in exploitation's name

There's another update on the Marketplace issues, yet again in a stupidly inaccessible place. Here's the full text from CommerceTeam Linden:

06-07-2012 02:53 PM

Below is the updated set of outstanding issues with Direct Delivery and the Marketplace.

Direct Delivery

The following Direct Delivery issues have been verified, but have not yet been addressed:

• WEB-4600 (Merchant Outbox failures): We have been working on this issue and will not shut down Magic Boxes until this is addressed. In some cases, logging out and in from the Marketplace and then the viewer may resolve this problem.
• WEB-4554 (Test delivery permissions incorrect): This is currently under investigation. Limited Quantity Support (Merchant does not have rights to copy the items for sale): This is currently being worked on. Magic Box migration will not be required until this is supported. (Note that Merchants can sell items that have next owner rights set to “No Copy”. Please see the Knowledge Base article on Object permissions for more details on how permissions work.)

Overall Marketplace

There are also several issues that occurred around the time of the Direct Delivery launch that we are still working to address, but are not issues with Direct Delivery.

• WEB-4587 (Listings with the wrong images): This is currently under test. 
• WEB-4441 (Orders stuck in “Being Delivered” state): We have been able decrease the number of orders getting stuck and continue to work on preventing all orders from getting stuck.
• WEB-4567 (Bulk delete fails for some merchants): We will evaluate the priority of this once we have completed the above Direct Delivery fixes and features.
• WEB-4592 (Orders marked as “Delivery Partially Failed” on success): This is currently under investigation.
• WEB-4696 (Deleted listings appearing in search results): We continue to investigate this issue.
• WEB-2974 (Listing enhancement stuck in “Charging, cannot edit right now” state): We are investigating this issue.
• WEB-4138 (Confirmation emails failing to deliver): We are currently investigating this issue. In addition to the above issues, there have been reports of Direct Delivery purchases silently being delivered and the Merchant not getting paid (the order is marked as “Failed”). We have not been able to confirm this report and would like to investigate further, so please file a support ticket with details if you see this.

Still not reserved, and several of the problems that are making people leave the Marketplace or tear their hair out trying to fix said issues are currently being "investigated"...which will take the time it takes, so don't expect a fix anytime soon, unfortunately.

Yeah.

In other JIRA news, permissions are behaving...well...not correctly, obviously, but also oddly. It's notable because the behavior is persistent across at least two viewers, the current release of the SL viewer, and whichever TPV the original reporter used in the first place. (That TPV is, unfortunately, not named.) Remember the rules--watch, don't vote--and hope for a fix.

(A helpful commenter below has given me the viewer name: Firestorm 3.3.0 (24882). So, it's persistent across at least V3 and Firestorm, if not others, and it's notable that with only five watchers to date, WorkingOnIt Linden has already been assigned to start the fix process.)

In the meantime, I leave you with Tom Hiddleston talking about Steven Spielberg. And making velociraptor noises. You're welcome.

oh I won't sleep tonight, I won't sleep tonight

(from the media album)

It has been many, many years since I've had this feeling of awestruck wonder. The last time, of course, being when I walked into Professor Sputnik's TARDIS--excuse me, Etheric Travel Cabinet--and had that moment of impossible deja vu.

This was another of those times.

(from the media album)

If you go to the sim, there's not actually that much on the ground. This is because most of the action--as, in fact, it happens on Babylon 5 itself takes place in and around the Babylon station.

(from the media album)

Right now, they're doing their best to bridge both solid immersion roleplay, and legal acceptance of copyright. Which is why, before you get to the station, you find posters with information cards in them as well as this copyright notice, protecting copyright as much as possible within the context of the play.

It is something J. Michael Straczynski has always held--if what we do, as fans, we do with honor, acknowledging that previous copyright exists--he has no problem with fan-created uniforms, art, or even derivative works.

(from the media album)

This was the first time I'd been aboard the station, and while I was there to resolve a sim-based issue, I still felt radically out of place. Now, claims can be made for virtually any avatar in anything beyond sheerly "modern" attire, because it could simply be a representative from a race that Babylon 5 had not seen yet. Still, I think dressing for the general theme of space-based interaction does no harm. If--or more likely, when--I go back, I think I'm developing another spacer "look". To--more or less, at least--fit in as much as possible.

