dynasty decapitated, you just might see a ghost tonight

Another link post, but I think some fun links to edify and amuse.

First, we know of the purported Victorian "flower code", for which there is a plethora of contradicting information, but what about Victorian book flirtation? I didn't even know this was a thing, and as the article explains, current scholarship says it likely wasn't? But the concept is entertaining, for all it makes my inner librarian cringe at the thought of biting books.

Next, apparently there were exercise manuals for Victorian ladies, but very few of them advised strenuous exercise, just very mild stretching movements. What I find fascinating is that many dances of the time were good cardiovascular exercise, and womens' fencing clubs required strength and agility, and that required an elevated heart rate. So on the one hand, women weren't supposed to exercise, because men felt it was bad for their delicate bodies, while on the other, they were required to exercise, so they'd have the stamina to fence, dance, ride, and other supposedly strenuous activities. Odd.

And finally, though it comes with a mild warning for language, portable toilets used to be shaped like books. Why? When did it start? How did I not know this sooner?

There is a lot going on in this article covering a debate between Sam Harris and Ben Shapiro. Neither are particularly admirable people, and both of them get things wrong in the debate, but I'm linking the article because it looks deeply at the many presuppositions of our 'modern' belief set in Galileo having been tortured for his scientific knowledge. Which, we know now, is simply not the case. Yet men who went to college and proudly list their degrees in their introductions still get this fundametal fact wron. Why? Why do they never go back and verify that what they're saying is accurate? Especially if they've been that wrong, that many times.

Second Life's in the news again, and this time around, it's not a huge scandal. It actually is fairly complimentary. Yay for that.

is it time for you to jump into the next train?

Here's to the new boss, same as the old boss...AKA, here we go again:

[11:16] Mxxxx Gxxxxxx: eek someone gives me a giftcard of 250 linden or something and i dont know the person ! anyone else having this ? i discard it
[11:17] Mxxxx Gxxxxxx: account eventweek2 Resident made today

I've been seeing this, or something like this, hit several groups I'm in since yesterday.

[11:18] Txx Axxxx: delete
[11:18] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: delete it and report that user!
[11:18] pxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: probably should discard and report, sounds fake
[11:18] gxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: definitely delete
[11:18] Sxxxxx Axxxx: ugh delete that
[11:19] axxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Message didn't go through. I haven't had that happen yet, but I don't think I would use that. I'd delete it.
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: am getting store notices warning of that issue
[11:19] Wxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: guess eventweek1 was already taken....lol

No, that's actually another name the current scammer group is using.

[11:19] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: stranger danger!!
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: lol
[11:19] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Delete it and report it
[11:19] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: add them to mute list
[11:20] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes I have been seeing reports of event ava handing out a HUD that will take your L$ too :/
[11:21] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: That account is fake. Ive had another group warn me about one simular yesterday.
[11:22] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: last night (SLT) there was someone handing out free Catwa heads. also was created last night that account.

That, I hadn't heard, but it's a bad step up on the scam concept. While a lot of people question things, there are people that buy mesh heads for others, as a kindness, or just because they want to. And due to that, well, people could accept what they think is a gift of a mesh body or head. Dangerous.

[11:23] Kxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: if you have received that kind of thing or even if you DO put it on, dont panic, it can only take your lindens if you give it access. When you put on a hud that wants to take lindens, Firestorm at least asks you just to make sure. Never give access to your lindens unless totally sure its a official store and you just tried to buy something there.
[11:23] Axxxxxxxx Cxxx: seems like its one person behind it all
[11:23] Axxxxxxxx Cxxx: everyone one of them has been named event something or giftevent something
[11:28] 5xx Rxxxxxxx: eventweek2 just send me 350 ls giftcard lol
[11:28] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: [11:12] eventweek2 gave you this object: Group Gifts - GIFT CARD 350L$ #Rare
pleasxe delete card and ban and block this person
[11:28] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: name is eventweek2
[11:29] Lxxxx Oxxxxx: I just got one too...lol
[11:29] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes keep getting them too

It seems like half of everyone, or at least half of the active shoppers, on the grid are seeing these.

[11:29] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: person is 1 day old
[11:29] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: I already muted them
[11:29] Pxxx Lxxxxxxx: i reported this bot
[11:30] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you can find the group owner
[11:30] Oxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sent them a message , not that it willl help
[11:30] mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: muting is stupid, report that account.
[11:30] hxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thank you for the alert, guys.
[11:30] Oxxxx Sxxxxxxx: be aware folks that even at the stores you know you can trust you can't always trust people who drop into those stores

Exactly. And the call to block AND report is a good one. Always report instances of fraud to the Lindens.

In other news, another attempt at phishing:

[11:25] Catalina (catalinaa400): Fitted Mesh*ONLY FOR BODIES MESH. We cover the mesh bodies applitud of the market.Maitreya/Slink / Belleza / Omega System & More. {phishing link containing the words "altervista"}
If you have mesh body and are interested in Gifts / Promotions and New Items! Always up to date with Meshbodyfriends!Group FB {Facebook link which may or may not be real}

Why yes, I'm leaving her name clear. As a seven-year avatar, her account probably got hacked, but even if it was, and there was a real person behind it, there's not now. She was blocked and reported by a bunch of us.

As far as "Meshbodyfriends" being mentioned, that is an actual group, but they may not have anything to do with that particular scam, or the scammer. They may have just picked that up so it sounds somewhat legitimate.

[11:25] Exxxxxxx Lxxxxx: PHISHING LINK DONT KLICK
[11:26] sxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: FAKE!
[11:26] bxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: DO NOT CLICK
[11:26] Axxxx Cxxxxxxx: YES!!!!!!
[11:26] txxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes dont
[11:26] Uxx Fxxxxxxxxx: This person is spamming groups with this message

And this one:

[11:32] Sxxxxx Axxxxx: WARNING - do not accept, rez or wear anything from eventweek, eventweek1, eventweek2 If something hits your invent from them without accepting, immediately delete it and clear your trash so there is no risk of accidentally opening it in the future. The one I just got was named Group Gifts - GIFT CARD 350L$ #Rare
[11:33] Gxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Maybe that is how the phishing thing has been going on
[11:33] Sxxxxx Vxxxxxxx: Thank you
[11:33] Gxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a lot of people have had their accounts hacked and the person then bought lindens and did MP gacha shopping sprees

In the hour I've been in world today, Miss C hit two groups I'm in with the 'altervista' scam, and gift card reports are coming in all over. I've counted people in NINE groups I've in so far. And there were four yesterday, so this is a new infestation of thieves. I've also seen the gift card scam used by an avatar named "giftevent".

