This just in ... NBC is to make its Second Life debut tonight. Read more here.
Also jumping inworld:
Stay tuned!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Calvin & Hobbes Recreations in SL
C&H is my absolute favorite comic strip of all time. That being said, you'll understand why I *must* include this in my blog...
(Click on the thumbnail to view the large image.)
(Click on the thumbnail to view the large image.)
(Click on the thumbnail to view the large image.)
Our SL Project
Greetings all! I know, I know -- it's been 13 days since my last post. *gasp* It was the holidays, ok?! Anyway...
As you might know, my co-workers and I are working on a Second Life project, and recently, we recorded a video walk through of our virtual building. I apologize for the video -- for some reason, it recorded in double-time, but you at least get a feel of what our virtual SOM building is like.
Some features you might not notice in the video (but you would if you visited us inworld) are links to our school newspapers, our online SOM magazines, free school t-shirts, links to important information, and a sample lecture. And we're adding more as we can figure it all out!
If you'd like to visit the temporary in-world location, while in SL, just search for Kula, and we're in the northwest corner.
As you might know, my co-workers and I are working on a Second Life project, and recently, we recorded a video walk through of our virtual building. I apologize for the video -- for some reason, it recorded in double-time, but you at least get a feel of what our virtual SOM building is like.
Some features you might not notice in the video (but you would if you visited us inworld) are links to our school newspapers, our online SOM magazines, free school t-shirts, links to important information, and a sample lecture. And we're adding more as we can figure it all out!
If you'd like to visit the temporary in-world location, while in SL, just search for Kula, and we're in the northwest corner.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix poster
Just found this on The Movie Blog - the first poster for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Man, Ralph Fiennes makes one creepy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
UTD T-Shirt
In an effort to show my school spirit in Second Life, I've created my very first t-shirt! Check it out!
I am pretty darn proud of myself!
I am pretty darn proud of myself!
I am the Operative!
Wow! The last time I took a firefly personality quiz, I was Zoe. I sure have changed!!
Click here to take the Firefly personality Quiz.
You scored as The Operative.
You are dedicated to your job and very good at what you do. You've done some very bad things, but they had to be done. You don't expect to go to heaven, but that is a sacrifice you've made for a better future for all.
(Sorry about the scrolling. It's b/c I'm not cool enough to figure out style sheets for layout. Please scroll down...)
| The Operative | 69 % | |
| Capt. Mal Reynolds | 63% | |
| Zoe Alleyne Washburne | 56% | |
Hoban 'Wash' Washburne | 56% | |
| Simon Tam | 50% | |
| Shepherd Derrial Book | 44% | |
| River Tam | 38% | |
| Inara Serra | 38% | |
| Kaylee (Kaywinnet Lee) Frye | 38% | |
| Jayne Cobb | 25% |
Click here to take the Firefly personality Quiz.
Monday, November 13, 2006
7th Son
Interestingly, I haven't yet gotten into podcasts. (Blogs, however, are another story. I have 20+ feeds I check daily. But anyway...) So I didn't even notice the podcast novel "7th Son" when it came out and quickly generated a fan base. However, recently on whedonesque.com, there was a short blurb about how a certain Nathan Fillion is to become the first major actor to lend his voice to a character in a podcast novel. So, naturally, I became interested.
And I must say, I'm pretty darn impressed! 7th Son is now into its second book, and I'm just nine chapters into book one, but the story is very interesting so far. Let me give you the synopsis, taken straight from the 7th Son website...
7th Son is the story of seven strangers who have been brought together after the recent assassination of the U.S. president. These men quickly discover they all appear to be the same man ... with identical childhood memories.
Unwitting participants in a human cloning experiment, these "John Michael Smiths" have been assembled to catch the man who murdered the president. Their target? The man they were cloned from; the original John Michael Smith, code-named John Alpha.
I highly recommend it. And it's only going to get better ... what with Mr. Fillion to start contributing some time soon. If you like scifi, I think you might like this. (NOTE: It does contain some foul language, so consider it NSFW.)
