PostHeaderIcon A Wonderful World. NOT.

Okay - smear campaign revisited. It's been five days since this sad, pitiful scenarios was started. and I have time to look at the products in question and really evaluate a few things. And these are my thoughts on the whole subject matter.

Warning: This blog is registered with WordPress.com as an "R"-rated blog. There is some language in this post that some may find offensive.

The headline on another blog goes something this this: "When is it really theft?"

If I scribble on the piece of paper something that looks like a woman, sitting, slight smile with long, straight hair parted in the middle... am I plagiarizing DaVinci? Am I stealing his 'creative idea' just because my creation might slightly resemble Mona Lisa?

Hmmm... I create a fountain in Second Life. Let's see... it has a round base, a centered, tiered pillar, some prim water flowing from the top of the tiered pillar into the 'pool' of the base and a little particle water to give the look of splash.

OUCH. I guess I should expect every other fountain maker in Second Life to notify me that I am stealing their creative design and demand I take my fountain vendors down and stop selling it!

PostHeaderIcon You make widgets. Someone makes a better widget. ZOMFG! I.P. THEFT!!!

The whole Intellectual Property (I.P.) Theft issue in Second Life is getting whacked out of proportion. And, unfortunately, there are those that would use whatever means to blow things entirely out of proportion to advance their own agenda to advance themselves no matter who it hurts, such Tenshi Velle's irresponsible shouting over at shopping cart disco and the Second Life Herald over alleged skin theft... that wasn't.

Don't get me wrong - if it's unethical, it's unethical. But to slander and libel others without proof or far worse, without going to the source of alleged infringement is living dangerously at best.

So, you make widgets and your widgets are selling pretty well. The widgets are creative and people really like your widgets. Second Life is not really a place where you intend to make any real money, but it's a place to turn your 2D artist experience into 3D creations and widget-making is a perfect way to express your artisan prowess.
someone else made a widget, too... OMG, someone else made a widget, TOO.

And... and it looks like... well... it's obvious they are stealing my idea. How dare they even think they can steal my idea! ZMFG this is Intellectual Property Theft! They must take down their widgets because it's obvious they took their widget idea from my creations!

wait... someone... omg...
Oh, going to refuse my take down request, huh? Fine. Then I'll just spread the word on my own through all the IP Advocate groups and drag your name through the mud.

But...
then...

Okay. True story. Let me tell you about it.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am very good friends with the accused. In fact, we spend a lot of time together in Second Life. So, if you feel my report here is biased, okay, fine. But be sure to head to the source material I prove at the end of this post to see how literally 99.95% of everyone else speaking to this exact issue and subject feels the same way.



SOURCE: Obviously I knew about this scenario before this thread was initially posted. But I will base everything off the SL Exchange Forums Thread here:
http://www.slexchange.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=55942&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

So here is the gist, the way I see it

  • Hair and jewelry creator creates creative hair. really, it's nice stuff.

  • Clothing creator have been experimenting with hair creation for six-months. Releases a three-month effort that suddenly takes-off in sales and "flying off the shelves"

  • First creator sees the new hair styles just released... allegedly contacts new creator - demanding a take down because the styles are too similar and it is therefore "theft".

  • Second creator refuses.

  • First creator pulls a Danae Kotsi and and starts broadcasting the infringement though the I. P. Advocate groups - in effect accusing a rather high-profile I. P. Advocate and coordinator of I. P. theft. (Umm - twisted irony here I think.)

  • Turns out the effort completely backlashes against first creator and they are quickly discredited.