Stay aware, people. There's a lot of scammers out there.

when will they ever learn?

Under the heading "Guest post proposal", this hit my inbox a week or so ago:

Greetings,

We hope you're doing great and creating best for yourself and your audience!

I already had dread, just from that phrase--"creating best". Ugh.

We feel privileged to get in touch with an avid writer and blogger like you. We went through your content, we thoroughly enjoyed it, and we are sure that your writing is the reason behind your deep connection to your audience.

No, you don't, no, you didn't, and no, you aren't.

Your blog has been liked and appreciated by hundreds of your followers, and one of the best things is that you never fail to delight your audience.

I don't have hundreds of followers.

We are a rapidly flourishing Cosmeceutical Brand with the Nature Inspired Scientific Products.

"Cosmeceutical"? Don't care.

Overwhelmed with the quality of your content and your reputation, we would like a feature of our Article at your esteemed website.

Wow, are you piling on the nonsensical compliments. Stop blowing smoke at me and tell me what you want.

The subject of our Article will purely be of audience interest and focused on Fitness, Health and Nutrition.

None of which my blog features.

We can further discuss the perks of working with us, and you'll love them, we are sure!

I highly, highly doubt that.

Here are a few suggested titles for the article:

1. 7 Beauty habits you may thank yourself for 10 years later
2. 10 Beauty tips for a camera-ready look
3. 6 Beauty products we're thankful for
4. 7 Beauty products that deserve a place in your skincare routine
5. Glow On: How to keep a natural glam look year-round

First, no. Not going to happen. Second, your "suggested article" titles? Ridiculous. I would never write--nor would I let anyone else write--about "7 Beauty habits", or "10 Beauty tips for a camera-ready look", OR anything that mentioned a "natural glam" look...or any of the others...You are, quite literally, barking up the wrong tree with all of this.

Rest, you can also suggest a title for the article and we will write it for you.

No.

We follow the Expository and Persuasive techniques of writing and always try to connect our audience through unique and authentic content.

In other words, you're either an MLM or a mid-level "health and beauty" business whose products are exclusively made in China out of synthetics, and you have writers on staff in a churn mill, whose sole job is to rewrite thirty average articles that target certain keywords for maximum search efficacy. How close am I?

Here we share a couple of our previous pieces of work with you;

And I'm just skipping their links, because the hell am I going to do any advertising for them.

We'll be more than happy to work with you, we'll love the features and grow together. In case, any query from your side, free feel to connect.

I didn't bother writing back.

Thanks,

Bite me,

With Love

Like hell.

[a company based out of India that makes primarily acne serums and haircare products] Team

Forget my name.

The other letter I just received yesterday, and this one I did answer:

Hi Dear,

"Dear". That still kills me.

It is so nice to have this chance to enjoy reading your blog.

I bet. You didn't bother to read my blog.

Here is our website: [a company whose sole business is making jewelry with names or monograms. That's it. That's ALL they do.]

You're kidding.

We sincerely invite you to cooperate with us for a post:

No, you don't. You just want the search engine hits.

*You write an 300-500 words article with links about our products and post it on your blog or social website for permanent."

So this one doesn't even say they'll send me a "guest article" to post, they just want me to write a post myself talking about their products. Do I get a sample? Do I just repost pictures and gush about how lovely they look? The hell are they wanting, here?

Waiting for your positive reply.

You won't appreciate it,

Best Regards

Yeah, right. This was my reply:

"Dear"? So, what's your thinking on why you'd be a good fit for my blog? Was it the entire month of haunted house coverage so far? Maybe it was the two weeks before that of covering Hair Fair in Second Life? Or, ooh, wait, maybe it was the chat captures I upload to show how ridiculous some people are. Do tell.

Needless to say, they didn't reply.

I get about one of these every couple of weeks. I never know why. They never have anything to do with the topics actually on my blog. So why bother writing me with requests I'm just going to turn down? I don't get some people.

I've got these excuses, they're tired and they're lame

This one's long.

[12:16] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : and you can kiss my blogger [a**]!! my [v*gina] is so [f**king] pink you down syndrome retard. I HATE MEN AND MY [F**KING] KIDS!!! little bastards stress me OUT!! Ahoooah how about a cruise ladies? im a libertarian MY HUSBAND IS A [B*STARD C*NT] get the wine!!

I had just logged in after an RL morning out. Name left deliberately intact, so you can feel free to block as well. The only editing I did was to asterisk some of the curse words.

[12:16] jxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: just block it
[12:16] lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: someone feed the troll plz? Its being annoying lol

It's worse than that. Pull Ellen's profile. She's apparently an Apple Fall group moderator, and a blogger manager (whatever that is) for 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

So that seems like an honest, upstanding avatar, but if you look--and I almost missed this myself--it's not Ellen sending this. It's this 'Q' person. Who is a bit over one year on the grid, and other than sounding like she has an attitude, has nothing that indicates there's no cheese left on her cracker.

So...why target Ellen? Was Qui'ona hacked? Was it side effects of new medication? Did Qui just wake up this morning and decide by lunch, she was going to go completely mental?

[12:16] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: closes group chat

Not the worst response.

[12:16] bxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sad

And then she sent it again.

[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

She sent it ten more times--in a row--past these six sends.

[12:17] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: is [Nxxxxx] on?

No sooner had that been sent, than Qui set in again.

[12:17] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

Which was followed by nine more sends of the same exact message.

[12:18] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: report her

I did.

[12:18] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:18] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:18] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:18] Xxxxx Nxxxxx: #blocked
[12:19] Txxxxxx Cxxxx: uhm. ellen get hacked?

See, that's what I thought too! But no, Qui's just using her name. It's very fool-the-eye--or at least, fool-the-perception--and scary, to boot.

[12:19] Wxxxxxxxxx Bxx: ????
[12:19] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: mental health check?

If she hasn't had one, Qui needs one.

[12:19] Mxxxx Cxxxxxxx: id say took me a while to blooc but finally got the right one
[12:19] Txxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: That wasn't from Ellen, just referred to her.

