New Infohub and Pod Station Launches in the Heart of Historical SL

By Klaus Bereznyak

A new info hub and yavascript pod station launched earlier this month at Da Boom. Announced via the Pod Rider's group on the 4th September 2019, this hub is right in the ancient heart of Second Life, in the first ever region to appear on the grid in November 2002 before the official release in June 2003.

 If the construction of the hub looks 'old school', that's because it is. The tower-form example of characteristic SLArchitecture is constructed using original, pre-2003 prims created by Philip Linden.

Although a work still “under construction” the hub looks open for business. It has a clubby feel, with the second floor being a dance floor, perhaps nodding to the fact that this site was formerly occupied by the popular Alt-Zoom dance club.

The ground (or water) level features a museum of SL history and the docking for pod tours that depart from here. The museum is having fresh material added every day, and currently displays some maps showing the development of the grid and some artifacts of early primmage from bygone SL. At the moment visitors can hop on a yavascript ferry service (F3) which goes through many interesting regions of Micronesia to terminate at Aluluei. The trip takes about 15 minutes.

 A pod can also be rezzed for the longer S1 Historic Second Life route. The regions radiating from this zero point on the grid are the very earliest to come online in Second life. It’s very rare for them to become available for sale and the terrain is noticeably dynamic since they do not have the terraforming limits imposed on later regions. The first 16 regions, known as the San Francisco regions, were all named for real-life streets close to the original Linden offices.

 Jessie David, the creator and manager of the new infohub is almost as old as the prims that make up the building, having rezzed in April 2003, making her one of the first 10,000 residents.

 Da Boom infohub has a group for event announcements and gifts. I anticipate it will be a great starting point for any of our readers who want to discover more about the fascinating history of our world or any oldbies who fancy a little reminiscing.

SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Da%20Boom/63/3/21

 

Klaus

Editor's Note: Six years ago, DrFran Babcock did an article about Da Boom around the time of Second Life's tenth anniversary.

New Pod Station at Sedge

By Klaus Bereznyak

Last week, a new pod station was activated on the Northwest side of the mainland continent of Heterocera. These tour vehicles are found on all the mainland continents and are one of their most exciting features. Pod vehicles ply the roads, railways and waterways, chatting local information and pointing out landmarks to their riders and they are a great way to explore the grid. They can be rezzed at specific stations or an avatar can just hop into one as it passes.

Yavanna Llanfair works tirelessly maintaining the pod routes and adding new tours, and this is just the latest update to the system. Yavanna says, "I believe that mainland should be enjoyed and appreciated. Yet there is so little on mainland as a whole which attracts people, simply because they don't know about it. Most people don't travel around and look to see what is there; they go from
landmark to landmark in their inventory, without taking the time to look around them. Yet mainland has so much going for it; beautiful areas, historic locations, educational establishments, rail and sea
transport, which most people probably don't know exist. Mainland should be alive, it should be a community. We should all care about it, and then maybe we would take more pride in it and in our
buildings."

The new station at Sedge provides a halt and a rezzing place for pods H3, H6 and H7, which all pass through this region on Route 2. An announcement to the podrider's group also suggested the possibility that H4 may divert this way in the future, too. Pod stations are established on parcels willingly shared by other pod enthusiasts and this one exists thanks to Taraa Destiny, who recently acquired the land. Sedge is a lively corner of Heterocera, with much to see locally. The station lies below the Sedge Graveyard.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sedge/216/216

Klaus Bereznyak

Sunweaver Bay Fire Department

By Becky Shamen

When the fire station first came on the scene, I suggested that one of the reporters might want to do a story about it. Now, some time later, it would seem that, from personal experience, this reporter was best suited for the assignment.

Our story begins with Sha, taking her dirigible out for a spin around the Sunweaver Estates. Off in the distance, a red spot approached. Up close, it became obvious that this was a super hero, who's identity will remain a mystery. He hovered, just outside the helm of my ship, and we chatted. He got invited to see the house I own, on the nearby sim. Becoming friends, he visited several more times I learned about his alts and a bit about his real life. You will more often find our hero in either Bob Marley, Albert or Albe mode. We'll call him Bob from here. 

In real life, Bob is a fireman in Northern Italy and speaks Italian. When talking in local chat, his translator converts the Italian into English. In IMs, we have to try understand each other's language. Like most Europeans, he can speak some English. On my end, I bought a Italian/English Dictionary. Bob admired the community spirit that I showed him and asked about rental prices. Soon after, he had picked out a lot and had his first house in place. It rapidly evolved as a home, until one day, when it changed from being his private residence to the community fire station. In admiration for his community spirit, I donated a new fire truck to the station. We had many chats about community. When I mentioned writing about the Oneness Principle, he asked, "What mean Oneness?"  I said, without looking in the dictionary, "In Bob Marley speak, One Love".

