virtual world

  • | | | |

    Your Lindens Are Worth More Right Now

    Bygogo Hot Tips, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments

    Is now a good time to cash out your Lindens? Yes, now is the best time to cash out your Lindens. Since Second Life introduced Premium Plus (with no stipend) back in October, I’ve been keeping an eye on the exchange rate, and recently I saw L$245/USD, which is the best rate I’ve seen in years. That was my cue to finally do something about the amount of Lindens I was sitting on. I’m not a big creator, but between stipends, buying and selling land, and income from my shop, I had built up a pretty large balance. At the end of 2025, I decided to cash out some of my stash, just L$250,000 Lindens, which is about $961 USD, to test the process.

    Your Lindens Are Worth More Right Now

    I also wanted to see if the cash out process had improved now that Tilia is owned by Thunes. At first, I tried withdrawing through PayPal and it stalled for days. I switched my payout method to Direct Bank Deposit and the money arrived in under two business days. As you can see, Second Life charged me $48.28 in fees and completed the payout within two business days (this was done over the Christmas holiday, so it stretched to about five days total). That’s impressive, but it also made me realize how ripe this system could be for fraud. Faster payouts, sometimes within hours, mean that if someone gains access to your account, real damage can happen before you even notice.

    One thing I find interesting is that you would think with the exchange rate being more favorable, creators would start lowering their prices. But that hasn’t really happened. If anything, prices are staying inflated, and I understand why. Real life cost of living has gone up, and many creators rely on Second Life income to get by. It just means that as residents, we’re still paying more even when our Lindens technically stretch further.

    If you’re thinking of cashing out, do it! If you have lots of Lindens in your account or a payment method with significant funds attached to it, consider enabling two factor authentication immediately.

  • Lace

    Bygogo Uncategorized
    3 Comments
    Lace

    When brands leave popular social media platforms, it becomes incredibly hard to keep up with their releases. That’s what happened with Toksik. For whatever reason, probably money, they decided to leave Flickr, and since then it’s been a challenge to track their new releases or even look back at what I already own or might want to buy. I find it a little odd that so many designers say they left Flickr because it’s “too expensive,” without thinking of that small yearly cost as part of their marketing budget.

    Anyway, I saw the Vicious outfit at Nightshade and debated whether to buy the fatpack for L$4,000, which includes all the colors, or try my luck with the gacha machine. I ended up getting a few friends together, and we all played until everyone had a full outfits in all the colors, including the rare hat and collar. I spent less than half of what the fatpack costs, so that’s my suggestion if you want this outfit too. I’m still not a fan of gacha though. If this outfit had been a regular release, it would have come as a complete set instead of being split into pieces. It’s just a dress with a hat, after all.

    In case you haven’t heard, there’s a new Premium Plus plan with no stipend. Designers are thrilled, of course. This plan costs $143 a year if you pay annually, or $191 if you pay monthly. But if you’re someone who buys lindens occasionally throughout the year, this plan probably isn’t for you. You don’t really save much, if anything at all, once you factor in the lack of a stipend.

    I have to admit, I’m feeling a bit burnt out on Halloween events across the grid. I’m ready for cozy fall vibes and something more cheerful. But if you’re a Halloween lover, this is definitely your month. There are tons of hunts, freebies, and events happening right now, including Shop & Hop.

    Read More “Lace”
  • | | | |

    Who Really Benefits from Premium Plus Without Stipends? Creators.

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Who Really Benefits from Premium Plus Without Stipends? Creators.
    Photo taken at the Linden Casino!

    Second Life is rolling out a new cheaper Premium Plus plan this October, but it doesn’t include the weekly Linden stipend. On paper, it works out to about the same cost as the old plan with the stipend, but the benefit really depends on who you are in-world.

    If you’re a resident who shops, rents land, or just enjoys having a little spending money, the stipend is basically free Lindens in your pocket. It’s what makes Premium feel cheaper, because those few hundred Lindens a week can either go straight into your shopping budget or help offset the cost of Premium. Without that stipend, the discount doesn’t really give you more value. You just lose the free money.