I admit, I was embarrassingly slow on the uptake to figure that out at first.

[12:19] Mxxxx Cxxxxxxx: ikr
[12:19] uxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: O.o wtf is that spam

It qualifies.

[12:19] Txxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: You want to block .::Qui'ona::. (espixa)
[12:20] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: noo she is repeating what Ellen said to her
[12:20] Mxxxx Cxxxxxxx: thats the one i blocked

She's not, though. It looks like she is, but if you really look at the formatting, all she's done is pull in Ellen's name--somehow--but there's no time stamp. And Ellen's name would not be clickable if all she was doing was quoting things said to her. No, this is all from Qui's toxic little brain.

[12:20] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: we need a Mod to ban her from the group
[12:20] Ellen (ladyellent): she is most certainly not repeating anything I said to her

Lady Ellen's name left intact, as well, because she's fake-quoted in the strings of Qui messages.

[12:20] Txxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: What she *claims* Ellen said. Or what whoever faked her account claims Ellen said
[12:20] Ellen (ladyellent): This is what I said to her



[12:20] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: ohhhh wow Ellen, than I apologize
[12:20] Ellen (ladyellent): its okay
[12:21] Ellen (ladyellent): at least you didnt message me to eff off like a bunch of people from other groups have now doe

I feel personally culpable for this, as well--I didn't message her, thank all the gods, but I originally pulled this entry together with every intent of putting her on blast. She is not the responsible party here, but because of the trickery used in Qui's posts, she looks like the one responsible, and that is very, very wrong.

[12:21] Txxxxxx Cxxxx: poor ellen *hugs her*
[12:21] pxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oo different ell my apologies

No, that's the point, it was never Ellen, at all.

And then Qui surfaced again.

[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: group hugss Ellen
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]
[12:21] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

She continued spamming that same line TWENTY-ONE more times.

[12:22] Txxxxxx Cxxxx: theyre still doing it.

They were. And here we go again:

[12:22] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

Followed by SIX MORE lines of the same.

[12:24] Txxxxxx Cxxxx: i just reported them

Which is good, I did the same, but...

[12:24] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

AND SHE REPEATED THAT SAME PHRASE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT MORE TIMES. ONE. HUNDRED. AND. TWENTY-EIGHT.

[12:27] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow spam much

Apparently. All over the place. Qui really has a vendetta against Ellen for some unknown reason. And, speaking of Qui...

[12:27] Brianna Marie (themanyfacedgod): I think someone hacked her

No one hacked Ellen. It's all Qui. I don't know how she did it, I'd love if someone could explain the mechanics of how to make both the avatar's name, and another avatar's name beyond it, individually clickable.

[12:28] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

FIFTY-THREE more lines of spam later:

[12:28] txxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: orr not. never mind - she's copying someone else. wow. issues much - blocked
[12:28] Axxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: nah, it's just espixa. she's been attention trolling all day.
[12:29] Ellen (ladyellent): i did not say those things
[12:29] Ellen (ladyellent): i said this
[12:29] txxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I know you wouldn't Ellen
[12:29] txxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: You're a sweetheart

But such considerations do not matter when there's a crazed spammer on your tail.

[12:29] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

FIFTY-SIX more lines of spam.

[12:30] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: We get it.

Apparently not, because Qui felt she still had to reinforce the point:

[12:30] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

And six more times after that.

[12:30] Lxxx Zxxxxxx: wth

So said we all.

[12:30] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

The above was followed by twenty-six more of the exact same spammed line.

[12:31] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: I have contacted LL about her

A lot of us did, but Qui was still prattling on.

[12:31] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

That, plus eighteen more lines exactly the same.

[12:31] Ellen (ladyellent): Thank you
[12:31] Ellen (ladyellent): I sent a report for harassment

Good. This is definitely targeted harassment.

[12:31] Axxxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: i've got the chat logs from this morning that probably set all this off if y'all need them

That might help. I hope he sent them to the Lindens.

After eight lines of spam, Ellen--the real Ellen--spoke again.

[12:31] Ellen (ladyellent): this is what set it off, I said nothing in group
[12:31] Ellen (ladyellent): sorry for posting that again

In this instance, likely completely forgiven.

Thereupon followed a blissful two entire minutes of chatter about actual group-related content--sales on cute clothing, stores that had gifts for the group, that kind of thing. Peaceful. And then:

[12:32] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

Only four more lines of spam at that point, and then more actual conversation broke out until another minute--a literal, 60-second minute--had passed.

[12:33] espixa Resident: underneath your [p*nis] tip smells like [p*ss] de la cheese. don't talk to my coffee until my coffee had its coffee ugh mondays its funny cause men are stupid. dont talk to me. dont talk to my coffee. tell the kids i said hello x

I'm seriously thinking Qui has had a complete mental break with reality, and in all seriousness, needs to be hospitalized. But at least it was not the same offensive line?

[12:34] Sxxxx Kxxxxx: tmi
[12:34] txxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: orr not. never mind - she's copying someone else. wow. issues much - blocked

And then Qui moved back to the EXACT SAME LINE OF ABUSE:

[12:34] .::Qui'ona::. (espixa): Ellen (ladyellent) : [[actual message omitted because it's exactly the same]]

Ten lines that time.

[12:34] Txxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxx: Oh lordy
[12:34] Jxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxx:
[12:34] ixxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well thanks for the spam
[12:34] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: she has been reported in live chat and filed an RA on her
[12:34] bxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Ngl this is ruining my day. I have a headache now.

I'm sure most of us did at this point.

[12:34] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: no kidding
[12:35] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Well, that was certainly entertaining for 10 seconds.
[12:35] sxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it was a hacked account? or a bored "kid" ?

Not hacked, so...

[12:35] Axxxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: Bored kid.
[12:35] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: she has been doing it for the last hour and half

And, based on later conversation, she was doing it with the same faking of Ellen's avatar name and the same--or similar--offensive messages this morning, as well.

[12:36] ixxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I'd verge on the latter
[12:36] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: closing chat going back to my photoshoot
[12:40] Axxxxx Gxxxxxxxxx: i'm going to go get some tea and take a nap, because little miss d*ck cheese has also given me a headache.
[12:40] Ellen (ladyellent): I'm sorry guys. I feel like this is partly my fault

Why? For asking that someone who was sending out vile streams of abuse stop? That is totally not your fault. Qui's insanity, Qui's issues, totally Qui's problem.