Okay, thread clips:

Delora (defenant) says:
This morning, I logged in to find out that I have been accused of content theft and intellectual property infringement over my brand new product line of hairstyles. An established fantasy-hair designer has declared that my work is too similar to his, and that I should remove them from my store.
I do not have the products up on SLX yet, as I only released my first four hairstyles (after 6 weeks of work, hand-painting textures, etc) just a few days ago.
However, I'm quite dismayed; the other creator chose to launch a smear campaign against me without bothering to speak with me beforehand, via posting a notice to a high-membership update group.
I am asking for opinions. Similarities are going to happen in any circumstance, as there are only so many ways you can build a ponytail, or fasten french braids to a base.
First set of images are the other content creator's hair, two of the ones he said I have infringed upon. The second set of pictures are two of my four hairstyles.
I am concerned and frustrated. The hate IMs have been coming at me non-stop since I logged in, and I am not going to take down product that I have worked long and hard on just because someone (who I see as a potential competitor) says I have stolen his art.






So, skipping all the participant posts in the thread... and several posts later... Delora (defendant) says:
"The thing is with this situation is that the creator has not filed a DMCA, and has stated that he does not plan to. He told me to remove the products from my shelves, and that he doesn't plan to DMCA me. I don't want to smear the other creator in any way, shape or form. That's not my style. He, however, seems to want to get the word out that I am a bad person."

Several posts later... Tekelili (plaintiff) says:
"As I've already stated to Delora and anyone else- yes, I feel infringed upon, but also, was not going to file a DMCA. All that matters to me is that it is known who the ideas are coming from- as, this forces me to defend myself from potential accusations of future theft. I have no desire for drama- merely to defend my artistic integrity from potential issues in the future.
Inspiration is one thing- using sectional stylistic elements is another. It is true that this sort of creativity theft isn't illegal in SL, but it sure is unethical, and, forces the original creator of a design style to make it clear who came first, lest they have to put up with trouble later.
-Tekelili Tantalus, disappointed artist."

[EDIT: Comment - I cannot stand people who would cause problems and accuse others because of something that has not happened but likely might happen in the future. Anyone remember the movie "Minority Report"?]

Several posts later... Ari Blackthorne says (included because plaintiff replies directly to my post, but still doesn't answer my question):
"@Tekelili
Hey, there are times we open a can of worms and it's unlabeled - then it's too late.
So - where did you get your inspiration from? I can think of a lot of different places in and out of world. Just seems a bit unfair that your would assume and then proclaim that anyone got their inspiration from your work.
A bit conceited isn't it? Not sarcasm, but a genuine question you may want to ask yourself.


Honestly."

Several posts later... Tekelili (plaintiff) says (in response to my post):
"Out of my own head- I'm a 2d artist, with lots of crazy ideas in my skull. And this is why I'm upset.
I'm not in SL design for the profit- merely to be able to share the crazy notions that appear in my head. There's few things more surreal than waking up to seeing precise -elements-, not the full hairstyle, being appropriated into a piece of work by someone else. It's like Frankenstein having a go at your children, leaving one feeling unsettled and creeped out.
No one unfamiliar with the work would be able to realize on a glance that there is sectors of her hairs that are the same as mine. The ornamentation is different, and, it is pieces of some combined with pieces of others. I have already stated I am not filing a DMCA.
I have but one concern- people coming to me later, and accusing me of stealing these design elements from this infringer. I have done my own part to combat the situation, and have made it very clear that this is a Frankenstein-like job, and, that I am not accusing anyone of prim-for-prim theft here, and not filing DMCA, as, it is -not- a case of direct theft.
I've said my part now, and really have no need to say more."

Okay, except for my one post, this is the only real conversation either the accused (Delora) or the Accuser (Tekelili) have divulged. At least Delora left it to those partaking in the thread to comment for themselves (unlike the alarmists mentioned above) - and simply sat to the sidelines letting it play out. It is good that Tekelili made a posting, too. But unfortunately didn't really make good use of it to simply apologize and let the whole thing die, because it is plainly obvious in my eyes (and everyone else who commented) that there is absolutely no infringement here.

I am not a fast-food eater, but does one burger taste any better than another burger from a different restaurant?

Maybe I was stuck under a rock, but I certainly don't remember McDonalds dragging Burger King's name through the mud because they made a hamburger that appears to look a helluvalot like the McDonalds version.

