Having A Family in Second Life

May 7, 2012 by Leave a comment

With everyday I spend in this Virtual World, I am constantly amazed by its growing society. We have talked about Relationships that are formed in Second Life which leads to marriage both in world and out.  Now we are going to take a look at the next step, the various ways you can have a family in Second Life.

Yes, you can get pregnant in SL and it is truly an amazing experience. There are several ways you can get pregnant in this virtual world. the most popular is the realistic approach, (other ways include just saying ‘I’m pregnant’ and increase the size of your avatar’s stomach for how ever long you want.), which means going through everything you would in Real Life, actively trying the old fashion way, picking out clinics, doctors appointments, shopping for clothes, and labour. It’s an experience, a very expensive experience.

Things you’ll need for a ‘real’ experience

The Total Woman HUDA Pregnancy HUD: The way the Pregnancy HUDs work varies depending on the brand, but they all have the same propose, to make your avatar ( or your partner’s avatar) pregnant. They are normally found on the marketplace, which is where I found the Total Woman Tantra HUD but they are also available for purchase from the family planning Clinics across the Grid. The Total Woman Tantra HUD, created by Resident Tex Evans, is a HUD that is worn on the avatar and allows that avatar to experience her menstrual cycle, making the process of getting pregnant in Second Life a lot more realistic.

How can this be realistic? Well, the Total Woman Tantra HUD tries to work as it would in real life, with realistic odds, risks and the potential for birth control as well as the experience you would have if you were trying to get pregnant in the real world. The way it works is simple there are different stages which are Tantra HUD.represented by different colours.Check out the Tantra Website to Find out what each colour means.

The Total Woman Tantra HUD costs L$ 700.

Tummy Talker: A tummy talker is an attachment that tell you what is going on through out your Second Life pregnancy. Through emotes it tells you what your avatar is ‘feeling’.Just like the Pregnancy HUD, Tummy Talkers differ depending on the brand. A normal tummy talker will just tell you normal things such as, ‘your feet hurt,’ ‘your baby is going healthy’ and so on. Others will let you know when you are hungry and will even give you what you ‘carve’

Some Tummy Talkers cost around L$600 –L$750 but they can also be found in clinics and some will even give you a talker as part of their packages.

Clinics: If you want a real experience you will want to go to a clinic. Second Life Maternity Clinics do their best to make your experiences as realistic as possible, going as far as to have weekly check ups and real life medicinally trained staff. These Clinics can be quite expensive but if they are good you do get full use of your money. Some clinics even have Lamaze classes that are very helpful as a way of looking into what Pregnancy is like in Second life and in real life.

Over the new week I will be taking you through the stages of Having a Family in Second Life, from looking at one of Second Life’s Maternity Clinics, Clothing Stores, to looking at Baby stores, Adoption and  the experience through the eyes of an SL mother. Stay with us to learn more about Having a Family in Second Life.

Filed under Newbie Advice, SL Experiences, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , ,

So You Want to Own a Business in Second Life – Part 3

April 28, 2012 by 1 Comment

In this installment of So You want to Own a Business in Second Life, we tackle the business of Affiliates/Franchises.  Think about all of the items you have in your inventory, you will probably find many by the same one or few content creators! Often these very same content creators that you love, may have affiliate/franchise vendors that you can either purchase or at time’s get for free and set up your own Second Life business! Below are a few tips to help you get started with this type of business:

