go over to its food dish, and start eating! I would SWEAR you were watching a REAL dog!

Also, you can train your dog to do some pretty amazing things. There are commands to mark a spot, then another spot, so you could, for example, teach your dog, to patrol the border of your land, and use the command "rocky patrol" (lets see if anybody remembers what TV show that line came from!..:) ).

Rico has really done an amazing job with these dogs. You can really tell the amount of work that has gone into them, not only the structures (sculpties have really made these dogs look AMAZING), but also the scripting, and just the amount of love that has gone into them!

So, if you find yourself wanting a constant companion in Second Life, take a look over at the Virtual Kennel Club, and see if you any of these beauties....captures your heart!

OR, if you are looking for that VERY special gift...for that hard to buy for loved one...Check these out!

Ok, the important info!

You can visit all these dogs at Turing Isle, and make sure you walk around, and check out ALL the accessories that you can get for your NEW best friend!

The following breeds are available (with adoption costs, and pics!)



Bloodhound - $1,800 Lindens to adopt!


Irish wolfhound - $1,800 Lindens to adopt!


NewFoundland - $2,480 Lindens to adopt!


Australian Shepard - $2,500 Lindens to adopt!


Chow Chow - $4,240 Lindens to adopt!


Labrador - $4,880 Lindens to adopt!


Rottweiler - $6,880 Lindens to adopt!


Chihuahua - $6,920 Lindens to adopt!


Doberman - $7,100 Lindens to adopt!


German Shepard - $7,680 Lindens to adopt!


Bichon Frise - $7,820 Lindens to adopt!

Till next time!

Ya know what just amazes me about Second Life?

Came home today, after a VERY busy weekend RL, and was just exhausted. Didn't really want to talk to anybody, or do much of anything. So I logged into Second Life, and just did a little bit of map jumping.

Was not really looking for anything, just kinda wandering. I did happen upon this nice little area, open to the public (I checked..:) ), which had some nice landscaping, and a campfire.

So I sat down, and was just vegging. Then, a thought crossed my mind. My dog Rocky would LOVE this place. So I pulled him out of inventory, and let him run around a bit.

Just so you know...this is Rocky



(I will be writing more about Rocky soon, cause he is just an AMAZING animal!)

Anyway, I just sat there, and watched Rocky run around, and check everything out. And it dawned on me...how relaxing it was...to just sit, and watch my dog explore! Now, I have done this Real Life also, and I have learned that Second Life can mimic Real Life in so many ways, but this was very interesting to me.

So, I just sat there, watching Rocky be ... well .. Rocky, and thinking about how extraordinary this world we are in really is.

It was soooo relaxing, to just sit by a virtual campfire, with my virtual avatar, and my virtual pet, and just be.



Just watching this, on my computer screen, actually helped me relax. I could imagine myself there. The sounds of the fire, and the woods around me. Just me and Rocky.

And THAT, is what is amazing to me. I was able to project myself into that place, and it was VERY nice! Talk about visualization!...:)

So, with that being said, I think I am gonna get BACK to that scene, and enjoy it a little bit more..before RL comes barging back!

Till next time!

Ok, this week has been completely crazy. I have been DYING to get back over here, and write more (yes, I am officially hooked on blogging!).

Had planned on writing today anyway...but this morning I was greeted by a note from Linden Labs, that MONO is FINALLY HERE! WOOHOOO!

You can read the official Linden Lab blog entry HERE.

Now, in a previous blog, I mentioned how I felt that scultpy's has changed the look of Second Life, in such a wonderful way. I feel the same way about MONO.

Not only will it make scripts run better and faster, it will lesson the load on the Servers, and that helps EVERYTHING!

The full impact of this announcement will not be realized for a bit, as programmers recompile their scripts, and come up with new devices, toys, etc, to take advantage of this new environment, and I for one CANNOT wait to see what people do!

Being a old programmer myself, I have been kinda holding off a bit, only learning a little of the LSL scripting...just dabbling really, but now...I MIGHT just be tempted to do a bit more...:)

ANYWAY, I think this upgrade, will be another milestone for Second Life, and I cannot wait to see the outcome!

More is coming...I PROMISE!

Till then!

Ok, so, I have to ask. What is it about Second Life that makes people think they can just go anywhere they want?

I was talking to a friend last night, and he told me that he logged into his house..and there was a couple having sex...on HIS bed! WTH!

I have to wonder, why do people think that is ok in Second Life? I truly doubt they would do that in Real Life, so what makes it ok here?

Is it because it's JUST a game? My friend actually talked to said couple, and asked what they thought they were doing.

The response was, "well, there was no security, so we thought it was a public place". WHAT? A public place?

So, lets see...My friend lives on a private island, and lives in a skybox....and this is a public place? PLEASE! And from what my friend tells me, these two ....people...were not newbies either....had been in game for at least 6 mos.

