Interview with Noel Boyd – Official Blogger Singapore Tattoo Show

Meet Noel Boyd http://www.noelboyd.com Singapore’s leading blogger for anything Tattoos – his latest achievements now include becoming the official blogger for the 2nd Singapore Tattoo Show this comes on top of his blogger of the month position on nuffnang.com and a soon to be released online Tattoo TV program where Noel is the Host – blogging brings rewards if you persist – read on…

1. How long have you been blogging about tattoos & Bodyart and what made you start ?
I started blogging in late 2005 so I guess it’s been four years coming to five. I’m the sort of guy that needs to voice his opinion every now and then and having a blog allows me to do just that. Also, I wanted to share my love for tattoos with not just only bodyart lovers but with also the average Singaporean. My main aim then was for my fellow Singaporeans to view tattoos and various other forms of bodyart in a different light.

2. Where will Blogging about Tattoos & Bodyart take you in the future ?
You know Andrew, initially I had no idea where this road will take me. All I knew is that I wanted to do this. If somehow had told me back in 2005 that I would receive the many wonderful opportunities that I have been getting, I would have laughed in their faces!

So yeah, this month alone I am the featured blogger on Nuffnang, I am writing for Mediacorp’s Mother & Baby magazine and I’m hosting an internet show about body art. I don’t know what the future has in store for me but I’m sure I’ll be at a good place.

3. Do you think social media has had a positive impact on the Tattoo industry & artists ?
It sure has! With lesser restrictions than traditional media, we get to say what we want and get the word out. But of course social media needs to be used in a good and constructive manner. So far it’s been nothing but GOOD GOOD GOOD! I would highly recommend artists to use social media to promote themselves and their business. It’s the way to go and the results show for itself.

4. What was the first Tattoo you got for yourself, how many tattoos in total do you have now ?
It was in my teenage years when I got my first tattoo. I’m a scorpio so I got a tiny scorpion tattooed on my arm. It didn’t cost much and it ended up looking like crap! If you are a teenager, please listen to my advise. You’ve probably heard this a million times but I’m gonna say it. DON’T rush into getting a tattoo and please for heavens sake wait till you are 18 years old. I’m lucky because I don’t regret getting inked. But if you look around, there are way too many folks who got inked young that kinda regret getting tattooed. Now that sucks!

How many tattoos? Man, I don’t know where to start. There’s way too many to count now. Does a full sleeve count as one tattoo or is it each design on the sleeve?! Hahaha. Let’s just say I have enough but with room for more.

5. Do you regret getting any of your tattoos ?
Thankfully no. Not even with the scorpion tattoo. It was an eye opener and an experience that I will never forget. To me, that’s priceless. I’ve been blessed with choosing the right designs and I look at each tattoo differently. All my tattoos were done in different stages of my life so all of them mean something. Amen!

6. Do you have Tattoo Artists you admire & why ?
This may sound cliché but I think the cast of Miami Ink rock! Their show changed the mindset of millions of people around the world. My parents don’t have tattoos but they watched and liked the show. Miami Ink helped our cause in educating the general public about tattoos. That it ain’t just about gangsters or criminals with ink. I admire them for that and I also thank them from the bottom of my heart.

7. Can you tell me what are the changes that have happened in the tattoo industry that you have seen ?
For starters, our local artists are finally getting the recognition they deserve. The Singapore Tattoo Show does just that for them. It’s not just about having a venue with booths. The Singapore Tattoo Show is a medium for our local boys and girls to shine. Well to me, it doesn’t get any better than that…

Also, Singaporeans are more acceptive to tattoos now than say 5 years ago. There’s still a lot more work to be done but we are heading in the right direction.With that said, you can walk Orchard Road on any given day and I guarantee that you will see a good number of tattoos. Singaporeans are flaunting their ink and that’s always nice to see.

But erm…it’s also good to hear that our local artists are traveling the world either tattooing at a convention or guest starring at a foreign studio. These guys are flying our flag wherever they go. Simply put, they are representing Singapore in what they do best!