  1.  Selecting an affiliate/franchise-this may be the hardest part with this type of business, as there are many affiliate/franchise opportunities in Second Life.  You can often find such vendors on the Second Life Marketplace, by looking in the business category.  As of 7pm slt (4/23/12), there are over 3200 affiliate/franchise opportunities in Second Life! To help yourself narrow them down, think of items you like to purchase or services that you use a lot in Second Life, then do a search on the marketplace.  Of course if you are within a budget limit, some of the costly affiliates/franchises may be out of your reach and you may have to choose one or several of the freebie ones.
  2. Read the terms, rules, and instructions-this is very important as affiliate/franchise businesses often have their own terms, rules, and instructions that can affect how you set up your business.  Often such businesses may require that you join their update or merchant group, so make sure you have group space available.  Some may have requirements such as how many can be located in a particular sim and where you can place the vendors. You should also check to see who is the customer support or your first line of contact in the event that items are not delivered to customers or if you have a problem with any of the vendors. You should also read the commission split, as this may determine if it is cost-effective to even rent property to set up the affiliate/franchise.  Some affiliates/franchises pay more than others, some pay very little.  Lastly read the terms to see if you can even use and set up the affiliate/franchise business, since some vendors have avatar age restrictions—you have to be a certain age for the vendors to actual function for you correctly.
  3. Location, location, and location-land rental can be costly in Second Life the same is for shops.  You will have to have a location to rezz and set up your affiliate/franchise business.  If you buy a complete affiliate/franchise that has many vendors, then you may need a much larger piece of property, shop, and prims to get set up everything.  Of course there are many affiliate/franchise businesses that just include a single multi prim vendor, that can be prim heavy.  Choosing a location is never easy either, you may not want to set up an affiliate/franchise that contains the same business that you have within the same sim.  You also would want to look for areas that are less laggy but busy enough so you can get some traffic to the shop.  Always look around a location before making a selection.
  4. Advertising, promotions, marketing-after you set up your affiliate/franchise, you have to promote the shop’s location.  You can do things such as looking at promotional rental groups, if you are leasing property and send out notices announcing the shop’s opening.  You can also hit social media or ask the sim where you happen to lease property, if they can do a profile on your new business.  Make sure you promote your business in any groups that you own or groups where this is allowed.  You should also put your business location in your profile picks and take out a small classified ad, if it is within your budget.  Also make sure the business is listed in Second Life search via the parcel.  Another idea is to talk to the creator of your affiliate/franchise to see if they have any advertising or promotional material that you can use to set up your store or if they have any events that tie into the business that you can be a part of.
  5. Update, update and update-if you have a good affiliate/franchise business, then you should receive product updates or notifications that vendors have been update.  It is important that you make updates to vendors or place out new items as they become available, this helps your store to stay up to date and you can have new material.  If you have an affiliate/franchise that does not offer much support or updates, you may want to contact the creator to see when updates may occur. Remember when someone purchases an item from your affiliate/franchise vendors, they will always message you first if there are failed deliveries or the item does not work correctly.

If you love this type of business, then you may want to consider leaping into the world of content creation, which will be our next installment of So You Want to Own a Business in Second Life.

Filed under How to do...., Newbie Advice, Uncategorized Tagged with , , ,

Exodus of SL

March 28, 2012 by Leave a comment

Exodus is one of the newest additions to the SL Third Party Viewers and it’s with mixed feelings I do this review.

It is still in beta, so there will be changes before the final release. The interface is a slimmed down version of the Viewer 3, with a few notable differences. Among others, the draw distance settings like in Phoenix/Firestorm, customization for the chat and the Raid Manager.

The Raid Manager is a way for you to track the traffic of your favourite places without having to physically be there or checking the map. This way you’ll always know if your favourite club is full or have an event, or if your store has a lot of visitors. To add a sim to the Raid Manager, right click your landmark for the sim and select “Look on Map”, or simply look it up on the map manually. In the lower right of the toolbar in the map interface, you’ll see the button “Add to Raid Manager”, click it and you’ll be prompted to input the name you want for that location. Click ok and you’re done. On the left-hand toolbar you have the button for the raid manager, just click it and see all kinds of traffic-related information on all the sims you have added.

Through the “e”-icon on the side panel, you can access all kinds of advanced settings, from Draw Distance to Chat Commands. I’d recommend you to look at these carefully and play around with them, to see what personal settings you like the most.  There’s a lot more settings than most viewers, here you can even change the sounds that play when you teleport.

Looking through the settings, it’s apparent that many of these are for roleplayers, with sound settings for when you “die”, quick-buttons for accepting teleports and auto-mouselook on certain events. You can even auto-accept teleports from people you know and have marked with a color (that will show on their tag, color is changable).

There are chat commands for just about anything, TP to ground, setting draw distance, set home location, TP to certain height, rezing a platform… These are all handy for builders, RP’ers and explorers.

Another huge difference from most viewers is the fact that they kept the Avatar button from the standard viewer, so everyone can take part of the recent, rather awesome LL avatars.

It might take some time to get used to this very different interface, even if you come from the standard viewer, but trust me… It is definitely worth it!

Latest version of Exodus can be found here.

