Friday, January 29, 2010

Do Your Part

Earlier this week I ventured over to Aoharu with a friend for some last minute shopping. You know how hard it is to pick and chose when you want everything but can't afford it! Anyways, I wasn't shopping, she was, so I was just tagging along and being nosy. Recently, I have been coming face to face with content theft more than one person ever should, and it has struck me paranoid when in public places. I was tempted to costume out in a library look, but I refrained.

I noticed some guy randomly floating, have dresses with decently made sneakers on. He wasn't very old so it wasn't that odd, until I inspected his shoes. They were Chucks from Maschienwerk, only... not created by the owner of said store. He was alt-camming everyone without range, and then he vanished.

After that, I started being more nosy. I was camming everyone in the join and inspecting them left and right. A handful had on an anti-inspect shield or two. After de-rendering them, my friend and I noticed stolen content from the likes of Maitreya, Bax, Reek, and Grasp among other brands in world. We were racking up snapshots and uploads reporting all of this stolen content to the original creators. I of course warned Machang for the third time in a week about someone stealing or having stolen something of hers.

If that isn't bad enough, I retreated to a place I normally trust. I set up platform in a sandbox meant for educationalist to build and learn in sometime last year. I build there constantly. The sandbox has always been a quiet place unless schools are logged in for virtual classes. I have kept to myself there for months, with friends, quietly building. Until recently. Dozens of people have been flocking to this sandbox and setting up houses. Now, while I have a platform out, two now for the horde of friends I have to build there, I have never set up a house. I leave out only what I need to. These newer folks waltz in, rez stolen houses from popular prefab brands and invite over anyone they can think of. Well, I got to being nosy again, and I have seen more stolen content in the last month than I have ever in my Second Life. Mind you Prudence is not my first account. It's almost horrifying. To thicken the plot though, remember the guy I spoke of two paragraphs up? He who suspiciously loomed over Aoharu and disappeared? Yeah, well at least two of the people frequenting the sandbox I build in about an hour later had on Aoharu vest, MADE BY SAID PERSON. Not to forget, a few days before this I literally caught someone mid air in said sim copying an Aoharu coat prim for prim, probably by an out of game program. I wouldn't know, but that is what got me so aware, and pissed off.

They are a big community, but a small world. What they steal gets around quick, and most of the time you will see one content thief and s/he will be the alt of another. They aren't going to stop anytime soon unless we all put in effort, including Linden Labs. I know you have seen or heard a plethora of people telling you to do your part and be aware, but honestly you are probably thinking "Why do I need to, you are, I can go about my day and shop and do what I do."

You should be aware. You should be aware that every time you are out in public land, you are at risk of having everything you are wearing copied. Every time you blog, you're at risk of aiding a content thief into knowing where a good place to steal from is. Which, is partly why this new blog is not very active.

As much as I hate saying this, you need to stereotype. Content theifs run in packs, and it's a given.

Be aware! Turn transparencies on (Control Alt T) and look for anti-inspect shields. Use Emerald Viewer to de-render shields and inspect what people are wearing, as well as see who may be camming you. However, do NOT yell at people for camming you, we all do it. It does not mean someone is stealing, but at least you should be aware of it. Snapshot and report people wearing stole content. It really is that easy to be proactive about keeping IP rights safe. Do your part.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Rebranding and Retirement Sale

Just a side note post today...



Visit Astraia, formerly known as hc & co, owned by Heather Connolly
Reinvented and retiring a LOT of product.
The sale will last for an undisclosed amount of time,
so don't hesitate, go now and grab both new and old merchandise!

Teleport now!

It's a tiny world!


Are you a tiny? Clearly, you should be.
There are so many tinies across the grid, from Princess Bunnies, to blinking snails and even replicated Digimon babies. What kind of tiny are you?

Male & Female Snails,
Male & Female Hippos,
Yuiminotamon,
Relemon, Leafmon,
Scribble and Hangman Paper Bunnies
from Red Lemon.

Red Panda,
Kangaroo,
Fizzlepop Dragon
from Extrovirtual.

Tiny Yet,
Panda and Ox from Pink Fuel.

Rainy Child and Snowman Child
from Coyura Creations.

Princess Bunny from
Risusipo Store in Ozimals.

Cat from Achamo on Tiny Sim.

Daphne the Dragon
and Hamry the pig from
Loco Pocos.


Sunday, January 17, 2010

Red

Unfortunately today's posts for my weekend in red weren't ready, and will not be posted. I was sick in bed all day and I feel discouraged now, so this weekends color was short. However, this weekends color was Red, which perfectly coincides with all of the items around the grid that profit the relief of Haiti. Please do your part, even a few linden adds up.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Weekend In Red II

On Prue
Skin: Vive9 - Jennifer
Hair: Aden - Edie
Top: Fri.Day - Crewneck T-shirt
Pants: Surf Couture - Yoga Pants
Shoes: Magi Take

On Heather
Hair: Truth - Imogen
Lashes: the Obscene - Jezebeth
Skins: Exodi - Lily Cherry
Boots: Shiny Things - Comfy Boots
Dress: Momo - Knit Dress


On Heather
Hair: Truth - Sasha
Lashes: the Obscene - Jezebeth
Skins: Exodi - Lily Cherry
Necklaces: Violet Voltaire
Shirt: This is a Fawn - Reliefe for Haiti fund shirt! GO GET IT
Pants: Zaara - Ishaya Velour Slacks
Shoes: PM - Freya Flats

Weekend in Red I

This weekends color is red! Enjoy


On Prue:
Skin: Tuli
Hair: Maitreya - Dylan
Blazer: Decoy - Hooded Blazer
Slacks: Armidi - Tweed Slacks
Heels: Maitreya - Freebie Subscribo Heels

On Paisley:
Skin: Tuli - Kalista
Glasses: HoC - Rectangle Frames
Hair: Fri.Day - Jasmine
Ears: Aitui's OLD sculpted ears. Newer version available only.
Jacket: Ibizarre - Red Pea Coat
Slacks: Mischief - No Shame (Part of outfit)
Shoes: Surf Couture - Elsa Boots

Friday, January 15, 2010

Porcelain Photo Contest

My first photo contest has ended, and the winners have been chosen. While there weren't many entries, there is a great bit of diversity in the few people who participated. Hopefully the next contest I host will have a bigger turn out. One can only hope! On to the winners.

