SL Wallpaper: Samhain
Posted on January 7, 2009
Filed Under SL Wallpaper | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Bunny Burnstein
Visit Inworld: Samhain
Dune Roleplaying: Part Two
Posted on January 6, 2009
Filed Under Fun Places, Misc | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Paypabak Writer
Continued from Roleplaying and Dune in SL
We had a large core group at the LemonYellow Dune sim but it all turned sour when the owner tried to close the sim, then auction it, and basically jerked us all around. It broke the principle players into three groups that spawned three Dune sims: Splintered Rock grew out of the old LY sim, Dune Imperium was founded by another group, and Dune Apocalypse was built by the group that I stayed with. We had a core group with a good mix of talents and hired two very talented architects, who took the Dune miniseries as their model for the sim. The screenshots should attest, we had a beautiful place in which to play. Our portal was inside a large globe that served as the sun above the sim. We had the best costume designer . . . another essential aspect of roleplaying is looking the part. And our scripter was also the owner and very talented.
DA differed from the other two sims as we decided to break completely from the book in terms of main characters and storyline; we posed the question what if things at the end of the original novel ended badly? Instead of engendering an industry’s worth of sequel (and prequels) we worked out the destruction of the main characters and a 75-100 year gap in which no one from the novel could have survived, hoping to guarantee we could tone down any canon lawyering that can spring up in such a situation.
We had accomplished a very near adaptation of the Dark Combat System to handling water and spice depletion and the various powers one could attribute to each faction. We had some great storylines going with support in the form of a DA Wiki and active bulletin-board-type forum for discussing storylines and encouraging social aspects of living on the sim. Posting transcripts of our various interactions were meant to encourage participation and show potential recruits how much fun we were having.
To help the owner pay tier, we rented out skyboxes and other spaces for living whether in character or not, and rented vendor space in a logical location for in-character activity. We held OOC parties and tournaments. Despite the beautiful build and a lot of effort to work out stories and accommodate creation of factions, the sim imploded. We had some interesting sandworm animations but never quite got the desert spice mining operations going because of Fremen intransigence on “canon.” Ultimately, certain people made the whole enterprise nonviable for the owner and it shut down.
Dune Imperium took their own approach and appear to been doing well. Their Web Forum site is a starting place to learn more but you have to register to really read the good stuff. And a visit to the sim is the best way to learn about it. Their entry portal, the last time I was there, gives plenty of information and contacts for getting an idea of what to expect.
Splintered Rock formed a partnership and attempted to runs things as democratically as possible within the confines of single-ownership necessities of Linden Labs estate rules. A few of us from DA tried to switch over to SR but it just didn’t coalesce. They have hung in there (see their new Website) and I have done an interview with the owner while waiting to talk to the sandworm; so more next week!
Free Particle Flowers
Posted on January 4, 2009
Filed Under Free or Cheap, Interesting Items | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
These are nice bunches of flowers, great to improve a field or garden. Only 1 prim per type since they are made up of particles.
Very pretty, and free.
Get it Inworld: Buranco
Featured Person: Magdalena Bing
Posted on January 2, 2009
Filed Under Opinions/Gossip/People | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
My friend Magda is “Paula McCartney” in the Penny Lanes. She’s lots of fun, has excellent taste in music, and kicks everyone’s ass on Area 51 arcade game. Magda is also the “dance master” (her nickname since she’s in charge of the dancing HUD when we get together to party).
Avatar Name: Magdalena Bing
Rez Date: 5/28/2007
About Magda: “Am 26 from Germany! I am a dreamer (but I’m not the only one). I love to hear live music and the SL Beatles shows. I am also a member of the Penny Lanes!! Yay!”
What kind of music do you like?
The Beatles!!!!!! All the good stuff from the 60’s and 70’s . . . some jazz and classical music!
Do you own or rent a place in Second Life?
Magical Mystery Field: The place of my sister Marianne Shan . . . a magical, lovely place for Beatles fans!
Huge Peace of Mind: My beautiful home. I live here with my SL partner Huge Recreant! Lovely garden, stage and a huge victorian house!
Name a place you enjoy in Second Life.
Dear Prudence Rock Club: My friend Shauna’s place . . . great Club! My home when I was new in SL!
What clothing stores do you like?
League Mainstore @ Steamforge: My favourite clothing store!
Barerose: Another great store. Lovely clothes and not too expensive.
Do you run any Second Life groups. If so, are they open to the public to join?
Magical Mystery Tour: My sister and my group: We are a touring group and search new places with good music of the 50`s,60`s, 70`s, and 80`s. NOW WE HAVE OUR OWN PLACE! Come to The Magical Mystery Field! Feel like at home and relax a little in a romantic atmosphere and listen to Beatles music, of course! You are very welcome! 