ZMFG! The color of the buns at Burger King are even similar to the ones at McDonalds! It's I. P. THEFT! They got their inspiration from McDonalds!!!

PostHeaderIcon A Marriage Proposal with Flair

Only in Second Life, right?

The SL blogosphere is huge. Massive. There seem to be as many blogs about Second Life as there are places to go inside Second Life.

It is literally so massive, it would take longer than you have to live a life to visit everything as it exists right now. And anyone within SL knows the landscape changes dynamically and constantly. However, we all tend to find those places that wow us. Those gems we enjoy landmarking with the hope to return to for a closer look.

The same is true with Second Life blogs. We find one we like, bookmark it and go back to check on updates ever so often.

I've mentioned SLWTF (by Garth Goode) in the past, and I am mentioning it again now. This one is really one of the gems.

Garth writes simply, cleanly, without much for partisanship or throwing his opinion all over the place. But rather simple, often humorous observations about what he sees through his Second Life travels. I check SLWTF every day to see where he's ended up lately and what witty comments he has about the place.

Well, this time, he posted a poem. [yawn, right?]

I don't usually read poems posted to blogs because they are impersonal and to me, a poem should be intended for someone specific, a deeply personal expression. However, it's Garth, so I had to read it.

After climbing back into my chair with splitting gut, I absolutely had to share this. Warning, if you pop over to SLWTF - you'll likely become quickly addicted.
Sample:
"Oh marry me and all my alts
And I will marry yours
Be they yiffing male or female furries
Or residents of Gor"

PostHeaderIcon You make widgets. Someone makes a better widget. ZOMFG! I.P. THEFT!!!

The whole Intellectual Property (I.P.) Theft issue in Second Life is getting whacked out of proportion. And, unfortunately, there are those that would use whatever means to blow things entirely out of proportion to advance their own agenda to advance themselves no matter who it hurts, such Tenshi Velle's irresponsible shouting over at shopping cart disco and the Second Life Herald over alleged skin theft... that wasn't.

Don't get me wrong - if it's unethical, it's unethical. But to slander and libel others without proof or far worse, without going to the source of alleged infringement is living dangerously at best.

So, you make widgets and your widgets are selling pretty well. The widgets are creative and people really like your widgets. Second Life is not really a place where you intend to make any real money, but it's a place to turn your 2D artist experience into 3D creations and widget-making is a perfect way to express your artisan prowess.
someone else made a widget, too... OMG, someone else made a widget, TOO.

And... and it looks like... well... it's obvious they are stealing my idea. How dare they even think they can steal my idea! ZMFG this is Intellectual Property Theft! They must take down their widgets because it's obvious they took their widget idea from my creations!

wait... someone... omg...
Oh, going to refuse my take down request, huh? Fine. Then I'll just spread the word on my own through all the IP Advocate groups and drag your name through the mud.

But...
then...

Okay. True story. Let me tell you about it.

PostHeaderIcon A Marriage Proposal with Second Life Flair

//static.howstuffworks.com/gif/crazy-in-love-wedding-quilt-pattern-2.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. Only in Second Life, right?

The SL blogosphere is huge. Massive. There seem to be as many blogs about Second Life as there are places to go inside Second Life.

It is literally so massive, it would take longer than you have to live a life to visit everything as it exists right now. And anyone within SL knows the landscape changes dynamically and constantly. However, we all tend to find those places that wow us. Those gems we enjoy landmarking with the hope to return to for a closer look.

The same is true with Second Life blogs. We find one we like, bookmark it and go back to check on updates ever so often.

PostHeaderIcon Virtual Outer Space Inside Second Life?

So the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has successfully dropped a second robot on the surface of Mars (called Phoenix) near the polar region and has actually found "white stuff" just under the surface that is suspected to be ice. This is exciting news as ice=water=potential for life.

