Winter Solstice is another region that offers a mix of public spaces and private residential parcels that I recently had occasion to visit. As a Full region, it offers to the north and south – the later separated from the rest of the region by a body of water that cuts deep into the landscape, leaving the centre of the region open as a public spaces built at the foot of a tall mountain.
Held and designed by JasmineSnow (jasminesnow333), it is the home for her estate’s main rental office, but offers a lot of opportunities for photography throughout the public spaces whilst also containing a subtle nod towards Christmas through the presence of a Santa or two, whilst a number of static mannequins give further level of life to the setting.
Winter Solstice, November 2021
Most of this can be found along the region’s “main street” that runs south-to-south along the foot of the central mountain, with shops, places to grab a hot drink and even a small stables where horses can be found. Behind the street, the mountain rises, from which a single track railway track emerges to mark the edge of the water that cuts into the region to the south, before running up to the north and then back to around to re-enter the mountain, marking an informal boundary between the public spaces and the rental properties along north side of the region
There are also opportunities for activities such as ice skating an horse riding to be found within the region – again, allowing for the private residences. As well as the main street, the eastern end of the region provides plenty of open space for wandering, sitting, whilst to the west there is a music and event space.
Winter Solstice, November 2021
Beyond this, there is not a lot more to say – simply because the region, simply because it genuinely speaks for itself. It is photogenic, both thing the built-up area and in the open spaces. And with this in mind, rather than prattle on, I’ll leave you with further images and encourage you take a visit.
Winter Solstice, November 2021Winter Solstice, November 2021Winter Solstice, November 2021
“My system seems to be getting bogged down lately, especially when I have more than one program open. And the other day I got a ‘low virtual memory’ warning. I’ve been looking into memory optimizers for Windows, but there are widely varying views as to how effective they really are. What is your opinion?” Read on for my take on memory boosters and optimizers, and why a shortage of available RAM memory might be a GOOD thing…
Are Memory Optimizers Useful?
So-called “memory optimizers” have been around for over 25 years. These programs are also called memory boosters, memory cleaners, and other names. They claim to help your computer run faster with fewer crashes by “optimizing” your system’s RAM. But do they really do anything useful? Let’s take a look at these claims…
Memory optimizers claim to “free up unused RAM,” making it available for the applications and data that you are using. You can verify that a memory optimizer actually makes more RAM available. The optimizer itself will show you in its graphical user interface, or you can look at Task Manager’s Performance tab to see how much memory is available before and after running an optimizer.
More free RAM is a good thing, isn’t it? Well, actually, it isn’t, when it’s recovered by a memory optimizer. Optimizers recover RAM by forcing Windows’ memory manager to push some contents of RAM out to the page file on your hard drive.
Basically, an optimizer tells Windows that it needs lots of RAM. Windows swaps the contents of its system cache to the page file and gives the freed RAM to the optimizer. Then the optimizer releases the RAM and tells you there is more RAM available than there was before it ran.
But now the contents of the system cache are in the page file. When you need that content, Windows must read it back into RAM from the hard drive. That takes much longer than reading from RAM. The result is a significant performance hit. Supposed you are working on a Word document. You switch to your Web browser for a moment to look up something on the Web. The Word program and its data are stored in the system cache temporarily. Switching back to Word is quick because everything you need is already in RAM… unless a memory optimizer has run while you were browsing.
Defrag Your RAM With Snake Oil
Memory optimizers make other claims, like the ability to “defragment” RAM. Defragmenting hard disk space improves performance by minimizing read/write head movement. But no moving parts are used to read or write in RAM, so defragmentation does not matter at all. Optimizers also claim to shut down unused DLLs that are “stealing” RAM. But DLLs are usually shut down by Windows when the programs that use them are terminated. If a DLL remains in RAM, it is in the cache because Windows anticipates that another program will need it soon. It’s true that some poorly written programs may not free up all the RAM memory they were using when they terminate, but your operating system occasionally runs a “garbage collection” routine that finds this memory and marks it as available.
If you computer bogs down when multiple programs are open, or you’re seeing the “low virtual memory” warning, you probably need to add some physical RAM memory to your computer to make it run better.
In my opinion, memory optimizers don’t do anything useful. In fact, they usually make your system run slower! You’ll find people on the Web that swear by certain memory optimizer programs. Feel free to try them if you like, but make sure the “reviewer” isn’t the owner or an employee of the software vendor, and check the reputation of the program in other places, especially if it’s not a freebie.