8. Where do you see the tattoo industry heading ?
It’s funny because I was just asking myself the same question the other day! I would like to think that foreigners don’t look at Singapore as another destination in Asia for cheap tattoos anymore. We are fast becoming a tattoo hub in Asia where if you want a good tattoo done, this is the place to come to. With all things Singapore, give us a few more years and some of our artists will be among the best in the world. But for that to happen, they need all the support they can get. Be it from their customers, government agencies or their families. But it can be done!

9. What are you hoping to get from the Singapore Tattoo Show ?
I plan on having fun at the show. I mean, that is what blogging is supposed to be about. I plan to meet and interview some very cool people. Readers of my blog can look forward to live updates from the venue hall, exclusive pictures and interviews with some of the best artists alive today!

Singapore Tattoo Show 2010

it’s on again the Singapore Tattoo Show -Tat2 2010 Jan 8 to 10 Bigger & Louder. For more info here are some links – http://facebook.com/tattoopride http://www.tattoo.com.sg http://twitter.com/tattoopride With guest appearances by Kim Saigh (LA ink), Tim Hendricks (Gold Rush tattoo), Michelle Myles (Daredevil tattoo and winner of TLCs Tattoo War Competition at the 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention), Shige (Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan) and returning to this show again will be Chris Garver (Miami ink) and Bob Tyrell (Night Gallery). Also attending the show will be VIP guest, Matt Booth, celebrity jewellery designer and owner of Room101 who is also the guest judge for this upcoming years tattoo show with Room101 being the major sponsor for this event and introducing Paypal who is also sposnoring the event for the very first time.- video production courtesy: http://tattooink.tv

Miss Tattoo Asia – 10 days left to enter

Miss Tattoo Asia – 10 days left to enter – we’ve listened & made the swimsuit into BEACHWEAR

UPDATE: Miss Tattoo Asia – Please let your friends know 🙂

With only 10 days left for us to get applications for the 1st Miss Tattoo Asia – we have been getting feedback that everyone will be more comfortable if the contest had a beachwear or swimwear segment NOT swimsuit or bikini. so it’s official, entrants are able to join the stage in what they are comfortable in when they go to the beach – as long as the entrant is easily able to display their tattoos.

Besides being crowned the 1st Miss Tattoo Asia there are prizes for all 10 finalist.

First Prize

* Cash: $1,000.00 + Custom Ring from Room 101 Silver Valued at USD1,000.00
* Free Photo Shoot session with your tattoo.
* Published Shoot opportunities in Magazine(s).
* Product giveaways.

see website for 2nd & 3rd Prizes.
http://www.tattoo.com.sg/misstattoo/misstattoo.html

ALL finalists will win a stunning Brazilian Bikini http://www.mybikini-sg.com/store.php
Enter today – full details here: http://www.tattoo.com.sg/misstattoo/misstattoo.html

Also check out the Tat2 2010 INVITE now over 16,000 people have been invited http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141203425388

Watch post event footage on tattooink.tv

twitter for ANY community

If you haven’t heard of twitter – time to WAKE UP – it is a FREE communications tool for social & business communications. – if you have a twitter account leave your ID in a comment on this blog and I will follow YOU, as should all the people that visit this blogpost. Have a Twitter Conversation.

Twitter is for discovering and sharing what’s happening right now through the timely exchange of short, public messages. Since its inception in 2007, this open exchange of information has transformed Twitter from a simple social utility to a new kind of communication with the potential for positive global impact. Individuals and organizations alike are encouraged to try Twitter for a variety of uses ranging from social to commercial.

You can follow my twitter accounts here:

http://twitter.com/aplink – my personal twitter account

http://twitter.com/pintomarc – Marc Pinto’s – Primitive Tattoo

http://twitter.com/supermodelme – SUPERMODELME.tv Reality TV

http://twitter.com/tattoopride – Singapore Tattoo Show

http://twitter.com/tattooinktv – Tattooink.tv

http://twitter.com/koinupbiz – Koinup.com for your Virtual Life

http://twitter.com/studyinoz – Study In Australia

http://twitter.com/asia_uncut – Asia Uncut TV Talk Show

Tattoo ARTISTS reach Tattoo Fans via Twitter and grow your conversations with real people – conversations lead to many new beginnings.