(from the media album)

This was another moment when I simply had to inhale, staring at the screen in wonder. While I mostly associate the Zocalo with the main club on the station--or, at least, the club seen most often--this places it rather firmly in the realm of the main promenade, and yes, it does go off into the distance for a fair (and walkable) distance.

(from the media album)

And, at least in this version of the promenade, the carts are for rent. From what one of they sent me in a small polite block of text:

[00:52] Zocalo Vendor 7 whispers: Zocolo @ Delenn 136, 116, 2689
[00:52] Zocalo Vendor 7 whispers: Price per week: L$50
[00:52] Zocalo Vendor 7 whispers: Minimum rental weeks: 1
[00:52] Zocalo Vendor 7 whispers: Maximum rental weeks: 8
[00:52] Zocalo Vendor 7 whispers: Prims Allowed: 20

That's a fair deal in any universe.

If you want to join in, you'll want to start near the entry gate. Thankfully, that's not hard to do. You can reach Babylon 5 faster than you'd think; but keep in mind, they do have an active roleplay atmosphere, and they're doing their best to keep it reasonably consistent with the show. If you're interested, however, they'd love to have you come and play.

They're looking for scripters; for costume designers (their main uniform designer departed to other realms, and took her designs with her); for builders (they have one, but he's something of a dilettante, though his work is fascinating); and, of course, for roleplayers to add to the dimensions. Mr. reese Shawbridge is the one to talk to, I believe, about renting merchant stalls; he may also be the one to ask about getting involved in the RP. At the least, go to the station and click to join the group, and ask questions there.

I'm very glad to have seen this, and to know it exists in Second Life. Already, they have much of the Babylon Station, the ISN broadcasting center, the Grey Council meeting room, and something that I initially took for Mars, but which turns out Epsilon III--and yes, there is a small room featuring the Great Machine.

Next up, says Mr. Shawbridge: Minbari City. I thought he meant the entire planet at first but he says no--for one, they don't have the prims for that. But the main city, with the spires, and the crystal, the wide paved streets--that, yes, he wants to do.

I can't wait to see it.

sometimes I will ask the moon where it shined upon you last

Quick little intro to the day--the nigh-traditional Tribute Island gig is changed a bit this week. Anyone who's interested, I can port you in--once I track the back lot down!--and we'll have dancing and wonderful music.

Now, the semi-tragedy of hearing this moments before I go into world? There's going to be a Marilyn at the event.



Hmm, now what?

Oh, well, Dorothy it is--just remember to come to the backstage lot at Tribute Island, not the floating bar--because after all, this one? Is all about Hollywood...

[Later insert: Miss Sasha00 Laryukov, everyone:



She's AMAZING. Apparently this is all she does in SL, celebrity impersonations, desiging one-of-a-kind celebrity skins. Just phenomenal.]

people, don't you understand, the child needs a helping hand

Normally, this is not a 'what a cool freebie!' blog, but I had to make note of something found over at Simply Silks.



Margareth, a fairly traditional bellydancing outfit. If you have a lace or linen undershirt, I'm pretty sure you could wear it somewhat more modestly, even. And it's one Linden!

It's only available until August 22nd, so go nab it now!

And Adam & Eve is having a hunt! At least one item in every department--and sometimes more--is marked down to 1L, 2L, 50L or 100L. Items in the Bargain Basement have been slashed across the board, and there's at least one entire set of shoes you can now buy individually for 50L each, or 600L for the full pack of twelve. (No, I'm not telling you which ones--it's a HUNT! Go HUNT!) The only exception is that no mens' skins are part of the hunt, and instead of making people hunt through all the colors on the hair wall, sachi hid three boxes containing one special hair style each in that room. (She says it's because she's already reduced much of the hair, so she didn't want to confuse people with what was on sale, and what's just a really good deal.)

And yes, there's one pair of eyes for 1L. Go! It ends Sunday at ten am SLT!

And back at Tribute Island, and this time it was for BubbaC John, SL's first and quite possibly best Elvis impersonator.



But it's not just the look, though by no means do I think the look is easy, in SL, to achieve. It was the voice. That half-drawl, half-smooth, completely-Elvis sound? BubbaC has it.