And I must say, I'm pretty darn impressed! 7th Son is now into its second book, and I'm just nine chapters into book one, but the story is very interesting so far. Let me give you the synopsis, taken straight from the 7th Son website...
7th Son is the story of seven strangers who have been brought together after the recent assassination of the U.S. president. These men quickly discover they all appear to be the same man ... with identical childhood memories.
Unwitting participants in a human cloning experiment, these "John Michael Smiths" have been assembled to catch the man who murdered the president. Their target? The man they were cloned from; the original John Michael Smith, code-named John Alpha.
I highly recommend it. And it's only going to get better ... what with Mr. Fillion to start contributing some time soon. If you like scifi, I think you might like this. (NOTE: It does contain some foul language, so consider it NSFW.)
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Nissan Island
(So I don't look like some kind of wacko-Nathan-Fillion-crazy-fan, I figure I need to think of something else blog about...)
A few weeks ago, I stumbled across Nissan Island in Second Life. What struck me was the giant vending machine where you typed in the special code and got your free car. Pretty cool idea. I assume that eventually you'll have to pay L$ for them; however, this time a kind soul gave me the super secret code.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled across Nissan Island in Second Life. What struck me was the giant vending machine where you typed in the special code and got your free car. Pretty cool idea. I assume that eventually you'll have to pay L$ for them; however, this time a kind soul gave me the super secret code.
Nathan Fillion is officially my friend!
I read today on whedonesque.com that Nathan (aka Cap'n Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly/Serenity) now has an official myspace page. I immediately logged in and requested to add him as a friend, and I am very proud to say that Captain Tightpants himself is now my friend. w00t!!
Media in Second Life
It seems that "mainstream" media is slowly but steadily making a push into Second Life. We already know about Reuters' full-time journalist, Adam Reuters. But did you know that there's also a freelance journalist named Wagner James Au wandering around inworld? This December, we virtual residents will even get our very own Second Life tabloid magazine. And if this isn't enough for you, cable tv stations like the SciFi Channel will start streaming content starting this month via virtuallife.tv.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Second Life story on NPR's Morning Edition
As many of you know, I'm an NPR geek. So I was a bit excited when I heard the promos for today's story by Morning Edition reporter Steve Inskeep on Second Life: Real Money in a Virtual World. It's an interesting 5-minute interview with Millions of Us company owner Reuben Steiger. The interview covers the very basics of SL -- the reporter experiences purchasing new clothes and even gets a ride in a Toyota Scion...
SI: We just plunged into the river!
RS: I'm not a great driver ... in real life or in Second Life.
SI: We just plunged into the river!
RS: I'm not a great driver ... in real life or in Second Life.
World Trade Center in SL
Today, I came across a World Trade Center replica in Second Life, complete with an observation deck on floor 108. Below are some snapshots I took. Unfortunately, my snaps aren't that great b/c the building itself is huge, and I can only zoom out a certain amount. Anyway...
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
We met Ron Glass (aka Shepherd Book)!
This past weekend, Erin and I made it out to the Dallas Comic Con (yes, I am now an official geek!) to meet Ron Glass, the actor who plays Shepherd Book in Firefly and Serenity. On Saturday, we had a chance to meet him, get his autograph, and take pictures with him. Sunday, we went back to "the con" to sit in on the Q&A session. (You can actually listen to the entire Ron Glass Q&A online, if interested. He was very funny and had some interesting answers to questions.)
Meeting Ron Glass
Another great part about the conference was seeing all the people - young and old - dressed up as scifi characters.
But I think my favorite photos from the set (besides those of Ron Glass) are the pictures of the kids that were dressed up by their geek-like-me parents! (Roy says I can never ever do this to our kids. Yeesh.)
I had a *really* great time!! Many thanks to Erin for being my guide for my first ever comic/scifi convention.
Click here to see my entire Dallas Comic Con photo set.
Another great part about the conference was seeing all the people - young and old - dressed up as scifi characters.