 

Filed under Uncategorized, Viewer Reviews Tagged with , , , , ,

The Torch Guiding Light Hunt locations, hints and more

March 1, 2012 by Leave a comment

Today we open the gates for the first annual Torch Guiding Light Hunt, a hunt to help all newcomers to navigate Second Life, to find good places to hang out, shop, roleplay and more. This hunt is designed to take you through everything SL has to offer.

Some of these things require you to be “adult verified” due to it’s explicit nature. This is a part of Second life so we didn’t want to keep it away from you and pretend it isn’t there, but if you are uner 18 years old, or don’t want to see such materials, it’s fine to skip those places.

If you want to do an age verification you will need to go to the Second Life webpage, log in and click on Age Verification. There you need to verify that you are an adult.

Hints and locations: (If it’s marked adult, you need to be adult verified)

1: The Torch Help Centre

Welcome in, drop us a note.

2: Isle of Dee

Find the cross and stand in the Fairy Ring ( mushrooms)
Turn right and walk straight on
By the wall turn left, approach the wheel of fortune and slap it once
Walk on this direction and dont go into the game area… more on a few steps
DOnt waste yoru time with the free game you find in the vase….
but oh there is a bucket… look around if someone lost it?

3: The Shelter

If you need some place to dress
So that you won’t cause distress
Or hear “Cover them bits,
we don’t want to see tits!”
Then head down the ramp,
To find this Torch stamp

4: Dead Zone

Feeling tired? Grab an energy drink up in the lounge.

5: Loordes of London

Have a seat to the left of landing spot

6: Galleria Designs

On top of my shorts I wear a jacket

7: {dirty.little.secret}

“It’s curtains for you, Mugsy!” said the gangster.

8: Swine & Roses

” Look Up!”

9: Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

Bar None

10: Grumble Grumble

Go to the womens store and take a rest in the lounge, might just look around and down.

11: Bondage Playground (Adult)

Enter if you dare.  You will find it on a table down there.

12: Heroes Clobber

The Heroes gifts come in pairs – Find them both under the stairs!

13: [: B!ASTA :]

Good that i have my torch to light up the room while i read the newspapers!

14: AMAZING creations

I adore making spam in local with gestures

15: Bees Heaven Shop

The song should not be “dancing in the moonlight” but “dreaming in the moonlight (oasis)”

16: Sour Pickles

Check the hint giver

17: Adult Hub (Adult)

At the foot of a lovers embrace, frozen forever.

18: Graffitiwear

Up the stairs and to your left

19:  X-Clusives Animations (Adult)

Need a torch to light your way?
Go up the STAIRS
And DANCE the night away

20: Nation of Remembrance

Time watches over the Humans, near the symbol of hope.

21: Virtual Rykuku

Brown and red – with white and grey, i keep the rats at bay

22: WW2 Memorial Park

Monument used to honor veterans of WW2

23: Adult Hub BDSM (Adult)

Somewhere there are 4 statues of a girl with her wrists cuffed over her head, and her ankles cuffed behind her to a pole. Find the redhead and you find the prize.
24: “xXx”Treme Fashion Designs

In a light

Filed under Fashion & Freebies, SL Destinations, Top Hunt of the week, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , ,

2011 in review

January 1, 2012 by Leave a comment

What an awesome Year we’ve had even WordPress.Com says so! The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 110,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 5 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Happy New Years

December 31, 2011 by Leave a comment

Wishing You All The Best For The New Year, Hoping 2012 Is A Great Year For You.

He wears (other than not very much, something I maybe hope to emulate):
Tattoo- Wicked tattoo: Devotion, lucky letter prize
Pants – Loop: Kickout pants, store gift

She wears:
Top – :::Snatch: Dazzle Sweater, store gift
Necklace - [Fairy Tail]: Cinderella Necklace, store gift
Earings – :::Snatch: Elemental Earings, store gift
Pants – :::Snatch: Fiori Suede Pants, store gift

Poses & Props – Sparrowtree Studios: Happy 2012, subscriber gift

Have a great new years!

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The first year – A look back at The Torch 2011

December 30, 2011 by Leave a comment

This year has brought many fine memories to us at The Torch SL Guide, much have happened and we have had great success… And it’s all thanks to YOU!

We want to take some time now at the end of 2011 to look back at some of the places we’ve been to and some of the people we’ve talked to and see what have happened since we were there last.