We are dreamers, romantic people and we Love The Beatles, Etta James, Otis Redding, Supertramp . . . and John Lennon is a Hero!!!!
Huge Recreant Fan Club: My SL Partner’s group. He is a great musician: “Ah - the exquisite vanity of having your own fan club…! This group is pretty self-explanatory - please join it if you want to hear a silly musician make an ass of himself. Group privileges include a free cigar & the chance to dance with Roger Rabbit… So join the deranged fun & mayhem - you know it makes sense… ja! ja!
Showing My Ass For the New Year
Posted on January 1, 2009
Filed Under Interesting Items | 2 Comments
Contributed by Shauna Skye
For those who have complained that I do not show my ass, I have decided to give you what you want since it is new years day. Why not? It’s a holiday! Click the picture for a closeup. Yes, I’m even sitting on it!
Er . . . about the others in the picture. I’ve been getting quite a collection of animals for Dear Prudence. There’s Eleanor the dog who sleeps most of the time, Birdie the parrot who laughs at everyone’s jokes, Lewis the cat who roams around the arcade (my personal favorite), and now Sunshine . . . my ass.
All of these animals are cute and loveable, but don’t be thinking Dear Prudence has gone all Disney just yet. No amount of sweet and furry creatures have been able to eradicate our little zombie problem. As you can see in the background of this picture Bill and Ted are not too happy to see me paying attention to a donkey instead of them. When they get in this mood you simply can’t reason with them.
Sunshine is a good boy. However, when I call him I have to make sure to yell his name specifically, otherwise both the donkey and the cat come running. Yesterday they both followed me around, Sunshine braying and Lewis the cat meowing. (Hey, if someone wants to donate a sim to me I’ll start a zoo. Just call me the animal whisperer.)
By the way you can ride Sunshine. He’s lingering in front of Dear Prudence Arcade. You can’t keep him though. You have to get your own for 595 lindens.
Visit Inworld: Paradise Pets
SL Wallpaper: Russian Orthodox Church
Posted on December 31, 2008
Filed Under SL Wallpaper | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Bunny Burnstein
Visit Inworld: Russian Orthodox Church
Roleplaying and Dune in Second Life
Posted on December 30, 2008
Filed Under Art & Culture, Fun Places | 1 Comment
Contributed by Paypabak Writer
Hmmm. I was stood up at my “interview with a sandworm” appointment . . . maybe he got lost in the desert! So, while I am waiting for my dusty friend to resurface, perhaps I can give you some background on roleplaying, and on the history of Dune roleplaying.
One of the things that really grabbed me and endeared me to Second Life was the opportunity to play a “Bene Gesserit witch” in the original attempt at roleplaying Dune at the LemonYellow sim, called The Dune Project. It was a good introduction to the various ways people can communicate in SL beyond just typing in the chat or IM boxes. You may know that you can “emote” by typing “/me” at the start of your chat or IM statement. Instead of the rest of your message being introduced as if your were speaking (e.g., Paypabak Writer: stood alone in the desert, overlooking the seitch), the /me removes the colon (e.g., Paypabak Writer stood alone in the desert, overlooking the seitch). In any sort of roleplaying (let’s abbreviate it as “RP” from here on), being able to describe actions and emotions is essential, so some groups have gone so far as to create attachments that let you name yourself something besides your avatar name and then work that into your chat commands. Thus you can have your character speak, by typing /44 Look out for that sandworm! and instead of you avatar name, and usually in a different text color, the chat or IM will read: “Duke Atreides: Look our for that sandworm!” Using /22 you would describe an action, “Duke Atreides considered his wife’s words and walked to his desk.” (The text would always start with the designated name just as with the /me command.)
In the event of an interruption in the scene being played or an inquiry into what is going on, instead of using IM, there is a way to set a different color and designation of expression to what is generally termed Out of Character (OOC) discussions, set off by another code, /33, for instance, in which case the text looks something like “OOC (Paypabak Writer): Sorry, I have to take this phone call!”
Emoting and describing actions is such a part of my SL lexicon, I often carry on conversations that are half /me-type descriptions. Until animation overrides give us fuller control over our avatars, it’s through this kind of texting that we really live and breath in SL.
