SL© on SL™

So what's going on, Siggy?

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:30:00 +0000

You'd think that live broadcasting would be easier that recording. With the latter, you have to do lots of cutting, pasting, cropping, fiddling with sounds, and so on. But it turns out that "live" has challenges of its own. So, MBC went for switching to a fortnightly format and then to a hiatus. By "hiatus" I mean "not happening unless folks decide to do otherwise.

Yours truly has been very busy in real life so it's not necessarily a bad thing personally to get some extra time. But it's good to keep a presence in Second Life so I've committed to doing some regular writing for the Metaverse Tribune. Recka Wuyts and Bethany Slade have been wonderful in allowing me carte blanche on topics, so I can pick and choose what I want to write about. In truth, that's the point of being a "freelance writer" - the freedom to shift from topic to topic depending on the level of interest.

So on Christmas Eve, 2011, I made a case against Net Neutrality in my Op-Ed piece Net Neutrality: Just Say No. This was in response to an earlier article by Skylar Smythe, who argued that the private sector was "censoring" content by seeking to make some people pay more for access than others.

In one of my sober moments over the Christmas period, I wrote an article that appeared on New Year's Day, 2012, entitled 2011: (Hardly) in Second Life. This was a discussion about why my presence in SL has dwindled over time, although not as a result of joining the "Second Life is dying" brigade.

Not long after that, I penned Hacktivists: Freedom Fighters or Self-Centered Script Kiddies, with the latter interpretation being my favorite. I rather hoped to have some self-centered script kiddies take me task on this one but alas, I'm nowhere near as fun a target as the FBI or Google.

I spent a couple of weeks at the end of January on the road in real life, so it wasn't until February 6th, that I was able to write about the IPO for Facebook in Of Privacy and Profits: The Facebook Frenzy.

Meanwhile, the Wetaverse show isn't yet posted at the MBC TV site, so stay tuned to see what happens! I have an article submitted to the Trib and will alert folks when it appears.

The Wetaverse: A New MBC TV Show on Sexuality

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:17:00 +0000

It's in the can, as they say, but not yet posted. The first ever Wetaverse show was recorded last week in a mammoth session that ate into my drinking time. Well, maybe not that much, but a splendid time was had by all as the inaugeral show took place.

Frolic Mills talked about virtual penises, as did I and Foxxe Wilder, my bar-propping companion to the show. We also had veteran SLer Steve Cropper with a film about the Gorean sims, and talked with two Gorean role-players, Johana Haystack and Elysa Swansong.

Love and Life in Gor from Reputation Australia on Vimeo.

There was some erotic poetry from Morgue McMillan and a film called "Love Everlasting" from director Nino Heartsdale and camera by Emanuelle Courtois.

The aim was to have this out on Valentine's Day - sentimental souls as we are at MBC - but the hearts and cupids came and went while the show stayed in the editing phase.

The nest show is scheduled for the Ides of March, conspirators willing.

Metaverse Live: 12-5-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Looks like we made it to out fourth broadcast without too much trauma. Our special guest this week is the inimitable Frolic Mills who promotes the Miss Virtual World 2012 event and much more! Among the bevy of Supermodels, the non-model team talk about Linden Lab's new Realms game, the Red Cross's call to introduce the Geneva Convention to virtual worlds, and virtual reputation management.

Metaverse Live #4 From The Patch Thibaud Auditorium from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Metaverse Live: 11-21-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:14:00 +0000

It's Round 3 for Metaverse Live and the team are beginning to get settled in with their new roles. I say "new" only in so far as we're adapting to the "one-take" feature of production. With the old MBC News show, we had the luxury of "do it again" whereas now you simply have to live with your mistakes.

This week, we have JayJay Zifanwe from the University of Western Australia who talks about his project, the UWA Machinema Challenge; and arts event that has garnered hundreds of entries of both pictures and movies. The Grand Final judging panel reads more like a list of a few football teams but includes our very own Malburns Writer!

Also under discussion were Facebook (always popular), virtual life, and holodecks.

Metaverse Live #3 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Metaverse Live: 11-14-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:02:00 +0000

It's the second edition of the new Metaverse Live show and this week we're taking a trip through the Looking Glass with our guests, Kayden O'Connell and Corwyn Allen of the Avatar Repertory Theater. I've worked with Kayden before when he was the voice of Life On Line, created by another MBC alumni, Angelico Babii - real life Steve Cropper.

This week we talk about art and performance, with the Looking Glass project highlighted, and also take a look at Second Life's Viewer 3, and Zynga.

Metaverse Live #2 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Take a look at the offerings from the Avatar Repertory Theater.

