Tag Archives: Second Life

The Bots, The Whole Bots, and Nothing But The Bots . . .

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ZoHa Islands's Greeter Bot

ZoHa Islands’s Greeter Bot

There is a lot of controversy and questions around the use of robots (“bots”) in Second Life. Obviously, bots used to steal content are not only illegal and against SL’s Terms of Service (TOS), but they are unethical and undermine the very thing that makes Second Life so amazing — user content creators. For the most part, Bots can be very useful to shop owners, roleplaying, and the fashion industry, to name a few.

What is a bot?
A bot is an avatar which is controlled by a machine, rather than by a human. This can have various uses, such as to perform group invitations (which isn’t possible via LSL), perform as a non-player character (NPC) in a roleplaying game, as mannequin in a shop etc.

An SL bot account can be created in the same way as a human-controlled avatar. The only requirement is to mark the bot’s account as a scripted agent. Bots are controlled by a program, and the owner has to choose the program from available alternatives. The program can run on user’s computer, or be hosted at Second Life bot hosting. With a hosted bot, it’s not necessary to have your computer running 24 hours per day.

Allowed Usage
The purpose of Linden Lab’s policy on bots is to increase fairness and reliability of the search and communications services. The Second Life bot account can be used in various ways, including user interaction, role playing and adding automation to a Second Life project or location. The most common usage of SL bots includes (but is not limited to):

• Direct group inviters – to effectively invite other residents to Second Life group (included closed and paid groups)
• Automatic group management – group chat translator, automatic antispam monitor, remote (web based) group chat access tool
• Mannequin (model bot), catwalk models
• Roleplaying NPC (non-player characters) for gaming and interactive areas
• In-world office greeter and/or autoresponder
• Security bot – as automatic sim manager to detect and ban greefers, spammers and abusers

Forbidden Usage
According to Linden Lab Terms of Service usage of scripted agents is forbidden for:
• Increasing the parcel traffic by camping (“gaming” traffic);
• Stealing an in-world content; violate the copyright
• Performing any other activity prohibited by TOS.

For more information on Linden Lab’s policy on bots, click here: Linden Lab Official:Inworld policy on bots.

Traffic and bots
Traffic is a numerical metric calculated for every parcel of land inworld. This score can be summarized as the cumulative minutes spent on the parcel by all visitors to the parcel within the previous day (PT). Bots, or scripted agents, are avatars controlled by computer programs rather than people. In calculating traffic scores, the number of visitors include bots, which has led to their use to increase traffic scores and boost search rankings.

Suzanne blogging_001

Here I am, sitting at ZoHa Island’s office, writing my blog. This could be considered “camping,” if I stayed here very long, which, as opposed to bots, is a way some shop owners use real avatars rather than bots to increase traffic on their sims. Sometimes, shop owners pay people a nominal amount (usually noobs) to camp on their sim a certain number of hours per week in order to drive up their traffic numbers, and thus boosting their position in the search function.

Communications and bots
Some bots are used to automate communications with parcel visitors, and to provide interactive services for human users. These types of bots can enhance the Second Life experience.

Every chat message, IM, inventory offer, group notice, group IM, and group invitation creates load on the Second Life communications services. There is an upper limit where bots consume excessive resources and threaten to decrease the quality of service for others.

Policy
Bots, per se, are allowed and have legitimate uses, but inappropriate uses are violations of LL’s policy. As stated above, using bots to “game” traffic is not allowed. Business owners or club owners or anyone else may not attempt to gain an unfair advantage in search results through the use of bots to inflate the traffic for a parcel. This policy applies to both mainland and private estates since both are represented in search.

In addition, using bots to send an excessive number of messages is not allowed. Bots cannot send more than 5,000 messages in a calendar day. Group messages are counted as one message for every recipient in the group. All bots operated by a single user share a common limit.