NASA and space exploration in general are one of those things that are interesting, fascinating, eye-opening... when you're in the mood. Otherwise, most people will say 'wow' - but only for a blip on the time radar then it's out of sight, out of mind, 'yawn'.

PostHeaderIcon Chat Logs in Second Life: for Voice?

Unfortunately, there are those who, if they don't like something, would rather have it entirely removed and not available for anyone, even if it's no bother to them for simply not using it or ignoring it. A classic examples of this can easily be found in the archives of the Second Life blog.

When voicing capabilities were announced, introduced and at practically any other time voice was mentioned in the blog, the "voice haters' would come crawling out of the woodwork ranting and making laughable claims, such as how "voice in SL is a failure" and "no one used voice" and "99% of all SL users hate it, remove it!"

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Enterprise. Ummm, NO.

Second Life just isn't cut-out for enterprise-level... anything.

The technical limitations are just too many. An example, and proof are in an attempted meeting between a company and share holders. The issue has to do with the capabilities required at all ends. Creating three dimensional imagery on a computer requires massive number-crunching.

People these days just have no idea what is really happening here. Additionally, all the content that appears as 3D is user-created, and likely not optimized for speedy download to the client viewers. So, take into consideration what's really happening here:

The server stores all the data that tells the viewer how to draw the virtual world on screen. It includes the data the creates the primitive shapes (cube, cylinder, pyramids and so on). It also includes the information of how each of these primitive shapes are twisted, sized and rotated, and how they are positioned adainst each other to appear like an object, such as a chair. It sends this information down to the viewer on your local computer.

Then the textures that are applied to each and every cube, cylinder, triangle and so on is mapped (positioned on the primitive) and also sent down to the viewer.

Then the information that arranges all this stuff together is sent, along with lighting and shadow information (changing the textures slightly) - and the full scene assembly information... all so your viewer can put all this together, making it appear like a three dimensional environment on your computer.

Now, consider this...

Remember the old days when a web page would take forever to load into your browser because the pictures were too large? Or there was a movie or music or something? It was excruciating and often you would just decide to bounce off to the next web site.

Now imagine those same over-sized pictures, dynamically color-changed and twisted and distorted to match the shape of a particular primitive, all based on what it might look like in the real world from the angle you are seeing it from.

30-times a second.

Now, imagine ten people demanding all this information from the server at the same time. Imagine 40 or 50 people demanding this.

Oh, and the highly detailed other 'people' you see (3D shapes representing the others in the area you can see.) And of course they have to make themselves look really good, do they have highly detailed and complex "attachments" such as hair and clothing and jewelry all made of primitive objects, each textures differently. And, much of these have scripts to make them 'bling' and flash and blink and a number of other functions.

So, the server is trying to send all this information to your computer, and to 49 other computers, and also to read, understand, and execute scripts (just like little computer programs all by themselves) and deliver dozens of texture pictures to all these computers, and the color changing and twisting, deforming information and ...and ...and....

Then, on top of that, your viewer is sending information back to the server to distribute to the other 49 viewers.

All this at the same time.

Hence, small meetings of 40 or 50 people on the same virtual world server in Second Life can be frustrating at best. Fortunately, Linden Lab is working on it.

The following is a first-hand experience perspective:
Onillon was very satisfied that a real dialogue was realized between retail-shareholders or at least interested people wherever on the planet they were and the management. However, ArcelorMittal also realized that a mass event in Second Life is technically not possible. Of course, one could have a central place to gather the participants, and work with virtual screens in other locations in Second Life. For a shareholders meeting with a lot of newbies, this would be very hard to manage. Even now two auditoriums were used, and in the second (smaller) auditorium I witnessed how newbie-attendees struggled with the interface.

Source

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Library Project » Better Than Camping Chairs

Need some quick cash in Second Life Linden Dollars (L$)?

Forget the camping chairs and hippie-pay spam web surveys. Here's a legitimate survey you can fill-in and earn some L$ while you're at it. It's really quite simple and you don't have go teleporting all over the grid to find a specific kiosk or clickable prim to get things started.

