According to Massively and SLNN, the South Africa-based non-profit Uthango has started a new fundraiser in Second Life to raise funds for an employment center in Capetown. Starting this month, SL residents can head to Sunset Commerce (click here to teleport) to purchase virtual African bicycles designed by Shukran Fahid for the low price of…
XO Laptop “Two-fer” expires November 26 — help a poor kid get connected!
Just a reminder that those amazing folks at One Laptop Per Child are offering a very special "twofer." If you buy two of their incredibly cute "XO laptops" for $400, one of them goes to you (or your kid) and the other to a child in the developing world. I’m leaning toward getting one, which…
Machinima: Amateur versus Pro
As I am getting more acquainted with the machinima creation process at Electric Sheep, it is becoming clearer to me the difference between "amateur" and "professional" machinima. That is to say, anyone can capture video from a computer game or virtual world and call it machinima (just as anyone can snap a picture with their…
Baaaa! Run, little sheep, run!
Someone has unleashed a t-rex against a bunch of poor, unsuspecting sheep in Bowness sim (teleport link)! Run! (Thanks, Torley, I needed that.)
PMT B-boys (and B-girl) Represent!
I’m happy to report that my breakdance group killed it during our final performance this evening as part of the PMT Fall Dance Showcase. We nailed a long, difficult routine, with multiple formations, duets, solos and lots of group work. And most importantly, I didn’t fuck up my part. Our teacher Pavan was estatic and…
A ukelele salute to the RMS Mauretia
Here’s a fun video of my friend and tattoo artist Terry Marks joining three other lovely ladies to perform a silly homage to the RMS Mauretia. It was 100 years ago on November 16, 1907 that the Mauretania — the world’s largest passenger liner — sailed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York. …
AMEX machinima on real estate in the virtual world
American Express’s Open Forum website for business owners has released the third machinima in a series on business opportunities in the virtual world. Created by my colleagues at the Electric Sheep Company, in conjunction with ElectricArtists. The website has a discussion forum where people can ask questions and discuss some of the issues surrounding doing…
The b-boy devil, Mr. Miyagi and pre-show jitters
So tonight is the first of two shows by the breakdance performance class that I’m in. It’s a complicated, six minute piece with difficult tricks and freezes throughout. The Thursday night show is sold out, and we’re first on the bill. We’re understandably concerned and nervous about executing it perfectly. So last night was not…
“What are kids learning in virtual worlds?” event today in Second Life
Today the MacArthur Foundation, along with Common Sense Media , the USC Center on Public Diplomacy and Global Kids present " What are Kids learning in Virtual Worlds? The Wonders and the Worries" today, November 14, at 6PM PST. This event will be streamed into Second Life at the USC Annenberg Islands (click here to…
Honoring our nation’s veterans in Second Life
As a Quaker pacifist, I am often conflicted about how to ethically respond to Veteran’s Day. While I myself do not condone violence as a means of settling our differences, either personally or as a nation, I have no problem honoring those who willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect my country and our…