Now . . . about Dune. For those not familiar with the science fiction classic, there is the series of books, a David Lynch “cult” movie, and two SciFi Channel mini series that have been spawned. Here’s a fairly good background from Wikipedia for you (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel)) … A Bookshelf game also attempted to simulate the various factions of Dune, what delineated the various families and factions in the novel allows for people to form alliances as well as declare enemies. What stands out for those endeavoring to simulate Dune is that it’s really interactive and full of intrigues … not a lot of fighting. What really challenged the creators of the Dune RP sims that have been developed in SL are the mechanics of a desert planet where the economy is based on spice and water. And of course, there is the matter of the native Fremen people and the giant sandworms that rule the vast empty deserts where the spice is harvested.
The Dune Project had static sandworms . . . very impressive but hard to get excited over. As the various factions grew and stories began, everyone got very tired of waiting for the roleplay system to be finalized. This system would work out water depletion (strength of a character) with spice addiction and other factors. As a Bene Gesserit sister, I helped work out various rituals that come from the books like the gom jobbar and the water of life test. We had great interactions with training sessions and rituals just within our own faction, but then the challenge was to interact with the other factions. You really get to know the other players and develop strong relationships … I say strong even though some might not be positive!
There is so much that goes into an RP sim, there’s much more to tell, so I’m going to have to end this with “To be continued!” Have a Merry Christmas!
Featured Person: Shauna (Vella) Skye
Posted on December 28, 2008
Filed Under Opinions/Gossip/People | 3 Comments
Contributed by Rotten Spitteler
[If you don’t understand some of the words Rotten says it’s because he likes to speak in Nadsat. Clockwork Droog wannabe!–Shauna]
My sister owns SLFix. I thought it would be fun to interview her though she said I had to use proper language. I shall try, o’ my brothers. I may be a writer so this is dobby practice. Personally I think she should pen things on Ludwig Van, not Second Jeezny, and yet here we are . . . .
Rotten: Why did you get into Second Life?
Shauna: The idea of a virtual world fascinates me. SL is what I always fantasized the Sims PC game could become. With SL you’re limited only by your imagination; it’s kind of like the Matrix without Agent Smith.
Rotten: Tell us about yourself.
Shauna: I like to edit, write and read. I’ve been in rock bands. I love puppies. My favorite color is red.
Rotten: Name one band you like . . . besides the Beatles.
Shauna: Kula Shaker.
Rotten: What are your favorite things in Second Life?
Shauna: At the moment I’m into pets and animals. I recently saw a virtual dog that cost over 7000 lindens; yes, more expensive than a parcel of land! But I’ve also seen great shoulder pets for practically free. One store that makes decent stuff at fairly reasonable prices is Paradise Pets. This is where I got my cat, Lewis. He roams about Dear Prudence.
Rotten: Ah. Dear Prudence Rock Shlaga. Tell us about that.
Shauna: Well, Dear Prudence Arcade is where we hang out. It’s one of the few gaming places in Second Life which has a soul, or so I’m told. We have a cat, dog, and bird; comfy couches to sit on while you play. The Rock Club section has a cool looking stage built by JP Lancaster. You can find SLFix HQ, a record shop, and Subculture store . . . come visit!
Rotten: What’s your favorite clothing store o’ my sister?
Shauna: Probably Barerose. The place is vast, and the clothes are not too expensive. If you find something doesn’t suit you, you can give it to a friend. Everything they make is transferable.
Rotten: What are your SL talents?
Shauna: I used to be good at sitting on benches for lindens. Now I’m good at sitting on couches while people play my arcade games.
Rotten: What is your favorite SL game?
Shauna: Right now Daazy.
Rotten: Will you set me up with a Penny? [Rotten means he wants a date with one of my faux band mates in the Penny Lanes.–Shauna]
Shauna: I’ll put in a good word for you.
Rotten: Where’s the first mesto you visited in SL?
Shauna: Liverpool. I still go there!
Rotten: Are you into BDSM?
Shauna: I prefer HTML.
Rotten: Am I your favorite bratty?
Shauna: Yes, but you’re my only brother.
Here I got fagged of asking questions. Not sure this interviewing is my veshch, but she’s my sister so what can I do? Who else will interview her? I don’t imagine there’s many chellovecks breaking her door down; my poor lonely sister. Maybe I’ll get to be on the SLFix biography page now.
Chronos
Posted on December 26, 2008
Filed Under Fun Places | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Bunny Burnstein
Chronos is Japanese SciFi site in Second Life, recently named one of Koinup’s top ten coolest Second Life sites. It resembles the spaceship in Alien, or maybe the secret government lab in Stargate.
I recently spent some time exploring the different areas of the sim, finding a few good freebies. There are also some nice shops in there, especially if you are looking for a kimono. Each area of the facility is different. One has a computer you can play with, or just look busy behind, complete with a hologram of data running in front of your avatar’s face. As you enter and exit the various rooms in the sim, you will be sprayed with water . . . or maybe disinfectant. I’m not quite sure. But it is all in good fun.