I would actually argue that it’s a bad thing to have lots of free RAM memory. RAM can speed up the loading of programs, web pages, and data that’s likely to be needed again soon. It’s much faster to load a cached item from RAM than reading it from a hard drive. So if your computer reports that RAM is full, or nearly so, it may just be an indication that your operating system is doing a good job of keeping frequently needed items available for quick access. If, however, your RAM is maxed out, and you notice significant lag when loading programs or switching from one to another, you need more physical RAM, not an optimizer.
Here’s my bottom line… memory optimizers do nothing useful and can actually interfere with Windows’ memory management. If there was some super secret to freeing up more RAM in Windows, it would long ago have been built into the operating system. There is no reason to user a memory optimizer. Just let Windows manage memory for you, and install additional RAM if you really need it.
Have a Great Week From All Of Us At Zoha Islands And Fruit Islands
This week, I traveled back in time to visit the future.
It has been about 10 years since I first entered the virtual world of Second Life, arguably the Internet’s first attempt at what every tech giant is now racing to build: the so-called metaverse.
The term metaverse was coined in the 1990s in a science-fiction novel, Snow Crash, where it served as a virtual-reality successor to the internet, where people live large portions of their lives in virtual environments.
Second Life peaked in the late 2000s with millions of users and hundreds of excitable headlines about people devoting hours of their daily lives to live digitally.
Since then, I assumed it had died a slow and quiet death. But how wrong I was.
The platform seems to have a small, loyal and potentially growing community of “residents”, as they call themselves, logging on to experience what our metaverse future could look like.
It is more akin to the blocky and pixelated world of Roblox than a blockbuster game built around gorgeous immersive environments.
But the difference here, of course, is that, like Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the metaverse, Second Life is not a game. There are no gaming challenges or quests or story lines. It is just a place to hang out.
Meeting virtual Rei
One resident I met was Rei.
Our avatars bumped into each other after teleporting to a seaside world modeled on a strange rundown 1960s Scottish fishing village. He told me he had been spending time in Second Life for about four months after “getting curious about all this metaverse stuff”.
Image source, Linden Lab
Image caption,
I met Rei in a user-built zone in Second life
Rei is not a fan of Zuckerberg’s vision of the metaverse.
“They’ll want to control everything. But I think the people should be in charge and it should be fully open,” he told me.
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of the newly renamed company Meta, addressed these concerns when he announced his grand plans.
“It’s a future that is beyond any one company. That will be made by all of us,” he said in his Facebook Connect keynote.
Other large corporations, including Microsoft, Epic Games, Roblox and even Nike have announced plans to enter the metaverse in some form.
Rei’s concern about a metaverse monopoly is one shared by many, including Anya Kanevsky, vice-president of product management at Linden Lab – the company running Second Life.
Anya has watched with interest as several tech giants have started to talk about the new idea of a life online. Second Life has been going since 2003.
Image source, Linden Lab
Image caption,
Second Life residents host events
“I’m a little bit concerned about the dystopian nature that the conversation seems to be taking on right now,” she says.
“The entry of a slightly oversized and outsized player into the space seems to signal to people that they are not the owners of it, that someone else is going to be setting the rules and kind of running the show and they will just be the consumers.”
Second Life, then, is much like Roblox – a place where users build environments and invite others to play – although it has far fewer participants.
Roblox’s record for concurrent players is estimated to be around 5.5m compared with Second Life’s 90,000.
Mark Zuckerberg says he, too, wants to put a community of users at the heart of his metaverse but he does not have any residents yet.
Instead, he has pledged to take on 10,000 employees across Europe to build his worlds.
Some argue that it’s not even about allowing users more control: a metaverse should be built entirely by communities.
John Carmack, the consulting chief technology officer of Oculus, Meta’s virtual-reality headset division, believes that setting out to build a metaverse “is not actually the best way to wind up with the metaverse”.
As reported by Ars Technica, he said: “I doubt a single application will get to that level of taking over everything. I just don’t believe that one player – one company – winds up making all the right decisions for this.”
Image source, Linden Lab
Image caption,
It’s not hard to find events and zones aimed at adult audiences in Second Life
Second Life’s story also has more lessons to teach Mr Zuckerberg and others.