Do it all in IM.
The panel is open to any avatar that has been in Second Life at least two months. You will receive L$100 from our bot avatar as a thank you for joining the panel. We have also set up a referral program. If you refer another avatar to our panel and they enter in your name when the bot asks for any referrals, you will be paid an additional L$100. You will be paid for every referral, so if you refer just 10 avatars, that’s L$1,000! It only takes about 5 minutes to complete the survey.

For the names of the bots to IM and complete the survery, view the original article here: Earn some Lindens while helping others...

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Enterprise. Ummm... NO.

http://phusiongraphics.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/01-frustrated.jpg Second Life just isn't cut-out for enterprise-level... anything.

The technical limitations are just too many. An example, and proof are in an attempted meeting between a company and share holders. The issue has to do with the capabilities required at all ends. Creating three dimensional imageray on a computer requires massive number-crunching.

People these days just have no idea what is really happening here. Additionally, all the content that appears as 3D is user-created, and likely not optimized for speedy download to the client viewers. So, take into consideration what's really happening here:

The server stores all the data that tells the viewer how to draw the virtual world on screen. It includes the data the creates the primitive shapes (cube, cylinder, pyramids and so on). It also includes the information of how each of these primitive shapes are twisted, sized and rotated, and how they are positioned adainst each other to appear like an object, such as a chair. It sends this information down to the viewer on your local computer.

Then the textures that are applied to each and every cube, cylinder, triangle and so on is mapped (positioned on the primitive) and also sent down to the viewer.

Then the information that arranges all this stuff together is sent, along with lighting and shadow information (changing the textures slightly) - and the full scene assembly information... all so your viewer can put all this together, making it appear like a three dimensional environment on your computer.

Now, consider this...

PostHeaderIcon Second Life DMCA policies | Flawed

Interesting snippet of a blog entry by Cyndy Aleo-Carreira at Industry Standard, where she touches on DMCA issues and what happens in virtual worlds like Second Life.

Enforcing a DMCA take-down is very easy in a virtual world: simply delete (or otherwise make unavailable to everyone) all copies of the allegedly infringing "item". The problem is unlike the real world, where each item is it's own object, in the virtual world an object is really a copy of a 'master' object. It's just a computer file.

PostHeaderIcon If You Don’t Look Good, You're a Newbie. or... or... Wait a Second

Video thumbnail. Click to play The new newbie look isn't so newbie or even that new.

However, Katt Linden have made to official announcement that the new commissioned avatar looks are now available to everyone. well, they have been for a while now, actually. But most in Second Life simply didn't know about it.

And in case you haven't gone exploring that "Library" folder in your inventory, now is definitely a good time if you want a quick-change into a fresh look. And not too bad of one at that. For the details, check out Katt's posting on the official Second Life blog:
"And, as a special bonus for all Residents, we’ve included 4 extra avatars that are only available inworld, in your avatar’s Library folder."

EDIT: If you have been playing with these new looks before this announcement, you may have caught a few glitches that were present. Katt reports that these glitches have since been corrected, so the versions in your Library folder have been refreshed and you'll want to revisit them! Do this, because when you use anything from the Library folder in inventory - it is copied to your main inventory and that is what you are using.

Thank you for clarifying, Katt!  :)


Blogged with the Flock Browser

PostHeaderIcon Linden Lab: Sorry For Breaking Your Sex...bed...thingie

It's likely by now you are well aware of the big "take down" that happened this past weekend in Second Life, that included the opens-source scripts "Multi-Love Pose" (MLP). The MLP scripts are used in a massive number of furniture product and HUDs throughout SL.

Now, only a small percentage of items that use the MLP scripts were damaged in this take down, because it had to do with the account name of the one being accused of infringing the DMCA. Apparently, if this person appeared as the creator of any portion of your set of scripts - swoosh. Your sex...thingie stopped working.