There are several interesting places to visit/things to do on Chronos. So just take your time and explore. One thing to be aware of: you cannot fly in this sim. I know, I know . . . hate that, too. Chronos, however, might just be worth the flight restrictions.
Peek at it: On the Web
Visit Inworld: Chronos
Merry Christmas
Posted on December 25, 2008
Filed Under Opinions/Gossip/People | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
I pray a blessing on all SLFix readers, not just for today but for the whole year ahead.
Merry Christmas!
By the way, I haven’t had time to put anything together for you guys this Christmas, so you will have to read my post from 2007:
Free Christmas Stuff
Posted on December 24, 2008
Filed Under Art & Culture, Free or Cheap, Interesting Items | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
Morning Star has tons of nice Christmas decorations and greetings . . . all for free. From lights, to wreaths, to snowmen, trees and more. Last chance this year for it.
Visit Inworld: Morning Star
SL Wallpaper: Roman Grotto
Posted on December 24, 2008
Filed Under SL Wallpaper | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Bunny Burnstein
Visit Inworld: Roman Grotto
Models Wanted
Posted on December 22, 2008
Filed Under Art & Culture | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
Model: Bettyboolean Dagger / Photographer: Shauna Skye (Vella)
If you would like exposure to promote yourself as a Second Life model, you may submit an image to SLFix for a possible feature. You can be any type of model, male or female. You do not have to look tall and anorexic like most real life models do. Curves are cool! So is being unique.
Include the following:
Your Avatar Name
Name of Photographer
If you are available to model for others, best way to contact you, etc.
Some general info on yourself; a short bio.
(Optional) What clothes/hair/shoes/skin you are wearing. If you include any of this extra info we ask you give us landmarks/slurls and the price of each item you mention. This is optional, because the feature is more about your avatar than it is clothes; but if you choose to include that, we won’t complain.
Send this info to ShaunaSkye@gmail.com.
Note: Your image should be in jpg format, and you should be the model. Please wear clothes.
RL Shauna Moving to England
Posted on December 19, 2008
Filed Under Opinions/Gossip/People | 2 Comments
Contributed by Shauna Skye
One cool thing about this blog is I can schedule posts in advance. I set this one to appear today, December 19, for a reason: today I move to the west of London!
My plane is leaving in the morning by Chicago time, but by the time I arrive in England it will be dark. The flight takes around 8 hours. I’ve made this trip before, and so I know I get to watch movies the entire flight; not bad.
Though I’ll be 4000 miles away from Chicago in real life, in Second Life my home will not change. That’s cool if you think about it. I find it kind of nice to know that no matter where I am in the world, I can still be found at Dear Prudence.
Yes, I’ll have access to a computer once I’m in England, though I’ll be awaiting my own computer to arrive via UPS. Nothing like having your own computer, right?
If you find some pauses in this blog it’s due to me getting situated from the move; but hopefully there won’t be a huge delay.
How to Fly Where Flying is Not Allowed
Posted on December 18, 2008
Filed Under Newbie Help | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
Ever go to a sim where flying is disabled? Did you know you can fly anyway?
I would not recommend doing this if there are rules posted saying you shouldn’t. That would be rude, especially in a roleplaying environment.
If there are no posted rules, however, you can probably get away with it unless the owners specifically ask you not to.
How To Disable Flight Restrictions
1. See the menu at top of your screen? To the right of “Help” there is “Advanced.” If that is showing skip step number two.
2. If you do NOT see “Advanced” on your menu key in CTRL-ALT-D so that you do. If it is showing already do nothing.
3. Key in CTRL-ALT-V.
You are now able to fly. If you leave and come back, you will have to do CTRL-ALT-V again.
That’s it!
SL Wallpaper: Huge & Magda’s Mansion
Posted on December 17, 2008
Filed Under SL Wallpaper | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Shauna Skye
Visit Inworld: Huge Peace of Mind
Something TRAUMatic
Posted on December 16, 2008
Filed Under Fun Places, Interesting Items | Leave a Comment
Contributed by Paypabak Writer
Before I start on my main topic, I would like to thank Shauna for her encouragement in writing here. I would like to solicit some responses to these questions and maybe place them in a future article:
Which SL combat system do you recommend? Tell me about it. I’ve used WARPS, DCS, COLA, RCS, and FCRS but it’s been a year or so since . . . .
What HUDs can you not live without? I’ve got quite a collection of HUDs and will try to write more about them in the future. Your answer might affect which HUDs I review first!