[12:42] Vxxxxx Mxxxxx: you are not responsible for this behavior. don't apologize for this.
[12:43] Rxxxx Mxxxxx: Ellen you arent and I told that in the RA

After I figured out the issue, I did too. It was a big of a struggle to get the account name to link in the abuse report--apparently sometime between spamming and reporting, she changed her display name, and that apparently threw off the finder field? Weirdness.

But she has been reported, by a great many of us, and she was also banned from the group, so...I am sincerely hoping this doesn't happen again.

my mouth kept moving and my mind went dead

This was a controversy that didn't need to happen.

[09:58] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: could some of you help to fill the midnight mania board at [hair store]? .. it doesnt fill since weeks :/ and i really want the hair .. also luckyboards here ... for both no group needed
[09:58] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: [SLUrl for hair store]

Now, even though I'm omitting the store's name and SLUrl, they were perfectly fine to post in the group. It's even in the format we want for announcements in the group: no more than three lines, name of the business, whether it's a free join group or no group needed, and where to go. Simple, easy, done.

It was this next bit that crossed the line.

[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: [Gyazo link which I'm omitting just to make the point]
[09:59] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what kind of hair is it and does it come with a hud for color ?
[09:59] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: no outside links

In line with previous Scenes from a Chat, bolding the names of actual mods for groups.

[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: not sure to be honest .. i assume its fatpack
[09:59] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: NO outside links here please
[09:59] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: whats an outside link?

*coughs* "What is an outside link"? Really, this is a question you need to ask??

[10:00] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that was just a acreen shot of screen GAYAZO

"Gayazo"? I'm going to assume that's just a typo, not commentary.

[10:00] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: a link outside Second life like a gyazo or an URL
[10:00] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its not allowed
[10:00] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: an url is defo inside
[10:00] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i mean an SL url
[10:00] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: a SLurl is in SL.
[10:01] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that was just an innocent screen shot not a website not a porno

I'm morbidly amused that you want to reassure everyone your friend was not trying to post porn. I mean, thanks for trying, but a), that wasn't the issue, and b), she'd already been told not to post outside links.

[10:01] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gyazo is a url not slurl
[10:01] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: rules arerules tho
[10:01] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: itis not allowed, which part don't you understand?

Apparently all the parts between "it" and "allowed".

[10:01] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx:
[10:02] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: the part where i pasted the slurl of [the hair store]
[10:02] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: that was allowed just not the Gyazo

It's not hard. Just read the rules.

[10:02] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sorry [Txxxxxx] i appolgize on behalf of the overeactions

These aren't overreactions. These are mods telling your friend to stop being an idiot.

[10:02] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i still dont understand it though
[10:02] Emilly Orr: While there has been far less spoofing of Gyazo as a domain into SL, as there have been spoofing of MP and Second Life links into SL, the rules were established so that no outside links posted in this group could lead to hacking of accounts of group members, [Rxxxxx].
[10:03] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yup exactly
[10:03] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: o.0? i know, i was telling them gyazo isnt an inside link

My apologies, then.

[10:03] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: Emily explained it perfectly
[10:03] Nxxxxx Txxxxxx: oh yeah ..that reminds me ..[Rxxx] when I was online someone posted a outside link very early this morning which was gyazo :-)
[10:03] xxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how can I show a screenshot??
[10:03] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: what emilly said.
[10:03] Emilly Orr: Gyazo is an outside link, because it originated on a website outside SL. Even if it's a screenshot of something IN SL, it uses software outside SL.
[10:03] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: so you bann gyazo from your group .. a widely used tool in sl .. so noone gets hacked by the altavista scam?

Pretty much, yeah. It can get harsh at times, and since there isn't a fully in-SL screencap service, yeah, it makes it hard to share screenshots if what we're looking for is to have people help us identify something. But none of the rules of this group were made lightly, or without consideration.

[10:04] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: can be paste links from the SLf and o blog?
[10:04] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: it's a full ban on ALL outside links
[10:04] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smh....
[10:04] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: we simply do not allow ANY outside link, not Gyazo nor any other screenshot
[10:04] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there have been more than just altervita scams
[10:04] Emilly Orr: It's a broad brush used to protect everyone. And no, [Txxxxxx], no links from the SLF and no blog without approval.
[10:04] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Txxxxxx]. only mods can post external links. This is to ensure the safety of all gorup members.
[10:04] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: great read btw : [and omitting the blog post she linked from the group to make the point]

What is WRONG with you? You were JUST told!

[10:05] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yuppers
[10:05] Emilly Orr: When you see an outside link posted by someone in bold text? That means they think it's safe.
[10:05] Emilly Orr: [Txxxxxx]...
[10:05] mxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: again you were JUST told not to post outside links.
[10:05] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: smh peeps dont listen
[10:05] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: righht I just told you that outside links were not allowed
[10:05] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: i guess i just want to be banned from the group now
[10:05] dxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow
[10:05] Emilly Orr: Apparently.
[10:05] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Txxxxxx], that is an external link. We just said you cannot post it. Only mods can

How many times do we have to restate the same things? She's either really, really clueless and should be having problems standing upright and breathing at the same time, or she's being deliberately obtuse and stubborn about it.

[10:06] Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if was an SLfree and offer bog associated with the group page

No. Not unless it's posted by a mod. What did everyone JUST say?

[10:08] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: wish people would read rules ugh save alot of trouble

You could have stopped at "Wish people would read", but I get it. The rules are clearly posted in the info box for the group, plus they're repeated in group chat at least once a week if not more.

[10:09] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: regardless [Pxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] only mods can pst links
[10:09] nxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: still you banning people without looking into ...

[10:07] Second Life: Incoming message from [Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx]
[10:07] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: You will be removed from the SL F and O group
[10:08] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: You have been ejected from 'SL frees and offers' by [Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx].

[10:10] Txxxxxx Txxxxxx: LOL
[10:10] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: not even a link to our own SL F and O blog is allowed, only MODS can post outside links
[10:10] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: so true
[10:11] Emilly Orr: Well, if it was [Txxxxxx], she directly violated a rule after being told, but she's still here. I'd say it was you, but you're still here, so I'm confused.
[10:11] Rxxxxxxxx Rxxxx: posting IMs is against the ToS. But as you can see she was NOT banned just removed for breaking the rules twice. The group is free. She can join back any time.