So, what is it? What makes somebody just think they can go ANYWHERE, without any regard to WHERE they might be?

I travel a lot around Second Life, and I admit ... I even do the random Map jump, just for fun from time to time. But I can ALWAYS tell, if its a public place or not, and if its not .... I don't go snooping! (well, ok, if I think the place is cool, I might camera around, to admire ... but THATS IT! .... swear! ...:) )

Does Linden Labs have a class on etiquette on Welcome Island? Since this avatar of mine is still kinda new, I did go through that process, but admittedly, did not hang around that place for long...maybe I should have.

Anyway, A good rule of thumb everybody, is treat property in Second Life as you would in Real Life. If its not yours....respect the owners rights!.

:).....OK...Rant Over!

Till next time!

SO, as I mentioned earlier, I found a great shop, with some very cool clothes today.

As I was walking around the SIM that shop was in, I found another shop. This one had several sets of animation overrides (AO's) in it, plus a couple of photo poses. these types of poses are very popular with the photographers in SL, and there are some VERY good ones out there.

I glanced at them, and one in particular caught my eye. I mean REALLY caught my eye..:)

The name of the shop is TorridWear Animations, and its owned by Torrid Midnight.

There are lots of AO packs there, all for women. I just was checking things out, when I found this one photo pose...and HAD to have it.

Now, the pose itself, called *TorridWear* - Adore Pose Set 2, was only $150 lindens, and its COPY, so you COULD put them around your place, if you wanted.

There are a total of 5 photo poses in the shop, and you can get all of them for only $650 lindens, but I just wanted the one...:)

So, I was trying to figure out how to show this to ya'all, and lucky for me...*smirks...I was able to have a friend help me out.

SO, here is the pose...



Usually I don't like static poses...but this was good...:)

And guys....my friend REALLY liked it too! *smiles

Till next time!

So, I am wandering around, doing my thing, and I see this woman, with a VERY cool leather jacket on. So I ask her about it...cause I love leather jackets.

She tells me its from a Shop called Cubic Effects. So I TP over there...and start looking.

Now, I am by NO means a fashion expert, but these clothes are pretty amazing. The creator is mirai Jun, and I have to say..I was impressed.

Now, I came there looking for a jacket...and I did find it. Ended up getting some pants, and about 3 jackets, cause they were just VERY cool looking. These jackets are sculpty prim based, mostly, and the texturing on them is JUST amazing. VERY nice job mirai!



Now, as I am curious kinda guy, I started walking around the store, cause the build itself was catching my eye. The walls are using sculpted prims also, and have a very real look to them...but from a sculpted layout, and the textures. So I start walking up ramps, looking around...and that place just went on FOREVER!...:)

I kept walking up, looking around....it was like this place never ended! I finally made it to the top, and looked around.



I kinda peeked at the build, and looks like mirai did THAT too! Again...mirai..NICE JOB!

Why am I talking about this? well, when sculpted prims first came out, I knew right away that they were gonna change how Second Life looked forever. It has taken some time, but I am seeing them more and more, and watching the amazing talent that exists in this world, take things to a whole new level. Its been just astounding to watch.

From vehicles, to clothes, to buildings and many many other things.....this world that we travel around in, is constantly changing, improving, and looking more and more like RL...every day!

So, go by Cubic Effects, take a look around. You might end up with some VERY nice clothes, and a very nice little climb up to the top of her build!..:)

Adios!

Ok, I admit it, this blogging stuff is WAY to addicting! /me laughs...:)

So, I was reminded recently, of an awesome SIM I had visited a while ago, and at the time, it was only supposed to be around for a limited time, so I never gave it a second thought. But for some reason, when I was reminded of it, I decided to see if I could find it again.

So, after a few minutes of scrolling through WAY WAY to many landmarks, I FOUND IT! and went to check it out, again.

And...much to my surprise, it was still all there!

Now, you guys HAVE to go see this place.... It was done by AM Radio, and its amazing.

Here is a sample:



Now, this SIM part of a charitable fund raiser, for...um....*looks for his notes...grrr....Ah...there it is..ok...The Heifer International Charity. Details about it are at the SIM. They are selling some interesting stuff, to support this organization, so check that out too.

Now, after you have marveled over this SIM, there are some links to other SIMs up on the wall, that you should check out also. Here are some sample shots of THOSE:






(on the "The Quiet" SIM, you HAVE to check out INSIDE the house....such an amazing job on textures)

OK, so you all set to go? Here is how to get there.

Start here...

The Far Away

Then, if you can't find the links at the SIM, go to these SIM's next:

NMC Arts Lab

AND

The Quiet

HAPPY TPing!

Hi there.

Ok, so I have talked about a couple of tools that I have found to be indispensible, that have been around for a LONG time. Now I have one that I really like, that is NEW! WOOHOO!

