And now the scary begins :)

Do you think robots won't be taking over the world soon? Then you need to see this vid. Won't be long before androids walk amongst us and are not noticed as anything different to a normal human.

Such a waste

You'd think they'd find better things to do with such tech. But it seems our robotic overlords think laser rays on a robot are a  waste - instead they will overload our brains  with aural death rays and visual cringe blasts.

New Robot Tech

The latest in humanoid robots, this time from Kawada Industries. Standing at a little over 5 foot tall, its slim design and 'graceful' frame is designed to be more appealing. I can see advanced versions of this being robo-butlers around the home easily.

Dawn of the Tals

I'm a bit tired of anyone who says anything positive about SL changes being called names - particularly the terms "fanbois", "elites", "chosen few" "linden buddies" etc etc.

I've never been a fan of name calling - but a recent blog post inspired me and so....

I have a new name for the people who refuse to accept that SL must keep changing... the "Tals"
------------------------------
Tal (-tôl, -täl)

Derivation: from the name Neanderthal, or Neandertal

n.
1.Slang A sub-species of the Second Life participants (residents) who are defined by their repeated patterns of behaviour including;

• Stick and stone throwing
• Grunted insults at other residents including the terms "fanbois", "elites", "chosen few" "linden buddies" as a way to quash any viewpoint disagreeing with their own
• Baseless accusations, usually accompanied by an insult
• Predilection for making assumptions without knowing the facts, and inability to research the facts
• Deliberate spreading of misinformation
• Inability to admit they are wrong in the face of factual evidence
• Inability and unwillingness to adapt to change
• Constant crys of "SL is dying" and it's related statement "this will destroy Second Life" (referring to a new change)
• Repeated postings in forums and blogs of their viewpoints when one posting is more than adequate
• Attempts to dominate a blog or forum post by repeated comments

 adj.
1. Of, having to do with, or resembling Tals.
2. Slang Crude, boorish, resistant to change
---------------------------------------
Please Note: I too have been guilty of some of the above, and i resolve to call myself this name when i catch myself doing any of the above in future ie; "Jub you're being a Tal"

Lots of New Products made and listed

Below is just a sampling of the new products that have been going into GARDEN WORLD, Xstreet,  and some other shops lately.

Too many to bore you with here, but if you do want to see more..try a visit to GARDEN WORLD or view my Xtreet listings here

Still renovating GARDEN WORLD

It's a long process this renovating stuff. I have been removing older content from GARDEN WORLD and creating all new items as I go. And adding it all to Xstreet as well. Sometimes a single item can take a couple of days to make, other times its reasonably easy to run off a few variations. Even a decent foliage render can take 20-30 minutes each, and then suitable Photoshopping afterwards. Fun fun fun :P
Some of the latest screenies/ad shots

Tan Le: A headset that reads your brainwaves | Video on TED.com

http://www.ted.com/talks/tan_le_a_headset_that_reads_your_brainwaves.html

TED Talks Tan Le's astonishing new computer interface reads its user's brainwaves, making it possible to control virtual objects, and even physical electronics, with mere thoughts (and a little concentration). She demos the headset, and talks about its far-reaching applications.

Aldebaran Robotics Nao Robot Show .mp4

I sooo want one!

NEW V8 Motor BUILDERS PACK

Wow looking V8 Motor designed especially for low prims to suit vehicles. Only 7 prims! Baked textures and carefully tweaked shapes combine for great detail - Vehicle experts tell me this is by far the best sculptie Motor in SL.
Judge for yourself- it's on display at the Sculpts Only Mall.

Included:
1 x full permission fully assembled V8 Motor (7 prims)
6 x full permission baked textures (to use as templates for your own textures if wanted)
Please Note: Sculpt maps are not included in this pack.

Grab it at the Sculpts Only Mall or on Xstreet

New Builders pack - Ropes !

Added a new Builders pack to the Mall and Xstreet today... Ropes 1 Builders Pack

11 great sculptie rope shapes for integrating into your builds. 3 x Hangmans nooses, multiple coil shapes for wrapping around posts, or hanging on walls, draping on floor etc. Even a shape especially designed for binding wrists.

Includes:

• One prim each(sculpties)
• 11 x full permission Sculpt maps
• 1 x full permission tileable rope texture
• 11 x copy mod EXAMPLES (for taking the Sculpt, Texture settings, and measurements from, or for personal decoration use)

See some examples inworld at Sculpts Only Mall and the pack is available for sale there too.
Or at the Xstreet listing.

