insomnia angel

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    Maybe You Should Attend a Second Life User Group Meeting

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life
    1 Comment
    Strawberry

    At the height of Bellisseria, I started attending the Concierge & Land User Group meetings because I wanted the latest tea on what was happening with Bellisseria, Mainland, and land in general. The meeting has since been renamed the Land & Support User Group, and in the beginning, I actually thought it was pretty productive. The Lindens in charge listened to feedback, answered questions, and residents had a chance to bring up things that mattered to them.

    Over time, though, I started wondering how much these meetings represent what the average Second Life resident actually wants. The people who attend regularly are obviously going to have the loudest voices, and sometimes those voices result in things the rest of us have to live with. I will never get over the ugly bridges connecting parts of Bellisseria. Instead of one long ugly bridge, couldn’t we have had a cute little island between the two themes, with little boats or walking paths connecting everything? There were so many ways they could have made it cute, but somebody wanted bridges, and now we have bridges.

    There are actually a lot of official Second Life user group meetings happening regularly, and I think more residents should attend them, especially if you care about where Second Life is headed. You might be surprised by what other residents are asking Linden Lab to change, and some of those changes will eventually affect YOUR Second Life.

    I’ve also been watching recordings of some of the other Second Life user group meetings on Pantera’s YouTube channel, and that’s actually where I first heard some of the discussions around the recent Marketplace changes. One of the new policies will automatically unlist products that haven’t sold in a year AND belong to a merchant who hasn’t logged in for a year. I think requiring both conditions makes the policy way too lenient. In my opinion, it should be products that haven’t sold OR merchants who haven’t logged in. Otherwise, we’re still leaving a lot of unpopular products and potentially unsupported products sitting on the Marketplace.

    Sometimes I listen to these meetings and think Linden Lab may be listening a little too closely to whichever residents happen to be the most vocal in the room. Maybe some of these ideas will work out, but I suspect they’ll eventually find out that a few of these policies didn’t accomplish much, or made things worse overall. That’s also why I think more people should attend these meetings. If only the same group of residents shows up every week, those are naturally going to be the opinions Linden Lab hears the most.

    My look for the recent Land & Support User Group meeting reminded me of a peasant, which felt very appropriate for a land meeting, LOL. Landed Peasants, reporting for duty! If you own land or care about what happens to Second Life, I really do encourage you to attend one of these meetings sometime. The more residents who show up and speak up, the more voices Linden Lab gets to hear.

    Strawberry
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    Frankly, My Dear… I’ll Continue Wearing LaraX

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    3 Comments
    Frankly, My Dear...

    “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

    Most people know this iconic line from Gone with the Wind, but have they actually sat through all four hours of the movie? If you haven’t, you should at least once. Scarlett O’Hara isn’t exactly likable, but she was a survivor, and that’s probably why she’s remained such a memorable character all these years later.

    I recently rewatched Gone with the Wind to get in the mood for photographing my current obsession from this round of The Arcade.

    My friends were absolutely gushing over the Monique dress from PurpleMoon, and of course we all wanted the rare Floral version. With the right styling, it looks like something Scarlett herself might have worn while dramatically descending a staircase at Tara. As you all know, I have a weakness for period-inspired fashion, so even though the print does remind me a little bit of a floral sofa, I was willing to overlook that minor detail. The gloves are a lovely touch, and I’m even wearing the matching heels underneath the dress, though you can’t see them in these photos.

    I normally don’t pay much attention to gacha these days, but once in a blue moon I’ll keep playing until I get exactly what I want.

    Frankly, My Dear...

    Speaking of that famous line, let’s circle back to it for a moment.

    The thing amusing me this week is watching some designers encourage other creators to drop support for LaraX, while also suggesting customers should simply switch bodies instead.

    This dress is made for LaraX. I bought it because it’s made for LaraX. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have.

    I’ve never switched mesh bodies just to wear a particular outfit, and I probably never will. If something isn’t made for the body I’m using, I move on. There is so much talent in Second Life that no single brand is irreplaceable.

    Until something better comes along, I’ll continue wearing Maitreya LaraX. It does everything I need it to do. It’s funny to me that there are still residents happily wearing system bodies, yet some people act as though using a mesh body that’s still one of the most widely supported on the grid somehow makes you outdated.

    I’m not resistant to change. I’m not afraid of trying new things. I’m just not interested in switching to something that doesn’t offer me anything better than what I already have.

    So frankly, my dear…

    I don’t give a damn.