    Where the new plan makes sense is for creators and anyone earning Lindens in-world. If you already have a steady flow of income, you probably don’t care about a stipend trickling in every week. In fact, this option benefits you more because it means fewer Lindens are being pumped into the economy. Less supply keeps Lindens stronger, and that helps creators when they cash out their earnings.

    There’s also a smaller win here for people who love playing Game of Homes (GoH) and having multiple homes. Premium Plus gives you access to the 2048 Linden Homes, and this new no-stipend version brings the cost down by about $100 a year. So if you’re mainly in it for the house and don’t care about stipends, this plan lets you hold onto a home for a little less.

    It’s also worth pointing out that with the real-life economy struggling, Second Life is clearly planning ahead. They’re looking for ways to improve their own virtual economy while keeping Linden dollar stable. A stronger, steadier Linden dollar benefits creators the most, especially those who rely on cashing out.

    But I also wish Second Life would consider the residents who aren’t earning any Lindens at all. For a lot of people, the weekly stipend is more valuable than free uploads or other perks. I have Premium Plus and almost never upload anything. This is where the new plan could backfire. Without a stipend, people may become more budget conscious. They may start to notice just how expensive it is to buy Lindens with real money, once you factor in the fees and the not so great exchange rate. Reminding people that in-game currency equals real money is not the kind of wake-up call Second Life should want to encourage.

    If Second Life wants to cater to all residents, they would allow us to customize our Premium plan. Imagine being able to pick from a list, no uploads, no stipend, no extra groups, etc., and adjust your subscription price based on what you actually use. That kind of flexibility would make Premium feel more tailored and valuable to everyone, not just creators.

    At the end of the day, this plan isn’t really for shoppers or casual users. It’s for creators who earn their Lindens, or for GoH fans who just want the cheapest way to hold a house for less money. Everyone else will find the stipend plan still gives the better deal.

    Still, having options is always a good thing. Soon, residents will be able to choose what works best for them, whether that’s weekly pocket money or a lower upfront cost with no stipends attached.

    Read more on these blogs:

    Read More “Who Really Benefits from Premium Plus Without Stipends? Creators.”
  • | | | |

    The Day My Waterfront Dream Got Blocked, part 2

    Bygogo iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    0 Comments
    Victorian Linden Home

    I wanted to show you my Victorian Linden Home. It’s beautiful, it’s my favorite. I was watching the latest Second Life Concierge and Land User Group meeting, and Izzy Linden mentioned that this is not a popular theme, but I disagree. This is easily in my top two Linden Home themes. I’ve been on this region for over five years, paying for Premium to keep this home, and the coast was absolutely finished in my eyes. It never looked like an unfinished edge. If you look at my photos, you’ll see that it looks complete, well terraformed, and beautifully done.

    That’s why it devastates me that Second Life decided to stamp out the new Ridgewood Enclave right in front of my house. Right now it’s only one region away from blocking my waterfront view. I’ve been anxiously watching Ridgewood Enclave regions come online, and so far they’ve gone west, but the moment they finish the region that corners mine, my view will be gone. I took a lot of photos because the Victorian coasts on OG Bellisseria were the best thing the Moles ever made, and nothing since has matched them. It would be such a shame if this gets blocked. Second Life can still fix this by moving the Ridgewood Enclave Canopy region one space west. There’s no reason for it to be pushed up this close to the Victorian coast, ruining the views for everyone. And honestly, as much as I don’t want to see Ridgewood Enclave, maybe they don’t want to see pastel Victorians either.

