Discussion: To escape the claws of RL or simply live another reality?

Thursday LnL Discussion Lounge gathered a group of discussers to talk about “escaping” into Second Life (SL), its positive and negative aspects. It was interesting to see that the term “escaping” was almost immediately challenged by some. The term may be seen to encompass a negative connotation. Other discussers did feel that they “escaped” into SL, because it offered them a “reality” where they could overcome difficulties, health and social issues, etc. Everyone agreed that SL is a way to connect to other people, to be creative and in many ways become empowered. Those who use SL as a way to “escape” Real Life soon find that it is a temporary fix only and sometimes even a plateau where one has to face bullying, stalking and insecurity. Educating people about the resources they have available in SL to avoid these issues is fundamental. Join us next week for a new topic!

Fantastic New Release in the Kimono Collection K-7!

Wow and double wow! LnL is back to releasing new Kimonos! This time it's K-7!! K-7 is a black and white unisex kimono with a very discreet golden detail. The design of this delicate creation shows a beautiful koi fish! The kimono brings pants, a top worn as a shirt, a kimono skirt, a flexi hakama and obi (for both the female and male avatar and resizable), flexi sleeves, gettas (shoewear) and matching socks. Come on over to LnL later today to check the new Kimono K-7 and don't forget to check the already released kimonos in the Kimono Store 1 and Store 2 outside of the main store!

New Release in the Main Collection -O-68!!

Outfit O-68 is a fantastic unisex outfit in contrasting tones of dark and bright red, and gold, with a medallion detail as a brooch, a belt buckle and on the back of the outfit as well as the sleeves. O-68 includes a top (worn as a shirt), pants (mod) and dark red gloves with a geometrical pattern. It is completed by a coat bottom for the female avatar and for the male avatar, plus a sculpted collar (all elements resizable). Drop by the store later today to check O-68! Here is your --> Limo!

Discussion tomorrow about "Escaping into SL"!

Escaping into SecondLife. Is SL a way of escaping Real Life? Or is it a tool of empowerment, in a way? Why is it so successful and simultaneously so... dangerous? Join us for a lively discussion about this hot topic in LnL's Discussion Lounge at 2pm SLT! Looking forward to seeing you! Moderator - London Junkers

Discussion summary: Age verification today!

Last Thursday, LnL met to discuss the age verification process in Second Life (SL). The new process simply implies checking a box, filling out your date of birth and voilá you're age verified. This is certainly not an effective way to deter a child/teenager from logging in as an adult and having access to adult sims/content. As inefficient as it is, the age verification process, according to the general opinion, still exists in order for Linden Lab (LL) not avoid becoming liable. Nowadays young people easily bypass procedures designed to safeguard them. So, it was pointed out that parental guidance is fundamental, but when that does not happen, in reality, it's up to sim owners to define the sim's rules and inforce them. Many questions come up about age verification. At the moment, there is no effective system of verifying age in SL. Let's hope LL finds ways of regulating its activity regardless of the uselessness of the current age verification method. Join us next Thursday, at 2pm SLT, for a new discussion at LnL's Discussion Lounge.

1-2-3 What's in a name? That which we call a rose

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Shakespeare would have loved to know her. A woman full of thought. Full of knowledge. Full of wisdom. A person so humane, so big it is incomprehensible. She is amazing, she is a gift of the stars.

Her name means "God's promise". Her name has been the name of Queens and Empresses.

Her name is Liz, Lizzie to be exact, and she is the first L in LnL!! And this post is devoted to her for her beauty, for her wisdom, for how great she is. She has written 123 stories , 123 writings to challenge our thoughts, to stir our brain cells.

Written with mastery, written with love, written with heart. One thing I can tell you is that if you read those writings you will go in them and won't come out without getting a big surprise!!

Lizzie's Blog is a rose to water every day, to read, to smell, to love. Thanks Liz for giving us the beauty of your creation. You are a wonderful writer, and William was so right, with your name you smell so sweet :-) !!! Click here to see what I am talking about!!

