The latest blog post by Linden Lab tops off a horror week for Second Life stability. Combine that with the ever-present lag and usability remains the chestnut issue for Second Life. If the rumours are true about Australian-based SL servers finally arriving, then part of the significant frustration with the Second Life experience will be remedied. The roll-out of improved … [Read more...] about A horror week for stability
Op-ed
Monash Uni: closed island?
In an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald this week, I was a little surprised at a quote attributed to Monash University's Dr Melissa de Zwart: "our area won't be open to the public; you will need to be on an authorised list to get in". I try to avoid real-world comparisons but it's difficult in this case: this is the equivalent of putting a barbed-wire fence across … [Read more...] about Monash Uni: closed island?
The Wonderland saga – ageplay focus increases
Over the past day, the ageplay investigations by UK authorities has well and truly hit the mainstream media. WIth gambling now gone from SL, sex was always going to be the issue that piques the media's interest, particularly when it potentially involves children. At SLOz we've been contacted today by a couple of mainstream media outlets including one of the national TV news … [Read more...] about The Wonderland saga – ageplay focus increases
Pornography and virtual worlds
In the eleven months SLOz has been running, one of the most vexed questions about Second Life and virtual worlds in general in pornography. Our story on Linden Lab's ban on ageplay is the most viewed story on SLOz and by an extremely large margin - its follow-up is also regularly read. The reason for the enormous number of views comes down to the venerable search engine. … [Read more...] about Pornography and virtual worlds
Where’s Australian charity in Second Life?
One of SL's greatest strengths is its ability to muster the community for worthwhile causes. The Relay For Life is one well-known example and we've covered and the Garden for the Missing is another that has gained a lot of interest. Given Australia is one of the larger contingents in Second Life, where's the Australian effort in community service / charity? If you know of … [Read more...] about Where’s Australian charity in Second Life?