Social Media evangelists or seekers of social media understanding – the twitter community is an awesome promotional and educational tool.

Small or large business – your customers want to have conversations with you as do your prospects.

Families members & FRIENDS are only a free TWEET away….

– if you have a twitter account leave your ID in a comment on my blog and I and my many twitter accounts will follow YOU, as should all the people that visit this blogpost.

To learn more about twitter and How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighbourhoods (and family & friends can collectively help you out of a sticky situation) – grab a copy of TWITTERVILLE by SHEL ISRAEL

http://www.twitter.com/shelisrael

Happy tweeting with text – images & videos all is possible. APLINK

What are your thoughts on twitter ?

Branded in Singapore by Marc Pinto

Marc Pinto: Professional Custom Cauterie Branding Services

History of Branding

The word “branding” carries many connotations be it cars, shoes, clothing – but the last one that comes to mind in the 21^st century we live in, is what the word originally meant. To brand, is literally to burn. To permanently place a burn mark onto an object.

The act of branding livestock to denote ownership dates back to the ancient Egyptians. The technique would be passed down through the ages where it would most famously be applied by cowboys of the Americas where a red-hot iron brand would be pressed into the skin of the animal, normally a cow or a horse, allowing animals from different owners to graze on an open range avoiding confusion. It is from the long tradition that branding came to denote ownership of an animal, and with the progression of time, ownership of people too.

The application of brands to humans probably started with the Greeks and Romans where slaves were branded on their legs to denote servitude and prevent escape. Through the process of branding, a slave wound hence be bound to the master until he or she was sold to another master in which a new brand would be applied again. In this era, branding a person could thus be seen as an extremely dehumanizing action, reducing the slave to no more than a biological entity akin to a cow.

This dehumanizing aspect would later be used as punishment binding criminals to their crimes for life. In France, criminals were branded with the initials “TFP” to signify hard labour for life and adulterers in puritan settlements in America were branded with an “A” usually on the chest for men and bosom for women. Often, the location depended on the severity of the crime, with serious offences getting more visible locations like arms or even forehead to increase the humiliation.

The brand is also to some people a re-affirmation of their beliefs much like tattoos are due to the irreversibility of the process. Hence the process of pain to achieve the ultimate result may often be perceived as a deeply spiritual one. Branding as part and parcel of spirituality has been longest documented amongst Hindu devotees of the Vaishnava Sect. The branding of Vishnu devotees was known as taapa and is the first in a fivefold process of initiation. The V-shaped strike brand is first heated in a sacrificial fire till it is red-hot before being applied to the devotee’s shoulder. The process represented a purification of the mind, body and soul.

Branding in a modern context

Branding has continually evolved throughout history and its increasing popularity today represents an abolishment of old taboos and an increasing openness in the modern world.

The infamous history of branding has not deterred people of the 21^st century adorning themselves with various designs using this technique. While the traditional form of branding, known as “strike-branding” by the body modification industry is still practiced, branding techniques have also evolved so as to allow more complex designs.

Electro-cautery branding is more commonly practiced these days and it involves the use of a device akin to an arc welder.  The hand-held device creates a spark of electricity which burns the skin. With its ability to control the depth of damage and accuracy of the cut, this method allows for more intricate designs.

Yet despite its dark history, people wishing to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd often seek out branding as a means of adorning their bodies as tattoos gain greater popularity. Apart from being head turners, brands often provide their wearers with an exciting tale to tell about the pain endured to receive the selected design.

Today, branding designs are unique and varied, with people opting for one-off designs that compliment their own style and physique. From traditional tribal to modern contemporary designs, branding offers a different medium in which to adorn one’s body.

Branding is enjoying resurgence in Perth, Australia and Marc Pinto of Primitive Body Piercing Studio in Barrack St, is leading the way in this primal art form. Marc Pinto is an international pioneer in the promotion and preservation of the traditional art of fine cauterie branding.  Primitive Body Piercing Studio is the only one in Perth that offers professional custom cauterie branding services, where each design can be uniquely custom made for the individual. Having trained at the Fakir Musafar School of Branding Intensives in San Francisco, Marc Pinto has also pioneered techniques for fine cauterie branding that is now used and taught in the Fakir School of Branding Intensives itself.