Finally, I am anticipating writing about the Splintered Rock roleplaying sim next week with an interesting interview and some personal roleplaying history thrown in down the line.
Cyber Furry Avatars and Much More!
And now on to TRAUM! I saw the Cyber Furry avatar in a special listing on XStreet and immediately jumped inworld to the store, which since my Flickr photo session was posted, has changed dramatically. I find these designs just amazing and find myself taxed not to just go on a wild buying binge! I love the Furry and also the Bat, which has me in a quandary in whether to get the Teeny or full-size version! The Turtles might remind you of a certain quartet of ninjas. I have no idea what I would do with them, but if I ever found the place in SL to use them in roleplay, I am surely doomed!
The focus of my Flickr photos is mainly the Cyber series of avatars, but TRAUM designer Renn Yifu carries many different kinds of steampunk-esque designs. Some even provide scripted “spell sets” and poof actions to phurther the phantasy! Add great accessories like flight packs, wings, vehicles, boots, belts, goggles, etc., and you can just imagine the fun a group of like-minded avatars could have with these designs!
There are four main sections to the store. Mature carries clothing layers for various traumas and wounds as well as tentacles you attach to your avatar. The Fanshop carries tiny avatars and shoulder pets. The Fashion section boasts accessories (including combat AO sets) and clothing for the various avatars as well as styles for regular avatars, some great military-type clothing and punk skirts. This section leads to The AVS section on a wide variety of avatars mentioned above.
Visit Inworld: TRAUM
Suggestion: A Friend Tab For Our Profiles in Second Life
Posted on December 14, 2008
Filed Under Opinions/Gossip/People | 2 Comments
Contributed by Shauna Skye
I’m a compulsive profile reader, and I’ve noticed something. Many people do not use their “picks” tab to tell about their favorite places in Second Life. Instead, they use this section to tell about their friends in Second Life, each sub-tab devoted to a lover, sister, buddy, etc.
When I go to the picks tab I want to see what places this person likes in Second Life. Instead I end up a voyeur. Not only does the person go on about their lover/friend, but more often than not they do not even tell me about that person; rather they leave a message to the person themselves!
Baybee-girl we beat the odds. They said we not gonna last but u my luvbunny & we showed ‘em. Our luv last 4evah. You there when I feel sad. You warm my heart. Baybee u rock my world . . .
Only the person who wrote the profile and Luvbunny-baybee-girl-snookums are really interested in this. Ok, so maybe the jilted ex might be too.
Those that describe their friends instead usually include stuff like
Jenny is my best friend. She’s the most intelligent person I know, holds a Ph.D . . . she’s so sharp she may make you feel stupid.
I love Jenny already.
She is the most loving and caring person and is mah girl. If you mess with Jenny you will have to deal with ME.
Ok, I’ll try control my impulse to smack Jenny. 
Since people like to write about friends, the solution to this problem is easy. The Lindens should add a friend tab to the profiles. That way the people who want to gush about lovers still can, while those who want to see cool places on the picks tab can open it without reading someone’s personal romance.
How about it Lindens? Give us a friend tab?
How to Stop Your Hands From Typing
Posted on December 13, 2008
Filed Under Newbie Help | 2 Comments
Contributed by Shauna Skye
Are you tired of your hands typing in the air? Sick of that typing sound?
Maybe you type and delete a lot like I do (it’s the editor in me) so it seems your hands are always moving even if no text comes out.
Maybe you want to have lots of pictures of your avatar and the typing animation spoils the shot.
Whatever your reason there is a solution.
How to Stop Your Hands From Typing
1. Go into the “advanced” menu.
2. Choose “debug settings.”
3. Type in PlayTypingAnim and set it to FALSE.
That’s it. No more typing in mid air!
How To Not Be Bombarded With Group Notices
Posted on December 12, 2008
Filed Under Newbie Help | 2 Comments
Contributed by Shauna Skye
So you’ve joined a group you either want (or need) to be a part of for one reason or another.
The problem? Constant group notices popping up on your screen. You don’t want to have to leave the group, but the multiple notices are distracting.
Here’s the solution.
1. Open up the group.
2. Under the general tab, and down in the lower right are some options.
3. Uncheck where it says “Receive Group Notices.”
You will no longer receive the group notices popping up, but you can always go to the “notices” tab to see the announcements when it is convenient for you.
Note: I only recommend doing this for extra busy groups sending constant notices. Why? If you use this option for a regular group you may miss timely events and goodies you’d otherwise enjoy.
keep looking »-
Categories
-
Recently Written
-
Other Sites
SLFix is Sponsored By:
DEAR PRUDENCE ARCADE
SUBCULTURE