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Problem: Health

Second Life make you fat.

Well, it could if you spend too much time in there. The problem is that even though you run around all over the place in SL, it's too easy to just fly and even worse: teleport directly to your destination.

You simply are not getting the exercise you should be getting. And of course I am referring to the real you and not your avatar. However, there are those to spend a lot of time in Second Life for some pretty good reasons. Real money-making ventures, for example.

So, what do you do?

You look at something like SecondLife Fitness.

PostHeaderIcon Real Life Job Seekers: Apply in Second Life

Aviva logo Aviva USA, and insurance company, is recruiting agents online. Not normally considered unsual. However, they have a private simulator (known as a private island, or better as a "region" or "estate") in virtual world Second Life, where you can learn more about the compnay and it's products and services, I'm sure.

However, you also can apply for a job there, too.

This isn't a first. There have been many real life job fairs held within Second Life. But this makes real sense: insurances (and many other) agents are spread through the states, even the world. So Second Life makes for a great, convenient, inexpensive way to meet and greet and all that schtufff.
Source:
Aviva USA Uses Second Life Island to Recruit Agents | Innovation
The company he runs has invited current and prospective agents to visit Aviva USA’s private island in Second Life, a 3D virtual world on the Web. Aviva is the first life insurer to develop an island in Second Life for agent recruitment, education, and training. The insurer is evaluating how it might use its presence in this virtual world to benefit its customers and employees.

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Beats Real Life. Sort Of...



So apparently Second Life can save you a lot of real life money, and learn you better as well.

Ran across a blog posting by Anthony Doesburg that caught my attention, where he goes on about how it's easier, more convenient, less costly and easier to learn (well, you learn more, faster,) virtually than you would in real life. This does mat a lot of sense. As for the first item, up to the better learning part, I would have to answer 'well, duh.'

I don't mean that sarcastically or as any slight against anyone only now realizing this. Virtual worlds tend to give a very close approximation to, well proximity. You actually feel like you are in the room with all these other people who just might be literally scattered across the globe. The real one.

So it is not surprise that it costs less, is more convenient and once you get the hang of actually moving around and the control system - actually quite pleasant. Of course, just like every other single "news" story about Second Life, "sex" has to be brung into it. yes, maybe just a warning to newcomers (but that's why they all come to Second Life, right?)

Though maybe only about 15% of the population actually frequents the ... er... red light districts, I agree the economy does get a large boost from the "sex" trade. However, such a statement might be misleading.

Many who build their giant mansions will deck it out with nice furniture. Practically all furniture in Second Life include the naughty-naughty animations system. So, whether that person or couple is really into that or not, they are adding to the "sex" trade without even trying or intending to. Dipshit.

"Especially sex. By one account, about a third of the economic activity - yes, there is a Second Life economy, with Linden dollars as the currency - is to do with sex.

"But that hasn't stopped Ohio University from establishing a virtual campus within Second Life. According to a promotional video clip on YouTube, students at the virtual university "thrive in an environment unbridled by space, time or even the laws of physics ... where the classroom has not just been recreated, but reinvented".

But, it is more fun and sensational to phrase it this way, isn't it?
Source

PostHeaderIcon L$ Drain in Second Life?

Video thumbnail. Click to play Happens to me all the time. Wondering where did that few Linden Dollars go? Or, if you keep a low balance and then one day come in world to discover your balance is actually a negative one (-L$1)!

Then - after a day or two, I realize it's some group I'm a member of that places itself into search. Most groups place themselves into search and that is a "sink" (a way to siphon Linden Dollars out of the economy to help keep balance.) It costs the group owners L$30 (If I remember correctly - I'm not in-world right now) per week to keep that group listed in search.

However, when the group is created and "roles" made, there is a setting in the roles abilities and permissions to have people in those roles participate in "group liabilities and dividends".

PostHeaderIcon Virtual Beats Real... in School Anyway

http://images.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/games/images/secondlifemapwidget_20070608174228.jpg So apparently Second Life can save you a lot of real life money, and learn you better as well.