So, recently, my freebie, or maybe not a freebie (I have had it so long, I don't even remember) hugger, finally stopped working. I think it was the havok 4 upgrade that finally did it in. When I went to hug someone, I just would keep walking, and walking and walking...not really want I envisioned when I went to hug said person...:)

So, I started looking around for a new hugger, and being the SLX maniac that I am, I started there.

I happen to see on the preferred links...a couples kiss/hug animator by Meike Heston. I am always one to try something new, so I purchased it, cause it had some great reviews, and in the description, had some intriguing things to say...:)

My first reaction? WOW!

This HUD, has some VERY impressive features. In the description on SLX, it boasts a height adjustment system, but I really did not get to put that through its paces, cause the people I tend to hug, are usually of pretty normal height (so far...:) ), but it does sound impressive.

The HUD layout is very simple, not to big, but not so small that its hard to navigate. You can hide it simply enough, with just a click of a button, but the overall HUD is small enough that when I am wearing it, I don't mind having it open.



Scrolling through the animations is simple also, and the names of the different animations are very clear, which is nice. Just makes finding the appropriate animation for different people, very straight forward.

Now, for a VERY cool feature. There is a "HOLD" button...so say you are in a very involved dip kiss, and you don't want to stop...JUST yet...:) Just click "HOLD", and you will stay in that spot...till you tell it otherwise. VERY VERY cool feature! Nice work on this one Meike!

That feature addresses one of my pet peeves with several animation systems within SL, about lack of control, but that is a whole 'nother blog entry...:)

Overall, this is a fantastic system. The animations are nice, the control you have is great, the interface is simple yet functional, and it WORKS!..:)

You still have the issue about lining up properly with the person you are trying to kiss/hug/etc, which I do hope somebody comes up with a solution to that someday. I know I know, I am a dreamer, but I also know we have some VERY smart people building things in Second Life, Meike proving that with this current system.

Ok, so lets see, what else do you need to know. The "*Meike TM* Hug & Kiss 2.0 Deluxe" is available both on SL Exchange and at his Shop in the Waterton SIM, and it only costs $800 Lindens at both places.

There is a V1.2 available also, with only about 5 animations in it, but 1/2 the cost, but I tend to go with top of the line stuff, but I am sure that version is just as good as this one.

Also, Meike Heston's Shop also sells the animations IN this HUD, individually, plus some clothes, and even a poofer thingy...:)

Anyway....nice to see some NEW stuff come out, that somebody really put some thought behind!

SEE YA!

Greetings!

Ok, now, my second most used tool...is definitely one that is not as well known, but I fell in love with it many years ago, and have not found anything yet that comes close.

This little tool is called Tracker HUD V1. It is a radar (we will have to count how many radars I actually have running at some point), and it actually LOOKS like a radar, with spinning green line going around in a circle!...I think that is one reason I like it!

I have had this tool, for at least two years, and its still at V1, which actually is pretty amazing. It has continued to work through all the upgrade Second Life has thrown at it, which I think is a pretty good testament to the product.

But not only is it a radar, it shows you WHERE the avatars around you are, even indicates if they are above or below you...which can be VERY handy.

It has several other features also, like a flight assist, and a platform generator which I find myself using quite a bit actually. VERY helpful if you are trying to place something in the sky. You just fly up to the height you want, hit a button, and VOILA!, you have a building platform, that you can rez a skybox, or whatever it is you want...right there.

You can also add avatar names to a list...so if those avatars are within 96 meters of you...their dot will show up in red. Can be handy, to avoid those weird avatars that JUST WONT LEAVE YOU ALONE!...:)

It must be the latent aviator in me (more about THAT later...:) but I like seeing my little radar going around at the bottom right of my screen...*laughs

Here is a shot of how the HUD looks



Tracker HUD also has a object scanner, but I don't use that much. I just load this HUD every day, and it helps me keep track of what is going on around me. It can be VERY helpful when out at a club...or shopping with friends....to keep track of them...:)

Now, when I first found this tool, it was available on SL Exchange, but I cannot seem to find it there anymore.

The only place that it seems to be still available is at one shop inworld located at Galactic Mall, in the Shinda SIM for $1,500 lindens.

Now, I know that seems like a lot of lindens....but....for all that I use it for...it has been a great investment!

So, to recap:

Tracker HUD V1 - Available at Galactic Mall for $1500 Lindens.

Great little tool....one of my few real keepers!

LATER!

Hello again!

Ok, as I previously blogged, as I have been creating this avatar, I was thinking about what I use in my Second Life every day. What do I have on my screen all the time...

I have a couple of tools that I use everyday, and the first one I am gonna talk about is called MystiTools.

MystiTools, is a very small HUD that I have running all the time. It is basically a set of tools and options, that have been put together by Mystical Cookie.