Metaverse Live: 11-7-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:14:00 +0000

After a few weeks hiatus, the news team are resurrected as... well, the news team but in a different format! The script is looser, the discussions are deeper, and the broadcast is liver. Yes, the whole thing goes out live, warts and all, with all the crashes, mistakes, bloopers, griefers, and anything else that can happen in a 60-minute slot. Kind of exciting, eh?

In this, the first ever Metaverse Live broadcast, Dousa Dragonash brings together News regulars Sigmund Leominster and Malburns Writer with guests, Toxxic Rhiannyr of AlterEgo and Jinnywitha Cleanslate of BBW, talking about marketing and diversity in virtual worlds.

Metaverse Live #1 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 9-22-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:37:00 +0000

I wasn't there for the first MBC News so it's probably no great tragedy that I missed the last one. Which is this one. On the upside, y'all got to see the lovely Lisa Hermano instead of me, so that can't be a bad thing! Although there was the option to replace me - again - by a bear.

Mustn't complain though because I was out in Austria playing with brain control interfaces, and although I didn't get to think my way around Second Life, I did learn an awful lot about the current state of BCI research.

MBC News September 22nd, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

So that's it for the News as it was. I wonder if we'll get a "That Was The News That Was" special at Christmas? You listening Dousa and Robustus???

MBC News: 9-13-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:45:00 +0000

My last appearance on MBC News in this format, and, as you see, due to "technical difficulties" I have a box on my head. In fact, it could be another avatar pretending to me! But let's not go there with some long philosophical discussion about reality and truth, just trust me - it IS me and there IS a box.

MBC News September 13th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Hopefully I can get my head back as soon as possible. Hopefully.

MBC News: 8-25-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:57:00 +0000

With me back in full color, but Dousa now in gray, and Edi missing in action, Libya's Ghadafi is also missing. Harry Potter may be virtually real sooner than we think, with speculation that "Pottermore" may become more than just books and sales of Potterabilia. Google dips into its cash back pocket and stumps up $12.5 million to buy Motorola's Mobility division. Hewlett Packard step out of the tablet market while making huge sales of their now defunct device!

MBC News August 25th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

The Concise Oxford add words like "w00t" and "cyberbully" to the latest edition of the dictionary. Mal talks about TV that watches YOU, and Blue Mars introduces a "Blue Mars" lite that uses Google street view.

MBC News: 8-18-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 03:48:00 +0000

Apologies for looking so gray but the interweb was playing up and I after several attempts to rez, this was the best we could get to in the time we had. So, the wonderful gray look is NOT a fashion statement but a wonderful example of how Second Life can be less than perfect. And be sure to watch PAST the end of the news for Rob's little "easter egg!"

Syria is still in turmoil whereas Morocco is about to go to the polls. Launch magazine suggests Linden Lab makes $100 million per year. eMarketer suggests virtual goods sales could reach $653 million this year. Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds, may increase its value to $1.2 billion following talks with an unnamed investor.

Mal and the team talk about the SLCC 2011 conference and Edi dishes out the details on what's happening in Second Life.

MBC News: 8-9-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:01:00 +0000

As Mal and Dousa lock the doors to keep out the London rioters, Siggy reports on LinkedIn's quarterly figures, Mal picks up on Limewire's multi-million settlement for copyright infringement, and Dousa reveals that women spend more money on virtual goods than men do.

MBC News August 9th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

It's been such a busy week that I didn't even have time to change my sweater!

MBC News: 8-2-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 02:55:00 +0000

US default crisis nears the end, Samsung stops sales of its Galaxy Tab in Europe, "all-you-can-eat" data use on mobile phones is on the way out, India clamps down on internet shops, and much more.

MBC News August 2nd, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

It's summer so I'm back in blond.

MBC News: 7-29-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:13:00 +0000

Siggy is on the road but has been replaced by a Linden bear! Some say that this is, in fact, a step up for journalism.

Tragedy in Norway is followed by news about RIM's staff-cutting exercise; Google close labs to focus on Google Plus and other new ventures; Mal talks about 3D web, SL mesh testing, and computer language learning.

MBC News July 29th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Edi provides updates on "What's On" in SL and what's coming up on MBC TV.

Siggy on the road...

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:08:00 +0000

It's that time of year, when the weather is good and the lure of the real life motorcycle outweighs the lure of Second Life. Add to this that I'm doing some traveling in both the US and UK so unable to spend time in world.

Nevertheless, I will be back with more MBC News reports in August.

MBC News: 7-12-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 03:21:00 +0000

The News of the World closes and the Murdochs arrive in the UK to eat crow. Google Plus opens though SL folks get the boot; Monoclegate at "Eve Online"; LulzSec disbands. There's still money for virtual worlds, which is why $2 million went to Roblox; and is LL thinking of a new name for Second Life?