With more than 13 years experience, Marc Pinto and his team are passionate about the traditional history of the branding culture and hope to adorn the bodies of their clients with pieces of artwork that will keep the rich history of branding progressing well into the future.

Note: Professional custom cauterie branding services are now also available at Marc Pinto Primitive Tattoo in Singapore.

Social Media Sites:

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66770134906&ref=ts

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/pintomarc

MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/marcpinto

Website: http://www.marcpinto.com

Miss Tattoo Asia – Final Call

Seeking women who are comfortable with expressing and showing their sensuality through an alternate type of beauty, the type of beauty that separates all traditional rules! With a platform for you to make a statement steering away from the stereotypical way of female beauty, this contest is especially for tattooed women who would like to showcase their tattoos in pursuit for a new idea of sensuality in the female gender.

Do you stand out in crowds and feel confident with your tattoos? Do you possess a personality that is as bold as you look? If you do, we WANT you! Show us what you are made of.

First Prize
* Cash: $1,000.00
* Free Photo Shoot session with your tattoo.
* Published Shoot opportunities in Magazine(s).
* Product giveaways.

see website for 2nd & 3rd Prizes.
http://www.tattoo.com.sg/misstattoo/misstattoo.html

ALL finalists will win a stunning Brazilain Bikini http://www.mybikini-sg.com/store.php

In order to compete, you must be at least 18 years of age, female, and have your body tattooed. Contest is only open to all female residents of Singapore and in all parts of Asia. The top 10 contestants to be selected must be able to travel to Singapore to the show to compete.

So if you think you have what it takes, show it and flaunt it!

Rules of Competition

* Competition will take place on Sunday, 10th January 2010.
* The competition will be judged in swimwear outfits.
* You will be judged by a panel of judges.
* The 10 finalists will each receive a 3 Day Pass that will allow them access to the Show.
* You must be a female over 18 years old to enter the competition.
* All travel expenses are at your own costs and arrangements if you are not a local finalist.
* A maximum of 4 photo submission is required from you to enter the competition.
* Photo Criteria:
o 1 close up view of your tattoo
o 1 close up view of yourself with your tattoo
o 1 close up view of your front face
o 1 full length view of yourself

* Submissions of above photos and a photocopy of your ID are to be sent to debra@tattoo.com.sg / apglobal@gmail.com for registration.
Your submission should reach us by december 15th 2009

Other Event news:

NEWS UPDATES – Singapore Tattoo Show – Tat2 2010

– Early bird tickets ending on 30th Nov.

– Citibank members extend to 6th Jan with promo code “STS2010”.

– Book your tattoo appointments with artists early. How to book a tattoo appt?

o Contact artist via their email direct to book schedule at show. Be patient as most artists are packed with bookings and artists are normally booked prior to show.

o Pricing is quoted by individual artists and varies.

o Organizer does not take bookings on behalf of artists.

For more details, visit the FAQ at http://tattoo.com.sg/faqs.html.

###

facebook & twitter sites

http://www.facebook.com/TattooPride?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/tattoopride

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32140274011

Marc Pinto opens 2nd Singapore Tattoo Studio

Marc Pinto the young veteran of the Tattoo Industry in Asia Pacific, who already has an established and vibrant tattoo studio in Perth Australia, has opened his second Tattoo Studio in Singapore – Marc Pinto Primitive Tattoo – can be found at Singapore’s Far East Plaza shopping mall in the famous Scotts Road – look for the flashing tattoo sign above Carl’s Jr. The 1st Marc Pinto Primitive Tattoo studio in  Singapore which opened in Feb 2009 is located in the same shopping mall on the 5th floor.

Drop by if you are in the area… click the above image to visit Marc Pinto Primitive Tattoo on facebook.

Marc Pinto & his team of professional tattoo artists & piercing specialists will appear at the Singapore Tattoo Show – Tat2 2010 from Jan 8 to 10 2010 at the Singapore Expo. more details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141203425388#

vote & win – SUPERMODELME

head over to AXN-ASIA.com/supermodelme to vote & win

10 Gorgeous Asian Models – vote & win – you decide – SUPERMODELME

Ground breaking online TV reality show SUPERMODELME with Singapore’s 1st SuperModel Charmaine Harn – now on AXN every Saturday nite 10.30pm Singapore & 11.30 Hong Kong times.