New Products from GARDEN WORLD

Added some new products this week at GARDEN WORLD and Xstreet :

GW Ocean & Shore Waves

4 piece set of ocean waves suitable for all ocean scenes AND an ambient surf soundball - all copy and mod. These beach waves have textures and sculpties all made inhouse - very high quality.
Includes:

• 3 types of sculpted waves and specially crafted textures to suit
• 1 x lapping wave
• 1 x crashing wave
• 2 x swirling waves @ 10 meters and 20 meters (megaprim)
• Ambient surf Soundball with random sounds
• All one prim sculpties (except the soundball) and all copy and modify

See them inworld at GARDEN WORLD or Xstreet Listing here

---------------------------------------------

GW Casual Cushions w Poses

Beautiful asian themed throw cushion seats. Two piles of cushions with 6 unique poses built in each, complimented with custom colorful designs
Highlights:

• 2 x comfy Cushion Seats (sculpties)
• 6 unique poses in each
• 5 prims and 4 prims per
• Pose positions adjustable (remembers last 100 AVs)
• Easy-to-use menu system for choosing poses

See and try them inworld at GARDEN WORLD and they're available for sale there too.

------------------------------------------

GW Stone Garden Lanterns (Pair)

A pair of beautiful asian style Stone Garden Lanterns. Baked textures really bring these Lanterns to life. Place them in your garden and click them to see the hot coals casting a gentle amber light over your surroundings.
Highlights:

• 1 pair of matched Lanterns
• Baked stone textures for Day & Night modes
• Click for On/Off

See them inworld at GARDEN WORLD and is available for sale there too.

----------------------------------------

GW Easter Island Heads

2 awesome Easter Island Heads with specially crafted stone and moss textures. These ancient looking Moai will look great on your beach or tropical theme area.
Highlights:

• One prim each (sculpties)
• 2 x Heads with different stone and moss textures
• copy and modify - decorate whole sims and stretch them up to 10 meters tall

A previous version of these statues with another texture is  available here and has been rated 4.5 stars for their quality

See these versions inworld at  GARDEN WORLD and they're available for sale there too.

------------------------------------------------

More new items coming very soon :)

Extra Alice in WonderSLand shows announced

Due to overwhelming demand - we've added another 2 Alice In WonderSLand shows. Get your tickets at Xstreet http://tinyurl.com/3agys2c
---------------------------------
The first reviews are in - it seems we have a hit!

I did a bit of googling to find Alice in WonderSLand reviews...seems our wee show is going down well

"The Most Enjoyable 90 Mins or so that I’ve ever Spent in SecondLife"

Bravo! Alice in WonderSLand is a HIT!

Is Alice in WonderSLand "Part of the Future of Live Entertainment"?

Alice In WonderSLand Performed Live In SL

2 Prim Tree Pack & Floating Islands

Added a couple more packs to the Sculpts Only Mall the other day... the 2 prim Trees BUILDERS PACK .
2 prim trees with textures for them, full perm  sculpt maps and copy/mod examples (for sizing).

And due to many requests... a Floating Island BUILDERS PACK. 1 prim each and 3 different shapes - they need to be set to phantom and have a walkable surface prim. I have included some copy/mod examples and a full perm script to make a linked sculptie phantom - useful for when you wish to link your build for sale.

Catch them and more at Xstreet or at the Sculpts Only Mall 

Finally an update: Alice in WonderSLand

OK OK i know I have been slack at updating my blogs lately...i do have a good reason.
For approximately a year now, Avatar Repertory Theater has been planning a production of Alice in Wonderland. The last 3 months have been an increasingly hectic time - trying to get the sets and costumes and marketing and rehearsals done. The last month...way too many hours spent.
But worth it :)
Seems our first show was a success with comments from our first performance like "ART has really pushed theater in SL to a new level" and a great first review.

(Our tease/bait posters)

Its been a huge amount of work for a lot of very talented people on the A.R.T. team. From the inital creation and revisions of a script, thru to the mind-numbing job of trying to organise 17 people spread across the world in different time zones. And we decided to try and create everything ourselves...skins, hair, clothes, props, sets, even some original music. In hindsight... probably a little too adventurous for such a big production (13 set changes for instance) but we made it and survived!

There's still tickets available for our next performances at Xstreet , and only 5 performances left so grab one now :) click here for ticket listings
Its a really fun production with some laugh-out-loud moments...special effects, funky costumes, fun props, and some surprises for the audience. Runs about 90 mins, costs $500 ld (about $2 US) - arrive early please :).