First out is my own very first article, Grendels Children. The store itself haven’t changed much, but a lot of avatars have been added. The prices are still great, not many items go over 100L$ and there are LOADS of freebies to be found. Flea has really outdone himself since we last saw this place 11 months ago. A lot of recognizable characters from old and new popular cultures, with a great price makes this my favourite avatar store of the year.

Next up is The Jungle, the naughty clothes shopping mall for men. The changes are few, but noticable. A lot of effort has been given to the new items of this year, and even if you’re not into the LBGT movement, this is definately a store you should check out if you’re a male avi. Great prices and a huge selection makes this my favourite clothing shop (or mall) of the year.

Ah, Replugged, the club that made me go into SL DJing. It was the first club I played at and it was a sad day when it closed. Recently, Topas Zane re-opened the doors and brought back the classic look that we all loved. It’s no surprise that Replugged is my favourite club of the year.

Caledon, the massive, 55 000 square meter continent devoted to steampunk have helped me a lot throughout my first SL year. With free classes at Caledon Oxbridge University I learned how to script, build and take snaps. This is 2011′s best learning centre.

It was with a heavy heart and a tear in my eye that I wrote the Survivors of Suicide Project article. Because of my past experiences with someone close to me falling victim to this horrible thing, it touched me that there are so many people out there devoted to help those who need support. SoS is definately the best Helping Hand of 2011.

 

These were my favourite articles of this year. If you have any, please, leave a comment below. For now, have a great ending of 2011 and an even greater start of 2012.

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Men Only Hunt – Part 5

December 8, 2011 by Leave a comment

Probably my last post on MOH, but damn, there has been some great stuff to be had – lovin these male themed hunts, I was sure getting tired of unpacking and trying on dresses :D

 

 Today Steam is wearing:

Skin – VERO MODERO: James. V3, MOH gift #34
Shape – [Anatomy]: MOH special shape, MOH hunt gift #64
Hat – Blah: Knitted puffy hat, MOH hunt gift #67
Piercing – Pierce of mind: Jake spike, MOH hunt gift #42
Nails – Virtual Insanity: The Line Male nails, MOH hunt gift #18
Shirt – {:ThirteenTH:}: Flippin Santa, MOH Hunt gift #72
Jeans – M&C Factory: Jeans blue, MOH hunt gift #56 (part only)
Boots – Ali Couture: Male boots, MOH hunt gift #9 (part only)
Pose – Art Body Store : Man in a fuckin cold day #07, MOH hunt gift #81

You check the American Bazaar blog for all the details.

 As always the items shown were available at the time of writing at no cost or the cost indicated , but no warranty is given that they will continue to be so – that is totally at the discretion of the Store Owner/Designer.

Keep having fun.

Words: Steam Engineer
Photography: Steam Engineer

 

Filed under Uncategorized

Men Only Hunt Take 3

December 5, 2011 by Leave a comment

Well I finally finished the hunt and I’ve even crunched through all the boxes unpacking and sorting; so tada…. here is my third instalment:

Steam’s Style:
Skin – :najl designs: Karman, MOH gift #90
Shape – [Anatomy]: MOH special shape, MOH hunt gift #64
Hair – Ali & Ali: Ace hair, auburn, MOH hunt gift #7
Outfit – Gabriel: Tweed suit set, MOH hnut gift #8

You can check out the American Bazaar blog for all the details.

As always the items shown were available at the time of writing at no cost or the cost indicated , but no warranty is given that they will continue to be so – that is totally at the discretion of the Store Owner/Designer.

Keep having fun.

Words: Steam Engineer
Photography: Steam Engineer

Filed under Fashion & Freebies, Top Hunt of the week, Uncategorized

22 Days 23 hours 35 minutes until the big fella comes…. but who’s counting?

December 2, 2011 by Leave a comment

I picked up the latest group gift from Crickets today and yes….. it’s a full complete avatar of the big red gentleman who always asks whose been naughty or nice….

Ho ho ho, go and get yourself a free Santa avi….

Everything Steam is wearing: Crickets: Santa (full avatar and suit), group gift
Pose: PnP: previous hunt gift

As always the items shown were available at the time of writing at no cost or the cost indicated , but no warranty is given that they will continue to be so – that is totally at the discretion of the Store Owner/Designer.

Keep having fun.

Words: Steam Engineer
Photography: Steam Engineer

Filed under Uncategorized Tagged with

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