Category Archives: wandering

Obviously, I’ve gone astray

May 22, 2016 Barbara Leave a comment

If it wasn’t obvious to any followers, if follow they still do, I have wandered away from Second Life. I’m just confirming that. I still have my account, a free one, having given up the paid account quite a while ago, and I’ve gone in a couple of times in recent months, only to be dismayed by the ongoing slow rezzing and the occasional crashing. I have a good computer, so I can only guess how frustrating this continues to be for people with lesser machines.

I’ve been retired from education for almost two years, so I don’t have that motivation anymore. I tried valiantly to persuade faculty and administration at two colleges that virtual worlds were worthwhile, at least in some fields, but the truth is these institutions purchase the cheapest technology they can for faculty, and can’t guarantee what technology their students have. I’m sure there are a few wealthy schools out there; I didn’t work at those institutions.

There have been attempts by a few virtual worlds to use mobile apps or web browsers, but I hadn’t seen that successfully done before I retired.

I visited many beautiful places in Second Life and I know from others’ blogs that many more still exist, but I’m hanging up my avatar and teleporting off to nowhere. For you, that means I will not be writing here anymore, but please wander around and enjoy anything I’ve written in the past.

building, land, libraries, second life, wandering

Svarga: Still there after all these years

May 26, 2014 Barbara Leave a comment

Second Life Destination: Svarga

I took a guided tour on the giant wasp around Svarga, built in 2006 before the some of the more innovative building tools were developed. Built with the original building tools and prims, Svarga is a nice testament to what could be done in Second Life® building from the beginning.

I wish I could have downloaded a transcript of the tour information. Here’s a brief history of the place from Inara Pey in 2012: Svarga: of memories old and new

On the giant wasp

In the library

architecture, rezzing, second life, steampunk, wandering

back to New Babbage

April 8, 2014 Barbara Leave a comment

Babbage Square (153, 174, 121). As described at SecondLife.com: http://secondlife.com/destination/new-babbage

New Babbage rezzed much faster this time, which was nice.

Nothing spoils touring like waiting for your environment to appear.

I made a determined effort to see new things and look for activities, as you can see in a few signs that advertise upcoming events. Mostly, because everything was rezzing at a better pace, I discovered how huge the Babbage region is—see the map in the images. I haven’t even scratched the surface of visiting everything, but I really like the combination of industrial and urban cultural settings, docks and industry and museums and libraries. Unlike the Long Island build I visited a few weeks ago where it’s all upscale, you expect to see both working class and royalty in Babbage. Of course, I didn’t see anyone, and that’s a valid complaint about Second Life®. I understand that you can’t have a space as big as a world, created by the world, and expect everyone to be there at all times, but it is still disappointing, even when you are just sightseeing.

The world map of the region.

Virtual breakfast? Hmm.

Too many pics looking up my skirt in this gallery?

Hence the beware of trains signs.

Nice floor in the railway bar.

This bartender bot was non-responsive.

Virtual meat for the virtual breakfast?

Why was this telescope following my every move?

Library of odd things.

Here’s an interesting New Babbage site: http://cityofnewbabbage.com/reader/

Someone else made a return to New Babbage and compared it to the earlier build in this video:

architecture, art, rezzing, second life, wandering

Blue Lotus Okiya

April 1, 2014 Barbara Leave a comment

Waiting for Blue Lotus Okiya to rez was worth the wait. Here’s how they describe themselves:

The Blue Lotus Okiya, a place of tradition and artistry since 2007. Women of culture, intelligence and distinction. Geisha with honor, grace and beauty. In an environment rich with traditional values combined with sisterhood and support.

Actually, I didn’t see any geisha or women or anyone else, not that I’m complaining about wandering alone, but a few role-playing characters would add another layer of virtual reality to the space.

Located in Renge Koyama (140, 136,30), BLO is a vast build in a mountainous region. I’m sure I didn’t see it all, but perhaps the pictures show otherwise. It takes some serious walking to get around, as flying is forbidden. I think that adds to the tranquil atmosphere, though.