Net Neutrality: Just Say No

An Op-Ed piece for the Metaverse Tribune, whipped up over an hour on Christmas Eve. Funny, I was sober at the time...

Op-Ed: Net Neutrality - Just Say No

MBC News: 12-16-10

Wikileaks, Sony "Home" reaches 17 million users, rumors of a new iPad, Yahoo makes cuts, Google gives raises, old men still want sex, and Lisa goes in search of Miss Morea, Miss Virtual World, and a full stocking! Mal has a "Tech Spot" and Editorial Clarity, fresh from his SL wedding, reads the public service announcements.

MBC News 12-16-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

And check out the new opening - new suit for Siggy!

New article for the Metaverse Tribune. One-on-one with resident, Pet Karu, and her goals in Second Life.

Theater, Spirituality, and Charity: An Interview with Pet Karu

MBC News: 12-7-10

Strange as it may seem, I have a real life that intrudes into my Second. This week is an example of one such intrusion that kept me out of the MBC News studios. Sad. Lisa Hermano is also missing in action but that's just coincidence. Or is it?

The Wikileaks saga dribbles on, Paypal payments still a mystery for Second Life residents, Blizzard board the "sue-sue choo-choo"to take MBC Games to court for breach of copyright, Mingleverse raises $1.4 million for conferencing system using Skype and a virtual world, Universal Studio opens up a venue in New York.

Mal talks to Chris Collins about the new Canvas viewer and Editorial Clarity makes a public service announcement in a frock.

MBC News 12-7-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Fun with a ferret: Metaverse Tribune article

A new radio station, Radio Synapse, launches, hosted by Second Life residents Orion Baral, Rysan Fall, and Mankind Tracer. Read the article at the Metaverse Tribune!


Fun, Friendship... and a Ferret!

MBC News: 12-2-10

Lisa is speechless - for once! So Dousa, Mal, and Siggy report on shady practices at Amazon, good sales on Black Friday, Super Saturday and Cyber Monday, Amex's joining forces with Zynga games, and Twinity's sexing it up for Christmas. Universal Studios attacks Second Life's Battlestar Galactica sim, Nico Iamertz of Maritima Inc. talks about the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, and like all Brits, the team end up talking about the weather!

MBC News 12-2-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 11-24-10

Miners trapped in New Zealand, North Korea shells South Korea, and Ireland looks for a bailout. CEOP agents catch sexual offenders, whereas the US TSA are accused of getting away with sexual offenses. Lisa and Siggy disagree about pat downs and feel ups, Second Life residents prepare for an influx of teenagers, and Malburns Writer forgets to turn off his Skype sounds! Meanwhile, back in the UK, a critic of boob job cream is threatened with suing, whereas more boob jobs appear in the run up to the Miss Virtual World contest. Look out for Monty Python on mobiles and the Association of Virtual Worlds releases documents on virtual worlds for consumers and businesses. And on a sad note, noted SL resident Delinda Dyrssen dies as a result of kidney disease.

MBC News 11-24-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC GRIDwrap: 11-23-10

A special edition of GRIDwrap where Dousa interviews me about journalism, truth, Second Life, and Real.

GRIDwrap #25 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 11-20-2010

Lisa goes shopping for men, Microsoft goes selling Kinects, Second Life goes in search of beta testers for a web version of their virtual world, Cory Ondrejka goes to Facebook, Prince William goes in search of a wife, Apple gets the Beatles, Entropia gets expensive, a gamer goes murderous and matricidal, and the guys go naked.

MBC News 11-20-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 11-11-10

With Siggy on the road in the UK and working from a hotel, the team report on "Adoptaguy.com"; how people with disabilities can benefit from Second Life; how Blue Mars is heading for the iPad; how Lisa Hermano spent a veil-clad day in the SL Afghanistan museum; and how Sony are upgrading their "Home" world.

MBC News 11-11-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 11-4-10

Another gripping episode - although missing the delectable Ms. Hermano - in which the team wax lyrical about the new web beta browser for Second Life.

MBC News 11-4-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC New: 10-26-10

In which Twinity launches virtual New York, SuperData Research reveal European virtual sales figures, the Sony Walkman stops walking, the Associated Press lose 5 hours of operation, Paul the Psychic octopus dies, Lisa visits Minecraft, Philip Rosedale goes back to Love Machine, Mesh moves ever closer to Second Life, a UK university sets up virtual citizenship training using Open Sim technology, Qarlsticks it to the lab, and a former Linden reveals his double life.

MBC News: 10-19-10

Apple announce profits, the FBI break up a fraud ring, porn company goes after pirates, Ray Ozzie leaves Microsoft, Office 36 released, Lisa Hermano gets scared, the team talk weather and movies, and leave in an angelic fashion.

