Tinsel Silvera

Since becoming a Mentor I have been trying to spend a regular amount of time each day at the various Orientation and Help Islands.  It is truly an amazing experience that I wish everyone could have.  To see newbies being born (minus the nakedness) is really cool.  Their first step, first type, first flight.  For the most part  you answer their questions and they are on their way never to be seen again.  But occassionally you connect with someone and they end up on your Friends List.  And that too is really cool.  I wish everyone who came into Second Life loved it the way I do.  But some don’t and that’s okay.  There are other virtual worlds out there to be explored.

The Caledon Regency sim is being developed as I write.  It amazes me the pace that Governor Shang maintains to get this sim to the residents.  I stop by once a day to look upon the progress - I can see my lot waiting for me.  Not sure what home I will put on it though.  Need to do some checking around.  Maybe wait and see what the general theme will be with the other residents.

Mr. Avery is continuing to create for our impending steampunk business in Babbage Square.  I have already taken flight in one of his creations that I am sure will be a big seller once he releases it to the public.

Tin

First let me say that I am sorry for all the business owners who will loose revenue because of the ban on gambling law enforcement.  I do not frequent casinos nor do I gamble.  However, I am a business owner (albeit very small) and would not wish for anyone to loose their business.  There are already rumours of owners leaving.  Don’t leave.  Figure out what can be done with your land and existing structures.  The great thing about SL is that with a couple mouse clicks the land use can be changed from one venue to another.  Wait and see how things shake out.  You are not only a business owner, you are a business operator.  That means knowledge and experience.  Surely that extends beyond casinos?  Here’s a thought.  Take a gamble on yourself.  See what else you can do.  You might be surprised.

Tin

Two blog entries that I found of interest:

Gambling, Whine and ‘Linden Lab Moved My Cheese’ by Nobody Fugazi

Gambling Banned in Second Life by Hiro Pendragon

Earlier today I teleported into what I thought was a meeting at the Volunteer HQ but was instead a demonstration against LL and their decision to ban gambling in SL.  To say I was surprised would be a huge understatement.  Not at the demonstration itself (nor am I against demonstrating - I am an American after all) but at the location.  Why at the Volunteer HQ and why against LL?  They are simply complying with a law that I’m sure they should have done long ago but delayed it most likely to see if there was any way to work within it.  I mean honestly, does anyone think LL wants to give up one of their sources of income?  Of course not.  One thing we all agree on is the loss of income that LL will suffer.  I guarantee you if there was a way for LL to work within the existing ban on internet gambling, LL would not be showing gambling the door.  But time has run out and they have no choice but to comply with/enforce the law.  A law that was passed by Congress.  If you don’t like that law, then demonstrate against Congress.

Tin

Edit:  I am adding this blog entry as well:

The End of Second Life Gambling? by Kate Amdahl

I cannot believe I just used that word.  I can honestly say that is the first time.  What has prompted this upswing in my vocabulary?  I paid my reservation earlier today for a parcel in the upcoming Caledon Regency sim!  Very cool and very unexpected.  I knew I was way down on the waiting list for a Caledon parcel but thanks to some others ahead of me being lax in their response to Governor Shang I got my parcel reserved. /wave to Miss Zoe at the Connolly Lighthouse WAY DOWN at the other end of the sim {:o)  I hope to be able to see the Connolly Lighthouse from my home at night.  I have already met one of my neighbors down at my end.  Very nice Gentleman.  I look forward to meeting the rest of my neighbors as well as all the Regency residents.

Tin

Edit:  Added pic of new parcel.

I can’t believe it has been four days since my last post.  I have a new home.  I am no longer a renter in the Babbage Canals district.  I am now a land owner in the Babbage Square district.  The deal was finalized late Friday night.  The house is up and decorated including obligatory air ship parked above.  Of all the places I have lived in SL, this place is by far the most enjoyable.  I would post pics but I never got around to posting the pics for the SteamPunk Photo Contest so I won’t promise any more.  However, if you come visit me, you can see my place in person and see one of the three photos I entered in the photo contest hanging in my dining room.

I spent most of this past Thursday night reading through all the JIRA submissions and voting for the ones that I felt were needing my vote.  It is amazing the sheer volume of submissions; my hat comes off to the Lindens for being able to address the percentage that they do.  I also voted for the 2007 Linden Lab Innovation Awards which includes nominees like Jesse Malthus, Katharine Berry and Nicholaz Beresford.  Remember, if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about who does, or does not, win.

I am pleased to blog that P. irate & Co. has opened a store in Babbage Square.  I had the pleasure of speaking with co-owner Mr. Luciene a couple of times over the weekend.  I encourage everyone to check out their SteamPunk merchandise.  There is also a new museum and absinthe bar in the works for Babbage as well.  Mr. Pizzini has taken down the Fire House and replaced it with a canal dock and bridge that really compliments the area across from the Mall.  Any more Babbage news and I will have to change the name of this blog! {:o)

I have put my 512 parcel in West Haven on the market for anyone who is interested in that area.  I will miss the area and enjoyed the time I spent there.  I have priced it below market value to encourage a quick sale.

I attended the AM Linden Office Visit of Mr. Torley on Friday.  It was standing room only and a pleasure as always.

And finally I am very pleased to announce that I got an email notifying me that I have been picked to be an SL Mentor.  It is an honor to say the least and I thank the Lindens for believing that I am Mentor material.  I will do my best to put action to my words of gratitude.