Stars meet in Heaven!!

Once a star, always a star!! Lizzie's designs are amazing, her creativity is as big as the firmament, and the refinement of her designs is a joy to wear, see and love. Today LnL's friend Jesee Belavidorico, Production Manager of the new and amazing magazine Blithe sent me an incredible surprise!! For Blithe Magazine's premier Issue, Liz's O-25 sword was picked to feature in that important issue!! Thanks Jesse!!


Blithe Magazine is a new and wonderful magazine created to bring the best in entertainment, fashion, socialization and fun to Second Life's GLBT community. Their articles are as diverse as the individuals who read their pages. Merrick Genesis, responsible of this amazing project brings years of magazine editing and publishing experience to SL, ensuring that the publication will always be top-notch.

From LnL, we wish Merrick, Jesse and all the team at Blithe lots of luck and we are sure they are going to do well because looking at this first issue we get a glance of all the talent they have. Congratulations guys and let's meet at the 100th issue!!! LOL. ( Blithe is a bi month publication and as Jesee told me to get to the 100th we will have to meet here in about 16 years HAHAHA, long road ahead but if someone is to make it it will be them with our support!! Blithe ROCKS!! Check their blog here Blithe Magazine SL.

LnL April Group Gift out!

The LnL April group gift is out! It's this unisex leather belt with buckle and a skully pouch at the back (see pic above). Also a fun detail with a set of keys hanging from the belt (resizable). Drop by LnL either at Mare Serenitatis or at Haunted to grab your April gift!

LnL at Sweetstar's Haunted!

LnL is happy to introduce to you LnL's new store at Sweetstars Haunted! As always, Sweetstar has trusted LnL and invited us to join her in this new project!

Sweetstar's Haunted is an amazing interactive experience, frightening but fun! Above you can see a photo of the ride in the Spooky House. To get there, use the TP system at the Landing Area.

Explore around, click, sit, ride, get scared! Freddy is around! You also have a whimsical yet bloody lounge area, an unusual cemetery and those pesky zombies who need to be taught a lesson! Also most items in Haunted are for sale and there are free items around too! So, drop by and enjoy!

Ultimate Shapes Mini-Hunt for Easter!

LnL's friend, neighbor and co-conspirator ;) Jo Querrien's store Ultimate Shapes is organising a mini-hunt for Easter. There are six eggs (plus a seventh one cracked open!) hidden in the store (no eggs are outside nor in the caves under the store). The eggs contain fun stuff for Easter and are all free (for 0L). Grab the hunting Easter basket by clicking the poster (see detail on pic) and Happy Hunting!

Discussion Thursday at 2pm SLT!

I am twelve and I am an adult! Age verification in SL, its advantages and disadvantages. Is it effective or a simple measure to keep some peeps happy? Do join us for a lively discussion about this hot topic in LnL's Discussion Lounge tomorrow at 2pm SLT! Looking forward to seeing you! Moderator -- London Junkers

Evil Bunny Hunt 2 prize!

LnL is once again taking part in the Evil Bunny Hunt, this year in the Naughty Path. And yep, we have been naughty! If you are looking for the Easter Bunny or colorful Easter eggs, well, you're in for a big surprise! We think the snakes in the Evil Skull Staff (see photo above; outfit not included) have dealt with that...! Drop by LnL to grab your gift and don't forget to check around. You might find some interesting creations for veeeeery interesting prices! ;) Happy Hunting!

LEA Roundtable Tips!

London and I attended the LEA “Roundtable: Purpose and Approach to Full Sim Art Exhibition” moderated by Sasun Steinbeck. This was particularly interesting considering London will take part in the LEA Full Sim Art Series in November.

