My Virtual Life - KaticusSparrow.com

Attend BlogHer in Second Life!

BlogHer will be in Second Life again this year!  If you can't attend the big gig in San Francisco, attending via SL is a great option.  There are some concurrent sessions and some sessions unique to SL.  I've listed the sessions so far below (all times Pacific (SL) time).  If you want to attend, you do need to register here.  BlogHer in Second Life is free to attend.  I made a few sessions last year and it was great to meet up with a number of the bloggers I've been reading.

This year, I'm delighted I'll be able to attend the real-world version in SF; I look forward to seeing the cross-world event from the other side this year..

BlogHer in Second Life Agenda

DAY ONE, Friday July 18th

9:00-9:15 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)
Welcome to BlogHer '08 from the Westin St. Francis Ballroom in San Francisco

9:15-10:15 AM
"Speed Dating" for BlogHers in Second Life

10:30-11:45 AM
Second Life Break-Out Session #1: The Intersection of Blogging and Second LIfe

12:45-2:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #2: Second Life and Security

2:30PM-4:30PM
Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

4:30PM-8:30PM
SecondLife Open Mic and Party

DAY TWO, Saturday July 19th
9:30-10:30 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)
BlogHer '08 Morning Keynote: Hybrid Media

10:45-12:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #3: SecondLife as Educational/Training Tool

1:45-3:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #4: Using Second Life for Good

3:30PM-5:00PM
Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

5:15-6:15 PM (live from San Francisco, CA)
BlogHer '08 Closing Keynote: Living the Truman Show

Want to use Second Life for education or training? Start here!

The folks over at CollegeDegrees.com sent me a link to a resource list they have put together: 50 Tips and Tricks to Create a Learning Space in Second Life.

They've pulled together a really nicely annotated list that includes setting up a training program, examples of real-life education projects in SL and lists of blogs & wikis as well as some general SL-useful tools that could be used by educators and plain ol' folks alike :)

One SL Educators resource of note that I didn't see on the list is the SaLamander Project: Creating a Community-built index of Second Life content, activities, and tools of educational value.  I saw a presentation by Dr Jonathon Richter, University of Oregon who curates this project.  Saw him at the recent vBusiness Expo put on by Clever Zebra.  Cool project because they use both taxonomy and folksonomy to annotate resources - so trying to extract value from both the wisdom of the crowds (find ALL the resources) and the expertise of the few (resource rating by teachers and other educators).

New Blog Title and URL - KaticusSparrow.com

In an effort to comply with the new Brand Guidelines from Linden Lab, I've renamed this blog with my avatar's name - KaticusSparrow.com (Yeah, it looks kind dumb when it's all in lowercase.  Sigh. Things you don't think about when you're naming your avatar).  The old links will still work (that include "secondlife" in the URL), but I won't be promoting that URL. 

I've also updated my feed URL, but I'm leaving the old one intact as well.

Good Guide for SL Beginners

Once I figured out the basics of avatar fashion in Second Life, I wasn't sure what to do next.  I thought maybe a little building, maybe a little scripting .. but more so I could have a good time, not to become a hard core builder or anything.

This great newbie Second Life guide from Ariane Brodie gives examples and links of what to do after you figure out good skin, hair and clothes, including teleport scripts, camera controls, jewelry creation and attachment scripts.

You can certainly enjoy Second Life without going into this next level of basic scripting and creation, but it's really helpful to have links to these basic scripts and how to implement them into simple prims.

Ariane also writes the Life in the Metaverse blog; recently there has been an interesting series of real-life builds in SL.  Some great places to check out!

Thanks  to Gwyneth Lillwelyn for the pointer!

Linden Lab announces new CEO - Mark Kingdon from Organic

Cross-posted on my marketing blog ..

Wow ... via the Reuters Second Life News Center and the Second Life blog: Mark Kingdon, former CEO of Organic, is going to head up Linden Lab.

Mark will be known as "M Linden" in Second Life (yes, the Bond jokes have already started).

I am oddly hopeful as a result of this announcement.  SL has taken a beating over the last year from fickle marketers and media alike, plus they have been plagued by technology problems and resident unrest over issues like content protection and copyright.  I'm a firm believer in the power of virtual worlds; while SL is not the marketing panacea that it was made out to be - there is a place for it in some marketers toolkits and a place for other VW's in others.  I'm really excited that LL has brought on a smart, savvy marketer from a respected shop like Organic to lead them.

Well done, LL.  Congrats to Mark and the whole crew at LL.  With Mark coming on board, I'll expect great things.

Image Credit: Reuters Second Life News Center

vBusiness Central Launches Today!

The smart folks over at Clever Zebra are launching vBusiness Central (VBC) today.  VBC is a knowledge network set up to help people interested in the business value of virtual worlds get the info they need - both through live events as well as web-based knowledge sharing tools.

One of the very cool things about VBC is access to event space.  If you're a member of VBC, you'll be able to host events for free, including a 180 seat amphitheater in SL.

Oh, speaking of SL - VBC isn't just focusing on Second Life.  The idea is to gather knowledge about all virtual worlds.

The VBC's first major event is coming up - it's something I'm really looking forward to!  It's the vBusiness Expo.  The first one is starting next week, April 24 to 27.  And there are some AMAZING speakers lined up!  I've gotten the sneak peek emails :)

You can find out more about the vBusiness Expo over at Clever Zebra, or watch the teaser video below for starters.  But, in any case, if you're interested in virtual worlds from a business perspective, you should sign up for the VBC and plan to attend the inaugural VBC meet-up today at 1PM PDT in SL at Zebra Cafe.

Feature on Persephone Milk ... SL Piano Designer

Saw this over on Linden Lifestyles.  Positive interview on a local FOX station in the US about an SL resident, Persephone Milk, (and her RL typist) who creates pianos and music for them.  Such a great example of a small business entrepreneur in a virtual world!

I will definitely be stopping by Persephone's shop!  I think a grand piano might be just what "Sparrow Folly" (my home in SL) needs.

So .. what did you do tonight?

Me? 

I bought an island.

OMFG!!!!!! :)

Soon to come ... new residence, a co-working space (something Mario suggested and we'll be working on together), a fashion bungalow for the AAF gals and sailboat racing.

I know .. I can't quite believe it either.

Taken by Storm ... My New Carat Shoes!

Oh, yes.  I discovered a new shoe dealer designer.

Storm Schmooz

Oh.  My.  God.

LOOK at these shoes (you can click the pic for a bigger version).  I didn't get this in the pic, but they come with a pair of beautiful detailed stockings ... the lace up the back is gorgeous!

They are paired with a fantastic dress from Immortelle.  Love her!  One of my fav "go-to" designers in SL.

I found Storm while poking around the new Le Zoo build.  The link below is to his main store.

Where to Find:

Dress - Immortelle Aiswyra Cocktail Dress (Teal)
Shoes - Storm Schmooz Carat 12
Skin - Sin Skin (Silver Noir Stratus)
Hair - ETD Patootie II (Cinnamon Burnt)
Eyes - Miriel (Violet Plant - Big)
Ears - >(0.o)< Fa's Shop (White)

Launched! Second Slice - Virtual World Marketing Magazine

I can't believe I forgot to mention this before I went on my honeymoon, but One Up Marketing has launched Second Slice, a new magazine for virtual world marketing.  I was asked to be a contributor to the first issue (but don't let that deter you from downloading it :).  My article (the first of 3 parts) is called Our New Competition: Indigenous Fashion Marketers in Second Life.

There are some other great pieces in it as well.  So check it out!!