I think that brings me current.  If I think of anything else I will update this entry.

Tin

Edit:  Added pic of new home.

As I have stated in previous posts, I own a home in West Haven.  Due to the constant newbie traffic I ultimately moved out of my home and installed an SL 512 Store (shameless plug for business).  And to be fair this wasn’t solely due to the newbie traffic.  The West Haven area has changed a lot since I moved in months back.  Now there are rentals all around and very few residents are ever seen walking the streets as they used to.  I am currently renting a row house in Babbage Canals while waiting to purchase property in Babbage, Caledon or both.  But I have now discovered a third place I would like to live.  The JunkYard/The Wastelands. I had heard about these sims some time back but they had got put on the ”places to see” list.  Well I finally went and saw.  And they are cool to say the least.  Reminds of Mad Max/Road Warrior and other post-apocalyptic movies.  Being a virtual world there is really no reason why I can’t live in all of these areas.  However does “because I want to” justify the expense?  I will definitely buy in Babbage.  The residents there are really nice and I like the general look and feel.  Beyond that I guess I will act when the land becomes available.

Tin

I couldn’t think of a blog title so I’ll just use the time since for some reason I am unable to get the date and time to show on these posts.  Save that solution for when SL is down.

I have been into the SteamPunk scene for a bit now.  I have spent time and money on clothing, accessories, furniture, etc.  It dawned on me yesterday that I didn’t actually have a SteamPunk outfit.  All my clothes were Victorian, Eduardian or Caledonian.  So I remedied that quick like.  And the great thing is I did not have to leave the Babbage area.  I am including a pix of the first outfit to be worn in the SteamPunk style.  Who says the SL economy is slumping?  Not while I still have shopping to do!

The SteamPunk Photo Contest officially ended yesterday.  I’m excited to see all of the entries.  Later today (Saturday) at 1 pm is the Babbage Town Hall Meeting.  And then at 2 pm is The Show Must Go On talent show in the Babbage Stockyard.  I am planning to escort Miss Noble to both.  And speaking of Babbage, I ran into Miss Zoe this evening.  She was doing her usual multi-tasking so I didn’t stay for long.  Always a pleasure to see and talk with her. 

I attended the Linden Office Visit of Torley yesterday AM.  Got to see several regulars like Randal, Laetizia, Chase and Hazelee.  Also got to meet some new people as well.  It was the usual combination of entertainment and education.  Torley really should be an SL instructor of some kind.  At one point I asked Torley “So once a name is retired it is gone forever?” to which he replied, “Names are kinda like Beanie Babies that way.”  I must say that had I not been setting down I would have been ROFLMAO.  Truly a priceless comment.  And yes I did ask Torley if I could quote him in my blog.

And that brings things to this moment.  There are other things I’m sure but they escape me at this hour of the morning.  And speaking of that, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. {:o)

Tin

I attended Robin Linden’s office visit yesterday.  Another first for me.  She was very nice, quiet, reserved.  I got the impression that she spent a lot of time listening and observing.  The audience was standing room only.  I did see some regular faces:  Khamael, Wyn, Jessica, Shaun.  Got to meet some new people as well:  Bob, Angelo.  There were many others but I didn’t write down their names and they escape me at this early hour so I apologize to them.  The discussions covered a variety of topics but seemed to focus on the three issues of bug reporting, abuse reporting and ad censorship.  Of the Linden Office visits that I have attended so far this was by far the fastest paced and most heated.  There were many passionate opinions trying to be heard.  I learned some things and picked up on some past SL history.  For the most part I think it was a good meeting; I know there are several who would disagree with me.

What I have seen so far in these meetings are some residents who, at the point of frustration, attend these Linden Office Visits seeking resolution.  My understanding of these meetings are that they are for discussions, not resolutions.  Which then exacerbates these residents frustrations. 

It was suggested in this particular meeting that there be an in-world Help Desk where residents can actually talk to a Linden representative one on one.  Without knowing the logistics involved, this appears to be an ideal means of personalizing the whole reporting system.  For a lot of people, being heard is more important than filling out forms.

Tin

In honor of Katharine Berry’s  AjaxLife creation that I got to test with Miss Noble yesterday, I have written this SLimmerick:

the blogs are ablaze
about Katharine’s new toy
built lean and trim
for all to enjoy!

(See what you have started Miss Zoe!)  Congratulations to Katharine Berry for this wonderful contribution to the Second Life community.

Tin

this post is for sure.  This is my first post of the month!  I can’t believe it has taken me so long.  Of course it is hard to get a word in when Mr. Tinsel blogs almost daily.  Anyhoo, I had an exciting experience earlier today.  While Mr. Tinsel waited by to protect me, I entered SL through the website portal created by Miss Katharine that ALL the blogs are buzzing about.  I was able to IM and CHAT and look at the map showing my location.  I must say Miss Katharine has surely raised the bar for the rest of the techies out there.

Another exciting thing today.  I submitted my three photos to Miss Osprey for the Steampunk Photo Contest.  I also got to talk with her a bit.  Very lovely lady.  I am so excited.  Just what will Mr. Tinsel do if I win instead of him?  Won’t that just tip his hat!

I guess I should formally congratulate Mr. Tinsel on his impending employment.  Congratulations!

I look forward to talking with you again.  Until then.  Good day.  ^_^

Noble