Join the SUPERMODELME community on facebook

– http://facebook.com/supermodelme.tv twitter @supermodelme

augmented reality gets social via iPhone

a stray email arrived which unlike most – I found interesting and cool – however the voice-over on the intro video could be younger and hipper to get global ravers – maybe – but the backing music is however cool… check out the dinosaur hmmm

Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/metaioAR#p/a/u/2/2_fYcdH2nMY

metaio, Inc. is proud to announce that junaio – the world’s first social augmented reality platform is now available in the App Store. The application is free and available globally on all iPhones. Users without an iPhone can also edit and share 3D augmented reality images via the online platform on http://www.junaio.com .

junaio is a mobile and online platform that lets users create, explore and share information in a completely new way using augmented reality and location-based content. Users can place 3D objects, Twitter messages or websites into the real world and then share their creations with friends through social networks such as Facebook.

Download from the App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/junaio/id337415615
Visit the website: www.junaio.com

Get Updates on the junaio community: http://junaio.wordpress.com/

Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/user/metaioAR#p/a/u/2/2_fYcdH2nMY

Singapore’s Foremost and Asia’s Largest Tattoo Show to Return Bigger and Louder

Singapore’s Foremost and Asia’s Largest Tattoo Show to Return Bigger and Louder 8-10 January 2010

SINGAPORE, November  2009 – Singapore’s foremost tattoo show is set to return in 2010 bigger and louder than the first year with a grand mix of art, rock, entertainment and more. The Singapore Tattoo  Show’s second edition, Tat2 2010, now the  largest tattoo show in Asia, will bring back the fusion of East and West Tattoo Artistry – an estimated number of 300 internationally-regarded artists  will come together to showcase their talent and create unique pieces of artwork. The 3-day event, held 8^th to 10^th January 2010 in Hall 6B of the Singapore Expo, hopes to advocates the act of responsible tattooing and to educate the public about tattoo as a form of body art appreciation and culture.

Social Media for Tattoo Singapore Tattoo Show – Tat2 2010

http://facebook.com/TattooPride

http://twitter.com/tattoopride

http://tattooartistry.ning.com

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32140274011

Show organizers Debra Tan and Kirby Lian from Utopia Studios have planned an exciting line-up of activities to enthrall, engage, educate and entertain visitors at the Singapore Tat2 2010 show. The Tattoo show is set to feature a stellar lineup of an industry experts including star tattoo celebrities such as Kim Saigh (L.A. Ink/ High Voltage Tattoos, USA) and Tim Hendricks (Guest Artist in Miami Ink/ Gold Rush Tattoo, USA) who will be in Singapore for the first time, as well as returning guests Chris Garver (Miami Ink/ Love Hate Tattoo Studio, USA) and Bob Tyrrell (Night Gallery, USA). Other notable guests include industry icons from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, China and Taiwan.

The 2nd Singapore Tattoo Show – Tat2 2010 will also bring to Asia VIP Guest Matt Booth, celebrity jewelry designer, and owner of Room101 (www.room101silver.com), who has been chosen to be guest judge the 2010 Singapore Tat2 Show.  Room101 will also be a major sponsor for the event, participating in all aspects of the show.

Matt Booth, celebrity jewelry designer, and owner of Room101

Originally founded in 2003 by Matt Booth, Room101 is a luxury lifestyle brand for those who demand quality with an edge.   Booth, who has designed custom jewelry pieces for Pink, Snoop Dogg, Benji Madden, Slash, Chuck Liddell, Sen Dog, and Busta Rhymes, recently launched Room101 Cigars (www.room101cigars.com) to his already extensive line of jewelry, clothing, and accessories.

“The Tat2 2010 Show is a once in a lifetime opportunity for visitors from Singapore and the region to be inked by the world’s top artists from around the globe or to simply catch them in action at the show,” said Kirby Lian, a professional tattoo artist-entrepreneur with 8 years’ industry experience and the show’s brainchild. “Visitors can also look forward to the edgy and unconventional lineup of activities planned for them,” he added.