And that's pretty much where it ended. It's still vaguely disturbing that something like this happens about once a week in this group, sheerly because people don't read. So tragic.

they've been saying that for ages, so will you answer this

We start off with a bug of non-historic nature:

[11:26] Mxxxxx Rxxxxxx: Hello, sometimes, when I tp, part of my clothes of drew gacha detach grom myself, has that happened to anyone else?
[11:26] Kxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx: its been happening for at least a month toeveryone :)
[11:27] Bxxxxxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx stuffs [Mxxxx'] top in behind the sofa
[11:27] Mxxxxx Rxxxxxx: lol
[11:27] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i found a trick around it
[11:27] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: put the outfit together log out n back in and it wont pop off

Does this really work? Because when I crash and come back, after getting dressed, sometimes things still change; hair, outfit, shoes, sometimes I find I'm wearing two pairs of shoes...

[11:27] txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yeah it's a new feature, my entire body came off yesterday when i wasn't touching anything
[11:28] Emilly Orr: The new trick that's killing my brain is I'll port somewhere, and part of what I'm wearing--including not just attachments, but body parts and HUDs--end up in Lost and Found

This one, I swear, I'm losing brain cells trying to figure this one out. Sometimes the parts are cloned and stuck in Lost and Found; sometimes they are physically removed and stuck there, and I have to track them down, gut them out, and put them on again. And the parts that go missing make NO sense: a body chain that's in a daily wear folder; the HUD that controls my Maitreya body (but not the body itself); the feet that go with my body (but not the body itself); the HUD I wear to keep track of visitors on the sim...It's just scattershot and baffling.

[11:28] txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: :O lost and found? Ok i better have a look there just in case
[11:29] Emilly Orr: It may only be me, but I thought I'd point it out
[11:30] txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: worth checking! Nothing there for me but i'll know where to look now just in case :D
[11:30] Bxxxxxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: i've had that happen a few times
[11:30] Exxx Fxxxxxxx: ive seen its a current bug
[11:31] Emilly Orr: Yeah--they finally invented a NEW bug, not brought back a vintage one!
[11:32] Bxxxxxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: new for 2019
[11:32] Exxx Fxxxxxxx: well you all complained about your hair attaching to your ass...so now it just disappears altogether

Well, that's "Be careful what you ask for" in spades, innit?

[11:32] sxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol evie
[11:33] Exxx Fxxxxxxx: and at least they dont have to wind the motor up again every tuesday now
[11:34] Bxxxxxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: thats because they have genetically modified hamsters now, they run on lag
[11:34] Exxx Fxxxxxxx: can I buy one on MP...ive lots of feed for them

Much time passed, I went off for the finding of foods, only to see this when I returned:

[11:56] oxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hxxp://mxxxxxxxxxesexsualgilft.altervista.org

I mean, I'm sure you can guess what I took out to make it not work as a link, but I did want you to see the rest of it, especially the "sexsual" ( *gags* ) and the "gilft" (because WTF is a "gilft"??). Here's the rest of it:

Group for Gift - Group Gift Mesh Body -omega - sex -hard Only free Gift.Cottage Gift Shop nows make some custom items such as cards and flowers. wall hangers, Baby hangers, Gift Boxes, hxxp://mxxxxxxxxxesexsualgilft.altervista.org [11:56] mxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: do not click.. spam 

Obviously spam, and bad spam at that.

[11:57] Bxxxxxxxxxxxx Mxxxxxxx: taken care of

By that she means that she, as a group mod, bounced the clueless wonder. Four years old, btw. Usually it's the ten-year accounts that haven't logged in in a while that get nabbed, so the only thing I can think of was she was stupid enough to click one of these scam links and got her account hacked directly.

[11:58] Jxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Judas Priest, I thought we saw the last of these kind of scams 2 years ago

Oh, no, they're everywhere still.

[11:59] txxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh they'll never end :(
[12:18] Emilly Orr: "Gilft"? Their spelling's getting worse.

It really is. Not that they care, overall...obviously, people are still falling for this inanity, enough to make them money at least. There have to be easier ways to make a buck, people, seriously.

if you feel you've exhausted all your options

So, the usual rules apply: I will anonymize all but the terrible spammer, but it is from a fashion group I'm in. I say that because I mention it, so it's going to be obvious. Here we go, starting with a tiny snippet from yesterday:

[2018/11/09 22:22] cxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: N.V.I.D.O.L.Z.N.R.

Now, this happens a lot in this group. Some people allow letters to be called in their group, some don't. This one does, so we see letters constantly. This is not an issue in the least. But the very next thing that was said:

[2018/11/10 23:06] CristinaOhio Resident: .
[2018/11/10 23:06] CristinaOhio Resident: That's
it
!

I'm leaving her name intact, for reasons that will become abundantly clear later. But that is all she said. Why? What did it mean? Nothing else was said in the group for hours, so...I let it go.

But today, came this:

[11:32] CristinaOhio Resident: .
[11:32] CristinaOhio Resident: That's
it
!

That is the exact same thing she said yesterday. And unlike yesterday, that was how chat opened, so I have zero idea what spawned that response.

But today...I felt I needed to ask.

[11:33] Kxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: o.0
[11:33] Emilly Orr: You've said that before. What are you talking about?
[11:34] mxxxx Rxxxxxxx: talk clear
[11:36] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ok we got ya
[11:37] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I tried to take part in the conversation but thanks to chat lag I am just home alone talking to myself like a crazy cat lady. Thanks for that SL.
[11:37] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lmao
[11:39] Kxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: lol
[11:39] Emilly Orr: Yeah, but I meant, Cristina said THAT EXACT SAME THING, spaces, spelling, everything--yesterday.
[11:39] Emilly Orr: Proof:

[2018/11/10 23:06] CristinaOhio Resident: .
[2018/11/10 23:06] CristinaOhio Resident: That's
it
!

[11:39] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: spammmm

Now, yes, it's obvious, but at the time...was this spam? How was this statement spam? I didn't get it.

[11:40] Emilly Orr: So now I'm wondering why. Is she a bot? Is she irritated about something? is she going to answer?
[11:40] Kxxxxx Bxxxxxxxxx: rolls eyes and goes back to djing
[11:40] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: a bot the clothes/store isnt even connected to [fashion group]
[11:41] Emilly Orr pulls the profile.
[11:41] Emilly Orr: Wow. I've never seen so many advertising groups. She's terrible at her job.