I put my MystiTool in my upper right hand corner of my screen. MystiTool has LOTS of features, but here are the ones I use daily.

1. Radar: MystiTools radar notifies me in local IM (not in the menus, but in chat) when an avatar comes into chat range (more on radars in a later blog post..:) ). Its pretty convenient when I am walking around....watching chat..and to see who is around.

2. Idle Set: This little feature is wonderful. I can set it, and walk away from my computer for a while...and it keeps Second Life from logging me out. Its great for when you know the grid is having trouble, and if you log out, you are screwed.

3. Teleport History: This is a great way for me to find that wonderful spot I found YESTERDAY, but forgot to Landmark it. Great when shopping too!

4. Land Commands: A great way to control access to your land, banning griefers, etc, right from the menu!

5. Landmarks: I drag my most used Landmarks to this tool, and they are just a mouse click away! LOVE this feature!

and lots lots more!

I don't intend this to be a comprehensive review, just my notes on WHY this tool has become indispensable for me.

Now, you can get MystiTool both from SLExchange for $423 Lindens

OR

from Mystical's cute little shop in the Avendale Sim for $396 Lindens

(btw, if you look at the SLX link, it will show you ALOT about the tool also, many of the features are listed there)

She has some other interesting items in her shop, which I will probably talk about at some point in the future.

The Avendale SIM, by the way...is actually a very nice little sim, with several shops around it, even a fishing hole. Here are some pictures of some of the things I found:


Gotta Love some of the vehicles you find around Second Life!















AND ... whats a fire truck ... without the fire DOG!















This HUGE Teddy Bear was walking around, looking around, and even breathing ... VERY CUTE!















I have NO idea what this is ... but it looks VERY cool!















Ok, here is the info again.

MystiTool is available in the following locations:

SL Exchange for $423 Lindens

OR

Mystical's Shop for $396 Lindens

Till next time!

Ok, so as I am creating this new avatar, I began to think...what do I NEED to have, not what was fun to have in the past, that I rarely use, but what do I USE in my daily journeys, what have I allowed to take up my precious screen space when I am inworld.

First of all, I would say my number one resource I use in Second Life, is not actually IN Second Life. It's SL Exchange.

For those of you that don't know, SLExchange (or SLX for short), is an website, where you can shop for Second Life items, without being IN Second Life.

I have had conversations about SLX with many people, and while there is something to be said for being able to see something inworld, and somebody actually said to me once "I want to be able to see and touch it (huh?...:) ), I have found SLX to be a HUGE resource. You can search for items, send gifts to friends (IF, they have a SLX account also), or just browse the latest and greatest stuff!

I know there are a few other shopping sites, and I have browsed them, but I seem to always come back to SLX.

I have to say, when being invited to an event, that is a theme I have NOT outfitted myself for already, being able to search on SLX has been a godsend.

Also, I have found myself just watching the main page, and letting the items just scroll by, kinda like window shopping, without having to move..:) This is great fun for me, cause I like to see what people are making, and selling. I even do this when I am not inworld, and am a little bored....:)

So check out SLExchange if you have not already, if you are anything like me, you might find yourself a little hooked...:)

Oh, and by the way, SLX is FREE!

More on what I actually DO allow to take up my screen space...in a bit..:)

Ok, so I posted my first entry this morning, but I cannot get this idea out of my head.

What do I want to write about!....I have so many things that I want to get out, that I am beginning to feel overwhelmed with it...which is silly, cause its JUST a blog!..:)

Do I just start writing? Do I work on the LOOK of the blog? how much does the look matter? How much do I want to link my blog up to the blogosphere? How will I be received? if at all....

Anyway, I do know from my past experience, that actually writing down my thoughts...helps me process them, which is exactly what this blog is all about, a place for me to process stuff, and share a little of my experiences.

I don't necessarily want this blog to be just a personal diary, probably wont be MUCH of that anyway, but I have enjoyed Second Life for so long, and I have many many thoughts on it, and the things that are there, the places to be seen, the toys to play with, etc etc.

I just hope that its not TOOO boring to read!

Until next time (which may be 10 minutes, or may be a day...:) )

Well....HI THERE!

This is my first blog entry...EVER!

I have lots of plans for this blog, mostly cause I love to explore, and talk about Second Life, and have not had a place to really let it all out!

I plan on talking about ALL things Second Life, which will include places, toys, tools, vehicles, styles, ideas, thoughts, musings, rambles, and even the occasional tirade!..:)

Now, I know...this blog does not LOOK like much at the moment, but this also gives me an opportunity to practice and expand my html skills and such...so WOOHOO for me!

I might talk about me also, but not sure anybody really cares about that, or even if they will care to read this blog, but that is not the point, its a way for me to express my thoughts and ideas, and share what i find so fascinating about the incredible world called Second Life.

I am really looking forward to all this..:)

See you next time!