Highlights of The Singapore Tat2 2010 show include the Miss Tattoo Asia pageant – the first platform in Asia for tattooed women to showcase their body art, a performance by world class contortionist Rubberboy, who holds three Guinness World Records and was touted ‘The Most Flexible Man Alive’, and Battle of the Bands, where budding musicians compete to snag the top prize of limited edition guitars and S$1000. Art lovers will also be treated to a visual feast – an art gallery featuring works by renowned tattoo artists as well as finalists of ‘Beauty is skin deep’, a body art design competition for young creative’s. In addition, graffiti artists and seasoned tattoo artists will demonstrate their artistic talents onsite. For tattoo enthusiasts, seminars will be conducted by elite tattoo artists.

The Singapore Tat2 2010 Show will be open to public from 12 P.M. to 10 P.M. on the 8^th and 9^th of January (Friday and Saturday) and 12 P.M. to 8 P.M. on the 10^th of January. The show is open to all ages and entry is free for those below the age of 12. Tickets to the show are available for purchase online at http://tattoo.com.sg/tickets.html. Tickets cost S$22 for a 1-day pass and S$60 for a 3-day pass.  Early bird promotions, where 3-day passes go for S$55, are available from now till 15^th November 2009. Tickets to the show may also be bought onsite during show dates.

For more information on the Singapore Tat2 2010 Show, please visit http://tattoo.com.sg/ or join in the conversation with daily updates and worldwide Tattoo industry news & chatter on facebook – http://facebook.com/TattooPride

Pre- event email interviews with artists can be arranged upon request.

About Utopia Studio

Utopia Studio is the official event partner of The Singapore Tat2 2010 Show. It has eight years of professional experience in the tattoo industry in Singapore and has played a superlative role in establishing tattoo as an art form, placing emphasis on responsible tattooing by having high standards on creativity, technical skill, patience, knowledge and experience.

For traditional media enquiries, please contact

Jolene Tan | Public Relations Consultant
Office: (+65) 6505 9342 | Mobile: (+65) 9858 9580
Email: jolene.tan@imgworld.com

Ip Waiyin | Public Relations Executive
Mobile: (+65) 93214997
Email: waiyin@tattoo.com.sg

For social media enquiries, please contact

Andrew Peters | The Pacific West Communications
Office: (+65) 6563 7391 | Mobile: (+65) 9451 9012
Email: andrew@thepacificwest.com

Second Life – A New Beginning – itsReal

In my last post which mentioned Second Life I proclaimed that its creators Linden Lab were “publicly mute” about happenings in their virtual world… as it is always the case when you say something the reverse happens and Linden Lab are now talking – and being seen for innovation once again – available now – if you would like your own Second Life styled virtual world complete with all SL’s bells and whistles and your security on your OWN servers behind your firewall – Linden Labs can offer you SL Enterprise starting price for your world that could accom up to 800 avatars is USD55,000 thats – (USD68.75 per avatar).

An interesting opportunity exists out of this move for the loyal SL Developers who have stuck by Second Life throughout the incredibly long period of silence. Their belief in virtual worlds and commitment to the potential business opportunities via second life could well be visualized with the creations of SL Marketplace.

For me, I still believe in the virtual world propositions and hope that Enterprises grasp the concepts of hosting their own virtual communities in 3D and that the crusade reaches astounding new heights…

Below is the announcement of SL Entreprise from the official Second Life Blog… https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/workinginworld/blog/2009/11/04/introducing-second-life-enterprise-now-in-beta-and-second-life-work-marketplace

Introducing Second Life Enterprise, Now in Beta, and Second Life Work Marketplace

Posted by Amanda Linden on 04-Nov-2009 09:07:03

We’re Listening

Over the last few years, the number one request and core business requirement of many of our enterprise and government customers has been the need for a behind-the-firewall Second Life solution. The extra layers of security and administrative control in a stand-alone product would allow these organizations to explore virtual work as a powerful and effective collaboration and communication tool—if it was available. We listened. Last year, Mark Kingdon (SL: M Linden), Linden Lab’s CEO, announced that we were working on a behind-the-firewall solution in response to customer needs.

