Lindens Remain Clueless

Written 26 September, 2012

Lindens Remain Clueless

I suppose this is what happens when you put a game god in charge of a virtual world.

Above, the Lindens aren't just announcing one of their dumbass games. Note the header: "Take a second look at Second Life: A Game with a Goal."

Second. Life. Is. Not. A. Game. It. Is. A. Virtual. World.

Games have externally-imposed goals, dammit.

When Chickens Come Home to Roost

Written 23 September, 2012

When Chickens Come Home to Roost.

Awhile back I took a poke at someone who misspelled a sign at their shop.

And now look at me!

I have absolutely no excuse!

Alphonse is a Poseur

Written 18 September, 2012

Alphonse is a Poseur

I lived in France for four years. I didn't learn to speak the language much, but I do know phony French when I hear it, and Alphonse, our supposed-to-be-Gallic descentbot, just doesn't sound authentic. He says, for instance, his favorite food is es-car-got, pronounced with an audible t. Alphonse is just wrong.

He says he's cousin to Gaston, our Parisian liftbot...

My Store Finally Reopens: Part III

Written 17 September, 2012

My Store Finally Reopens: Part III

With the space mostly complete it was time to start adding products.

Over the years I've made lots of things, and many of them are for sale in the Second Life Marketplace-- but they've not been in world for a couple of years. I decided to ditch my hippo vendors and sell from signs-- no scripts, no lag-- but I needed to create new images of the products.

In the past I used the layout program Quark XPress to make signs, but this time I am using the free photo program GIMP. I am using existing photos and my favorite font, Garamond. I created the Copy/Mod/No Transfer icons in GIMP.

Here's my first sign:

I love that belt. I would give anything to have one like it in real life.

Here's the store's entry area:

My Store Finally Reopens: Part II

Written 17 September, 2012

My Store Finally Reopens: Part II

Our space is not yet complete-- witness the big telescope above.

We're happy with the open design of the scope...

My Store Finally Reopens: Part I

Written 17 September, 2012

My Store Finally Reopens

A long time ago Sweetie and I created a huge build in the sky high over Whimsy.

It happened organically, as it always does with us. I had taken down my Flights of Fancy store (which no one was visiting) and we were thinking about a new home for it.

Sweetie had the idea that the structure should feature some sort of gap or open space, like say a semi-circle. Why? To provide a vista. It's a Sweetie thing.

We tried several things, none of which pleased us, and then one day I pulled a huge 100 x 100 x 100 meter prim from my inventory, turned it into a torus, and proceeded to torture it. When I called it a day, it provided a level surface for standing and walking and looked like this:

In March 2009 I wrote a blogpost celebrating the fix of a once-annoying bug-- the disappearance of local water. That used to randomly happen back in 2006 and 2007.

Guess what's been happening again of late? 

Prim Litterers

Written 21 August, 2012

Prim Litterers

I leave build enabled for the convenience of guests to Whimsy. Most respect that by picking up their prims when they leave--- but some don't.

When I see 200 prims left on the land I know someone has either mislaid their hair or been presumptuous enough to build a castle in the air or has rezzed every stupid item in their Objects folder. I just sigh and hit RETURN.

There are a few people who repeatedly leave one or two prims on the land. I know they've probably been unpacking boxes, and I don't mind that, but I do wish they would pick up their prims when they're finished with them. I imagine they're used to land with auto-return and don't even think about it.

Occasionally I send repeat offenders an e-mail telling them I'm glad they're enjoying Whimsy and we're happy to have visitors, but please pick up their prims when they leave. Most are careful from then on, but a few just keep on doing it-- unthinkingly, I'm sure.

Once or twice I've temporarily banned offenders to get their attention. I hate to do that, but sometimes it's just necessary.

Asteroid Impact on Mars

Written 4 September, 2012

Asteroid Impact on Mars

It was a nice day on the Hellas Plain on Mars.

But what's that in the sky?

Next Time You Want to Wear Mesh...

Written 29 August, 2012

Next Time You Want to Wear Mesh...

So many people in Second Life-- including my Sweetie-- can't see mesh. So no matter how gorgeous your mesh outfit is, think about 20% of the population seeing you like this!