    Victorian Linden Home
    Victorian Linden Home

    For now, my view is safe, but when I look off the side of my porch, I see Ridgewood Enclave spreading north like a slow creep, and I know it will eventually erase everything I love about this house. I hope that when Izzy Linden says he empathizes with people whose views get blocked, he’s also thinking about long-time residents like me who have been paying customers from day one of Linden Homes. I’m a huge fan, but if residents can’t trust that finished coasts will stay protected, then what’s the point of Linden Homes? People pay extra for Premium to secure their perfect home, and it’s crushing when that view you chose suddenly disappears.

    Read part 1 of The Day My Waterfront Dream Got Blocked.

    Victorian Linden Home
    Victorian Linden Home
    Victorian Linden Home
    Victorian Linden Home
    Victorian Linden Home

  • Ridgewood Enclave, new Linden Home

    Bygogo Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    They're out! Ridgewood Enclave, new Linden Homes

    Ridgewood Enclave is out! I always want to be excited about a new Linden Home theme, but lately I’ve managed my FOMO a little better. I’m not getting one of these because nothing about them appeals to me. I prefer homes that are more cottagey and sweet looking, not modern boxes made of concrete. The palms are an interesting choice, and while the landscaping isn’t bad, it doesn’t win me over either.

    Ridgewood Enclave, new Linden Home

    Ridgewood Enclave is only available for Premium Plus members since each parcel is 2048 sqm with 936 land impact. Residents who like larger land and higher impact will probably enjoy them, and every home seems to come with a driveway. I’ve already spotted someone rezzing a helicopter on one of the very flat roofs. Honestly, rezzing obnoxious vehicles should be against the covenant, but we’ll see how that plays out.

    You can find these new homes on the Land Page or visit them in-world at the Welcome Hub Linden Homes.

    Ridgewood Enclave, new Linden Home
  • | | | | |

    Something in the Water

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    3 Comments
    Something in the Water

    Are you tired of me starting every post with Blackout August? Well, it’s day 22. The original creator of this challenge, Imogen Aurelia, deleted her link on Flickr and kept part of it on Facebook. I’m not even sure she’s still doing the challenge herself, but I’m pushing through. I’m determined and almost at the finish line. What this challenge has shown me is that I’ve been selective for a long time, so while it started out kind of painful not being able to instantly grab that new hair I wanted, it also revealed that I don’t actually love everything made in SL, and I don’t need to have it right away.

    For today’s look I dug deep into my inventory and remembered how much I used to love a brand called M.Birdie. I don’t think it’s open anymore, since the store’s Flickr is gone and the SLurl in the designer’s profile leads nowhere. I liked this store so much, but most of my items from them came through gacha events. Everything I have is made for Maitreya, but I managed to wear it with LaraX because this top is roomy and I used the alpha layers. If you still want this top, even though it’s at least seven years old, you can still find it on the Marketplace. If you know what happened to the M.Birdie store, let me know in the comments.

    When my friends heard I was doing this challenge, they gave me tips on how to cope with not shopping. One of them said, “You could go spend store credit.” Which is true, I could, if I even remembered where I had store credit. The truth is I don’t want loopholes, I want to go without. I’m still blogging for a few brands and new items are hitting my inventory often, so I don’t feel completely deprived. I decided to sit out on promoting much of it this month, but that doesn’t mean I can’t promote it later. The great thing about Second Life is that when brands create items, they can keep selling them for years as long as the quality is good and people still want them. There’s this constant push to buy new and wear new, but I think that actually does brands a disservice. A dollar earned from a new item or an older one is still a dollar.

    If you like the idea of Blackout August, you can start any time. Wearing items you already own shouldn’t ever feel like a betrayal, and it won’t make your favorite brands think less of you. They probably won’t even notice.

    Something in the Water
    Read More “Something in the Water”
  • | | | |

    Snow Rabbit Mesh Head Update! S@R W01X v3.0

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    S@R W01X v3.0

    It’s day 10 of Blackout August and I still haven’t spent a single Linden. Gifts and freebies are fair game though, and yesterday I received an updated copy of the Snow Rabbit (S@R W01X) mesh head. I originally blogged this head over a year and a half ago, and it’s been updated several times since with great improvements to the HUD and features. This 3.0 update adds more volume to the eyelashes, so of course I had to try it.

