Second Life 7th Birthday June 2010 SL7B

by Lord Lisle

This week the celebrations for the 7th birthday of Second Life will be held. Spanning 21 sims with over 700 contributors, over 300 exhibits, over 300 live performers and speakers with special speeches from Philip and M Linden, SL7B is a showcase for the accomplishments and content of all SL residents, celebrating the “life” of Second Life.

Sponsored by Linden Lab, this year's theme is “Unexpected Collaborations,” a celebration of the unique character of our special world. With an emphasis on the social networks created through Second Life and the chances for creative and productive collaboration, the celebration will go on from June 21 through June 27

It started the first year as a parade through mainland sims, with Philip Linden giving a speech over their newly connected media stream. Each subsequent year it has become more elaborate, more spacious, more compelling as the technology of Second Life has increased and the creativity of the residents has bloomed. Enjoy with us this year live musicians and DJs, exhibits, media-on-prim, and machinima.

This is the world we've made: let's celebrate!

In a sneak preview I tried to capture a bit of the atmosphere: enjoy your visit, being one of the major events, its almost compulsory.

You may start your visit HERE: SLB7 Welcome Area, SL7B Unique (6, 59, 23)

June 21—10:00 a.m. SLT: Gates open to the public for the opening ceremonies. Scripts and build disabled throughout estates for the duration of opening ceremonies to discourage instances of lag and disruption. They will be turned back on after the opening speech.

11:00 am. Philip Linden speaks, opening the celebrations.

June 23—The Birthday!
9:00 am slt. M Linden speaks.

June 26—Official Closing Ceremony.

June 27—Last day of entertainment.

July 3--Gates close. Sims will be locked.

Useful links:

SL Destination Guide: http://secondlife.com/destinations/birthday
SL7B Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/sl7b
SL7B Koinup Group: http://flickr.com/groups/sl7b
SL7B Plurk: http://plurk.com/SL7B
SL7B Twitter: http://twitter.com/SL7B
SL7B Wiki (rules, dates, etc): http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/SL7B

Trains...a follow up

by Lord Lisle

Driving on the SLRR track last night I spotted a demo train rezzer near Athetis station on the premises of Rescue Japan at Spini (162, 218, 81) , a build by Myuki Mills, presented by eflora Kidd.

This demo turned out to be a very nice engine with a stable script and more important: once the speed is set there is no need to hold your finger on the keyboard to keep it running. Although it can only be rezzed on the SLRR, it is certainly worth a try!

Still further up the line you can fetch another free steam engine (presented by Myuki Mills) at M's R&D, Neumoegen (124, 208, 66). The effect of steam and smoke whilst at full speed is a nice feature. This is again an engine with a stable script , although you may loose your engine rapidly (no copy, so grab a spare one..)

Trains and boats and planes or The SLRR Railroad Track at Heterocera Atoll

By Lord Lisle

It was this song performed by Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas (and later by many others including Cilla Black) in about 1963/64 when the Mersey Beat was at its top, which sprung into mind when I made a tour on Second Life Railroad (SLRR) track on the Northern Continent.

During every clearing of inventory (we should do this far more often don’t you think?) I came across that nifty little freebie ChibiTrain steamloc which I really could not throw away, so each time I made a mental note to make a test ride with it.
Whilst making a casual visit to HoboLand and district I spotted a map of the large railroad tracks in SL and in particular the Main Line of Heterocera Atoll and its Branch Lines build by the Virtual Railway Consortium (VRC)

At last having found a good way to make a start, I did not waste more time and rezzed my freebie steamloc at Bhaga Station (Station No. 16 on the map above) and chug-chugged along the whole Main Line which went particularly well through most of the sims (except one place where I crashed and at another place where the funnel of my engine appeared to high for the passengers rail crossing bridge).
Arriving at Tuliptree Station (Station No. 1) I took Jer Straaf's ferry back to Bhaga Station. The latter appeared to be a most relaxing and pleasant SL sea trip.
Although my preference of SL transport is by airplane or helicopter, I am inclined to say that driving a SL steam engine is exciting and very relaxed. Eventually I purchased a new engine (at a reasonable sum which I just could afford) having a different script than the freebie engine which made quite a bit of difference in its stability.