Violations of this policy include:
• Bots causing unreasonable load on search or the regions in which they operate.
• Bots causing a nuisance by regularly getting stuck at welcome areas or infohubs. This includes the use of large numbers of land bots to get around the throttling of search requests.
• Bots joining groups and sending group IMs or notices such that more than 5,000 individual messages will be received.
• Bots sending more than 5,000 individual messages in a calendar day.
• Using multiple bots to send an aggregate of more than 5,000 individual messages in a calendar day.

Using bots to purchase Mainland parcels is not allowed. The use of bots, autonomous software, scripting (manual or automated), scripted agents, or any systems or software internal or external to the Second Life service that circumvent, automate and/or remove the human interaction required to purchase a Land parcel within Second Life on the Linden Lab owned Mainland is prohibited.

Set scripted agent status
If you own a Second Life account that is primarily operated by a Scripted Agent (a “bot”), identify it as a bot on the Scripted Agent Status page. By identifying bots, you can help Linden Lab give you more accurate account statistics and in world search results.

Enforcement
Linden Lab routinely looks at search results, and will treat use of bots to gain an unfair search advantage as an abuse issue. You do not need to file an abuse report for violations; Linden Lab monitors the search results. Initially, Linden Lab will send a warning message to the land owner. If the issue persists, then account suspension or removal from search may result. If you feel there has been an unfair decision in this regard, use the abuse appeals process. Linden Lab routinely looks at message volume, and will treat use of bots to send excessive messages as an abuse issue. You do not need to file an abuse report for violations; Linden Lab monitors aggregate communication volume.

Bottom line — don’t use bots to cheat or abuse. Use bots responsibly. And remember boys and girls — don’t drive and use bots! 🙂

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZI Blogger and social media

Around The Grid April 2015

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There are lots of things happening around the grid in Second Life. Here’s a brief overview:

SL12B Logo

SL12B Is Coming!

It’s coming up on that time again, folks. It’s Second Life’s birthday in June! Applications are open to be part of the SL12B 12th Birthday Bash. Being held June 21st-28th, 2015, the theme this year is “What Dreams May Come.” Participants can attend performances at the 4 stage venues, and stop by the auditorium for talks, interviews, fashion shows and performance art. Additionally, exhibits and stages across 15 sims will be available for viewing from June 29 to July 4.

Linden Lab states: “Unlike our physical world, everything we see in Second Life© was born out of the stuff of dreams. For some, these dreams are what they aspire to, while others seek to recreate that which is unattainable in their lives.

“Some may craft elaborate worlds of gleaming gold, while others may descend into the netherworld, portraying realms of flame and darkness.

“Still others may have dreams of a simpler variety: a nice house, a picket fence, and a perfectly green lawn. All dreams, big and small, are valid and welcome.

“We want to see your dreams. what do you imagine for the future, what are your aspirations, or what is your own personal flight of fancy?”

Applications to participate in the celebration as an exhibitor are now open. Please check out the website here: SL12B Community Celebration

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Viewer Managed Marketplace Beta

The Viewer-Managed Marketplace (VMM) officially started an open beta test on the main grid, which is scheduled to last for about a month.

VMM allows merchants to easily manage their inventory on the Second Life Marketplace using the Second Life Viewer. Items no longer need to be loaded into the Merchant Outbox or a Magic Box, and are instead sold directly from inventory.

VMM will allow all merchants to stop using Magic Boxes while also enabling them to modify listing inventories directly from the viewer. Merchants will still need to go to the Marketplace web site in order to edit listings, but with VMM, they will be able to create new listings, publish them to the Marketplace, and/or unlist them, all from within the Viewer.

Firestorm has not yet come out with a viewer that features VMM, but Firestorm folks have asked for beta testers for their upcoming project viewer. Perhaps this functionality will be in the next FS release.

LL’s official blog states that they expect the Beta period to last abouit a month, with the next steps after Beta being a full release of VMM to all merchants.