Ran across a blog posting by Anthony Doesburg that caught my attention, where he goes on about how it's easier, more convenient, less costly and easier to learn (well, you learn more, faster,) virtually than you would in real life. This does mat a lot of sense. As for the first item, up to the better learning part, I would have to answer 'well, duh.'

I don't mean that sarcastically or as any slight against anyone only now realizing this. Virtual worls tend to give a very close approximation to, well proximity. You actually feel like you are in the room with all these other people who just might be litterally scattered across the globe. The real one.

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Viewer Change... Did You Even Notice?

Second Life Login with Blog feed, Status Reports and RSS Katt Linden notifies us via the Second Life Blog that the login screen of the Second Life Viewer has been updated with some really useful information. This is actually good stuff:
"We have made a few changes to the Second Life login screen, as you may have noticed, and we hope you’ll find them useful. You will see headlines from two sources, the most recent posts from the Official Second Life Blog and also the most recent Second Life Grid Status Reports. You can also subscribe to either feed, directly from the login screen, using the handy new RSS buttons."

I'm in the habit of simply checking the blog and status updates manually. In fact, both are quick-links in my browser tool bar, and I suspect those of you who frequent these information sources do the same. At least with bookmarks in your browsers bookmark menu.

PostHeaderIcon Lindens vs. Lindens... a Good Look Inside

Our favorite watermelonie, happy-go-lucky Linden gives a great peek at the inside in this week's video tutorial. But is it a tutorial? Ah, the enigmatic quagmire of definition. Who cares? It's really good stuff and a must-see for everyone.

Okay - it's a tutorial on why not to dump vicious comments in the SL blog, because they really do try to fix things? Your call.

I try to bring attention to Torley's video tutorials whenever he posts them, because the vast, massive majority of Second Life users, a.k.a. 'residents' simply don't even know it exists, much less even vitis it on a regular basis. Even though headlines are posted directly in the viewer.

PostHeaderIcon Real Life Phoenix in Second Life

How cool is this? The United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA,) Mars Phoenix Lander is in Second Life.
So what - why run off and peek as a prim-based Rover win? because it sports artificial intelligence.

This is to say, you can speak to it, ask questions and it will answer intelligently. Supposedly, anyway.

I haven't gone to look at it myself. But it looks fascinating enough I want to.

PostHeaderIcon Second Life SpaceNavigator has Nothing on This

Big news going around the news rags and a few blogs is how a computer interface is allowing a paralyzed man to control a personal computer. And again, Second Life makes for the grand experiment, and I can see why.

Moving around, speaking, and all the another bundle of control combinations to actually use Second Life in any meaningful way. Thus, knowing how multiple, simultaneous controls can work in SL, I'm amazed.
from Fox News:
"Researchers led by Jun'ichi Ushiba of the Keio University created a brain-computer interface (BCI) that let the 41-year-old patient operate a PC using only his thoughts."






FOXNews.com - Brain Interface Lets Paralyzed Man Walk in 'Second Life'
Blogged with the Flock Browser

PostHeaderIcon Second Life Podcast: Shape of Things to Come?

http://s3.amazonaws.com/torley-linden/slgrid_logo.gif Katt Linden has made another informational post at the Second Life blog, reminding all of us that Linden Lab does in fat have a Second Life podcast. Well, it's really more a Linden Lab podcast, but since Second Life is their primary product... but I digress.

Though the podcast is billed as a 'behind the scenes' look into the what Linden Lab is up to, or more to the point how they run things with respect to the Second Life Grid, this particular episode, along with news last week of limitations regarding participation in the Second Life birthday celebration, should give a glimse of the shape of things to come.
This Discussion on Education in Second Life is fourth in the series of behind the scenes looks at Second Life, talks with a variety of Linden Lab team members about what they’re doing in Second Life and how their work could impact your experience.

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