The sim owner, our beloved "Big Mama" Rita Mariner, has played a big part in this community evolution. She, and other residents, have made Bob feel at home and appreciated. As the fire station evolved, using translator, I was able to teach him how to make a custom beach, out back. Recently, Bob announced that he and Chicababy were going to set up house together. Add to this, his account contract with SL was almost at an end. He didn't think he could afford a house and a fire station, when his remaining 5 weeks were up. Not wanting to loose this asset, I instructed Bob that the only dumb question is the one you forgot to ask. To be a hero, he should go and talk to Rita, in person, and see what she would do. Following this intuitive advice, he talked with Big Mama. To our delight and the benefit of the community, Rita is changing the rent, for the fire station lot, to L$1 per month.

With this turn of events, it was about time for a report in the Newser, so I interviewed Bob, on the beach. We had all just lived through the experience of the Principle of Oneness at work in SL. To assist further, I sent Rita a folder containing, full perm, Fire helmet and mesh male and female fire jackets, which she may sell and distribute in any way she likes.

As if this "Happily Ever After" wasn't enough for one day, I had two other joyful experiences, the same day, in real life, I got to see my daughter, Rachel, for a bit and I had a phone chat with a lady that would like to share an apartment with me.

Rolling up a hose, we pause to invite everyone to see the fire station that Community built,

Becky "Sha" Shamen

The Greyhaven and Pala Sims

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

These are two sims that I love to visit for many reasons: The owner works hard to keep both sims drama free at all times. They are the kind of sims where everyone feels welcome. Grey Nacht is the owner and protector of both sims and of them he says,  “Both sims have always been an expression of the fun that SL can be. We keep the lag at a minumum by not having any things that usually create lag on the sims. The fishing platforms, like Clockworks or the Spacestation are made of builds which are either bought, found or hunt prizes and not the usual fishing holes. Makes it fun, if a bit confusing for some folks. Not everyone takes the time to explore, but those who do usually find something interesting.” 

 

They have been around for a long time and I have been going there for about four years and cannot understand why it took so long for me to write about them. I go fishing there when I have time for the contests that occur almost every day. Grey has so many variations to the fishing contests that others do not have. He watches every catch and counts them and rewards those who reach certain catches with bait. He has built so many cute individual boats that are fun to ride and can be rezzed during the contests. There are many catchable customs available. His wife has made lovely jewelry that is boxed and catchable. After each contest Grey sets off spectacular fireworks that drop falling animals on your head if you are not careful. Makes for a great party. There is a secret room that is filled with free gadgets to be used at other fishing areas. 

 

There is a library of Arcadia Asylum, now known as Aley that is part of the several libraries set up across the grid to preserve all Arcadia’s creations which are free to anyone who wants them.  The waters are dotted with Arcadia’s underwater decor.There is a skypark where the old retired customs are still available for catching if you are a collector. As you look around the regions there are many areas to explore and  teleports to get you there.  At the Greyhaven entrance you can choose 10 places, including the secret room which is not really that secret. I visited the mill house where I had a wonderful view of Greyhaven. I clicked a cannon across the way and ended up inside so I shot myself out! I first landed in Pala, passing many interesting objects along the way. I visited the giant aquarium, one of the new additions to the region where wonderful creatures sway and swim in the water. There are fishing contests here sometimes too. 

From the entry point at Greyhaven you can walk across a drawbridge to reach Pala, Again you will have an array of destinations to explore. I love the space station (also a fishing place). There are various space vehicles on display. It is fun to explore the corridors along which there is a coffee room and to the right of that, a door that says freebies. Here you will find vendors containing wondrous items by Alety, all for the taking. I picked up a new pirate outfit while I was there. In the coffee break room I ran into three little chattering aliens I had first met at Burn 2 in October. You never know what you will find in space! 

 

Next I visited the firing range all outfitted for those who enjoy target shooting. Grey has free guns locked in a safe for those who need one and you get to choose your own game. Above the space ship sits the time vault encased in H G Wells book, “The Time Machine.” It is lovely and houses a Nemo Organ. The centerpiece is a  beautiful Time Vortex. My next TP landed me in The Clockworks. Here you will be surrounded by Aley’s (Arcadia Asylum) creations and machines, and a train running round it all. 

 

I will leave the rest of the TPs for you to try. But, be sure to take a walk around, or fly over and you will find many fantastic places to visit on the ground and in the air. No matter which sim you are in, you will find fishing everywhere. 

 

The entry is here : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Greyhaven/148/222/27  

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Riding the Rails - the Second Life RailRoad

How many of you have taken the SL railroad ride? I knew there was a railway but have never understood the length of the ride on Heterocera Atoll continent. I was amazed to find that the rail route covers 80 regions in Second Life with offshoots from the main line.

The railway has been around since 2005. The complete history of the railway is deliniated in the wiki if you would like to read about it all. http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Second_Life_Railroad/SLRR_History. I found it interesting that the railway began as a means of transport when there were no direct teleports.

I went to the Tuliptree Station and picked up a free engine and set out on my adventure. What fun. At some stations you can rezz your own engine near the track, and it will find the track by itself. Then you become the engineer and take off to ride the tracks as far as you want. Blow the whistle! Ring the bell!! Speed up the train!