Amazing. Amazing singer, amazing performance. If you weren't here, you missed something grand. See if you can track him down in world.

one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

Today? I want to talk fashion.



Specifically, shoes. Specifically, the designer Damen Gorilla, of Adam & Eve fame. The shoes (and boots, he has boots now) I spend the bulk of my shoe-clad time in, on the grid.



These are Damen's "Rapture", in Virgin (an ideal wedding white). They have a very subtle, soft shimmer. Bling should never be blinding, and thankfully, Damen understands this. We're so glad he does.

They retail for L$300 and come in six pale pastel tones, currently.



These are the "Miranda" slingbacks, in Crimson. I admit, I've spent most of the last week in one shade or another of these pumps. They retail for L$290 each color, or the whole multipack of twelve can be acquired for L$1160, which is not a bad savings on the per-pair price.



These are "Miranda" again, this time in Calypso, a lovely tone that goes well with blue, green and teal outfits, to pick out different tones in each. Very adaptable shoes.



The "Beatrix" boots--seen here in Meadow--are charmingly designed, start to finish, very vintage, and have the virtue of not looking like any other Victorian/Edwardian boot design on the grid! They retail for L$300 and come in nine other shades. (I chose Meadow because it goes perfectly with Silent Sparrow's "Nymphet" dress in Lolly, I got some months back.)



"Reflections" half-boot in Berry. I love these. If they weren't stiletto heels, I'd be wearing them more often around Caledon. Hells, some floor-brushing gowns? I wear 'em anyway.

Each of the ten shades is bright and glittery and shimmery without the need for bling. Sharp stiletto heels in black adorn each one. They also retail for L$300 a pair--that's generally the range most of Damen's shoes fall into. (The boots, being more work, are slightly higher.)

(By the way, if you like the look of the Reflections line, but don't want the shimmer? Meander your way over to "Bien Fait", a triple-buckled half boot in twelve shades. Again, you save more if you get the multipack for L$2400, but they retail individually for L$300.)



Now, for Caledon-appropriate pumps (which did exist, though most were spool-heels or slides, like the "Flora" line, retailing for L$150 a pair), one simply cannot go wrong with "Bronte". Subtly shaded brocade vamps adorned with an intricate lace detail, they retail for L$175 a pair, or a multipack of all twelve pairs for L$933. And might I mention, while we're here, that--as much as I adore Lassitude and Ennui's boots--I can get all twelve of the Bronte line of pumps, for only slightly more than one pair of L&E boots? That just stuns me, it really does.



Another shot of the "Miranda" pumps, these in the soft "Babay Blue", which makes me giggle.

(Though I should make a note, simply because it amuses me--this picture was auto-killed upon arrival on PhotoBucket. I don't quite understand how it violates their "no nudity" rule, but I am quite entertained.)



You should definitely check out Adam & Eve. It's worth a trip, whether one's from the mainland or from Caledon.

And keep up the good work, Damen. We'll be watching. And waiting.

Like the slavering shoe addicts we are. :)

I know the holes will still remain

First there was New York Times coverage. Then came another side of the story. Both, I think, are worth reading.



And I don't normally do this, but I'm finding Akira Yamaoka's soundtracks to Silent Hill rather ideal as music-to-build-by. So if you care to, flip through the various links, and take what you want. You can also find fan information, interviews, screenshots, soundtracks and more from a host of other horror games.



back to contemplating safe spaces again
defining safety
defining protection
I leave my gates open
I plant poppies next to the gate
but I want to wrap barbed wire around the stems



poppies have no protection
soporific influence at best
addiction and deception but
never capable of attack
roses have their thorns
thistles have their spines
poppies just have their petals and beauty



wayward things, poppies
bend in every breeze
giving, forgiving
I have more metal in my heart
I forgive so rarely
I want to, I need to
but it doesn't happen
nearly as often as it should



think on sharpening each stake
that lines the fencing
electrodes at every ten paces
tipping the sparking metal
with shining razorwire
but I'll do none of it
because it's more important
to be open
than to be protected



it's more important
to receive
with empty hands to show no ill intent
than to guard
against interlopers
intruders
and those who mean harm



at least for now
and much
as I might have it otherwise

calm down my heart...don't beat so fast, don't be afraid, just once in a lifetime

(A brief bit of proscenium-breaking, re earlier RP. Bear with me.)