    When I put on my saved S@R outfit, something strange happened to the shape I made last year. Rather than troubleshoot, I decided to start fresh with a brand new shape and pair it with a new skin. The S@R head reminded me how much I love it, especially since it works with EvoX skins. If only the eyes were compatible with the EvoX HUD too, that would be perfect.

    S@R W01X v3.0

    While creating the new shape, I noticed the nose is slightly crooked. Some Second Life residents would call that a charming feature, while others like me prefer a smoother profile. It does give the face personality if that’s your thing.

    Today I’m wearing the Magnolia skin from Amara Beauty. It’s new at The Arcade, but I didn’t buy it. My friend gifted it to me. Gifts don’t count toward Blackout August, but I’m keeping paid items to a minimum this month and digging into my inventory instead. If you own any Amara Beauty skin, you could pair it with the S@R head and get a similar look.

    One thing about the Magnolia skin that surprised me is that the no brows version is only available in the RARE. Annoying. I always wear no brows, so if my friend hadn’t sent me the RARE, I wouldn’t wear this skin at all.

    If you’re still thinking about joining Blackout August, you can start anytime. Maybe you want to slow down your shopping, maybe you want to save money. Both are good reasons. I’ve seen people make rude assumptions about participants, as if we’re all struggling with some kind of shopping addiction. LOL. I buy what I want, and sometimes I buy too much, but I’m not running out of Lindens or spending money I don’t have. The only time I run low is when I decide to buy a region or go to an SL auction. For me, this is about showing that shopping isn’t the only thing to do in Second Life. You could be like Philip Linden, never change your clothes, and still enjoy this world.

    Read More “Snow Rabbit Mesh Head Update! S@R W01X v3.0”
  • | | | |

    Bows

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Bows

    I love when clothes have frills and pretty little details. As soon as I saw the Everly Blouse from Tres Blah, I knew I needed it. I guess I’m leaning into the cottagecore vibe now, but with pants. I’m still not sold on long mesh skirts. Sometimes they make me feel like my butt looks wide. This blouse looks perfect with the Locket Choker from Rebelle, like they were meant to be worn together.

    Body Veins

    Have you ever seen something in Second Life and thought, “How has no one made this before?” Izzie’s just released Body and Face Veins and I swear I am never taking them off. Face skins in SL keep getting better and better, but body skins still feel flat in comparison. It’s harder to update body skins often so designers usually skip it. Faces are easier to tweak which is why we get a new one every week. But just this little detail of veins layered on top of my skin gives me the realism I have been missing.

    If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out Anthology, Shop & Hop, SeraPlus gifts and more. I picked up some great finds from all of them and a few were even free.

    HANII
    Read More “Bows”
  • | | | |

    Danger: You Could Be Banned for Editing a Photo with AI

    Bygogo iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    9 Comments
    Amalie

    Recently, I came across a tweet about a photo taken at a Second Life event. The photographer had used AI to enhance the image, and the creator of the build featured in the photo was upset. That moment sparked a deeper question for me about how AI is affecting our community, both in Second Life and in the real world.

    As a journalist and the owner of one of Second Life’s longest-running feeds, I believe this is an issue worth exploring. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s here, shaping our virtual and creative spaces right now. So, I did what any curious person might: I asked a question.

    I tweeted to Philip Rosedale, tagging him in a repost of the original tweet by the designer, and asked for his thoughts on designers banning paying customers from their stores simply for using AI to edit photos featuring their products.

    Let’s be clear. This was a paying customer, not a sponsored blogger who received the item for free in exchange for promotional content.

    I also asked the designer a few respectful follow-up questions to better understand the situation:

    • Was the anti-AI policy made clear before the purchase?
    • Was the person in question a store blogger or an event blogger?

