Abbotts Aerodrome to Close Sept. 1st

Terra: “All good things come to an end.”

A 737 departs from Abbotts Aerodrome (Photo: Petal Windlow)

ABBOTTS – A Second Life institution that’s been around since February of 2004 is scheduled to close on September 1st.

Cubey Terra announced today on Twitter and at the SLUniverse forums that he plans to retire from Second Life and is looking for a potential buyer for the land and build.

“I’m just a very old and tired avatar,” said Terra on the forum.

The Abbotts Aerodrome was founded by Cubey Terra and Apotheus Silverman seven and a half years ago, and has since grown to encompass almost the entire Mainland sim of Abbotts. It features vintage aircraft, skydiving, regular flights to various mainland points, balloons, and much more.

Cubey Terra, known outside of Second Life as Steve Cavers, says that he intends to continue to make his products available on the Marketplace even after September 1st, but otherwise plans to close up shop and retire the trademarked name “Abbotts Aerodrome”.

The future of Abbotts beyond September 1st is yet unknown, but the public is urged to visit this piece of genuine Second Life history while it can be seen; the Destination Guide entry and link are behind the cut.

Sports: VRFL Seeking Team Owner

Ever fantasize about owning your own football team? The Virtual Reality Football League, a league in Second Life that plays American Football, is offering anyone who wants to invest 3000L a month in virtual sports the opportunity to become the owner of their own VRFL franchise team.

To see the VRFL in action, you can attend their weekly scrimmage this Wednesday, August 3rd, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM SLT.

Read more information at their website, http://vrfl.webs.com/ .

Ferina Resigns as Chamber of Commerce Chair

Clover Windlow
Times Editor-in-Chief

Fabiano Ferina (photo: C. Windlow)

LIONHEART – In a brief notecard announcement sent out to members of Lionheart’s Chamber of Commerce members on the 29th, elected Chairperson Fabiano Ferina announced his resignation from his position.

“I was hoping that i wouldn’t need to do this,” says Mr. Ferina in his statement, “and i’m very sorry for any inconveniences. I hope you will understand.”

Mr. Ferina was elected by a sizeable margin to preside over Lionheart’s resident-run Chamber of Commerce. A Times poll conducted in June suggested that around half of the voters in the election would have voted differently if not for the “Ban List” controversy surrounding Ferina’s opponent, Talisien Llewellyn.

“I would just like to point out that Fabiano Ferina lasted little over a month of his 9 month Term as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce,” said Llewellyn in a comment made at the Times website. “At this time [of posting, yesterday afternoon], there has been no word from any Lionheart Official as to what action will be taken now outside of a notecard sent by Ferina to the Chamber group announcing his resignation.”

Since Llewellyn’s comment, Lionheart estate owner Dirk Klees posted an announcement at the Lionheart website for a new election. Whether or not Llewellyn will run a second time is as yet unknown.

Ferina is not the first elected Chair to resign from the position shortly after election. In August of 2010, Clover Windlow (this author) was elected to the position and also resigned a little more than a month later.

Chamber of Commerce members wishing to make a bid for election must announce their candidacy to Dirk Klees prior to August 14th. The term for Chair– barring resignation– is nine months.

An open letter to Google’s Bradley Horowitz

Tateru Nino

http://dwellonit.taterunino.net

Mister Bradley Horowitz,

At one time or another, I’ve been involved in computer and Internet security. I’ve investigated breaches, secured systems, cleaned off rootkits. I’ve worked with the Federal police to locate and identify malefactors and bring them to justice – something that often comes with a price.

For some years, you’ve provided me with services that handle my email, and private conversations, and allow me to pursue activities online while feeling safe from the risks that I personally am keenly aware of. You’ve taken care of that data, and I’ve trusted you with it. I always felt safe doing so. Safe from discrimination, harassment, threats and intimidation – within acceptable limits. Safe from having my privacy breached or my identity misused.

Enter Google Plus and Google Profiles. A quick glance through their terms, and I felt comfortable with them, and once again, I felt safe with the new services. That lasted about a couple of days, until your people suspended one of my friends because they didn’t care for the name he was using.

Over the next few days, Google suspended dozens of my friends, co-workers, and colleagues. Some were using pseudonyms, other were not. Some Google insisted on government-issued ID for, and some they did not. Some were reinstated, and some were not. Some lost access to other services – which Google employees acknowledged as a known glitch – and some did not.

Read the rest of Ms. Nino’s letter here.

LOLlion: ROFL

Google carries out account cull on Google+

Virtual identies targeted for removal

Gareth Halfacree
Thinq.co.uk

Google may still be throttling sign-ups to its social networking service Google+, but it’s also thinning out the ranks of its current members as it struggles to meet demand.
Businesses were the first to go, and they’ve now been joined by those who value their privacy or have other reasons to use a pseudonym.

Various tech publications have found their corporate accounts unceremoniously booted, with Google claiming that it’s trying to keep the service for individuals at present. While this has been met with stoic understanding by the people involved, the company’s next step in the cull might cause a bigger stir: the advertising giant is focusing on those who prefer to be known by an avatar.

Opensource Obscure, a Second Life user who prefers to be identified by his/her avatar rather than by his/her real-world identity, is one of the first to be have been selected for removal from the service. While the account is still present on Google+, it is listed as ‘suspended’.

“After reviewing your profile,” a message from Google reads, “we determined that the name you provided violates our community standards.” As a result, the account has been locked and, so far, Google hasn’t responded to a request for the profile to be reviewed.

“I usually don’t publicly associate my real name to social networks or social on-line services,” Opensource Obscure explained to thinq_, “for privacy reasons.”

Read more: http://www.thinq.co.uk/2011/7/8/google-starts-account-cull-google/#ixzz1RjTII6bo

9 Hunts in Second Life

9 Hunts in Second Life., courtesy of Resas Freebie Corner on WordPress.

RESULTS! The BEST of Lionheart – Summer 2011

Voters decide their favorites in numerous categories

The time has arrived, the votes are counted, and it’s time to announce the very BEST of Lionheart for Summer 2011! All winners were chosen by your votes, and each will get a plaque that they can show off to all their guests.

Missed out on this one? Don’t worry, there’ll be another Best of Lionheart this fall.

But enough talk! Let’s see who wins!

LOLlions: Please Try Your Call Again Later

Fourth Festivities Forthcoming

Taka Pier will host two fireworks shows, at Noon and at 6PM SLT. (photo: Kylee Moonshadow)

Music, dancing, and fireworks among activities planned

LIONHEART TAKA – Community Manager Xavion Saltair is excited to announce plans for Fourth of July festivities in Lionheart. A specific schedule is TBA (pending reply from a musician), but one grand holiday tradition will be there for all to enjoy: fireworks. Two fireworks shows, presented by Mistletoe Ethaniel, are on the schedule. The first will start at Noon SLT, and the second at 6PM SLT. Both shows will be half an hour in length and feature streaming music to accompany the pyrotechnics.

Citizens of Lionheart are invited to bring their friends, family, and loved ones to the pier in Taka to enjoy the show. Seating is available by the water. If you prefer an aquatic view, you can rez a small boat to ride.

Ongoing Lionheart events can be seen at the Events Calendar at the official site.