A small word about Tim Burtons version..We found out about it approx 3 months into our planning - we decided to deliberately not see it so as to not be influenced. And we tried as much as possible to distance ourselves style wise from the Disney version as well. We just wanted our version to be 'our' version ya know?

On a personal note, although I never anticipated being involved in Theater in Second Life... it is very engrossing to be able to be involved in pushing the boundaries of such an ancient art in a new medium (real time virtual 'worlds'). We have actors and audience from all over the world, gathered on one venue at one time to perform. Although we are limited in the amount of traditional stagecraft (our actors describe it as virtual puppetry and a radio play combined), we do have the ability to do special effects and transitions normally reserved for post-production on film and TV. And it's a spontaneous performance - although planned down to small details, we never know quite what Second Life will push at us. Things like 'crashing' out of SL have to be coped with smoothly strategies such as "crash actors" who basically stand around waiting for such events to happen - already costumed and ready to go on at a moments notice.

A word about Avatar Repertory Theater :  such a great group of guys n gals to work with :)
All putting in many many voluntary hours to push the boundaries on what we see as a new and exciting form of theater. A wide range of interests, ages, and talents all combining with energy and humour - and I really think it shows in our productions.  It's great to be involved with a group of people who enjoy what they do and it's a true and rare pleasure to work with them.

New Teddy Bears and other Valentines items

Just finished completely rebuilding my favourite wee Teddy bears for Valentines. New shapes, new baked textures, and a new item they hold - a Valentines Rose.

You can buy it on Xstreet - click here for listing ,
or see the other versions and colors inworld at Custom Love - click here

I have other Valentines Items on Xstreet too...

• high quality sculptie Romantic Roses 
• Low Prim Romantic Candles
• and a Cupid Statue

Snapshots of the renovations @ GARDEN WORLD

A few snapshots from the build in progress @GARDEN WORLD. Including shots from Sub Terrain a giant cave below GARDEN WORLD, and snaps from the Asian Garden.

Chilling at the Asian Garden

Buddha by the Zen garden

Stone Lantern and couples seat

Circle of power @ Sub Terrain

Mysterious temple @ Sub Terrain

Graveyard  @ Sub Terrain

Entrance to PrimEvil @ Sub Terrain

Hells Forge Smithy  @ Sub Terrain

The Hunter tricycle @ Metal Gear @ Sub Terrain

Our residents Dragon's lair. An educated dragon it seems :)

Come have a look, although please understand it's a bit of a mess atm. To make up for the inconvenience - we have a nice wee sale going on... all old style One Prim Plants (trees, flowers, bushes, tropicals) on special for $10 each copy and mod. They will make way for the brand new one prim plants shapes i have developed - coming soon ;)

Click for SLurl to GARDEN WORLD

Avatars United

The Lindens in their infinite wisdom have decided to purchase another web property... AvatarsUnited.com
Its basically a Facebook clone for avatars from all sorts of online games.
At first i was a little negative on it...after testing some of the functions i found some major errors happening (unable to edit a blog post for instance!), but a couple hrs exploration later it had revealed some hidden functionality that could make the site useful - at least as a marketing tool.
So after creating a Group, a Forum, adding photos to new albums, adding blurbs, and managing to basically theme some pages...my side seems at least ready to go.
I am amazed how many friends invites i am getting... i figure there's approx 225 SecondLife Avatars registered so far (try a search for no name to see stats) and i have 23 on my friends list already. Seems everyones linking their networks fast. Either that or i have a friendly harmless name that people click when they see it :P
My profile is at http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/jubjub-forder
My first Group for updates on w hats happening at GARDEN WORLD is at http://www.avatarsunited.com/groups/gardernerific

Multi-Palm Builders Pack

I have been a bit quiet lately... lotsa new projects underway some secret..some not-so-secret (which i will reveal in next few posts). I have also been involved building up on another grid - sheer frustration with the increasing attitude of the Lindens to us, their customers - but I will talk about that more later... in the meantime my latest release!

The Multi-Palm Builders pack...

A customer requested this one...he wanted some of the multi-palm, low prim sculpt shapes so he could keep up with his competition. Included in the pack is 3 groups of 4 palms, and 2 groups of 8 palms - each group is only 2 prims. I have also included 2 textures and a megaprim (for the 8 palm groups).

Can buy them off Xstreet - click here
or at the Sculpts Only Mall - click here