    Rather than engage in dialogue, the response was swift and hostile. The store owner became aggressive, and what followed was an organized harassment campaign: blocking, banning, public call-outs, and social media attacks from the designer and her circle. All of this over a question and a public repost.

    Now, let’s talk about rights.

    As a store owner, you absolutely have the right to decide who shops at your store. But does that extend to controlling how your customers use the items they’ve purchased, especially when they’re not violating any of Linden Lab’s platform rules?

    Think about it: if you buy a designer dress in real life and enhance a photo of yourself in it using AI tools, can that designer dictate what tools you use? Should they?

    That’s the heart of the issue.

    We’re at a turning point. AI is a powerful tool, and it’s not going away. We need to find ways to integrate it thoughtfully and responsibly. Yes, AI raises valid concerns. Artists have every right to protect their work. But the real conflict is with the AI platforms and usage terms, not individual customers using generative tools for fun or creative expression.

    What happened to open discussion?

    Instead of resorting to harassment and public bans, we need honest conversations about how AI fits into our world. Shutting down discourse through bullying only creates more tension and alienates those who genuinely want to engage.

    Second Life has always prided itself on freedom and creativity. Its slogan says it best: Your world, your imagination. That imagination now includes AI for many users, especially those who’ve found new joy and creative flow through it. If that’s discouraged or punished, we risk losing more of the vibrant community that keeps SL alive.

    Let’s talk about it:

    • Should a customer be banned for using AI on a photo featuring a purchased item?
    • Should designers disclose AI-related policies before selling items?
    • What are reasonable boundaries for creators who don’t want their products used with AI?

    These are real, evolving questions, and the answers deserve more than a block button.

    I’ve included screenshots and a timeline below of the events that unfolded. At no point did I attack or harass anyone. I simply asked questions and engaged with the issue thoughtfully.

    I understand people want to support their friends, but inflating a single tweet into a campaign of harassment doesn’t help anyone. If anything, it shows just how badly we need open conversations around these new challenges.

    Because one thing is clear: if people aren’t allowed to express themselves or explore creatively, they won’t need to be banned. They’ll just log out and may not come back.

    Timeline of Events

    April 23, 2025

    Read More “Danger: You Could Be Banned for Editing a Photo with AI”
  • | | | |

    Avatar Welcome Pack

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Avatar Welcome Pack
    Avatar Welcome Pack – Female

    I read about a new Avatar Welcome Pack and got really excited. What’s this? New avatars? Is Second Life finally offering us something visually appealing? Anything would be better than Senra. Curious to know what’s included, I began digging around and stumbled upon the Virtual Bloke blog (Second Life New Avatar Welcome Packs – It’s time to check your inventory library, folks!). Unfortunately, the Avatar Welcome Pack was quickly removed from the Library; Second Life stated, “These items are in the final stages of QA, but we’re not quite ready to unveil all the details just yet.”

    UPDATE: The Avatar Welcome Pack is back in the Library now.

    I wanted to know what’s in the welcome pack, even though I don’t really need it. So, my friend Sasy suggested that I check the beta grid since the updates there tend to lag behind the main grid. Boom! I found it on the beta grid.

    Avatar Welcome Pack
    Avatar Welcome Pack – Male

    First impressions? It’s okay. It’s definitely better than Senra, but it feels limited. This pack includes a very lite body and a very lite mesh head; however, they are wearable right out of the box. There are also some hair and clothing items included from various brands. I’m currently wearing everything as provided, without any customization. When this goes live on the main grid, I think residents will enjoy the opportunity to mix and match these heads and bodies with more items they already own to create something cuter.

    I can’t wait to see how this impacts the new user experience in Second Life. It’s quite intriguing that Second Life is focusing exclusively on human avatars as part of this new user experience. Even though I am a human avatar all the time, I truly appreciated the grid’s diversity, which included animal avatars and various non-human avatars, among others.

    UPDATE! The set back eyes are because I didn’t reset skeleton. I just figured that the avatar came like that, lol! So imagine these avatars without the set back eyes. 🙂