Here are a few topics to remember from the meeting:

>More space between sims is needed and preferably have them placed in a checkerboard pattern to avoid exhibitions colliding amongst one another and to facilitate shooting machinimas/taking photos;
>Use common sense and respect (apparently a simple notion, but not always implemented)!
>Cooperate and communicate - interact with neighboring sims!
>Plan and design carefully but don’t hesitate to experiment;
>Consider building in multiple levels;
>To terraform, ask the assistance of an officer to assist with terrain textures;
>Use prim saving techniques and go easy on the scripts (note: check texture sizes)!
>Remember, not all viewers “see” the builds the same way (note: test the final look with several viewers and quality definitions);
>Some exhibits request visitors to remove HUDs, AOs … to help with lag, although some people don’t like doing that… So, something to consider.
>Think Windlights!

In general, it was an interesting meeting where artists and curators with experience in large-scale exhibits shared their experience!

Discussion Thursday, Mentors in SL!

Thursday. Discussion. Topic, Mentors in Second Life (SL). Easy? Nope! And that is how we like it! A fantastic group of discussers, old friends and new friends, met at LnL’s Discussion Lounge for the weekly get-together. London, the moderator, started by asking the group what were some of the difficulties new residents faced when rezzing in SL for the first time. The lack of information, the lack of guidance, the complexity of SL, finding others with the same interests and understanding what is real and what is not were only a few of the aspects mentioned. The new welcome areas seem to try to solve some of the griefing problems by not allowing avatars to stay there more than 30 days or returning, but have been said to have very sketchy information. How effective this really is, we didn’t know... The general idea about mentors was positive, although some discussers preferred to learn about SL by themselves; it was generally accepted that mentors can be a useful resource for new residents, but certainly not a compulsory one! There are a lot of mentoring locations but a new resident doesn’t know they exist. Before/during the first couple of weeks in SL, many went to forums off-world to get more information, but that is not a resource for someone who is not computer savvy… Should mentors be paid, get tips or should they be volunteers? Should LL’s mentor program be reinstated? Should Premium accounts have a mentor program included? Are all residents with certain knowledge about SL mentors, in a way? Or is mentoring only for a few who have the drive to help others? As far as LnL discussers were concerned, mentors are needed, useful and a powerful resource to guide both old(er) and young(er) residents! And, allow this blogger a personal comment, knowing most of those present well, we believe they would and do help any time they can! Join us next Thursday at 2’m SLT in LnL’s Discussion Lounge for a new topic amongst a group of friendly people! :)

LnL blogged by Inventory Maintenance!

Nestor Farshore sent LnL a message to let us know he had blogged one of our creations, the unisex sunglasses (the group gift till the end of March). The blog is called Inventory Maintenance and is co-written with Mondra Kira. The look of the blog is very clean and elegant, the texts are informative and have just the right length. The photos are very beautiful emphasizing the look created with the different creations blogged. Also, at the end of each post, you will find a listing of locations where you can find all the items featured. Very good job! Do drop by Nestor and Mondra's blog by clicking --> here!

Discussion today at 2pm SLT!

Mentors in SL. The role, the problems they face and their future. Are mentors needed in a virtual world? These are some of the things we will talk about so do join us for a lively discussion about this hot topic in LnL's Discussion Lounge at 2pm SLT! Looking forward to seeing you! As usual, your moderator will be London Junkers!

New Releases at LnL!!!

LnL G41-O74 is a unisex outfit inspired on Sweeney Todd, the fictional character who was a barber (depicted for the first time in a story dating back to 1846 and more recently in a Tim Burton's film). This outfit has a leathery blueish tone on the top (worn as a shirt), a gray on black stripe motiv on the pants (mod) and a knit pattern on the fingerless gloves. It also includes a coat bottom for the female avatar and one for the male avatar, plus a sculpted collar and a buckled belt with a knife (all accessories are resizable for a perfect fit).

Outfit O-67 is a unisex outfit inspired on a dragon. Its vivid reds and oranges depict the texture of a dragon's body with an eye motiv in the neck and belt areas. This outfit includes a top (worn as a shirt), pants (mod) and gloves. It is completed by a coat bottom for the female avatar and for the male avatar, plus a sculpted collar (all elements resizable).

