Location guide for new users
June 29, 2007
Tateru Nino from SL Insider has formulated a brilliant list of locations for new SL users to visit.
It’s well worth spending some time checking out the locations mentioned.
Popularity: 6% [?]
The A.N.Z.A.C Recruit Training Centre
June 15, 2007
On Island Medusado sits a parcel of land titled A.N.Z.A.C RECRUIT TRAINING CENTRE & HEADQUARTERS.
It’s a presence obviously still under construction but essentially it’s a tall block containing black and white cartoons and sketches relating to World War 1 and 2,
a multi-room ‘barracks’ and a number of other storeys yet to be completed.
Using the ANZAC name is likely to raise some eyebrows, particularly if the build ends up being commercial in nature, which isn’t easy to determine at this stage. We’ve initiated contact with the parcel owner to determine the intent of the presence.
Popularity: 5% [?]
The city sims - where’s Melbourne?
June 3, 2007
Knightsbridge, Liverpool (recently relocated from a mainland sim to an island) and Amsterdam are just three cities that have their SL replicas, of varying accuracy and purpose.
Other city areas replicated include Times Square in New York (currently in development) and Paris (circa 1900).
They all have their appeal, but I’m wondering when someone will take on an Australian city. I personally believe Melbourne would be the pick - iconic parts of Sydney have been well and truly covered now (Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge) whereas Melbourne has a character that would make it sit nicely aside replicas like Liverpool. Amsterdam well and truly has the red-light district covered so not sure a virtual King’s Cross or St Kilda is required.
What are your thoughts on city sims - do they have a contribution to make in SL and if so, what contribution do you think an Australian city sim would make?
Popularity: 6% [?]
Australia? There is at least one in SL.
May 20, 2007
Australia is an island continent, so it’s not surprising that someone would have an SL island of the same name. Tucked away and un-named in an SL search result is an interesting commercial venture that is simply called “Australia“. Whilst the island is not in the shape of Australia yet, its developer, Richard Tripp, has plans to terraform to the Australian shape in the near future.
Covering a handful of the best-known destinations for visitors this build has some important variations to other SL offerings of Australian icons.
Fancy a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or a stroll around Uluru? Though the Harbour Bridge isn’t in the same league as the Telstra BigPond offering, there is an undoubted attempt to offer an alternative experience to visitors.
If the Harbour Bridge is less than expected the inside of the Sydney Opera House is certainly a different proposition. This build is a marriage of SL construction and RL photography to display 360º views from inside this icon of tourist destinations. It has a different aspect to that of the BigPond structure and gives visitors a closer understanding of the actual building’s impressive architectural attainments.
The commercial nature of this venture can be seen in the Australia Harbour Centre. Opened only in the last 2 days it is a three level mall awaiting businesses to set up shop. The build skirts closely to the look of the RL Darling Harbour.
Without doubt the developers of this island are still in the construction stage. Their project’s shopping area and Australia-flavoured destinations certainly highlights the efforts people are making to fly the Aussie flag. It will be interesting to watch their progress over the coming year.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Pontiac sims - heaven for the petrol-heads
May 19, 2007
The Pontiac sims are a haven for everything motorised, as long as it has wheels. There’s a dirt raceway and a more traditional speedway plus a large range of motor-related vendors.
There’s plenty of vehicles to test drive (although most aren’t tall-friendly):
The speedway:
Two fellow residents at the speedway:
Like a lot of scripted objects in Second Life, their performance can be a little unpredictable - or maybe it’s just my driving.
Popularity: 2% [?]
One hell of a ship
May 2, 2007
Late last month, Australian jazz artist Paisley Beebe headlined the launch of Second Life’s largest ship, the Galaxy.
The size of the Galaxy is best demonstrated by the map view:
A three-sim boat is obviously a first and there’s significant attention to detail although that has its impact on the lag experienced - I’ve visited the Galaxy half a dozen times and the lag in busy times makes the Galaxy near unusable. Even in quiet times it’s a very obvious issue.
That said, if you’re nautically inclined the Galaxy is well worth a walk through. The bulk of the interior is social areas including the fairly impressive ballroom. There’s also a load of vendors, the majority with tasteful offerings that match the ambience of the Galaxy.
Popularity: 12% [?]
ANZAC - Ataturk Memorial
April 26, 2007
A simple memorial for both sides of the Gallipoli conflict can be found on the Iaconelli sim.
We have no excuse for promoting this landmark the day after ANZAC day aside from ignorance of its existence.
Popularity: 6% [?]