There is of course much, much more to tell about SL railways and its huge community maintaining the tracks. Therefore I only can suggest to obtain a free ChibiTrain personal locomotive at ‘Around The Atoll’ Lunalis (14, 83, 94) at Station 9 (see a picture of the station above) and discover the SLRR track yourself. Whilst at Lunalis, take a free SL Railroad Landmarks notecard, this provides up to date information and LMs of all the SLRR stations, SL railway tracks and other tips and tricks.

You may want to rezz your newly acquired train at Station 16 at Bhaga Terminal, Bhaga (103, 39, 28) or Station 1 Tuliptree (151, 156, 31) but of course any other station can be choosen (I found out that rezzing a train is not possible at some stations)

At the SL Railway Consortium (SLRC), Tuliptree (137, 167, 29) you can fetch an engineers cap from a free SLRC recources kit. Very close to this place at Tuliptree (76, 135, 30) you will find very useful maps on railways (here I found the map depicted above)

This is the freebie ChibiTrain on its way somewhere along the SLRR track

The steam engine I eventually purchased seen high on the cliffs on the SLRR track

This ferry brings you from Station 1 to Station 16. Embarking point is Tuliptree (175,203,22) just click on the sign Boat ride to Bhaga Station. Arriving at Busiris Terminal at Urban Ghetto, follow the signpost Bhaga Station 150M North showing the way to the station.

Have fun and wear a suitable outfit......

Impression of the 6th Anniversary Parade in Nova Albion

By Lord Lisle

The 6th anniversary of the Nova Albion sim has been celebrated on the 20th of March 2010 with a parade which was visited by numerous avis. Nova Albion was Second Life’s first official city regions to be created on 9th March 2004.

Due to RL commitments I was not able to watch the full show, so here is just an impression of part of the parade and some of the spectators/organisers

The start and finish of the parade

This wonderful creation of Madcow Cosmos, driven by Lorin Tone was tmho one of the highlights of the parade

Pituca FairChang was amoung the spectators

Here I had to leave due to RL and the lag

Report from the Mechanical Toy Factory Racing Track or another delightful race!

By Lord Lisle

The Second Great Oldtimer Race: an impression

The recent Second Great Oldtimer Race held on the Mechanical Toy Factory racing track at Solution Island has been a great success and a lot of fun for both drivers and spectators. It must be said that more and more (very experienced) drivers discovered these races. The organisation (by the Mechanical Toy Factory's owners Jenne and Mandy) was, as we have experienced during previous races, excellent and anything went smooth and fast.

Here a photo impression of the race....enjoy and probably see you at the next race which might be held in a month or so!

The Mechanical Toy Factory Trophy, waiting to be issued to the fastest racer....

Some of the drivers in their cars at the assembly point

To the start!!

The fist lap, the racers are still close together

Near the end of the race...

The winner of the Second Great Oldtimer Race: Vlk Soyer

2nd place: Steelcobra Calamari (right) 3rd place: Gyuszi Balatron (left). The fastest lap in the race was set by Arta Rosse LAP: 14.687500

Gathering of organisers, racers and spectators at the end of the race

I think that I can speak for everyone who was at the race when I thank the organisers Mandy and Jenne for the joyful event! Until next time.

The Second Great Oldtimer Race!

By Lord Lisle

THE SECOND GREAT OLDTIMER RACE

The Second Great Oldtimer race will be held on coming Saturday, the 20th of February 2010 at 1PM. Entry is free, a Roadster racing car is provided for the event and for practice racing. The Oldtimer Race starts at 12pm with qualifying races.

Sneak preview: a test drive late this evening on one of the deserted and dark Linden Roads with the ~JD~MTF Roadster. My first impression: a temperamental car, but from a good stable and fit for a fast driving experience. Smooth transmission, splendid headlights, good quality spring seats covered with first class leather, hooter a bit too loud for a real gentleman..

