Prehistorica

By Becky Shamen

For several weeks, our attention has been captured by RL and we even went a week without going on line. Now, ready to explore and report on virtual adventures, we have found a sim that is even more primitive than having no internet. We found a sim that goes back to when dinosaurs ruled the earth, 190 million years ago.

After viewing the shop, we returned to the time machine and entered the virtual Jurassic Park. As we wait for the scene to rez, we think the main adventure will be staying off the menu. In the distance, there is something red, moving about and, zooming in, it is a T-rex. Always quick to make new friends, we walk right up and greet it with, "Hi Mr. T, mind if I pose for a picture with you?" He was happy to do so and even did his best, toothy smile, when I said, "say cheese". With the picture taken, I wished him happy hunting and wandered off to see what else there was to do here.

Arriving at the sim, we are facing a time machine portal, flanked by two free avatars, a velociraptor and a time traveler. Turning around, we find a shop that sells dinosaur avatars. Not wanting to look too out of place, we wore a fur outfit that we had made.

Knowing that I could still be a between meal snack for such large creatures, it was a good Idea to turn the radar on, to keep a watch on the locals. Most of the yellow blips were at a safe distance away, but one was clearly in the air and seemed to be circling for a better look. It turned out, as expected, to be a pterodactyl, which opted to land near the T-rex, for a share of it's dinner, a freshly killed herbavore.

Having explored the whole sim and knowing an upcoming theme party involved space suits, we returned home to open the new, free time traveler avatar. We may be going back soon, to test run the free velocirapter avatar. This sim was the first and possibly only location in SL, where the only residents are sentient prehistoric reptiles. By all means, put this location on your bucket list.


Fort Nowhere (128/166/1107)

Becky "Sha" Shamen

Firestorm Support Center

By Gemma Cleanslate

Ed Merryman, one of the wonderful Firestorm support team members called for some help in the group  to test a new service item over at Firestorm Support Center Island. I was more curious than really helpful so went over to help test.  What a surprise ! I had never been over to the Center Island before,  only to the classrooms in the sky. After I assisted in the test, which is for a new more personal system that will begin  when it is ready and will be  announced in the blog. 

 I went for a stroll around to see what was there. The team has a marvelous tutorial for newbies . One of the best and simplest I have seen lately. On arrival, the avatar  takes a stroll along a pleasant path stopping at billboards that teach the basics of Second Life starting with walking, jumping, sitting flying and progressing to more activities one needs to learn for ease in second life. A barrier “teases” the avatar to learn the task before passing on or won’t let you go.  I was glad to see clear directions on using the camera which is so important. Instructions are simple to follow and give a notecard with further help for” ifs and buts.” Example: an Apple computer with different instructions as having only one button on the mouse. 

There are also clothing freebies  along the way and changing rooms. At the end of the instructions there is a set of billboards with landmarks to more help places in SL where you can find more information, freebies and people to meet. I liked the etiquette section for newbies that aided in meeting people and the best way to fit into conversations and make friends easily. I think everyone should take a walk along the path just to see it. The directions are set for any viewer help. 

Firestorm is my favorite viewer, so I was glad to see how helpful their classes are too along with the wonderful support help group. I learn so much just from listening to the answers to questions from other users. I applaud the effort the volunteers  put into making Firestorm so good.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phoenix%20Firestorm%20Support/50/161/25  

Gemma Cleanslate