tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.comments2023-06-02T07:42:06.533-07:00Music IslandKate Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-50693331843425220462011-08-01T09:39:25.072-07:002011-08-01T09:39:25.072-07:00Further thoughts after wiping away the tears.
&qu...Further thoughts after wiping away the tears.<br /><br />"nothing can replace the benefits of meeting people face to face" is a strange sentiment for a virtual world advocate to espouse. <br /><br />I actually think that a virtual concert might lift the spirits of some people in refugee camps as it has lifted the spirits of many who have attended. Music Island has always been about making music accessible in every way.<br /><br />There are always arguments putting down the arts as "frills" in a world where people are starving and warfare tears nations apart. My mind turns to Pablo Casals finishing his concert in Barcelona as the forces of Franco attacked the city before fleeing across the mountains. Casals fed the spirit of Catalunya in the best way he knew.<br /><br />As the old labour song puts it, "We toil for our daily bread, the soul needs roses too".Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-20482205596135500272011-08-01T07:54:19.722-07:002011-08-01T07:54:19.722-07:00The vitriol that this debate has engendered has no...The vitriol that this debate has engendered has not changed my mind one iota about SLCC. It has succeeded in making me question whether my idea of the SL community is in error and whether I wish to spend my volunteer hours there. I am saddened by your comments, DougKate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-76263926209166392192011-08-01T06:26:51.185-07:002011-08-01T06:26:51.185-07:00Kate,
Your comments about "cool rich kids&qu...Kate,<br /><br />Your comments about "cool rich kids" seem a bit disingenuous. I would suspect that much of the world would consider your SL concert with Alessandro Marangoni to be little more than a "cool rich kids party". <br /><br />People who are concerned with where their next meal will come from or whether they will be attacked in a refugee camp would find a virtual concert utterly ridiculous. There will always be groups who are excluded because all events are exclusive to varying degrees. <br /><br />I have attended well over 50 conferences during my career and nothing can replace the benefits of meeting people face to face. SLCC is (and has always been) designed to do just that. <br /><br />Changing its focus to be yet another virtual conference would be a mistake in my opinion.<br /><br />Doug Danforth<br />SL:DrDoug PennellDoug Danforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00845146552234972289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-16211399653972986182011-07-23T18:37:55.104-07:002011-07-23T18:37:55.104-07:00Hey Lightsight! I was just thinking the other day...Hey Lightsight! I was just thinking the other day that it's been awhile since I have seen you inworld. I guess we've just been on different schedules.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-6896480946587300452011-07-23T18:26:28.329-07:002011-07-23T18:26:28.329-07:00;D<3 misses my good friend Kate... Love your id...;D<3 misses my good friend Kate... Love your ideas within virtually constructive criticisms! I am laughing with you again can you hear me as I ;play my guitars?Lightsighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14242308336603297902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-20809452740271280982011-07-19T06:26:37.699-07:002011-07-19T06:26:37.699-07:00Sitearm, I said the FOCUS is on a F2F event.
I&...Sitearm, I said the FOCUS is on a F2F event.<br /><br /> I'm aware and have aknowledged that one can watch some of the action on a screen in SL ("watch the cool rich kids party") but equal or in some case any opportunities to actually be a presenter or performer are not there. <br /><br />So, no, I'm NOT going to have a party and watch you guys and invite my friends. The fees people pay to attend pay for their hotel costs and their conference costs and their access to Linden movers and shakers. It has nothing to do with the rest of us, so no thanks are coming your way. <br /><br />Gee I'd like to meet the Lindens shaping our world too, but I can't afford the trip, living a continent away. A lot of people are in the same position, so even if someone gave me a grant to attend tomorrow, I wouldn't go. But I'm sure that the Lindens will get the opinions of Americans and richer residents at the California based USA SLCC event. Will they get the input of the average resident? Frankly I'm really disappointed that they have chosen to attend en masse but then it is in their backyard, they'll certainly hear many thoughts and opinions worth hearing (just because you are an American or rich doesn't necessarily mean you can't raise valid points about the SL community) and I hope that they will also get out to more representative inworld events. <br /><br />My area of interest and where I can speak from experience is that of music. The musicians that perform weekly at Music Island are from all over the globe. They often know nothing about SLCC and SLCC attenders know nothing of their music. Several of those that are aware of SLCC have spoken bitterly to me about feeling excluded. That's a shame for all. This Sunday at Music Island, we will hear an internationally renowned Italian pianist, Alessandro Marangoni. In order to get him on the SLCC musicians showcase, you'd need a plane ticket and an artistic fee in the thousands of real dollars, but he's live in SL... why?... because it's fun for