Rules
====

* Race takes place at the Solution Island racetrack SOL Solution Island (145, 115, 580)
* The entry is free, IM Mandy Marseille or Jenne Dibou with your name and your preferred colour of your car
* Only ~JD~ MTF Roadster can participate!! (This is the car type you are given and you cannot bring your own vehicle to the race.)
* There is a maximum of 12 entries
* ~JD~ MTF provide a free car until the end of the event for you to drive

Race format (all times are SLT)
------------------------------------------
* Practice - all day long until 12 pm, but you must have a valid entry, otherwise it cannot be guarantied that you receive your car in time
* Qualifications are held from 12:00pm-12:30pm
- Races 1-3 (if there are enough participants) 1:00pm-1:30pm
- Race 4 (shootout, for last place in final) 1:35pm-1:45pm
- Final race 2:00pm-2:30pm

All races are 5 laps long, except for the final which is 10 laps long.

The winner of the first 3 races (let's call them semi-finals) go straight to the final, while the 3 driver who finished second in Race 1-3 goes to a shootout race. The winner of the shootout too gets into the final.

We reserve the right to change these rules if there are less than 12 entries or some unforseen event happens.

Qualifying
--------------
Start order is determined by a 2 lap qualifying. You run 2 laps and the total time is your qualifying time. The fastest is first and can start from the either the outside or the inside. This decision determines the rest of the starting order.
The start is from standing position.

Other rules
----------------
- Start: when the string/barrier is pulled up, you can start the race.
- Taking shortcuts: your lap will not count.

- Unsportsmanlike behaviour: the organisers reserve the right to disqualify or sanction anyone who intentionally or repeatedly violate the spirit of fair racing.

- It's a fun race, so you can indeed crash into the wall or into the other by accident, but intentionally crashing into the other to force her/him out of the track/race and securing a win this way is NOT ok.
- Using SL editing tools or any other dirty trick is not allowed either. If your car turns over, it will be reset to normal position after cc. 30 seconds.

Prizes
====
There will be prizes for the top 3 finishers and also a prize for the one who sets the fastest lap in the official race.
Are YOU ready to participate to the Second Great Oldtimer Race? Wearing warm clothes and a pair of goggles is strongly adviced.....

Follow this Blog for more information on the big oldtimer race and put the 20th February 1PM SL time in your agenda. You shall not be disappointed if you show up either as a driver or as a spectator...

Another Day at the Races or ‘The First Great Oldtimer Race’

By Lord Lisle

Last weekend Jenne Dibou and Mandy Marseille, proprietors and content creators of the JD Mechanical Toy Factory organised (again) a very successful and most pleasant race at their now well known ~JD~ MTF racing track at SOL Solution Island/145/115/580/.
This time the race was held with Oldtimer cars, for the race being provided (in the colour of the participant’s choice) by the organisers. In order to get the driver accustomed with the controls and handling of this car (which is quite temperamental in its 3rd gear) the participants could do practice laps at the track until 2 hours before the start, until qualification races were held.

A view through the greasy windows of the repair garage at the JD MTF racing track

The number of participants (the reknown SL champion racer Wildstar Beaumont could not attend due to RL flue) was quite enough to perform a number of races (which were held with three drivers per race, taking three laps).

The winners you ask?
First place: Arta Rosse
Second Place: Tyger Freenote
Third place: Gyuszi Balatron

And yours truly’s rank? Don’t ask, I went there for fun, and I really enjoyed the event like I did more than a year ago when Jenne and Mandy organised a Vintage Motorcycle race at the same track. If you like to be informed about future racing events at the ~JD~ MTF track, consider a free membership of the Mechanical Toy Factory group which is located at SOL Solution Island/181/23/319/

As one snapshot can tell more than 1000 words, I conclude this entry with a number of action photos taken during the event.

I drove a yellow coloured vintage car together with my mechanical engineer/co-driver

Inspection of the engine prior the race. No turbo engine I am afraid...but it has the advantage of three hand operated gears

The first race: due to space limitations the races were organised in batches of three drivers

The organisers and racing directors: Mandy and Jenne sitting comfy at the bridge

Accident at the second lap: turnover of one of the participant's vehicle

...another view of the accident. This may happen if you drive too fast whilst making a sharp turn

Impression of the 4th race, third lap. I was already kicked out of the race at that time

The winners of The First Great Oldtimer Race!

Group photograph of all participants and spectators of The First Great Oldtimer Race

Thank you VERY much for organising this event Jenne and Mandy. I guess that we all look forward to the next race!