David Pollard’s Second Life affair leads to divorce from Amy Taylor | NEWS.com.au

One day, Ms Taylor, 28, found Mr Pollard at the computer watching his avatar having sex with a prostitute in Second Life.

"I went mad, I was so hurt. I just couldn't believe what he'd done. I looked at the computer screen and could see his character with a female character. It's cheating as far as I'm concerned. But he didn't see it as a problem, and couldn't see why I was so upset," she said.

Using the virtual world's own special currency, she hired an online private detective to investigate his adultery. However, back in their real lives, the Pollards managed to patch things up.

Then in April this year Ms Taylor caught her husband's avatar in another compromising position.

She claims he was having "cybersex" with a female player in the US.

via David Pollard’s Second Life affair leads to divorce from Amy Taylor | NEWS.com.au

Magic, Mirrors and the Slump: Where is the SL Economy? | Rezzable

Thought provoking article definitely worth the time to read…..

Excerpt below

So it really could be that harder economic times might mean more interest in virtual world–or more escapism in general. Virtual worlds are still very cost-effective for the user. But SL in particular has built itself around the economy and the hope of making money is this brave new virtual online world. Let’s take a more serious look at the Second Life economy in sec, but the other issue is the idea of the mirror-world that newcomers like Twinity are offering up. While SL has become rich and sluggish, Twinity is targeting the mainstream people that want to extend their real life experience into the virtual world. But then there is the risk of adding real world constraints up top of the many inworld constraints. Twinity for example doesn’t allow flying (i like to fly). But the battle is not about realistic or creative–it is for the mainstream audiences that are curious about the virtual world, but not interested in Second LIfe.

via Magic, Mirrors and the Slump: Where is the SL Economy? | Rezzable

Linden’s new CEO’s action plan | VWF blog | Virtual Economic Forum Content Library

Linden’s new CEO’s action plan | VWF blog | Virtual Economic Forum Content Library

Second Life needs to fix its’ First Life – Will the new Linden Leader make it so …. APLINK

Striking a new path together for education in SL – y.s. authentics supporting eduate.eu – itsReal

eduate.eu wants to use a virtual environment with Second Life to present national and international projects regarding lifelong learning. The presentations shall offer both information about the project works and suggestions for other project executing organisations, in order to implement Second Life as a learning and communication tool for their project work.
People interested in the realisation of education projects in Second Life can stroll on a learning path and follow the individual steps of such implementation. Of course, eduate.eu is also available for other educational institutions, that wish to include Second Life in their project work.

Read more at y.s. authentics

Secret Location – Secret Plans – Virtual Delivery – itsReal

Last evening at 2100hrs a secret meeting took place in a secret location in Second Life.

Invitation – Mix Business with Imagination at the Big-Bit Islands Launch – itsReal

Big-Bit Launches Big-Bit Islands in the Virtual World Second Life an Entertainment, Live Performance, Attractions and Business Services hub to drive Big-Bit’s Business Strategy for 2008 – event starts at 9pm SL time February 9th 2008

Sydney Australia. February 07, 2008 — Big-Bit Australia Pty Ltd, a leading virtual worlds full service solutions provider today announced the exciting launch of Big-Bit Islands in the Virtual World Second Life. Entertainment, live performances, attractions and business services and the Big-Bit team will be on hand to guide you through the evening’s event. The event starts at 9pm SL time February 9th 2008

Image: Event Arena Big-Bit Island

Bit-Bit is a leading Virtual Worlds full service solutions provider that offers strategic advice, construction, marketing and events services to companies seeking to establish footholds in virtual worlds such as Second Life and other newly emerging worlds. Comprising a talented International team of virtual world veterans, Big-Bit has in-house building and programming expertise to execute scripting for complex projects in virtual worlds.

What SL Residents can expect ?

• Big-bit Islands Grand Opening Saturday February 9th – 2008
• Dance with our very own funky DJ – Estrelle Fauna
• A Treasure hunt for those seeking to enhance their inworld wardrobe and nab a mystery prize or two
• Grand Prize 10,000$L
• Fireworks will adorn the Big-Bit Islands skyline to welcome in a new era of services & entertainment

Visit PrimAdonna: http://slurl.com/secondlife/PrimAdonna/169/248/27

What RL People can expect ?