“A month after the release, automated migration of Direct Delivery listings will begin. Magic Box listings will need to be manually migrated. After migration has completed, Xstreet and Magic Boxes will be shut down. Merchants may choose to manually migrate Direct Delivery listings before the automated migration occurs. The automated migration will take place during lower traffic times on the Marketplace, and more details will be provided closer to the migration period.” states Linden Lab.

Here’s a video narrated by Torley Linden:

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MadPea’s Unia Opens April 27th

As you know, I am a huge MadPea fan, and I am excited if not a bit trepidacious about this newest event coming April 27h. MadPea released a preview video and it is very scary!

Naturally, I will have to check it out, but meanwhile here’s the trailer:

/me shivers. Looks scary! Join me… if you dare!!

~~~~ • ~~~~

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZoHa Islands Blogger/Social Media

Fashion For Change 2015

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Fashion For Change Logo

Fashion For Change is an event in Second Life running from April 11th through April 25th. This event benefits a wonderful organization called Womankind Worldwide.
Womankind Worldwide is a UK based, international Women’s Rights charity working to help women transform their lives and communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They celebrated their 25th Anniversary last year (2014).

The charity’s motto is “Equal, Respected, Proud,” and its vision is of a world where being a woman does not limit choices, opportunities or rights, no matter where she lives.

The charity’s aim is to support local Women’s Rights organizations and smaller local women’s groups. These groups, often at great personal risk to themselves, are challenging discrimination, human rights abuses and violence towards women within the countries and communities they are based in.

Womankind delivers the essential support – funding, expertise, contacts and publicity that these local grass roots women’s organizations need to amplify their voice, increase their impact and bring about greater change in their communities.

Womankind’s approach is not to impose a ‘top down’ solution but to help and empower the women’s groups it works with to achieve their own solutions and change. Womankind Worldwide also works in wider arenas, to lobby for change , working to influence the powers and practices of governments and non-governmental organizations.

While not being a very large charity, over the 25 years of its existence it has supported directly and indirectly over 18 million women and their families. In 2013, for instance, it worked in 15 countries, directly supported almost 141,000 women, and helped improve the rights of over 6 million women. In 2013 as an example, it worked in Afghanistan, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What follows is just a tiny example of the schemes, large and small, that it has helped.

Afghanistan – In Jalalabad WW helped a a legal aid center run by a local Women’s Organization to provide free legal support to 175 women, psychosocial support to 70 women/girls and basic health treatment to 46 women

Bolivia – WW helped 550 indigenous and peasant women leaders in 5 out of the country’s 9 regions to acquire the knowledge to challenge discrimination and they are now actively participating in local politics.

Liberia – WW helped develop a manual to help the police improve how they manage cases involving violence against women and girls, especially rape

Tanzania – WW worked with the Women’s Legal Aid Center in the Nyarugusu camp to support refugee paralegal units to take action on violence against women, and other human rights abuses, and they trained the wider community to recognize, promote and protect the rights of refugee women, children and men.

Nepal – WW helped Dalit tribal women’s political participation and their understanding of local political processes

Ethiopia – over five years, alongside another charity, WW worked with local communities to raise awareness of women’s rights, violence against women and harmful traditional practices. Just one result of this work was that 250,000 girls escaped genital mutilation.

That is only a tiny sample, the list could go on for hours….

This is a charity where even small donations can make a significant difference, because the money is targeted to make maximum and lasting impact. Some examples are shown below.

$20 US could train a police person in Peru in issues of sexual exploitation, violence and women’s rights to ensure that they better support trafficked women and women in prostitution.