As you ride along you will pass many places to stop and visit if you like. As it meanders hrough the sims, you will see some lovely venues: fields of wheat, horse farms, skyboxes, industrial areas, so, so many scenes. I stopped off at some of the sites, art galleries, shops, and Stations. I read somewhere that the station designs were a result of a building contest.

At Hobo Station I ran into a friend, Douglas Runningbear, who hosts fishing contests. He has lived at Hobo infohub "forever" he said, and he sees trains passing and told me there was a museum nearby. I tried to locate it but could not, so plan to go back to search again when I have time. However. I did find a delightful Steam Train museum in …..another sim ,with information about the history of the early steam engines, some small models and some large steam belching engines.

At the Bhaga Station I found a marvelous building housing the S&O Bessemer Steel Company with a nearby round house of trains switching rails. The place is amazing with cargo being unloaded and put into containers for transport by truck. There is a ferry ride back to Tuliptree, but I did not catch it. It is an amazing tour. I cannot tell you all that I saw. It would take a book! If you are an adventurer, I think you should take this trip, perhaps a little at a time.

You can pick up the landmarks of the SLRR at Tuliptree, where you will find the headquarters of the Railway Consortium, your first stop.The Virtual Railway Consortium is a non profit SL railway related group of train enthusiasts who work closely with the Linden Lab on the Second Life railways. Their website explains their vision in Second Life: http://www.virtualrailwayconsortium.org/. If you have a sim and wish to have a railroad on it you can find guidance for building your own on this website too. It is here at Tuliptree that you will find the information and also your free engine.

No, I have not completed the ride. It will take me more time. I thought I should write the story before I finished or it will be weeks before it gets to the paper.

Well, if you are looking for a long term project, keep it in mind. You can do a little each week and sometime in the future you will have traversed the whole continent! Then you can move on to the GLSR on the Continent of Sansera and to the ONSR, where you will need winter clothes! Bring skis too! First try SLRR beginning here.

See you on the tracks! Tuliptree (152, 155, 31)

Gemma Cleanslate

Space Destiny Island Sim Closing Down March 1

Checking out Daniel Voyager’s Blog, I read about a science sim that I hadn’t heard from in a while: Space Destiny Island. One of the “Sci-Lands” sims, it is a great sim with places that both inform and entertain. Unfortunately, it is about to vanish from Second Life.

Porting in at the LM given for Space Destiny (85, 94, 24), a short distance to the south is the Liyana Hall, which offers a sign and notecard explaining about the sim, and has a small picture gallery with a few exhibits. Also hear the entrance is a display explaining about the Sci-Lands in general, along with flags of the countries of people whom sent donations to help pay for the sim. Down a trail to the west is the Solar Hazard Research Center, which explains sun-related dangers such as solar flares. Over looking it on a hill is a planetarium.


Going east of the entry point across a bridge, one will find Sustainable Communities, which explains a little about how certain skills familiar to 19th century pioneers and the Amish will prove useful again to planetary colonists, notably the need to be self-reliant with just the resources at hand. The Midrivers Project Space Center discussed health and well-being in space, mentioning of the “vibrating dumbbell” on TV commercials, saying its origins were in the space program. It also mentioned Tuna Oddfellow’s Odd Ball, saying the psychological effects the show has on some people could prove useful for researchers looking for drug-free ways to relive stress and homesickness on astronauts. North of that on the coast were displays of aquaculture (farming in the ocean), and “Sea-steading” - structures for living and research built over the ocean like oil rigs.

The northeast part of the sim is Skylon, it’s huge rocket plane visible on the map. Here one will find exhibits on aircraft and ariel science, as well as a flying carpet to take you around. Down the east coast are exhibits on space stations and rockets. In the southeast corner of the sim is the Study Centre for Food Production in Controlled Environments. There, one will find exhibits on agriculture in space, notably a centrifugal force chamber to simulate gravity in a space station (plants don’t get dizzy). There was also a link to a Youtube of the University of Arizona’s CEAC Lunar Greenhouse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Dbh0nvh-4).

Just down a path west from the Food Production Center is a recreational area with lounge chairs and dance floor. Looking around, I found a notecard with a LM to a Trek roleplay area over the sim (157, 207, 2048). Going there, I found a Trek space station: Outpost 17. Looking around, I found a dispenser that could manufacture phasers, datapads, and Starfleet uniforms: gold, blue, and of course red. While there, I ran into two members of the RP, Flea Habilis and Yoiko Hax. “We've about two days left,” Yoiko explained, “Still not sure exactly what's gonna happen to our station here. ... At least everything's backed up. Even a lower prim version -just- in case. ... I feel worse for everyone on ground level. As many times as Space Destiny seemed to change direction, they all preserved.” Their RP was also known as Space Station Hideki.

Exactly why the sim is closing was not explained, though they did say everything was being set up on Opensim, with people invited to contact Silviana Jenvieve (Dr. Jenny Oliver in RL). So those able to go to Opensim will still be able to see it. For those who can’t, Monday February 28 is the last chance to see this educational sim.

Once again, the entrance is at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Space%20Destiny/85/94/24

Source: Daniel Voyager's Blog

Bixyl Shuftan