But I think my favorite photos from the set (besides those of Ron Glass) are the pictures of the kids that were dressed up by their geek-like-me parents! (Roy says I can never ever do this to our kids. Yeesh.)
I had a *really* great time!! Many thanks to Erin for being my guide for my first ever comic/scifi convention.
My First Virtual Wedding
As luck would have it, during my lunch break today, after reading on the SLED mailing list about rituals in SL such as weddings and funerals, I found a listing on the Events page for "Slick and Samira's Wedding Day!" I decided to experience a virtual wedding in all its glory.
Well, I have to admit, I had a hard time taking the whole ceremony seriously. (However, all of the participants in the wedding, including the scantily clad bridesmaids, seemed to be taking it all completely seriously. Which is good for them.) I'm sure it meant a lot to these people. It was just strange to me.
Anyway, apparently there are weddings going on all the time inworld. People who are good friends "commit" to each other virtually. Sometimes, SL romance leaks into RL. Sometimes RL married couples renew their vows inworld. It's all very interesting
Erin and her fiance have experience in another online virtual world, World of Warcraft. She recently told me about how a group of players held an actual inworld memorial for a fellow player who had died in real life. (Unfortunately, the player who had passed away had also belonged to another more violent "guild", and those more rowdy players decided to as a group crash the memorial -- as they thought their friend would have wanted -- and kill all the other players, which sparked a pretty big controversy.) Interesting story, definitely.
Well, I have to admit, I had a hard time taking the whole ceremony seriously. (However, all of the participants in the wedding, including the scantily clad bridesmaids, seemed to be taking it all completely seriously. Which is good for them.) I'm sure it meant a lot to these people. It was just strange to me.
Anyway, apparently there are weddings going on all the time inworld. People who are good friends "commit" to each other virtually. Sometimes, SL romance leaks into RL. Sometimes RL married couples renew their vows inworld. It's all very interesting
Erin and her fiance have experience in another online virtual world, World of Warcraft. She recently told me about how a group of players held an actual inworld memorial for a fellow player who had died in real life. (Unfortunately, the player who had passed away had also belonged to another more violent "guild", and those more rowdy players decided to as a group crash the memorial -- as they thought their friend would have wanted -- and kill all the other players, which sparked a pretty big controversy.) Interesting story, definitely.
Firefox 2.0
If you haven't already done so, you need to upgrade to Firefox 2.0. (And if you haven't yet discovered Firefox, try it! You will never go back to IE!) They've made lots of of enhancements (to a browser that was already 10x better than IE), and the new tab functionality is great! Let me explain some of these new perks...
Now, if only they'd update my Saferfox theme to work with 2.0, everything would be perfect. However, I'm enjoying looking at all the different themes available, including the appropriate Halloween theme.
- Any link that is set to open in a new window auto-opens in a new tab instead. (Yes, I know you could do that before in 1.5, but I'd never tried it. Love it!
- Picture it: You have five tabs open (tabs 1, 2, 3, etc.). You're looking at tab #2. You click on a link, and it opens in a new tab (tab #6). You finish reading it, close the tab, and voila! You're back at tab #2! (In 1.5, after closing #6, you would have been looking at #5 instead of the original tab you came from. I *love* this feature.)
- Picture it: You have a link to a .pdf or .doc file, and the link tag has the "target="_blank". Well, in 1.5, it would open a blank window, then on top of that, it'd open the document in Acrobat or Word (or whatever program). Well, 2.0 recognizes that it is an empty tab (since it auto-opens in a new tab instead of a new window) and closes it. So no extra empty tab! So smart!
- If Firefox crashes, when you re-open it, it will ask you if you want to "restore session" (which opens up all the tabs you had open before it crashed) or "start a new session". Brilliant!
- Spell-check while filling out forms!
Now, if only they'd update my Saferfox theme to work with 2.0, everything would be perfect. However, I'm enjoying looking at all the different themes available, including the appropriate Halloween theme.
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