    Frankly, My Dear...
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    The Fantasy Faire AI Drama Was So Predictable

    Bygogo Brands, Events, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    0 Comments
    The Fantasy Faire AI Drama Was So Predictable

    In honor of Fantasy Faire, I typed in “wand” into my inventory and found this fabulous Unicorn Magic Wand from Insomnia Angel. I have no memory of ever getting this, so that means one of my friends probably gifted it to me because it was a gacha item.

    And what does one wear with a wand? A crown, obviously. I pulled out Fairie Queen by Sparkle Skye, which has always been a favorite of mine. I should wear crowns like this all the time, because why not. I’m also wearing the Caroline Gown from Just Because, one of my recent favorite gown makers. The pricing is fair, it’s sold by body type, and this gown has a shiny PBR finish that really works here. You could style it futuristic or regal, the choice is yours. Back in the day, girls used to run all over the grid in full flexi ball gowns like it was casual attire. Shopping, dancing, standing around somewhere. We need to bring that back.

    Now let’s talk about Fantasy Faire. I go every year, usually for Jail & Bail with Patch Linden or the Silent and Live Auction during the last few days of the event where I like to bid on Linden-sponsored items. Because of that, Fantasy Faire to me has always felt like a Linden-endorsed event.

    That is why all this AI drama looks so bad. Last year, I watched a resident get bullied by Fantasy Faire designers and maybe others too for using AI to enhance photos. I’m not even sure they were an official blogger. They may have just been a regular resident who got piled on so badly they removed a lot of photos from Flickr. Fantasy Faire organizers said nothing discouraging the bullying. That was a bad look, especially for a charity event benefiting the American Cancer Society.

    Previously, Fantasy Faire allowed AI use for designers in certain ways, while banning bloggers from using it. Designers could reportedly use it for marketing or decorations as long as it was not being sold. This year they changed the rules again and moved toward banning AI entirely, even for things not for sale.

    Then came the DRD situation. According to DRD, they were privately given the green light by organizer Elizabeth Tinsley to use AI posters around their region build. Then later another staff member came through putting up red boxes to mark items for review or removal before opening. Things escalated, and DRD says they felt publicly shamed and harassed.

    If that is true, then the problem is not AI. The problem is how this was handled. You cannot privately approve something, then publicly crack down on it later and expect no reaction. Any designer would be upset.

    In my opinion, the aggressive anti-AI stance has no place in a charity event, and the selective enforcement looks even worse. AI is a tool. Whether people personally like it or hate it, using it is not against Linden Lab’s Terms of Service. Treating residents like they did something terrible over it is unnecessary.

    Fantasy Faire should be about creativity, fundraising, shopping, and fun. Instead it keeps becoming drama over technology. They should release a public statement, explain what happened, and maybe apologize where needed. They also need one clear rule for everybody. Not one rule privately, another publicly, and something else depending on who you are.

    They picked the wrong battle, and now it shows.

    DRD Statement
    from their Discord server

    We had something special planned for Fantasy Faire this year: our return after 10 years, with a brand-new region and a follow-up story to San Mora.

    What should have been an exciting return took a very different turn in the final days. What started as a discussion around AI use escalated **far beyond that**. We were transparent from the beginning and had shown what we were doing early on, with approval to move forward, but 2 days before opening the situation shifted, and how it was handled crossed a line for us.

    It escalated into repeated public shaming using hundreds of red glowing prim markers pointing out anything and everything, it reached a point of bullying.

    Eventually the entire build was covered in nearly a thousand Fantasy Faire posters. **There’s nothing left of what we created.**

    We literally filled the region with Orwell quotes about censorship and authoritarian control and now we’re being silenced and erased in real time. The irony is not lost on us.

    This was no longer about being anti-AI or pro-AI. Everyone is entitled to their own stance on that, and we respect differing opinions. What this became about was how poorly the situation was handled.

    Things have really changed in 10 years.** It no longer felt like a Faire for charity… it became  a protest against AI.**

    __We weren’t even allowed to set up RFL vendors to sell our build__ , meaning we were not allowed to raise money for RFL.(?)

    It no longer felt like something we wanted to be part of.

    We donated the sim to FF to do with it what they wish and to remove the name Reservoir Zero, because that is NOT Reservoir Zero.

    **We made the decision to step away completely**. We’re not going to compromise our work or vision just to fit in.

    **So here’s what we’re doing instead:**

    We’re moving the full, uncensored version of Reservoir Zero to our own sim.

    This summer, it will become the **full apocalyptic experience** we originally planned… a proper continuation of the story.