At its peak, the site attracted negative headlines after high-profile virtual riots, Ponzi schemes based on the in-game currency and even issues around child grooming.
Even in my short exploration this week, I caught glimpses of the moderation challenges that Second Life faces. Those would be amplified if a metaverse went mainstream.
Searching for events or places with certain keywords such as “porn” or “drugs” is blocked.
However, searching for “sex” took me to virtual strip clubs where I was offered digital lap dances in exchange for in-world money.
“The approach to governance in a virtual world is complex,” says Ms Kanevsky.
“Some of it can be automated away but a lot of it must have the human touch. It’s not all just escapist behavior and pretty dresses and gorgeous avatars.”
Back in Second Life, I asked Rei one last question before I logged off: why does he keep coming back?
He answered: “I like to dream with my eyes”.
Have A Great Week From All Of Us At Zoha Islands and Fruits Islands.
This week we are shining a spotlight on Vrutega, a new Resident who is already creating visually striking and memorable machinima.
How long have you been in Second Life and how did you first hear about it? I have been on Second Life for a little over a year. I first found out about Second Life in 2020 through friends who are Second Life Residents. One day my friends were video streaming a Second Life party that they were hosting. I was drawn to the realism that their party showcased, from the party decor down to the house they were all gathered in. At that moment I realized Second Life is a great social platform, and has the ability to bring people from all around the world together in digital spaces. During the beginning phases of COVID-19, a lot of people lost that basic human component of socialization and connecting with people.
Second Life provided me with an opportunity to reclaim some of that human connection on a digital platform. With the help of my friends, my transition into Second Life was easy. Within a week I created my first avatar, and was up and running in no time. From the very beginning I was enamored with the Second Life world, and got involved with everything the platform had to offer from live music events, visiting art exhibits, and shopping. It wasn’t until February 2021 that I realized that I could create storytelling video content on Second Life. I studied all types of machinima video genres and artists, and became inspired by all of the talented Residents and creators around the grid.
Every aspect of the machinima you create in Second Life is very professional, from the editing to the voiceovers. Do you have a background in video production and editing? Yes, I have a professional background in video production and editing. My experience in video production stems from my professional work in commercials, advertisements, and short films. Realism and continuity are important to me. I treat every aspect of my machinima projects like I would treat a film industry installment/project. From sourcing actors, music, props and backdrops, hashing out project logistics is very similar to the industry work I do on a weekly basis.
The benefit of working on Second Life is that I have everything a producer could need at my fingertips. With everything being digitally available on the Marketplace to inworld stores, the sourcing process is expedited considerably. And with the availability of Second Life social media, finding actors, set designers and collaborating creators has never been easier.
What kind of software do you use to capture and edit your videos? I use a wide variety of post production software for my machinima projects. However I primarily edit my videos using Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe After Effects. I use OBS Studio to record my machinima, and capture my footage using various Second Life Viewers.
Tell us about some of the other creators in SL that inspire you, or whose work you admire. I am inspired by a wide variety of Second Life Residents, artists and other content creators from all around the world. The person who inspires me the most in the machinima world is my dear friend and Second Life Resident Sere Vene. Sere is the artistic catalyst who pushed me to take Second Life machinima seriously. Sere’s phenomenal Second Life machinima projects made me rethink how important storytelling is, and how I should implement storytelling in each machinima I produce. Sere is a true artist, and her creativity and attention to detail knows no boundaries. I am truly honored to now work alongside her in my studio and call her my friend.
Without my small team of friends and family, there is no Vrutega. I attribute a lot of my growth and success as an artist to them. Lilith Lamia is like a mother figure to me. Lilith has industry roots in photography and cinema, and has consistently reminded me to pay attention to detail when it comes to framing and posing subjects in a scene. Spartin Parx is a creator who pushes me to think outside the box when it comes to filming a project. Just when I think I’ve perfected something in a project, Spartin often gives me that “Aha” moment that enables me to make amendments to a scene. Professional {region} builders and set designers like Agnes Whittle and Lemony Nova have inspired me to make every inch of space in a scene count. These two have helped me build the beautiful landscapes and worlds that you see in my machinimas.