him, he has fans in SL, and it doesn't cost him anything more than a couple of hours of his time. It is this kind of thing that is the cool thing about SL music and the music community. <br /><br />As I have said elsewhere in 2009 when I first learned about the existence of the Music Stream, the only scheduled music performances was to be a live conference 24 hour musical showcase streamed into SL via media stream. Therefore no musician unable to fly to california was able to perform and be part of SLCC. I fought to get one event on the schedule in 2009 from a classical duo on the east coast. In 2010 the information on the music stream made it totally clear that only live events would be part of SLCC that year. <br /><br />Anyway, I REALLY don't want to bash your gathering. I want to talk about alternative positive visions. It's REALLY late to propose anything different for this year. Cotton has mentioned that IMAGINE Peacefest in November has an inworld focus but includes local and regional real world events. This puts the direction of attention the right way. People gather in their living rooms around the world to focus on an international, global celebration of peace in the virtual world. <br /><br />Do you understand the difference? One draws people into the virtual world rather than focusing the attention of virtual world residents on an elite, US real world gathering.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-59355585192084496472011-07-19T00:39:21.774-07:002011-07-19T00:39:21.774-07:00Um... who said SLCC is not virtual? The presentati...Um... who said SLCC is not virtual? The presentations are all being webcast live to SL or to your favorite Internet browser. The presentation recordings are then posted to watch again, or at another time that better suits your convenience. <br /><br />Have a party with your friends, and watch and discuss the 30+ presentations covering all areas of SL Resident interest. <br /><br />Linden Lab is sending staffers to talk about Second Life (Rodvick), Destination Guide (Brett), Commerce, Social (Viale), and Mesh. SL Residents are coming to talk about Creativity, Technology, Commerce, and Community.<br /><br />Their fees cover your webcasts and recordings. Thank them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-50736206814841834402011-07-18T07:01:06.294-07:002011-07-18T07:01:06.294-07:00If you want a DJ for any parties, let me know! Som...If you want a DJ for any parties, let me know! Something I can't do in RL but do in SL! (Brielle Coronet)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-5675624557738896622011-07-16T09:30:53.355-07:002011-07-16T09:30:53.355-07:00I fully support what Kate is saying, a conference ...I fully support what Kate is saying, a conference which is held in California is meaningless to those of us in Europe and elsewhere in the world. If SLCC is intended to be inclusive of all members of the SL community it would be far better rotating its event around the globe. Not to do so appears to me, as an outsider,to be clique-ish and parochial and to be representative only of the privileged few who either live in California, or who can afford both the airfare and the time to travel there.<br /><br />Aelthing AeonCliffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252949085382036479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-75544364618501214752011-07-13T19:14:46.713-07:002011-07-13T19:14:46.713-07:00Hey Cindy, well with musicians like you involved, ...Hey Cindy, well with musicians like you involved, how could it not be? <br /><br />But really it has been a family at Music Island and its been connected with other families, Cedar Island, CDS, Better World Island, Virtually Speaking, Rockcliffe University, Renaissance Island, Innovation InfoIsland, Minerva, Peacefest, Barcelona, ... really so many communities over the past few years that I've likely forgotten some.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-74494228166098365272011-07-13T19:00:37.824-07:002011-07-13T19:00:37.824-07:00Great thoughts, Kate! As an occasional performer ...Great thoughts, Kate! As an occasional performer and audience member, I must say that Music Island is one of the most interesting places I know in SL.Cindy Ecksolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09418878423899884241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-6058630308700770182011-07-13T13:39:45.649-07:002011-07-13T13:39:45.649-07:00Thanks John. I am really trying to focus on what ...Thanks John. I am really trying to focus on what are the positives in this community that unfortunately feels so fragile to me in so many ways right now. In saying that SLCC's focus on a F2F in California seems just wrong to me, there's a danger of the conversation turning into bashing and counter-bashing. I don't want to do that. Sometimes when something feels "wrong" it is a wake up call to explore what would feel "right" and that's what I want to do.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-26417819100615538802011-07-13T12:12:28.525-07:002011-07-13T12:12:28.525-07:00Outstanding post Kate and being an educator, the w...Outstanding post Kate and being an educator, the world that this environment opens is overwhelming. Keep the thoughts coming!<br />Johnmuratethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04951779929075718749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-68853082117209194932011-07-13T10:47:31.576-07:002011-07-13T10:47:31.576-07:00Fleep, I'm not asking you to engage in defendi...Fleep, I'm not asking you to engage in defending your event. I am asking others who are not able to attend SLCC, have never been able to attend whether this F2F meeting in the USA reflects what they envisage as a meeting of the Second Life community.