She really is. Here's her total SL bio:

Old Lady Complete Avatar [redacted SLUrl to go buy it, supposedly] 

And her groups, they're just...well, insane. Here's her group list:

• *PROMOTER SERVICE* (Portuguese advertisers)
• !!!!!!SPAM THAT [SH*IT]!!!!!! (From that group's bio: "THIS GROUP IS FOR CLUB,SIM,AND STORE OWNERS! SO IF U GOT SOMETHING TO SALE, LIKE LAND,HAVE A PARTY GOING ON..SPAM YOUR [SH*T] IN MY GROUP ***FREE OF CHARGE***." Yeah. That is direct from the profile bio, corrected only to censor that one word. Punctuation and spelling errors left intact.)
• !Publicidade (Portuguese name, English--sort of--bio. And by "sort of" I refer you to this last line: "Is not a joke is our work." Yep.
• #ULTRA MEGA ADVERTISER#
• $$$ Propaganda e Marketing $$$ (This group and the above group are pay groups, btw)
• $$$$MONEY MAKERS$$$$ (From their bio: "FOR ALL YOU BUSINESS OWNERS AND MONEY MAKERS OF ALL TYPES!! FULL RIGHTS TO NOTICES, INVITES AND GROUP CONFERENCES. KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL. WILL HAVE MONEY GIVE AWAYS COMING SOON-ONLY APPLIES TO GROUP MEMBERS!!!!"
• ''SPAN REINOS UNIDOS'' (Another Portuguese spammer group)
• **ADVERTISE HERE - ANUNCIA AQUI** (Their bio says "Bilingual advertising group, any business, any product or services (except for sexual content". Oookay.)
• *-MAX de PUB-* (a French advertising group)
• *Advertise that Shit* (Another bilingual advertising group)
• *Spam* (From their bio: "Advertise here 6 notices a day and group messages each 30 minutes
  
  No bots.
  Abusers will be ejected without warning" I...guess that's a good thing they recognize spam is annoying? Still seems odd.)
• GINEVRA QUEEN OF SPAM SPAM SPAM (Their bio is WILD: "in this group u r free to comunicate all your activities free chat spam (with moderation)!!! if u need to send a notice with pictures, landmark or object give me the text and the attachments and i send it to all members (just 30L for every notice!!!)" Gosh, what a deal.)
• SpamBox.Publicidad.Second Life (Their bio is telling: "SPAM SPAM SPAM
  The best Spam group in secondlife
  Publicited your business 24 hours .
  Non stop." They're also apparently bilingual, Portuguese/English.)
• THE BEST OF SL ADVERTISING NETWORK
• ULTRA MEGA ADVERTISER (This one's outright lying to people: Their bio says "You can ADVERTISE and SPAM here in this group chat as much as You like FOR FREE." But it's a L$100 pay group.)

The rest of her groups? They are ALL MM/mini-mania/Lucky Chair groups, with the exception of this one fashion group.

[11:42] Emilly Orr: Okay, problem solved, then. Blocked.
[11:42] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: so true em
[11:43] bxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: guess thay have to spam since the stuff is so low quality
[11:44] Miss Cathy (purepansy): You never see quality designers spamming

Not generally, no.

[11:46] Gx Lxxxxx: If you dont like to be spamed you should left the group or block spammers

Gx apparently is a mod in this group. But I didn't quite understand what they meant.

[11:47] Emilly Orr: That's rather unfair, isn't it? If I join a group I'm joining for info or chat FROM the group, not random terrible spammers.
[11:48] Emilly Orr: Like, if I'm in a fashion group, I don't need to know that that latest hip, hop, happening club is having a Latin Dance so CUM ON DOWWWWWN....I don't need that. I need information FROM the group. Period.
[11:48] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yeah I'm going to qut [fashion group] because of an [a**hole]
[11:49] Emilly Orr: I'm not, I'm just saying that's a rather unfair conclusion, that by joining a group, I am somehow fully agreeing to random spammers wanting money, or wanting me to pay their rent, or wanting me to buy their cars, or whatever.
[11:50] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: From [fashion group's] Group Profile: **** NO SPAM!!!!! *****

EJECT AND BAN

Chat is only ** [fashion group] ** issues
[11:50] pxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Kiss it
[11:52] Emilly Orr: [Cxxxx], why are you being so hostile?
[11:52] Bxxxx Gxxxx: JUST STOP
[11:52] Bxxxx Gxxxx: NOW

And it wasn't important enough for me to press it, so...I let it go. Blocked the "Old Lady"--who is nearly six years on the grid, and who should darn well know better--and moved on with my day. It's just not worth it some days, debating with people who fail to grasp the issue.

at the edge of a rainbow she sought the solution someone painted on the wall

This is just a round-up, nothing special.

Corpsewood Haunted House
The Haunted
The 'modest but scary' haunt
Haunted house at Tayren's Fashions
Poison Apple's haunted house (part one)
Poison Apple's haunted house (part two)
The 'spooky interactive' haunt
Voodoo Moons Gardens haunted house
Deadman's Island (part one)
Deadman's Island (part two)
Viper's Haunted Halloween (part one)
Viper's Haunted Halloween (part two)
Babygirl's Nightmares
Chance's Haunted House
Hunting Hollows (part one)
Hunting Hollows (part two)
Furse Clan haunted house (part one)
Furse Clan haunted house (part two)
Whetmore Castle haunted house
The haunted house sponsored by C.A.R.E.
Halloweentown (part one)
Halloweentown (part two)
Polaris Playgrounds' haunted house
Spooky Coochie (part one)
Spooky Coochie (part two)
Another Haunted House
Kokeilu's Haunted House (and the Fall of Man corn maze)
The Haunting of Blood Island (part one)
The Haunting of Blood Island (part two)
Blynn's Haunted House (part one)
Blynn's Haunted House (part two)
Blynn's Haunted House (part three)
Fallen's Haunting (part one)
Fallen's Haunting (part two)

So if you've missed any along the way, here they are, all in one post. You're welcome? If you're a haunt fan, anyway.

I can hear myself singing that song, over and over until it belongs to me

Malware programs have finally leapt to mobile devices. This is a really, really bad sign.