What can we expect from you in the future? Are there any interesting projects you are currently working on? I am always looking for inspiration in music, movies, television, and other pop culture references from all around the world. One of my future machinima projects will be a Pokemon-inspired video, which should excite a lot of fans of the beloved Nintendo franchise. And like all of my machinimas, this project will be done in collaboration with other Second Life Residents and content creators.
I’m a firm believer in supporting Second Life artists and the content they create. I often find myself face to face with content creators from all types of background experiences. From seasoned video veterans to new content creators, I make it my mission to support, build and uplift those that I surround myself with. Second Life is proof that drive, determination, and raw talent can thrive in any environment when it’s nurtured.
The future of Second Life machinima is bright. Every day I see more emerging machinima creators and Second Life Residents utilizing video in their everyday lives. Machinima makers like Lipe Hax, Any Bergan, and Kelie Ladys are all promising beacons of hope and inspiration within the machinima world. Their creative machinimas have been enjoyed by thousands of Residents all over the world, and have paved the way for the next generation of machinima creators. With the introduction of independent film companies like Film Threat, Second Life is now on the threshold of bringing in film industry influences that can reshape the way we think about machinima.
Where can people see examples of your work? People can find my work on Flickr. I can also be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Vrutega’s experiences creating machinima in Second Life. Any budding machinima artists out there? You never know until you try!
Each of these weekly posts will feature a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup
Have a Great Week From All Of Us At Zoha Islands And Fruit Islands
Enjoy next level watch parties in SL with the new Film Threat virtual cinema experience!
“We’re amazed at how Linden Lab was able to bring the spirit of Film Threat to life in this virtual space and thrilled that we’ll be able to conduct screenings and other special events in a whole new way,” says Chris Gore, founder of Film Threat. “It’s our hope to grow this venue and events to engage with Film Threat and indie film fans around the world.” Film Threat is the leading independent film news and review site, offering the scoop on the latest releases as well as curated picks from past decades.
Inspired by theaters and film festivals from the physical world, this two-story virtual cinema venue offers a unique and immersive way to experience movies. The space was first revealed back in July for Kickstarter backers of Gore’s upcoming Attack of the Doc documentary as part of an exclusive sneak peek. This region offers food trucks, sleek cafes, and modern lounges to house insightful discussions amongst Residents. Additionally, Film Threat-branded exclusive collectible merchandise can be found at booths throughout the venue.
Once a month, Gore will host virtual panels with leading filmmakers, actors, and Film Threat critics. The first upcoming event is on October 28th from 11AM to 2PM PT. Featuring Corona Zombies, this maniacal zombie exploitation gets a contemporary update. The Film Threat founder will be joined by co-producer Bill Butler, and cast members Cody Renee Cameron, Alex Skuby, and Robin Sydney.
The next two events scheduled will feature Insert Coin (11/18) and I am Santa Claus (12/16). There will also be collectible and exclusive film-specific virtual merchandise for each event. Mark your calendars, who knows what you’ll discover through the power of film?
Film Threat is now in Second Life! Join your friends and meet with other film lovers from around the world in the official Film Threat venue — your ticket to virtual cinema screenings, fan meetups, and more! The founder of Film Threat, Chris Gore, will host virtual panels with leading filmmakers, actors, and Film Threat critics.
He was just dying to dance with me and finally ask. Here is one of those phrases in the English language that is perplexing, because I translate it literally. I would not want someone to die over me. However, there is a big difference when someone is dying of something and dying for something. I know you are dying to know more about this.
What is the meaning of death? Is it that the moment we are born we are guaranteed to die eventually. The problem humans have is that we do not know when we will die, but we know it will happen.
Keep death away as much as possible. So, should it not be in the best interest and live each day to the fullest and concentrate on the happiest things?
Of course, it does. Fear helps protect us. It makes us alert to danger and prepares us to deal with it. Feeling afraid is very natural and helpful in some situations. Fear can be like a warning, a signal that cautions us to be careful.
If I should go tomorrow It would never be goodbye, For I have left my heart with you, So don’t you ever cry. The love that’s deep within me, Shall reach you from the stars, You’ll feel it from the heavens, And it will heal the scars.
May all my friends and those who do not like me always remember that life is short and who knows how long death lasts. Make every second count until the kiss of death touches your lips.
Smile in the meantime and enjoy Second Life, because you may one have One Life.
Have A Spooky Week From All Of Us At Zoha Islands and Fruit Islands.