$60US could train a community paralegal in Ghana, to provide legal support to survivors of violence, helping them to obtain child custody, a divorce or to keep their home.

$300US could train 25 Aymara women in Bolivia to educate other women in their communities on women’s rights, violence and leadership.

Looking at the figures, you can see that there is a real chance that money raised in Second Life could make a real difference somewhere.

Womankind Worldwide’s weblink can be accessed by clicking this link: Womankind Worldwid.

Please consider attending these events in Second Life and supporting this worthwhile cause. If you have any questions, you can contact Eles (eleseren.brianna) inworld. Here is the link to the inworld location: Fashion for Change

Fashion For Change Club Events Schedule

Fashion For Change Club Events Schedule

Fashion for Change Runway Fashion Show Events Schedule

Fashion for Change Runway Fashion Show Events Schedule

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZI Blogger/Social Media

Landscape Designer Extraordinaire: Antinéa Torok

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Antonea Torok

One of the most frequent questions that ZoHa Islands staff receive from residents, is “How do I get my parcel (or sim) landscaped? Will you do it for me?”

Unfortunately, ZoHa Islands staffers don’t usually have time to help residents with making their property look amazing. However, Second Life has many talented landscape designers, and one of the outstanding ones is Antinéa Torok.

Antinéa Torok

Antinéa Torok

Antinéa has been in Second Life for well over seven years. She is partnered in Second Life to Callum McAuley. She has a wonderful, self-depracating sense of humor. Antinéa speaks French and English. Her talent for building and design is evident in her breathtaking Flickr page.

I highly recommend that you check it out. You can find it by clicking on this link: Antinéa’s Flickr Page.

If you are in need of an amazing sim designer, please contact her inworld and she will discuss your landscaping and designing needs.

In addition, she is a ZoHa Island resident and all around good egg. 🙂

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZoHa Islands Blogger/Social Media

Meet Your ZoHa Islands Staff 2015!

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About a year ago, I did several posts on getting to know your ZoHa Islands staff. We have had people come and go since then, although fortunately we have a great core group of people that have stuck with us through thick and thin. We have also been fortunate enough to have some new people on staff and I thought it would be good to get to know them, too!

LoveeDi Resident

Q: How long have you been in SL?
A: 10 months

Q: What drew you to SL in the first place?
A: I have friends that are here.

Q: How long have you been with ZoHa Islands, and what is your job?
A: I’ve been with Zoha about a month or so and I am an Estate Manager

Q: Have you held other positions with ZoHa Islands?
A: Sales Agent

Q: Have you worked other places in SL? If so, what are they?
A: I owned a club where I also acted as DJ and Host. I was a Host for Brimstome and Kountry Korner. I currently own and auction house and act as Auctioneer called Midwest Breedables.

Q: What do you like to do in SL? Do you have any favorite places?
A: I love breedables of all kinds, and can usually be found at an auction house or shopping with friends.

Q: Tell me a little about your RL, if you’re comfortable doing so. Are you married, kids, hobbies, etc?
A: I am married to my best friend and have been for going on 4 years in September. We have grown kids and grandkids which are my pride and joy, the grandbabies are my world in RL. I enjoy playing on the pc, movies and reading reading reading. Im a city girl turned country from Texas and love to fish and boat.

–•~~❤~~•–

Christara Hallstrom

Q: How long have you been in SL?
A: I originally came to SL in August of 2005. Since then I have created several different avatars in order to do different things within SL, such as clothing creation, building, roleplaying, and more.

Q: What drew you to SL in the first place?
A: I actually heard about SL because of the boyfriend I was with at the time. His parents were having troubles because of this game so we checked it out. I immediately was drawn to it. SL is my escape as well as my means of social interaction. I am a functioning agoraphobic. SL allows for me to get out in the world with less anxiety and panic attacks. Many of the people that I have met have become a huge factor in my RL and I have met several people from here that have become like family to me.

Q: How long have you been with ZoHa Islands and what is your job?
