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Archives for 2007

Introducing: The Metaverse Journal

December 5, 2007 by 10 Comments

As we mentioned last week, we’ve had some plans in development to further develop what we do. The first part of that is a rebranding of SLOz to The Metaverse Journal. Why? Essentially because we want to broaden our coverage to virtual world developments from an Australian perspective, not just Second Life news.

That said, Second Life remains the focus of the site – it remains in our opinion the premiere virtual world in relation to the education. health and business opportunities it presents. It’s also one of the best online social interaction and creation options around.

To coincide with the new title, we’ve upgraded the site. Any comments on the new site are more than welcome – the upgrade is meant to make your reading experience better, so if that’s not happening for you, let us know. On a technical note, www.creativeshed.com will redirect to www.metaversejournal.com. Our RSS feed subscribers will also not be impacted.

Here’s to continued growth and improved service for our readers. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Australian News, TMJ Site News, Virtual Worlds

Second Life “Winter” Festival – good old ethnocentrism

December 5, 2007 by 12 Comments

Linden Lab have announced their fourth annual winter festival. I can’t resist making an obvious comment – who decided that a virtual world has seasons that match the US / Europe seasonal cycle?

Ethnocentrism at its very best. Bah humbug.

Filed Under: General News, Op-ed, Virtual Worlds

Second Life property gets mainstream attention

December 4, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Last Saturday, The Age ran a story on real estate in Second Life. I received a call from the journalist who wrote the article, Adam Turner, a few weeks back and it’s obvious he did some research. Aussie residents Juko Tempel and Earnest Candour are interviewed to name but two.

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The striking thing for me is the fact that a mainstream newspaper’s real estate section is running stories on property in virtual worlds. It’s also a story that isn’t looking at the issue from just a novelty viewpoint. In small steps, virtual worlds are gaining mainstream credibility.

Filed Under: Australian News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: ,

SydSim – is that progress?

December 3, 2007 by 10 Comments

We covered Telstra’s new islands a month ago, but I thought it was worth paying another visit to see what progress had been made on what had been touted as a Sydney CBD replica. Here’s what I saw:

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I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. Telstra deserve plaudits for their work to date in Second Life, but SydSim is looking increasingly like an exception to that rule. There’s a real risk of failing in any sort of engagement with the Second Life community when you have a maze of virtual roadways and tall skyscrapers to navigate. Telstra’s own building on SydSim is the pick of the small bunch but even it is nothing more than a promotional shopfront. Obviously, the whole build is far from complete – I’m unsure why the two islands are even open to the public given the state they’re in.

Have you had a look and what do you think? My impression so far is that SydSim is an extremely poor competitor to its Melbourne counterpart.

Filed Under: Australian News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: , ,

How Google works

December 3, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Ever wondered how Google works logistically and technically?Then check this fascinating, simply worded walk-through

Filed Under: Web Design, Who knows... Tagged With: ,

SLOz 1st Birthday Party

December 2, 2007 by 2 Comments

We had a little shindig on Saturday night to celebrate a year of news reporting for Australian Second Life residents. More than forty individuals popped in over the couple of hours and much dancing was had by all.

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A big thank-you to all those who have given their good wishes in recent days. As we’ve already mentioned, there’s some changes on the way that you should enjoy. Stay tuned 😉

Filed Under: Australian News, TMJ Site News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: ,

Beware: Second Life viewer flaw

December 1, 2007 by 8 Comments

Just when you thought things couldn’t get glitchier,Linden Lab have announced a further flaw in the SL viewer. QuickTime is integral to video streaming in-world and that’s the source of the flaw. Read the blog post for more details.

Update (22nd December 2007): Linden Lab have released an optional viewer update that will ascertain if you remain susceptible to the flaw.

Filed Under: General News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: ,

Australian Federal Police to establish Second Life presence?

December 1, 2007 by Leave a Comment

The Australian ran a story last weekend alluding to the Australian Federal Police setting up shop in Second Life. AFP Assistant Commissioner Andrew Colvin is quoted as saying the organisation is “considering” Second Life as a base of operations for its High Tech Crime Centre.

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I’m taking the whole story with a large grain of salt as it’s written by Natalie O’Brien, who has some serious bad form in reporting on Second Life. If the AFP do establish a presence, it’ll be interesting to see what they offer as a public face in-world.

We’ve contacted the AFP for confirmation of the claims made.

Filed Under: Australian News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: ,

Weekend Whimsy

November 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment

1. Avatar Orchestra Metaverse

New World Notes has an excellent story on this orchestra.

2. ADABOT, now at the institute

3. The Edge Eden Project

Filed Under: User-generated, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: , ,

Basic Account residents – check your credit card statement

November 30, 2007 by 4 Comments

As per Linden Lab’s notification, they’ve incorrectly billed a number of basic (free) account holders. If you hold a free account you might like to check your credit card statement.

That said, given how wonderful Second Life’s stability has been in the past week you might like to start paying for your free account 😉

Filed Under: General News, Virtual Worlds Tagged With: ,

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