<br /><br />However, I can turn your thoughts around another way. If the SLCC organizers had listened to these dissenting voices that have been there for years and brought them to the table, maybe there would be a different shape to the event this year. Now all the decisions are made and you can't expect people who haven't been part of those decisions to necessarily support them, nor can you expect them to participate or volunteer their time. You selected the constituency that you regarded as important to the success of your venture. There's another constituency out there that weren't listened too and I'm sorry if you find it annoying that we don't like the plan. You have never been an enemy of mine and I don't see you as one now. We just have a different idea about Second Life community. <br /><br />I am sincere, I hope you all have a great party in California. I am going to spend my volunteer time in Second Life doing what I always do, helping make great events happen at Music Island to support the very international community of musicians and arts lovers that gather there weekly and participating in the Cedar Island open-learning community.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-70209967752101792812011-07-13T10:27:35.998-07:002011-07-13T10:27:35.998-07:00Thanks Laetizia, I'm going to send around a no...Thanks Laetizia, I'm going to send around a notecard today to the people who have said that they are interested in an alternate grass-roots event!Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-60870296328565516272011-07-13T08:13:45.026-07:002011-07-13T08:13:45.026-07:00I've engaged in this conversation with you man...I've engaged in this conversation with you many times, on multiple fora, respectfully and sincerely. I would encourage your readers to have a look at the SLED thread to get the other side of the story, too. <br /> <br />http://sled.577505.n2.nabble.com/The-challenge-of-live-conferences-in-the-year-2011-td6562820.html<br /><br />I'm not sure why you feel supporting SLCC is "unpalatable" and I must take umbrage at the suggestion that anyone involved with SLCC told you to walk away or shut up. Rather, we invited you to join us to help make the in-world focused part of SLCC better serve the community. <br /><br />If folks gave even a portion of the time spent complaining about what SLCC doesn't do for them trying to actually make it better instead, I think that would be far better for the community than sowing seeds of rancor.<br /> <br />The offer still stands.Fleep Tuquehttp://fleeptuque.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-403598991263049462011-07-13T07:50:01.163-07:002011-07-13T07:50:01.163-07:00Well, there's Pooley, and many other empty ven...Well, there's Pooley, and many other empty venues in SL you can simply claim for an event. <br />You can count on me to participate in the odd timeframe of European work hours (ie. non-weekend daytime CET). Specialities: languages, SL gender bending, and even keeping order if need be.Laetizia Coronethttp://thoughts.com/lcoronetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-51113695080475460782011-04-18T08:12:03.707-07:002011-04-18T08:12:03.707-07:00Emma, I don't know how long you have been in S...Emma, I don't know how long you have been in SL or what viewer you are using, so forgive me if I tell you things you already know. When you are in a crowded sim there are things you can do to reduce lag. If you have a mystitool or meter on, try taking it off for starters. Then reduce your draw-distance down. Go into graphic preferences and if you are in high, try going to mid or low for the duration of the event. Reducing bandwidth demand to draw and redraw distant scenes enables you to free up the space to draw all those avatars, as does not demanding the re-drawing of all the shadows and extra details. Turning off or lower number of particles in a club with particle effects also lowers your lag. I like Phoenix Viewer because all the sliders for these features are very accessible and those of us that attend events are helped when we are able to tweak settings easily on the fly.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-72484052253644315532011-04-18T08:03:43.610-07:002011-04-18T08:03:43.610-07:00That's an odd thing to say or feel. I've ...That's an odd thing to say or feel. I've never been able to build in a chatroom, attend arts events, listen to live music, attend lectures, be part of international organizing for peace and social justice causes, or attend spiritual gatherings. Anyone using SL simply as a chatroom sure lacks imagination.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-72547084676759258532011-04-18T07:22:03.715-07:002011-04-18T07:22:03.715-07:00Second Life is not social media. It's nothing ...Second Life is not social media. It's nothing more than a glorified chatroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-2483679337400989462011-04-18T02:50:01.441-07:002011-04-18T02:50:01.441-07:00I agree with much if what you say. I even posted i...I agree with much if what you say. I even posted in the forums about separating land and marketing. SL is indeed social media and as such I do think linking to other social media outlets has it's value. To my mind getting new people in and getting them to stay is the number one long term priority and good old fashioned fun and entertainment is a big part if it.