Ready for Work

Today, we’re excited to announce the beta launch of Second Life Enterprise, formerly known by our internal code name “Nebraska” and now known as SL Enterprise. SL Enterprise is the most secure, content-rich, and flexible enterprise-ready virtual workplace solution available today, built on the world’s leading 3D virtual world technology platform–Second Life. The SL Enterprise solution enables large organizations to bring distributed colleagues together into a persistent branded immersive space to collaborate, meet, learn, and prototype new offerings, while cutting travel costs and working greener. Customers including IBM, Intel, Case Western Reserve, New Media Consortium, DefenseWeb Technologies, Northrop Grumman, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and many others, are maintaining and growing their presence in Second Life while also working in the SL Enterprise environment for certain uses that require higher levels of security and control.

Product Detail

Ok, let’s talk nuts and bolts for a minute. The solution itself runs 8 regions simultaneously while storing over 25 additional regions that you can take up and down in a flash. With 8 regions, the system can support a maximum of 800 avatars. From a user perspective, SL Enterprise feels exactly like Second Life with all of the benefits including a 3D rich immersive environment, spatial voice, text chat, and the LSL building environment. But, you can use real names and connect those users directly to your network directory. Oh, and let me croon about the control panel where administrators use a web-based dashboard to manage users, regions, content, and systems—complete with backup and recovery, LDAP integration, and bulk account creation.  The solution comes standard with 7 pre-built regions and 10 multi-cultural SL Work avatars with business attire and accessories included.

Deck Out your Workspace with Content

What about content, you ask? Great question. There are three ways to create or bring new content into the SL Enterprise environment. First, the solution has the same rich LSL building tools as Second Life so creating new content within the solution is easy. Second, if you own the intellectual property rights in content you created in Second Life, then you can transfer that content into the SL Enterprise environment. Now, you’ll need to affirm your IP ownership prior to moving any content—you must identify the Second Life names of your employees who created content for you, and if you wish to transfer any content created by a Resident who is not your employee, you must provide Linden Lab with a signed written permission from that Resident content creator. (So for SL merchants, those who purchased your content within Second Life cannot move it to the SL Enterprise environment without your express written permission. But, keep reading because there’s a business opportunity for you….)

Coming Soon! The SL Work Marketplace

And, there’s a third option that we’re very excited about. Today, we’re also announcing the Second Life Work Marketplace, set to launch in Q1 2010. The SL Work Marketplace will be the first virtual world application and solution marketplace in the world. It will allow large organizations to download entire regions of collaboration tools, meeting and event solutions, training solutions, work avatars, business-oriented environments, and much more, into their stand alone SL Enterprise environment and make enterprise-wide use of that content under an organizational site license. For Solution Providers and content creators, this opens up a whole new market for work-related content. Initially, we’re only accepting content from Gold Solution Providers and Recommended Application Providers, but we will open up the application process to a broader audience soon.

Business-Friendly Mainland

One other important thing to note: The Enterprise Team is not just working on SL Enterprise and the SL Work Marketplace. We’re also hard at work making improvements to the main Second Life environment—to make it easier to use and useful for organizations using Second Life today and for those that will be joining in the future. We’ll have more to share on some of those improvements in the coming months.

Learn More

In the meantime, you probably have a million questions and we look forward to answering them in future blog posts and in our upcoming office hours (days and times posted to the left). But, before you dive in, I wanted to share some materials that will hopefully anticipate a few.

• Second Life Enterprise and Second Life Work Marketplace Press Release
• Comparing Second Life and Second Life Enterprise
• Second Life Enterprise Product Page
• Second Life Enterprise Datasheet
• Second Life Enterprise FAQs
• Second Life Enterprise Flickr Images
• Second Life Work Marketplace Solution Page

Pricing begins at $55,000 USD. If you’re interested in learning more about SL Enterprise, then contact us and let’s explore how the solution can dramatically improve your internal collaboration and communication and decrease your travel costs.

Please join us in discussing SL Enterprise!

Tags: government, amandalinden, workmarketplace, behindthefirewall, enterprise, slenterprise