This is Aki Shichiroji's "Nebari" skin/shape/outfit mix, out of the box. Untouched. Hair, eyes, shape, skin--that's entirely hand-painted, by the way; Aki may be the only start-to-finish, brushstroke-to-scanned-in digital--hand-painter of skins on the grid--this pretty much is Chiana from Farscape.

Don't believe me? Here, Chiana, for reference:



Chiana, played by Gigi Edgley. You can see Aki's done a marvelous job remaking her for the grid.

Now, then. Why we're here. When I got this av, while I liked the Chiana look, if I was going to spend any amount of time in it, I needed to soften the edges. This is what I came up with:



Now, I swear to you, this was completely off the cuff. Just what 'felt right', so to speak. Adjust a few sliders, soften the planes of the face, I didn't substantially change the nose, just altered the lip mesh shape a tad...I didn't do a lot, and I stopped when I hit here, fairly satisfied with the result.

How'ver, there's a known Nebari nemesis in Farscape. Her name? Varla (played by Skye Wansley):



Considering it's literally been years since I saw this particular episode of Farscape? It's kind of creepy how accurate the quick little mod I did of Aki's shape comes, to this character. Very nearly surreal, in fact.

Anyway. Various and sundry of other note.

Is my grid elitism showing if I ask why do people still voluntarily choose to look noobish on the grid long after their noob years? I speak, of course, of Rivula's brief wandering terror, sacsnow Jacobus.

Why am I publically identifying her? Well, for one, I walked in on her naked in my home. And for two, she wouldn't answer a polite IM. And for three, she then wandered into other private homes in Rivula, while I watched.

And for four? She looks like this:



Note: I am not singling out some genuine noob for savagery, here. She's been on the grid for nine months. She's also a member of not one, not two, but four public nudity groups.

So why, for the love of little green apples, is she rude, is she still breaking in to peoples' homes, and moreover, STILL IN A BASE SKIN?!?

That's not even prim hair. There's no excuse for this.



In other news of the week, we finally got rid of that annoying patch of flicker on the ceiling at the store. Yay. And today's tribute to Walt Disney went amazingly well:



I don't know if I've spoken about Tribute Island before this; if I haven't, I should have. Because Nikk Huet, one of the main organizing forces behind the Island, is entirely too self-effacing for words, let me effuse for him: Tribute Island is an amazing idea. Just start to finish.



I'm going to have to go back and do another run at the Island, for pictures--this was part of a set where I was running full HUD/browser visibility, for other reasons. So ignore the small one and click for the larger one, it's dark, but more impressive.

For anyone who doesn't know, this is a tribute to Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, Virginia, well within driving distance of Washington, D.C. I haven't actually walked this one from the ground--this was intended to be an overflight capture, just to see how HUD-capture photography was going to look--so it may be at a tribute to those lost in wars-in-toto.

But I have to say, overflying this, dressed for the event that paid tribute to all lost in world conflicts from WWII through Viet Nam, this stopped me. Sight of this, literally, stopped me in flight, put my heart in my throat. Arlington does that, too, sometimes even in picture form--because there are so many of those small white markers, so very many...and knowing it represents the merest portion of humanity lost to the horrors of unresolvable difference...war between realms, between nations, between concepts of good, bad, restriction, allowance, religion, rights...and now we have a portion of Arlington on the grid, and it has the same impact.

All of Tribute Island is like this. Tribute Island is for all residents of the grid, to share, to learn, to experience who we are, whom we honor, whom we hold dear. From public personalities to the deeply personal, fandom to family, anything is allowable (following their build guidelines). Because in the end, it's about what we hold up, that will teach future generations--this we lost. This we once had. Know this. Feel this.

It's a powerful message, and one we desperately need, right now. Even virtually, reconnection to the common soul which links us all--that vast mythpool of concurrent experience we all dip into as a culture, as a society, as a planet--we can learn great and humbling things from each other, on Tribute Island.

Look it up sometime, go there. Learn more. Help out if you can. Remember the value of remembrance and loss. You won't be sorry you did.