To visit the store, click --> here.

We talked about communication in SL!

Last Thursday, LnL hosted its weekly discussion moderated by London Junkers. This time communication in Second Life (SL) was the center of all attention! One would expect people to be more careful about the way they communicate in SL (considering that there is no face-to-face interaction), yet problems like the lack of facial/body language information, typos, the sheer typing speed, many “distractions” such as group notices, multiple IMs, the lack of politeness, and many social dysfunctions do put an enormous stress on communication. Some discussers agreed that residents often do not strive to improve the lines of communication simply because they do not think of possible consequences. Taking into consideration that there seems to be a certain need to exert power over others, “communication” is often used to do exactly that; people engage in alternate monologues rather than in true, meaningful dialogues. Discussers agreed that listening, an often forgotten skill, is as important as speaking or writing. One thing never forgotten though is drama, which derives from lack of knowledge and respect, in the opinion of many. As the discussion drew to an end, it was time to talk about possible solutions like using the typing animation and emoting or using gestures, using voice, being sincere, showing empathy and trying to see the others’ point of view. London concluded the discussion by pointing out how important it is to give a bit of thought to the way we say things in order to create a positive communication in both SL and in Real Life! Join us next Thursday at LnL's Discussion Lounge for a new topic and back to our regular 2pm SLT time!

Discussion today @ 3pm SLT!

What?! I'll mute you... - Communication in SL!"
Why is communicating in Second Life such a challenge sometimes? Misunderstandings, unwelcomed spamming , drama... Group chats, emoting, using voice - are they effective or a source of conflict? How can we improve the stream of communication in SL? We will talk about these and many more issues related to the topic at LnL's Discussion Lounge! This week, the discussion will take place at 3pm SLT due to Daylight Saving Time changes. Drop by to share your opinion! We are looking forward to seeing you!

Dead End

LnL Films presents Dead End, the movie. Based on a story by Lizzie Gudkov, this movie tells us the story of two characters who emerge from the shadows in a city ruled by fear. The suspense rises up to an unexpected end, showing us that sometimes things are not quite what we think they are.
Shot on location in Eudoxia, a Marcus Inkpen creation in the L.E.A. exhibition Invisible Cities in Second Life, March 2012.

Special thanks to Marcus Inkpen, moo Money and L.E.A.

UPDATE: To read the story that trigered this machinima, go to Crap Mariner's 100 Word Stories - Weekly Challenge and to Lizzie Gudkov's writing blog!

Boiling hot discussion!

Last Thursday’s discussion at LnL Square’s Discussion Lounge was a rather tense one, much unlike what generally happens! The idea was to discuss some of the latest issues that have concerned the Second Life (SL) community, and it was not an easy task! Everyone agreed that SL does need and could use some improvements, namely in the areas like lag, group and conference chats, undelivered objects/notecards/purchases, etc. but some of those present very vehemently showed how much they disagreed with the general feeling that Linden Lab (LL) was not doing a good job. LL’s priorities were discussed and the majority defended that the most basic features of SL should be dealt with first. The fact that they are not most likely shows that there is a certain state of disarray in the company (note the careful hesitation there!). One of the hot topics was, as expected, the different viewers and the new Third Party Viewers (TPVs) policy. Most stated they preferred the use of a TPV rather than the official LL viewer complaining of usability issues. It was also stated that the viewer each resident used was not relevant, as long as it worked well for the resident in question. The removal of the viewer tags was, in the opinion of many, a negative decision, especially for those who are mentors (and we had a number of mentors present) as it is important to know which viewer the new resident is using so the help provided is more complete. It was also suggested that LL should hire externally for a viewer creator company; this would, in many ways, release them from this pressure! LL does own the company, but residents are the core of SL. No residents, no Second Life. One of the aspects debated last Thursday was the difficulty LL shows in establishing an effective line of communication with the residents (although not all agreed and defended that people’s need to complain was lately getting in the way of LL’s efforts to improve things). Some discussers recalled the beginning of SL when the smaller number of residents made that communication possible and everyone could have a saying in the destiny of SL (or at least make direct suggestions to Lindens). Nowadays the sheer dimension of SL is enormous and the corporate spirit of LL does not seem to be able to cope. As a conclusion, London Junkers, who was moderating the discussion, said that “the Lab is going through some turbulent times. Let's hope everyone involved has the common sense to build rather than destroy Second Life. This is certainly a grid that deserves that chance.” Drop by next week for a new topic, Thursday at 2pm SLT in LnL’s Discussion Lounge!