    For now, we’ve already started setting things up there together with a few amazing merchants, and we’ll be hosting our own Relay For Life charity event and party very soon.

    We’re sorry for the sudden change and any disappointment. **This wasn’t how we wanted our return after all these years to go.**

    But we’re looking forward to showing you the version of Reservoir Zero that actually reflects what we built.

    Thank you to everyone who reached out and had our back,  it meant a lot.

    ## See you soon in the real Reservoir Zero

    — Jaimy & Eowyn

    Other blogs covering this story:

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    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake

    Hello from Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake! Nestled in Thailand, this enchanting destination is also known as the Red Lotus Lake. I was captivated by a feature on New World Notes and felt a sudden urge to explore it myself. Though I’m unable to hop on a plane right now, fortunately, you can take a virtual trip to Thailand and witness the mesmerizing beauty of this region. It’s truly a must-visit, even if only online. The virtual replication of real-life places allows us to appreciate their splendor right from our screens.

    Have you ever wondered what to wear when visiting a lotus lake? In my case, I took the more whimsical route and stayed in my Victorian attire! Recently, I visited Midnight Order, where I picked up a few splendid accessories to spruce up my wardrobe. One noteworthy find was this Renee Parasol from Soapberry. This beautiful parasol is animesh, meaning you cannot resize it. Make sure to try a demo to ensure it fits your avatar perfectly before making a purchase. There’s a charming spinning animation built into the parasol, adding a delightful touch to its already exquisite design. Surprisingly, I did not own a lace parasol, so I seized the opportunity to add this enchanting item to my collection.

    Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake
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    Afternoon Stroll

    Bygogo Aurelias, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/53857445246/in/datetaken/

    Hello from Aurelias! I’m still living out my Bridgerton dreams in Second Life. This particular look is so stunning that I’ve saved it as my default outfit. This way, I can effortlessly switch from my everyday casual look to this elegant Victorian attire with just a click.

    Over the weekend, I attempted to do some shopping but came up empty-handed. My current fashion mood is all about Victorian elegance, and nothing I found quite matched that vibe.

    Curiously, I decided to give the Second Life mobile app another try. The app is now available to Premium and Premium Plus members. While it’s handy for logging in and chatting with friends, I found that navigating and performing any actions within Second Life remains a significant challenge. Movement is clunky, and rendering continues to be a nightmare. It’s clear that developers are making strides, but I can’t help but wonder how long this app will linger in beta.

    The mobile app, in its current state, is unlikely to attract new users. New residents would find themselves better off downloading the viewer and logging in that way. The app’s limitations also mean it doesn’t quite hit the mark for existing residents either. Access to inventory and the ability to change outfits are crucial features that are sorely missed.

    So, while it’s a step in an exciting direction, the Second Life mobile app still has a long journey ahead before it becomes a viable option for both new and seasoned residents.

    Afternoon Stroll
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    Miss Bridgerton

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Miss Bridgerton
    Photo taken at Bright Diamonds Oasis (a region designed by Sparkely Sugar)

    I’ve been fashionably late to the Bridgerton viewing party. Typically, my taste in historical dramas veers towards the darker, more intense ones, like The Tudors, where beheadings are surprisingly frequent. However, at the insistence of my friend Sparkle, I gave Bridgerton a try, and found myself falling in love with the scenes and fashion. It’s a delightful swirl of pastel dreams and romance.

    Currently, I’m embracing my inner Miss Bridgerton in Second Life, fantasizing about a chance encounter with Duke Hastings. Sporting the Breeze hairstyle from Truth, straight from Hair Fair, and adorned with the charming Kaori Mini Hat by Sparkle Skye, also a Hair Fair gem, I’m fully immersed in this whimsical world. Bridgerton-inspired gowns have been my go-to this month, particularly the Jane Regency Gown from Just Because, allowing me to live out this Regency fantasy to the fullest.

    Miss Bridgerton
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    Sweet Valentine

    Bygogo Aurelias, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    Sweet Valentine

    Happy Valentine’s Day! Spring has arrived on Aurelias, and it’s just the perfect weather for a stroll around town. When I’m not wearing casual outfits, I love to dress up in frilly Victorian-style looks, or my interpretation of it.

    I had a grand time today riding the Linden Love Train and meeting some Lindens and Moles at Isle of View. This year is my first time attending the Dunk & Hug a Linden & Mole Event, and I was disappointed that there were only a few Lindens in attendance. It was definitely exciting to pose for a photo with the most popular Linden of all time, Patch Linden. I wanted to meet some of my favorite Lindens on the Concierge team, but they were probably busy working.

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