Want a truly random piece of art? Go play. The system creates the art; you name it beforehand so it has something to work with. It's an interesting concept.

Google will soon kill off Chrome apps. Their reasoning is that since the net is a more powerful entity now, than when they introduced the apps system, that there are other, better ways to do the same things.

If you're worried your system's going to be affected, realize you have until 2018 to find alternatives, so it's not going to happen next week. Google's just letting Chrome users know well in advance what they plan to do.

There's an upcoming Lost Boys television series. Start dreading all the things now.

This may be the best family tree for the Norse gods ever.

Need fake, royalty-free music to use any way you desire? Go to the Fake Music Generator site and 'create' to your heart's content. No content claims, no worries, just royalty-free themes to use in your animations, vlogs, let's-play videos, and whatever else you might need.

And let Kyle McLachlan describe the plot to Dune completely in emoji. It's brilliant.

some do magic and some do harm

Thought I'd post what amounts to a warning, since it's been seen everywhere this week:

[17:02] ixxxx Rxxxxxxx: ***CLOSING SALE MY STORE ALL OUTFIT 3L$!!! ( fullperms mesh HD quality creation male and female, texturized and ready to use and resell vendor included!!) http://marketplacesecondlife.4rog.in/[deleting the rest but leaving the first bit so you get the idea]
[17:02] Txxxxx Txxxxx: SCAM
[17:02] lxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its a scam dont do it
[17:02] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: mhm
[17:02] Sxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: o.o
[17:02] Txxxxx Txxxxx: SCAM SCAM SCAM
[17:02] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: the url is wrong, DONT click that, just ban the person
[17:02] Ixx Cxxxxxxx: thank you
[17:03] Sxxxx Gxxxxxxxx: tytyty
[17:03] jxxxxxxxx Sxxxxx: omg was about to click on the link.. thankyou for the quick response
[17:03] sxxxxxxxx Cxxxxxxxx: damn was wondering cause i like that store

What store?!? That was a scam marketplace link, designed to steal your info and empty your accounts (RL at least, if not SL) if you buy anything there. So what store?!?

[17:03] mxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: IKR!
[17:03] Sxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ty blocked.
[17:03] Cxxxx Exxxxxx: wow ty
[17:04] Axxxxxxxx Gxxxxxxxxxx: ill file a report with LL as well. if you got a minute, do the same and they can block the account

And many, many reports on the person were sent to LL.

Later, in another group:

[17:04] ixxxx Rxxxxxxx: ***CLOSING SALE MY STORE ALL OUTFIT 3L$!!! ( fullperms mesh HD quality creation male and female, texturized and ready to use and resell vendor included!!) http://marketplacesecondlife.4rog.in/[deleting the rest, but it was the EXACT SAME LINK]
[17:04] Vxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: now THAT is a bad url, lol
[17:05] Mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: ugh.... scam.... I'm sure you all are smart enough not to click on that link
[17:08] yxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yes this new PHISHING attempt is turning since a few days
[17:08] Mxxxxxxxxx Nxxx: it's actually not new ...they have used it many times, [Yxxx] =D

Yeah, it's far from new. The sad thing is people are still clicking these links. Gentles, listen, if it doesn't look like a marketplace link, IT IS NOT A MARKETPLACE LINK, so DON'T CLICK IT.

I haven't seen it today, which is good; it may mean that account has already been banned. But I'm sure, like gold spammers in MMOs, another phishing attempt will pop up, another day. And the cycle of theft and deception goes on...

only when the stars are light enough

Could Steam be gearing up to allow people to share games?

The Last of Googly Us?

Today, there was a big announcement that Wonder Woman was getting a second book title. Which, cue the cheers of--oh, it's going to be a relationship book. Okay, cue the understanding cheers of how DC is tackling the tough issues of saving the world and trying to maintain a relationshi--

Oh. It's because she's dating Superman? That's the only reason she gets a new book?

Apparently so:

In the end, of course, it’s all about sales. And apparently DC Comics has decided that feminist icon or not Wonder Woman is in the end best presented as the girlfriend of someone and both boning and flying their ways into your hearts and wallets.

....Right. I'll just be in the corner, frothing like a rabid animal and wanting to throw things at people.

And the Uncanny Valley is staring right at YOU.

For some reason, she's also a toddler. Well, you can't have everything, I suppose.

Damien Fate has one of the simplest explanation of why the new Materials ability in SL is worthwhile. Perfection. I now understand what all my previous research failed to tell me.

Meanwhile, the Rain Room is now an installation at MOMA. What makes this so beautiful is not the fact that it's a constant driving downpour, but that motion-capture cameras identify visitors, creating a person-shaped space for that visitor to walk in. In other words, it's the experience of intense, and very loud rain, but you do not get wet. It causes a perceptual dissonance that creates wonder. Excellent use of technology to aid art.

In more art news, Amy Brier has an astounding idea for many of her sculptures. It's not new, precisely--mankind has developed many ways to leave impressions, from seals pressed into wax to carved cuneiform and other languages pressed into clay--but hers have a special significance, I think, because rolling them at angles changes the image.

And Pac-Man goes 3D!

Now shoo, I'm still trying to figure out if I can cope without coffee today.

Also, happy Litha!

on a bed of spider web I think of how to change myself

The Oculus Rift VR device got an insane influx of cash recently. So, whereas they were going to be the toy of the privileged few--if them--now they have the means to justify putting one within (fairly) easy reach of most of us, depending. Either way, that kind of money can change the face of gaming, because far more developers are going to start coding for the Oculus headset.

There's a lovely Flickr project called Blog Memes for Second Life Bloggers; what it really is, is a thoroughly ingenious set of reproduced movie posters starring SL avatars. Lovely, lovely work.

Did you know there are pop-up activity books for adults? No, I don't mean Adult adult; I mean grown-ups. Or at least people who think they are.

On the other hand, I've thrown crayon parties before where no one was under drinking age. Adult beverages in the fridge, chips and veggies on the table, butcher paper on the walls and all horizontal surfaces. Everyone gets a box of crayons when they get in.

Those were a lot of fun, as I recall. Pity our current place is so little.

There's, um...how do I put this? A Reddit user has decided to make fanart of the Mindcrackers for potential calendar use.

Pin-up calendar use. Oh, my...and is it sad that I downloaded the one for Pause Unpause?