MBC News July 12th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

SLCC is still looking for business presentations - hurry up!

Mal talks about rare earth, London Fashion Week, Intel partners with OpenSim, and more. Dousa drolls over the Mr. Virtual World competition.

MBC News: 6-16-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 03:31:00 +0000

Second Life's "Amaretto Breedables" donates $22,000 to a therapeutic riding center; InWorld Solutions develops an online therapy program; and Tennessee makes it illegal to posts anything that can make someone upset!

Mal reports on Intel's release of source code to help the development of OpenSimulator; Kitely announces a new plug-in; and OnLine releases an iPad app.

MBC News June 16th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Edi's updates include MMIF information, London Fashion Week, and SL8B.

MBC News: 6-7-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:36:00 +0000

Virtual dieting can work; the Pentagon talks about cyber-weapons;Facebook creates a 1,500 person party; RIM loses market share, and Adobe sues Wowzer. Edi updates us all on What's On in SL.

MBC News June 7th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

This week's outfit is a pinstripe suit from Cattiva y Cattivo. Next week, I think the sun may bleach me back to being blond.

MBC News 5-25-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:15:00 +0000

Morgue McMillan tells us about International Missing Children's Day, and JayJayZifanwe and Tutsy Navaratha tell us about the UWA Machinema III Journeys. SL Capital Exchange gets a new owner and Canadian IT Company, Avanade, reveal they have saved $20,000 in a year by using Second Life training. UK chef Jamie Oliver takes a turn at Facebook's Restaurant City while Philip Rosedale sets up a new company, Coffeeandpower.com.

MBC News May 25th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Linden Lab is working on making local payments a reality. Not there yet, though.

MBC News 5-20-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Hewy-thighed contributors, Amnesty International gets Nobel Prize, Monkey Quest gets going, UK's Birmingham Opera want to perform online to test our souls, and Ray Kurzweil's singularity gets a mention. Mal covers the Tech World and Primgraph magazine closes down. The US Navy invites online gamers to help them determine real world responses to real world actions.

MBC News 5-20-2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Xavier Ruska becomes the Sports News commentator and Edi Clarity keeps us up to date with what's going on in Second Life. Oh, and if you want to buy an SL football team, you can!

MBC News: 5-12-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:06:00 +0000

LinkedIn offers shares, Sony offers apologies; the US says "Do Not Track," University of Hawaii says "Welcome back"; Webbys set for Facebook, Second Life set for birthday. The lovely Lisa is missing in action!

MBC News May 12th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Check out the Metaverse Tribune for links to all these stories, and more.

MBC News: 5-4-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:16:00 +0000

No Siggy but the world goes on.Osama Bin Laden killed by US forces in Pakistan, Royal Wedding watched by billions, Utherverse has a parallel wedding, Free Realms turns 2-years-old, new report finds kids spend 25% of their waking hours on electronic devices, and more on mesh and bouncing boobs... and a wet Rod!

MBC News May 4th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Edi invites contestants for Miss Virtual World 2011.

MBC News: 4-19-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:11:00 +0000

Wal-Mart buys social media firm Kosmix; Stanford University research suggests virtual behavior changes real-life action; "BabyCenter" study says moms are major buyers of smartphones; China looking to ban time travel; 3D map of Japan being created in Second Life; Blue Mars announces new CEO; and Edi Clarity tells us what's coming up in Second Life.

MBC News April 19th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

This week, I'm sporting a shirt and tie from SF Designs - that's Swaffette Firefly for those who need to know!

Metaverse Tribune Gets a New Look

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:28:00 +0000

There's a whole new look for the Metaverse Tribune, designed to be more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Go to http://metaversetribune.com/to check it out.

MBC News: 4-14-11

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:09:00 +0000

Winklevoss twins forced to accept Facebook settlement; virtual world "Small Worlds" surpassed 6.5 million users; Linden Lab introduce "soft physics" for wobbly bits; online gaming worth $3 billion; Pandora sniffs for information on your smartphone; net neutrality rules rejected, and much more...

MBC News April 14th, 2011 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

This week, I have a pink dot-pattern shirt and tie from Redgrave, Gushu Ipress Thin glasses, "Bernard" hair from MADesigns.

Metaverse Tribune article: Joaquin Gustav at Metaverse Island

noreply@blogger.com (Siggy) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Check out my latest article for the Metaverse Tribune. Joaquin Gustav is an Argentinian guitarist who performs regularly in Second Life and is well worth going to hear.

Joaquin Gustav at Metaverse Island