MBC News 10-19-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 10-7-10

No Sigmund this week due to a dental emergency. Although my avatar in world would have been looking as fit and healthy as ever, my real life persona was suffering from the after effects of various drugs, the more irritating of which left me drooling and with mildly slurred speech. Sure, folks may have just thought I was drunk, but I'd rather be actually drunk if I'm going to be accused of it.

MBC News: Universities and Non Profits from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Dousa and Mal discuss the recent changes to educational discounting in Second Life, along with Kimo Junot, Pathfinder Lester, and Ricky Harford.

EA Takes Out the Taliban

Following protests about the inclusion of the option to play as Taliban insurgents in their upcoming game, Medal of Honor, Electronic Arts (EA) have surgically removed the entire terrorist organization.

In a report from Ars Technica, EA published the following statement:

However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice that has earned the right to be listened to. It is a voice that we care deeply about. Because of this, and because the heartbeat of Medal of Honor has always resided in the reverence for American and Allied soldiers, we have decided to rename the opposing team in Medal of Honor multiplayer from Taliban to Opposing Force.

MBC first reported on this in its broadcast on 27th August, 2010.

"Aloha Oahu" article in "Metaverse Tribune"

Read about my day in Twstd Ruggles' Hawaiian sim, Oahu, at the Metaverse Tribune.

Aloha Oahu.

MBC News: 9/28/10

Blackberry launches a tablet, ASCAP launches an appeal, atheists score tops for religious knowledge, US wants to intercept messages, Iran jails a blogger, Avatars United disunites, and teens take on Second Life.

MBC News 9-28-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Check back to read follow ups on these stories.

BOSL Fashion Week Ends

Check out my article about the fashion show finale for BOSL's Fashion Week.

BOSL Fashion Week Ends

Here are some pictures that didn't make it into the Trib.

Viola Rookswood in "Lady Mondrian" from DD Designs

EmeraldEyes Honi in "YSL Day and Night" from Aleide Rhode

Giela Delpaso in RFyre

Frolic Mills in a "mix-and-match" tuxedo

Sigmund Leominster, post-show at Kensington's "Greyhound Pub" in SF Designs and Redgrave

MBC news: 9-22-10

Lisa visits Hair Fair 2010, Twitter gets hijacked by hackers, the 48 Hour Film Project goes on -for 48 hours - and more on this edition of MBC News.

MBC News 9-22-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 9-1-10

More fruity new from Blackberry, Google take on Skype, Emeraldgate still open, Paul Allen sues the world, Jeffrey Pastorelli's SL memorial, and a chat about "community."

MBC News 9-1-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 8-27-10

I'm back in the studios and this week we look at a blogger tax in Philadelphia, a litigious Internet games in Hawaii, the closure of Teen Grid, and "Emeraldgate."

MBC News 8-27-10 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

And this week, I'm wearing a jacket from Hoorenbeek, shirt from Simone!, trousers from Muism, and Redgrave loafers - although the latter items are well and truly tucked under the desk ;)

MBC News: 8-18-10

I've been on the road this week so didn't make it to the studios for the news. However, here's the latest episode with Prokofy Neva commenting on SLCC 2010, SL Viewer 2 hits the web, and Lisa hits a Shoe Fair.

MBC News 8-18-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 8-11-10

Google and Verizon making a deal? Skype goes public. Comedy in Second Life. And semi-naked news reporters shaking their maracas...

MBC News 8-11-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 8-4-10

Twinity opens up virtual Miami. Philip Rosedale and Bob Komin address the masses. And much more chat and trivia...

MBC News 8-4-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 7-15-10

New virtual world. 3D chat. Panic button for Facebook. Piracy and the Pirate Bay. It's all here in this week's episode.

MBC News 7-15-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

Mobile Grid Client: SL on a Droid!

Check out my recent interview with the creator of Mobile Grid Client, Kurt Schlager, a software developer from Austria. The software runs on the Android platform and allows access to Second Life, as well as other grids.

Mobile Grid Client: Smartphone Software for Mobile Second Life Connectivity

MBC News: 6-30-10

MBC News 6-30-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 6-24-10: Special Report - Mark Kingdon Steps Down

A special report, recorded while I was on vacation (and I take them very seriously) so no Siggy.

MBC News 6-24-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 6-15-10

In which Dousa, Mal, and Siggy talk to Fleep Tuque about the 2010 Second Life Community Convention in Boston, Tessa Harrington about the SpotOn3D virtual world, and other topics of current interest in the webosphere.

MBC News 6-15-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News: 6-3-10

Dousa, Mal, and Siggy talk about Memorial Day, Bank Holidays, BP, blockades, the 2010 Linden Prize, Google and Microsoft, Habbo Hotel, and the finale for "Lost."

