Who remembers Chipmunk Punk?

I sure do:

Will virtual worlds get a guernsey at Rudd’s summit?

In recent weeks there’s been significant coverage of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s summit (two examples here and here). Some commentators see it as an opportunity to get some ideas on the table bt it’s fair to say most see it as a talk-fest unlikely to generate any lasting policy initiatives. I wouldn’t be quite as cynical as that, but I have my doubts on how much can be achieved with a thousand people in a room for two days. The ego quotient alone will pose a challenge.

Given the focus is Australia’s future in 2020 you’d hope there’s at least a studied mention of the impact virtual worlds are likely to have in the future. The potential downsides of heavy virtual world use on its own should draw some interest let alone all the great opportunities to be had in the virtual sphere that could benefit Australia in coming years. Some of the more obvious challenges for government in regard to virtual worlds include:

1. Australia’s lagging broadband infrastructure;
2. Consumer protection in virtual world transactions;
3. Clarity on taxation and financial regulation;
4. Appropriately trained addiction and counselling services;
5. Expansion of research and development funding for business, non-profit, education and health in the virtual world sphere.

Who would you like to send to the summit to wave the flag? What questions / issues would you like to see raised?

(I’ve already declined an invitation – I’m washing my hair that night ).

The Linden Department of Public Works launches

Linden Lab today announced some long overdue content creation for mainland residents of Second Life:

What will we work on? Good question; basically, we will consider anything and everything that we feel will make the mainland more attractive, fun, engaging and interesting for new or existing residents. Initially, we’re looking at extending the city area which is very popular, so that will involve some new built up areas to the west of Barcola (joined via bridges to preserve existing water views). We’ll also be looking at new park areas, Linden folly builds, beautifying existing Linden land, better gathering places and seeding new mainland with themed builds. Some of the content may find its way into the Library in your inventories.

I doubt anyone will decry this initiative – anything that’s created to offset the proliferation of 16m2 advertisement plots will be extremely welcome.

Update: Linden Lab are inviting applications from Second Life builders.

Weekend Whimsy

1. Knowville 3D in Second Life

2. Sexy Furs Dancing

3. A Night Elf’s Dream

How to optimise sound in Second Life

Torley Linden supplies the latest in his excellent series of tutorials on getting the best out of the Second Life viewer.

Australian Second Life developer expands business presence

Veteran Australia-based Second Life solutions provider Big-Bit have expanded their in-world presence, with a launch on the 9th February at 9pm Second Life time (4pm on the 10th AEDT). There’s music, a treasure hunt and a L$10 000 grand prize up for grabs.

bigbitislandlaunch.jpg

The full text of the press release:

“Big-Bit Launches Big-Bit Islands in the Virtual World Second Life an Entertainment, Live Performance, Attractions and Business Services hub to drive Big-Bit’s Business Strategy for 2008 – event starts at 9pm SL time February 9th 2008.

Sydney Australia. February 07, 2008 — Big-Bit Australia Pty Ltd, a leading virtual worlds full service solutions provider today announced the exciting launch of Big-Bit Islands in the Virtual World Second Life. Entertainment, live performances, attractions and business services and the Big-Bit team will be on hand to guide you through the evening’s event. The event starts at 9pm SL time February 9th 2008. Visit Big-Bit Island: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Big%20Bit/163/115/27.

Bit-Bit is a leading Virtual Worlds full service solutions provider that offers strategic advice, construction, marketing and events services to companies seeking to establish footholds in virtual worlds such as Second Life and other newly emerging worlds. Comprising a talented International team of virtual world veterans, Big-Bit has in-house building and programming expertise to execute scripting for complex projects in virtual worlds.

What SL Residents can expect ?

• Big-bit Islands Grand Opening Saturday February 9th – 2008
• Dance with our very own funky DJ – Estrelle Fauna
• A Treasure hunt for those seeking to enhance their inworld wardrobe and nab a mystery prize or two
• Grand Prize 10,000$L
• Fireworks will adorn the Big-Bit Islands skyline to welcome in a new era of services & entertainment

Visit PrimAdonna: http://slurl.com/secondlife/PrimAdonna/169/248/27

What RL People can expect ?

• Considering launching in Second Life? The Big-Bit Team will be on hand to discuss your options
• Previous projects will be highlighted on the Big Bit Island as testament to Big-Bit’s expertise in inworld development
• Bring your Business to Big-Bit Island and let Big-Bit’s imagination work for you

PrimAdonna Island, part of the Big-Bit island group is home to PrimAdonna designs by Big-Bit’s Jana Gillespie also known in Second Life as Estrelle Fauna. Specialising in fashion, content creation and design, PrimAdonna offers unique style careful attention to detail and great versatility. The PrimAdonna shop offers a variety of women’s clothing from casual to formal and corporate wear for both men and women including shoes. PrimAdonna Island and shop have been magnificently rebuilt and announces it’s reopening.

Big-Bit offers companies an innovative way for getting products launched in virtual Worlds. For more information please contact Jana Gillespie, Big Bit Australia Pty Ltd, details below.

###

About Big-Bit Australia
Big-Bit understands that the single most important ingredient that drives humanity is the need to communicate. Without communications we would not be able to achieve even the simplest of tasks. We partner with clients to create the opportunities for them to engage with their communities in the virtual space in ways that are only limited by their desire to drive business and our imagination. In doing so, we commence on a journey with our clients that is destined to take a business into new dimensions of communication, understanding and connectivity.”

Disclosure: Big-Bit is a long-standing advertiser on The Metaverse Journal.

New WindLight viewer available for Second Life users

All the details here. I love the aesthetic improvements WindLight brings to Second Life, just hoping this release is a little more stable than previous ones…

Update: A new non-WindLight viewer is now available for download

Hidenori Watanave’s architecture

Hidenori Watanave is a Japan-based architect undertaking “experimental demonstration and research for the possibility of the architecture and environmental design in Metaverse” according to the information he sent me. He’s created a machinima that beautifully summarises the work he and his colleagues have done in Second Life:

360-degree photoscapes are far from new in Second Life but his work takes that concept one step further.

WordPress 2.3.3 – urgent security release

All the details here

Health Support Coalition forms in Second Life

I came across a low-key announcement in recent days that emphasises the growing realisation by professionals of Second Life’s potential in regard to health. If you use Second Life to undertake research or to provide health support, then the group below may be worth contacting. The event in question has passed but no doubt there’ll be further get-togethers.

Health workers are used to needing to form coalitions to instigate population-wide initiatives. Lag immunisations anyone?

“Dear Friends and Fellow Support Group Leaders,

The first meeting of the Health Support Coalition will be this Saturday, Feb. 2, from 8 to 10 am SLT. We will meet on the roof of the Heron Sanctuary office building on EduIsland 4.

This is a meet-and-greet. The purpose of this initial meeting is to learn more about each other’s groups. We will discuss how the coalition can best support our organizations, and begin planning future programs.

Bring some text material about your project (notecard is fine; could be your group charter, description from website, or explanation you give over and over), logo or other image identifying the group, and landmark if applicable.

Please join us for a productive morning meeting. We plan to collect information about all our groups and create some form of resources directory that will allow us to better serve our members. Help us ensure the accuracy of the information about the group you lead.

Again, please note that this gathering is solely for leaders of health support groups (if you’re thinking of starting one, we’d love to have you join us).

IM any of us inworld for a TP to the event site.

Your hostesses,
Carolina Keats
The Sojourner
Gentle Heron”

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