A: I started ZoHa Islands back in November of 2014. I started as a sales agent and then in January of 2015 I became an Estate Manager.

Q: Have you held other positions with ZI?
A: Sales agent

Q: Have you worked other places in SL? If so, what are they?
A: Well, I have been in SL for almost 10 years. I have worked in clubs as a host, dancer, and DJ. I have managed clubs as well as owned them. I have my own clothing store as well as a building store. I have worked in sales, management, and advertising for a variety of businesses. I have been an estate manager at another company as well as had my own successful wedding business. I can honestly say that I have done a lot of things and I am sure there will be a lot more to come.

Q: What do you like to do in SL? Do you have any favorite places?
A: I love to build and making clothing. If I am not working, I am usually on my sim trying to build something new or work on making new clothing for #themeshproject avatars or mesh clothing for everyone. I do tend to visit friends, but like in RL, I am a homebody. I love to just hang out with those I am close to and just chill and listen to music. Occasionally we fish, play greedy, swim, dance, and more.

Q: Tell me a little about your RL, if you’re comfortable doing so. Are you married, kids, hobbies, etc?
A: I am not legally married and dont plan on it anytime soon. I do not believe in marriage after my first one failed miserably. I currently have a polyamorous relationship and love it. I have some wonderful kids, both biological and not that I would not give up for the world. If I am not in SL, which is rare, I am usually gardening, walking, or spending time with my friends and family. I am very down to earth and laid back. I am the same in SL and am true to myself.

–•~~❤~~•–

Wendy Kinsella (misswendy.divine)

Q: How long have you been in SL?
A: Over 10 years.. Dec 22, 2004

Q: What drew you to SL in the first place?
A: My friends and I came here from The Sims Online game. Don’t remember who it was that actually found SL but we came in a group of about 15.

Q: How long have you been with ZoHa Islands, and what is your job?
A: I’ve been with ZoHa Islands since Nov, 28, 2014, and I am an Estate Manager

Q: Have you held other positions with ZoHa Islands?
A: I started out as a Sales Agent

Q: Have you worked other places in SL? If so, what are they?
A: Years ago, I had my own Internet radio station that was popular in SL, as well as other online games. We had many DJs and Producers, all bringing music to the best places in SL, before DJs were all free agents. Over the many years I have been with SL, I have had a lot of different jobs. I have worked at a lot of clubs in SL as a DJ, a Host. or a Manager, of some kind.

Q: What do you like to do in SL? Do you have any favorite places?
A: My big love in SL is my MC. I belong to a Motorcycle Club and it is a great bunch of people. No matter where you go in SL, if you are dealing with people, sooner or later you will have some kind drama, sooner or later. What I like about the bikers is that usually, if a biker has a problem with you, they come to you. I like people who are up front. You can visit our club by clicking this link: Motorcycle Club. Also, I am into Pet Peddlers Breedable Fish. They are a lot of fun and the people that breed fish are the friendliest group I have met in SL. I have done a lot of different breedables and I love the way the fish breeders really team together. Click this link: Breedable Fish

Q: Tell me a little about your RL, if you’re comfortable doing so. Are you married, kids, hobbies, etc?
A: I live in Texas, USA.

–•~~❤~~•–

If you see any of these three lovely ladies around ZoHa Islands, give them a shout out and say hello.

Stay tuned; I will be profiling other new staff in the coming days and weeks.

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZoHa Islands Blogger/Social Media

OnLive Sold, SL Go To End April 30th

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Sadly, a product that was filling a gap for people with older computers and people who wanted to access SL on their tablets is being discontinued.

The folks at Firestorm announced that OnLive issued a press release revealing that their company has just been acquired by Sony, and that Sony will not be continuing the SL Go service. In fact, it appears Sony has purchased OnLive for its patent portfolio in cloud gaming for their PlayStation product only. OnLive has stated that they will continue the SL Go Service until April 30th and that any new subscriptions will be free until their last day.

See the article on Firestorm’s website here: OnLive Sold, SL Go To End April 30th

I remain respectfully yours,
~ Suzanne Piers, ZI Blogger and Social Media