Courtesy of Slate and Pinterest, I've found another small trove of Victorian (with a scattered few earlier) images, but yet again, it's slightly off-beat. In the case of Corsetra's Pinterest board, it's devoted to breastfeeding art and photography. Who knew the Victorians were so keen to have their pictures taken with attached baby?

But then, in a culture that allowed women to breastfeed (as opposed to one that seemingly goes into frothing hysterics when any hint of a bare breast is divulged), such images would be both common, and acceptable. I never thought of it that way before.

(Just FYI, Corsetra herself is rather a find--I would say easily half of her boards are related to Victorian/Edwardian/Regency concerns, over a wide spectrum of topics. Highly impressive.)

Ten thousand gamers cried out against oppression, and Microsoft backed off some of their plans. So...yay? But family/friend sharing is now out, it seems, along with not needing a disc in the tray to play (something the XBox 360 allowed). I guess that's mostly good...ish...

Facebook, in a landmark reversal, is going to allow mastectomy photos to be posted to their site. This has been a hard, arduous fight (though still a cakewalk compared to having a mastectomy), and many women are overjoyed for Facebook to acknowledge the empowerment that seeing these photos can give women facing breast cancer.

A random perusal of Tumblr a day back brought the String Rabbits to my attention. From there, I found this article, which led me to this article, which led me to the Zoorasian Brass Emissions Orchestra's YouTube account. I highly recommend "Bear-forest", "Ainekuittsu Show Time", and their "Railroad Fantasy" performances, but they're really talented in everything they've posted.

(Oh, and they all have nicknames. For instance, the saxophone players are colloquially known as Saxofox, the string section as String Rabbits [Tsuru-Usagi in the original], the clarinet quartet are the Claricats, etcerera. Fascinating.)

breakin' our backs on breakin' down stones

So...blogging kills, now?

Also, random wandering about that site turned up Taiwan's Weather Girls (article from 2011), followed by their space-suited update. I am baffled.

Why are LEGO faces getting angrier?

NASA probes manage to catch a full rotation of Mercury; finally, we know what it looks like.

On Venus, it snows metal, and there's now scale mail for guinea pigs. Some point between the two of them explains things, but I'm not sure how.

(from the events album)

Meanwhile, ventured into SL10, starting with Toroidal Human Anatomy. There's a free male and female 'torus' avatar available by buying the lower part of the block prim, but it's a pretty neat exhibit either way.

(from the events album)

Wander over to Frankx Lefavre's Chrysalis exhibit while you're in the vicinity--it's the one with the butterflies right nextdoor. Use the ramp to get up to the middle platform, and pick one of the butterfly-patterned rings to sit on. Depending on where you choose to sit, you'll get a great view of Astound, the sim it's on.

you fight and you fuse, oh, you're a wild little bruise

Honestly, I think I just need to make a 'linkspam' category, and have done with it.

But here goes another round of wandering the net.

Photographer Jon Crispin has been taking photographs in a storage room of a former insane asylum. Why? Because in that storage room were discovered suitcases--four hundred in all. The room was discovered in 1995, and it's taken this long for Crispin to gain access to the room and its contents.

Can computer memory get faster and more stable? Two scientists--corresponding between Berkeley and Singapore--think so. And it's based on the science behind solar panels, and bismuth ferrite. Nanoferric technology seems to be finally coming into its own.

So, there's been this huge controversy brewing inside the SFWA Bulletin. I'm linking Seanan McGuire's commentary first, because she outlines the controversy very well, but I'd also recommend (as she did), reading some of Jim Hines' collected posts--none of which are anonymous, which is the main point Malzberg and Resnick seem to be fixated upon.

There's tons of really good commentary abounding--these are all authors or scriptwriters, keep in mind--but if you want another really good, really basic overview of the situation, writer Ursula Vernon tries to define the current controversy and decides if it's akin to an abusive relationship, or trying to housebreak a puppy.

(Also, see what I did there, Malzberg and Resnick? "Author" Ursula Vernon. Not "lady author" Ursula Vernon. See how easy that was?)

Also, if you scroll down to the bottom of this edition of Radish Reviews' 'Linkspam' post (one of many reasons I should just give up and adopt the term), you'll find actual pictured and scanned copies of the direct print-out to what Malzberg and Resnick said. Which is an interesting technique for later "but that's not what I said!" bleating.

Also, while this is really, really, really long, I recommend it for reading, and possibly bookmarking to read again later. It's the best essay on why real women hate fictional women, and why that leads to hating other real women, that I've ever read.

Not that anyone particularly needs it after that, but just in case you wandered off and read everything and did get mad--which is perfectly justifiable--here's a short list of calming websites. You're welcome.

I really dislike the writers (of more than this article) calling the stone carvings on the Washington National Cathedral "gargoyles". Put plainly, most of them are grotesques. What's the difference? Gargoyles are carved to carry water from the roof. Grotesques are just sculptures on the edges. But the fact that more and more stonecarvers are electing to carve representations of modern life--that, I think is pretty neat. And it will be just as baffling four hundred years from now, when those carvings likely need renovation.

Always puzzle your descendants. It keeps them on their toes.

you gave me roses, and I left them there to die

Sometimes charts are helpful. This one will helpfully tell you whether you're a hipster or a Time Lord. You're welcome.

And--a little late, but surely it can be saved for next Samhain--the great and terrible Steampunkin. Muahahaha?

Meanwhile, DC Universe Online has put up this picture on their Twitter feed as an example of the amazing things that can be done in their game. I get what they're trying for, I just don't entirely sure if they understand their target audience. I can't think of more than a scant handful of people who would sit up in their seats and think, "My GODS, I've always WANTED to be a big reptilian bird, SIGN ME UP!"

From another direction entirely, here's a lovely introduction to Victorian hair craft. If you're truly interested (and not already an enthusiast), there are scores more information pages on the net.

The Freebie Hunters' blog took a poll on what people wanted to see in hunts, and what people hated seeing in hunts. The results are fairly specific, fairly interesting, and posted on their website.

I still don't have my Master ranking in Octoberville. I'm not pleased. But I'm going to let another day or two go by before I drop more notecards asking for the rankings to be reset. I finished in time, damn it, in something of a blurred two-day frenzied haul. I fought hard for that. Frankly, I want it.

Have I mentioned the mechanical ring clock? I can't remember. But I want one.