• Considering launching in Second Life? The Big-Bit Team will be on hand to discuss your options
• Previous projects will be highlighted on the Big Bit Island as testament to Big-Bit’s expertise in inworld development
• Bring your Business to Big-Bit Island and let Big-Bit’s imagination work for you

Visit Big-Bit Island: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Big%20Bit/163/115/27

PrimAdonna Island, part of the Big-Bit island group is home to PrimAdonna designs by Big-Bit’s Jana Gillespie also known in Second Life as Estrelle Fauna. Specialising in fashion, content creation and design, PrimAdonna offers unique style careful attention to detail and great versatility. The PrimAdonna shop offers a variety of women’s clothing from casual to formal and corporate wear for both men and women including shoes. PrimAdonna Island and shop have been magnificently rebuilt and announces it’s reopening.

Image: PrimAdonna on Big-Bit Islands

Big-Bit offers companies an innovative way for getting products launched in Virtual Worlds. For more information please contact Jana Gillespie, Big Bit Australia Pty Ltd, details below.

###

About Big-Bit Australia
Big-Bit understands that the single most important ingredient that drives humanity is the need to communicate. Without communications we would not be able to achieve even the simplest of tasks. We partner with clients to create the opportunities for them to engage with their communities in the virtual space in ways that are only limited by their desire to drive business and our imagination. In doing so, we commence on a journey with our clients that is destined to take a business into new dimensions of communication, understanding and connectivity.

For more information please contact:

Andrew Peters
The Pacific West Communications
Cell: +65-9451-9012
Email: andrew@thepacificwest.com

Jana Gillespie
Director
Big-Bit Australia Pty Ltd
Cell: +61-412-582-233
Email: jana@big-bit.net

Turkish companies will rise on Second Life in 2008 – itsReal

Turkish companies begin to show interest in the Internet portal Second Life, where international giants like IBM, Microsoft, Adidas, Sony and Intel are prevalent. Vestel took the first step into the world of Second Life and was followed by Remax, Rixos, Garanti Emeklilik and Tefken

The newest trend among companies is the Internet-based virtual world Second Life (SL), which has 11 million addicts worldwide. From durable goods to IT, insurance to real estate, everything related to actual trade and the real business world also exists on SL. While international giants like IBM, Microsoft, Adidas, Sony and Intel are dominant in SL, Turkish companies have also started to catch on.

Read More: Turkish Daily News

Virtual World Marketing Gets Reality Check in 2007 – itsReal

It was a year of ups and downs for virtual worlds, as well as the companies that jumped on the bandwagon of creating virtual advertising and branded worlds. As 2007 began, the virtual world environment Second Life was riding high on a wave of interest from users and advertisers, but as time went on, many marketers and agencies began to question the return on investment of their virtual projects.”2007, especially early 2007, was the year of Second Life,” said Greg Verdino, chief strategy officer for Crayon, a marketing consultancy. “Late ’06 through ’07 was this interesting virtual world rollercoaster ride, where coming into ’07 everybody thought they had to be in Second Life, and they didn’t know why.”

By March, Second Life had over 1.3 million users, and companies ranging from Microsoft to Starwood Hotels to Reuters had launched a presence in the world. But the success of their branding efforts fell into question, as advertisers had difficulty providing the metrics needed to measure success, or simply didn’t approach the environment in the right way to promote a brand, Verdino said.

read more at Big-Bit and jon our facebook Group

RoundUp: Second Life – Supermodel, real estate options, skytran sim, vBiz, colgate smile, architecture – itsReal

Google News Alert for: “Second Life”

Second Life finds new customers
Malaysia Sun – Malaysia
The Second Life virtual computer world, in which users can create characters representing themselves, has had a dramatic shift. …

Virtual Conferences not YET but the Reality is coming – itsReal

‘Avatars’ offer virtual alternative at climate summit

More than 10,000 people are in Bali thrashing out action on global warming, but those who couldn’t make it in person are here virtually — some in the form of dragons and action heroes.

Hoping to widen the debate and cut down on carbon emissions from air travel, Oneworld.net, a left-leaning website, has taken the UN conference here on climate change to the online virtual world Second Life.

The website has brought together everyone from a US congressman, who travelled virtually as a 3-D animation, to anonymous participants hailing from Japan to Turkmenistan and Romania.

Second Life, which has drawn millions of users since it was created in 2003 by San Francisco-based Linden Labs, is a fantasy land in which users mingle under assumed identities as “avatars.”

While most delegates in Bali opt for formal attire, users of the site, http://www.oneclimate.net/, pick the virtual likeness of their choice — ranging from purple hair to outfits befitting action heroes.

more at MSN