<br /><br />I was at a live music event last night, the lag was horrendous<br />Freezing, viewer going blank and flickering etc... But the singer was talented and the company was great so I stayed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17605395942200675178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-37823112221237291722011-01-05T15:17:51.269-08:002011-01-05T15:17:51.269-08:00Thanks for that clarification and update, Anek. ...Thanks for that clarification and update, Anek. I was wondering about that. <br /><br />So far, the virtual world economy really hasn't made it possible to support musical performance at any realistic level, just as it hasn't been able to support venues and performing arts series presenters. <br /><br />I am interested in your comment about venues forgetting their role. In my experience in SL there is not one single role that venues have had. There are clubs that are built as part of commercial sims in efforts to boost traffic, raising the value of store rentals and theoretically to increase sales in stores in the sim. There are vanity venues--, cool clubs or elaborate concert halls and opera houses--built by individuals who want to roleplay as billionaires or feudal lords and ladies and impressively entertain their SL friends and then there are venues built and run by people who are actively engaged with the arts and arts education and simply are willing to provide the space, coordination and hosting needed to make the artist's performance possible. <br /><br />In all of the history of the arts only a very few very popular art forms and events have been able to survive on ticket sales alone. Most art forms rely on corporate, government, foundation and private donor support. The lack of that support in virtual worlds have affected both musicians and presenters who believe in virtual worlds as a platform for new arts and to reach new audiences. <br /><br />I donate about two full days a week to enable me to run the Music Island series. A couple of years ago I decided to work parttime because finding those two days while working full time meant no weekends or evenings to relax. But making that change led to a reduction in my annual earnings of -$25,000/year. If I were able to find funding for the series, I would be happy to share the wealth with musicians. In the meantime I am grateful for those who share my vision... and the ensuing poverty.Kate Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17740956164355102313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-44657521642354891282011-01-05T13:18:41.706-08:002011-01-05T13:18:41.706-08:00I have been a 'citizen' of 3RG since almos...I have been a 'citizen' of 3RG since almost the beginning. #12 to register I believe. Although there have been different owners.. and yes a few bumpy roads to get around, the current 'management team' has done everything to create a stable and enjoyable grid. We try to have someone, if not many citizens at the entrance area to help get people acquainted and 'fine tune' their avatars. I believe there are events almost every night.. some on weekends.. and a fashion show event coming in March. I must admit I have only been to one other grid.. which I think the whole time I only saw like 2 people outside their welcome area. Your views of our grid were greatly welcomed and hope others will come and see for theirselves.Sunny Tomorrowhttp://www.3rdrockgrid.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-63581259460074342972011-01-05T13:07:45.529-08:002011-01-05T13:07:45.529-08:00I spend time in both InWorldz and 3RG (to be up-fr...I spend time in both InWorldz and 3RG (to be up-fron, more of my time is in 3RG). Both worlds have their strengths and weaknesses.<br /><br />I think you've given a great assessment of your first visit to both. One thing about InWorldz is there are many passionate cheerleaders that you will hear from (and have heard from).<br /><br />I script and build, so I choose more than one grid to do my thing (I am active in 4 grids, and visit abut 4 others). I get bored easily, so I just jump around.<br /><br />I do like shopping, so it has been nice to see more vendors and brand new creators coming into 3RG and other grids as they begin to see potential and content security.<br /><br />Welcome to grid hopping! I hope you find what you need in a new grid or mix of grids.Kristen Mynxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7165528889627677645.post-12383053828238536842011-01-05T09:32:10.951-08:002011-01-05T09:32:10.951-08:00Let us not confuse that my being in Inworldz meant...Let us not confuse that my being in Inworldz meant I played shows there yet. In all honesty, I scoped it out, even dressed up the avatar and got things pretty well set up, building my own tip jars and venue and what not. When I approached the venues about performing live there, I was met with reactions of rude anger, and told I was charging double. The bottom line for my fees, in ANY virtual domain, is that when it gets to my paypal, its a certain amount. Inworldz monetary structure, is worth HALF the linden dollar, and so instead of 5000 lindens, it was 10-ish, and these venues all wanted to pay half what I would normally get. <br /> Many venues, have forgotten their role, and this is a direct result of a broken system. You want a good entertainer, then you pay the fees, and I have always tried to be reasonable and work with troubled venues as well to help them stay open.<br /> I would recommend that if you are looking for new places, keep a close eye on blue Mars, and spotON3D, and soon to come Musicajam . . . all viable structures that are working on creating a better virtual experience.Anek Fuchshttp://www.spoton3d.comnoreply@blogger.com