MBC News 6-3-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC Discussion: Future of Second Life

Siggyless but still worth watching ;) Dousa Dragonash hosts a discussion between AWM Mars. Malburns Writer, Recka Wuyts, Robustus Hax, and Ziggy21 Slade regarding the future - if any - of Second Life following the recent restructuring.

MBC News: Linden Layoffs from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC New 5-29-10

North Korea, UK Parliament opening, Chad, Linden Prizes, Facebook privacy settings, and more...

MBC News 5-29-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 5-23-10

Thailand talks begin but violence continues, Google admits to privacy problems, Gender swapping in Virtual Reality, Judy Wade leaves SL for Hands-On Mobile, Club Penguin fails to reach targets, and Twstd Ruggles on Miss Hawaiiam Tropic 2010.

MBC News 5-23-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 5-17-2010

Latest news from MBC. New suit from IC Ethan.

MBC News 5-17-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 5-1-10

Beauty pageants, Woodbury booted (again), Greece in trouble, and Lisa explores a dating site.

MBC News 5-1-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 4-18-10

Latest news offering from the crack team at MBC. Or is that "cracked" team? Hmmm.

MBC News 4-18-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 4-11-10

All the news that's fit to fit into a ten-minute slot. The MBC team bring you the latest from the virtual world.

MBC News 4-11-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

MBC News 3-5-10

Back in the anchor seat with the MBC gang.

MBC News 3-5-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

It's cold here in Ohio

Some of you who "know" me also know that I live in Ohio. That's more by accident than design because when I left the UK and followed the old advice, "Go West, Young Man," I didn't go west enough. Ideally I would be somewhere in SoCal, between Orange County and San Diego, but instead I am buried in snow somewhere outside Cleveland. C'est la vie, as those continental chappies say.

You might think that lots of snow would keep me in the house with extra time to spend basking in the virtual sunshine (four times a day) of Second Life, but that hasn't happened. Instead, I've been trying out this thing called "Real Life" and spending time in other sims. Using a rather quaint form of TP called "an airplane," I've been able to explore some new areas such as "San Francisco" and "Houston," along with another sim called "Orlando," which even has theme parks! Whoa!

Fortunately I think I have three weeks without travel so I may be able to pull together some copy for SLentrepreneur Magazine, The Metaverse Tribune, and even The Alphaville Herald. Who knows? I certainly need the money as my tier fees are due and my PayPal account is low.

So those of you who occasionally stop by here to see if I am not dead should check back in a week to see if I have had some flashes of inspiration. I may even get back to sending out a few tweets.

MBC News: 2-4-2010

Check out the latest MBC News for February 4th, 2010.

This week, the team talks about Linden Lab’s acquisition of the social networking site Avatars United as well as getting ready for the last season of Lost and more on this weeks news. Dousa wears green, Siggy wears [hoorenbeek], Lisa wears well, and Mal wears us all out!

New Article in the Alphaville Herald

Take a look at my "fairly unbalanced" article on Avatars United, the latest social networked aimed at avatars.

Avatars United: A Social Network Too Far?

There's some discussion on the new site on MBC News.

MBC News: 1-27-10 (without Siggs)

Having been forced to spend a week in Florida on business (yeah, dirty job but someone has to do it) the latest MBC News doesn't include me, but it's still worth watching ;)



Crap Mariner talks about his latest project, Tunes In SL.

MBC News: 1-14-10

Phew! Real life is moving apace and I even had to miss a week on the news because I was in Las Vegas at the annual Consumer Electronics Show - CES 2010. There's a brief report on the show.

MBC News 1-14-2010 from Metaverse TV on Vimeo.

The next edition of the news is in the can but I'm due to take another week off for a trip to Orlando. No, I'm not on vacation - I'm doing some training and meeting with our international distributors to work on the 2011 (yes, that's next year) product plans. I mention this by way of an explication as to why my second life is so restricted - the first keeps interfering with it!

Link to the Leominster Galleries

The official link to the Leominster Galleries is here:

http://snipr.com/u5gcy

Or use the SLurl: secondlife://Root Squared/236/243/351

There's also more information about specific works at my new site, The Leominster Galleries. The current temporary collection, housed in Gallery IV, is "The Illustrators Collection" and features works by Kay Nielsen, Edmund Dulac, and Gustave Dore.

The Leominster Galleries: New Old Blog

I'm rebranding my SL on VL site to become The Leominster Galleries. The aim is to provide a web-based support site for my new Second Life-based Leominster Galleries. It's the beginning of 2010 so I'm officially opening the galleries for visitors.

I'll also be starting a group, something I haven't done before. The aim will be to share changes to the gallery to members. I'd also like to think I can find one or two other folks who are as interested in paintings as I am to keep the gallery fresh.

Stop over to The Leominster Galleries and start enjoying your Second Life art experience.