Discussion at LnL 2pm SLT today!

Second Life is BOILING HOT!! Is there such a thing as common sense in SL? TPVs, Viewer tags, lag, office hours, customer services...and much more. Don't miss this HOT discussion. Join us for a lively discussion about this hot topic in LnL's Lounge at 2pm SLT! Looking forward to seeing you!
Moderator: London Junkers

London's Listen To The Wind at UWA Exhibit

London Junkers, the co-owner of LnL Square has, once again, created an amazing piece for the University of Western Australia (UWA) exhibition. For March, the entries were to be related to Music. London's piece (seen from above in the picture), named Listen to the wind, is a symetrical very elegant structure were two figures (see detail in the pic) are dancing. To the sound of the notes scale, you climb the progressively illuminated keys and reach the top to a piano challenging the rules of gravity and to the sound of the wind. Man made and nature made sounds intertwine in perfect balance. The black and white installation subtly suggests closing your eyes and dancing along. Do drop by the UWA exhibit for a visit to London's piece and to the rest of the artwork. And do vote for your favorite creation by clicking the voting box (with the name of the artist and of the piece) and choosing 3 (high), 2 or 1 (low). Click ---> here for your limo. Enjoy!

The Supernatural Hunt Prize!!

LnL is proud to take part in the latest version of the Supernatural Hunt. It starts March 7 and ends March 31. In the picture above, you can take a glimpse at the prize LnL has prepared for you! It's a unisex complete outfit with a coat bottom and collar (both resizable for perfect fitting). Click the red "i" (hint giver) by the hunt posters for an updated hint! We hope you enjoy it!

LnL is now in YOUTUBE!!

Welcome to LnL Youtube channel!! We at LnL love technology and video is one of those things that makes us dream!!! This is just a try out intro, let's learn together and make a wonderful movie in the future!! Thanks for reading us, we hope you enjoy it!!

Discussion on child avies!

This was not an easy topic, child avatars – reasons for creating a child avie and reactions towards them. It was a mature discussion held at LnL Square by an amazing group of people who debated this topic in a very open way. Despite the fact that many feel uncomfortable in the presence of child avatars, everyone expressed the respect for individual choices. Often caught between what borders on prejudice, in the opinion of some, and their need to portray what they consider a child’s behavior/language to be, child avatars are often seen with suspicion and asked to leave sims/stores/locations or to change their avies. Now, why do people (adults and not teens, was the general opinion) feel the need to create a child avatar? It could be the result of creativity, the need to heal or to be different, even a way of disturbing others. As the discussion continued, it was inevitable to talk about pedophilia in SL. Yes, a touchy issue that Linden Lab has had to address and tried to eradicate, successfully or not? Whether we talk about child avatars being adopted, roleplaying within the context of a Second Life family or simply being griefers (as someone pointed out, not a common occurrence), one must respect those who choose to enact a child in SL having no foul intentions. Join us next week for a new topic! Thursday, 2pm SLT at LnL’s Discussion Lounge!

Discussion today at 2pm SLT -- Child or Adult?

Children or Adult? By popular demand we will be debating this controversial topic. Why do people make child avatars, what do Lindens think about them, innocence or pedophillia? These are some of the things we will talk about so do join us for a lively discussion about this hot topic in LnL's Lounge at 2pm SLT! Looking forward to seeing you! Moderator -- London Junkers.