We’re pleased to be able to give an update on SLOz HQ – construction is well and truly underway. We’re looking to build something quintessentially Australian without being jingoistic or dinky. And what we’ve experienced with the build so far is something that underlines on of SL’s major strengths: creativity. The basic building tools do give an amazing amount of scope – there’s not a lot that can’t be built with an eye for detail and a passion for symmetry.

(That said, we’ve been told that attempts to create a replica Sydney Opera House have failed – that the building tools in SL cannot recreate the shape of that distinctive landmark. If anyone’s able to prove otherwise , please contact us and we’ll profile the successful builder)

What’s also become apparent is the enormous amount of information available in-world on creating things – we’ll highlight some of them in coming weeks. In the meantime, any suggestions of what you’d like to see in an Australian-focused community area are more than welcome.

We’re a little excited here at SLOz – we’ve taken the first step toward our in-world presence. We’ve purchased land in the appropriately named ‘Koala’ sim (it’s dinky, but what the hell). Like the proverbial quarter-acre block in the suburbs, we intend on starting out small but the SLOz HQ will pack a punch. We’re a big believer in transparency so we’ll describe the build as it happens, which will hopefully help other aussies looking at building in-world. More news when things start moving.

There is now a SLOz group set up in Second Life. To join it:

1. Click on the search button at bottom of the SL Viewer window.

2. Click on the Groups tab

3. Type www.creativeshed.com into the ‘Find’ box then click on search button

4. The group will appear in the window – click once on it and the group details will appear

5. Click on the Join (L$0) button and you’re done!

The group will only be used to communicate significant site or event news – this will not be a daily occurrence, more weekly.

We’ve had a couple of requests, the most recently from Cin to have a discussion board where Australian users of SL can meet / network / debate stuff.

I’ve set up such a board here, and a link to it is on the right sidebar near the links section. It’s a phpBB board which I’ve had a lot of experience in using and works well. You’ll need to register to post. I’m hoping to integrate the forum with this page further in the near future but given no registration is required to post comments here, it’s no a huge issue.

 

Any suggestions on how to make the forum the most useful are welcome!

Firstly, thanks to everyone checking out this site each day – we’re averaging over fifty unique visitors daily and already have a number of email subscribers via the FeedBlitz signup at the right of this page.

Secondly, SLOz will have a reduced level of new content between the 25th and 29th December but the site will obviously be available.

Thirdly, what we’re really interested in is reader’s suggestions of what they’d like to see on SLOz. Do you want more pics of in-world activities, more profiling of aussies in SL? Do you want a discussion forum? Any suggestions welcome.

Have a great Xmas and 2007!

We’re still on the lookout for Aussie SL users who want to promote their business / activity / venture. We’re going to start an ‘SL Aussie of the Week’ feature in the New Year, so add a comment to this post if you’d like to be profiled 😉

SLOz is the first Second Life news portal aimed at informing Australian SL users on events in-world, real world issues impacting on SL and pretty much anything else SL related. If you have an event you’d like to promote, contact me. Not interested in promoting new Casinos or Free Sex Communities however.

The plan is to provide at least one news story per day. In the short term the emphasis will be on non-Australian content but as Aussies start promoting themselves in SL then that will become the focus.