Coming in first place with "Porcelain Doll" is Estella Magic!


In second place is Val Southard with Bells Heard Through The Foliage!


Finally, in third place we have Spirit of Porcelain by Cheri Larnia!


Congratulations winners! All three are great shots and creative concepts.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Ten Smart Tips for a Happy Business.

10. Sell product you would purchase. If you only shop at high end stores, why would you want to sell something you don't even think if good enough to purchase for yourself? Quality is rarely every valued on a personal level. What Society says goes, and standards are high. So don't complain if you aren't getting business because even you don't like what you sell.

9. Research your competition. Don't dig into someone's idea, but find out what like creators are selling their goods for. Overpriced means no sales and now loyal customer base. Offer fair prices. This also applied to trend. As much as some of us hate trends, they are what sells, like it or not. Your mall, club, or store is competing with every other business on the grid for traffic and sales. Look around at what competition is doing event wise, prices, and buildings alike. It can help you boost your image and sales.


More...

8. Don't color and sell templates. If you use templates to create you product, consider the fact that so does half of the grid. Using templates is a wonderful resource of learning, so use it as one. Don't use it as a fast means of making profit in-world because you'll stall out and make no money. Too many people sell the same template-color-or-made clothing that you do, so step it up a notch and make the template your own. Use resources to create something new out of something over used!

7. Fancy clothes, okay. Fancy everything, not so much. Don't overdo it. Keep your store clean, simple, and fun to be in. Bold colors, clean lines and an easy layout will draw people in to look around your store better than some wild and annoying build. Keep your signs crisp and easy to read. The more rubbish you put on a policy sign, the less likely people will read it or even notice it. Bold is good, simple is better.

6. Take suggestions and advice from your customers, not your friends. Chances are if you make a new build and it looks like baby vomit and blocks, your friend will tell you they like it. A customer or stranger is more likely to tell you how unappealing it is. While some customers are jerks and like to be rude to content owners, most people are intimidated by owners of stores they frequent.

5. Don't use float text, especially if you have a shop at a mall. Yes, people notice it, but it's not good for people to notice your annoying float text through someone else's wall. It's tacky, period.

4. If you aren't a great SL photographer, get someone else to make your vendors. How you present your clothing is how you make money. If the vendors are too cluttered and bright people won't be willing to look at what you are selling. Keep it clean but noticeable. You can always have style in a sleek refined way without compromising your personal image for your shop.

3. Stay organized! Plan before hand! If you own a group, don't change ten times. Research all of your options first, so you know what you can and cannot afford, or what can accommodate your customer base. Keep all of your note cards, information, and group notices formatted and clean. DON'T USE CAPS LOCK. It's cheap, not attention drawing.

2. Don't spam! If you have a group, send only what is important such as store issues like closures and remodels, or of course new releases, sales, events. Forgot to attach a LM? That's fine, send one off. Don't write a novel about your typo, or how you hate yourself, or how your dog shit in your shoe. Too personal with hundreds of people you don't know really isn't good for business. If someone doesn't like you and they let you know, don't send out notices crying to your group. If it's personal, keep it personal. Also, don't leave a scripted prim at your landing point to drop ten things on new comers. If somebody is interested in your store and they want to come back, they will go out of their way to landmark your shop or get one. If they want info on the shop, again, they will find it. Spamming potential customers only makes them leave, and never return.

1. Enjoy what you do. If owning a business become a chore and not a hobby, close up shop and call it a day. If you don't enjoy what you make then you aren't making it for the love of bringing new things to the society of Second Life. Building because you feel obligated means it's about money you are less likely to keep a loyal customer base if you aren't putting passionate effort into your product.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Lazy Afternoon


On Prudence:
Skin: Belleza - Belle
Hair: Pacadi Jasha - Susan I
Top: Aitui - The Marraige -
Bottoms: Sn@tch - Tweed Shorts
Flats: 50 Flats - Preppy Tweed

On Paisley:
Skin: Cupcakes - Daydream - Cameo - Earth
Hair: Fri.Day - Cameron
Glasses: HOC - Rectangle Framed Glasses #001
Ears: Aitui's old gauged ears. Newer versions available.
Top: Surf Couture - Kettle Corn Cardigan
Jeans: Mischief - Everyday Jeans
Shoes: UBU - Pornstars

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Black & White Conclusion

Call me biased, but Trickett's ensemble is my favorite.

On Trickett:
Skin - Frick - Noir Smudged - Goth
Hair - Nouveau Miranda - Amazonia - Jet Black
Ears - Illusions - Mystic Ear - Elfin
Antlers - Illusions - Sika Antlers
Legs (Tail) - Titania's Court - Obsidian Faun Avatar
Wings - Nighshade Designs - Angel's Sanctuary-Fetish Wings
Piercing - Ellabella - Pure Garbage
Bracelts - Sn@tch Royal Bangles
Necklace - U&R Dogs - Partita Necklace
Top - Artilleri - Fererra Tubetop
Corset - Schadenfreude - Underbust Corset
Skirt - Mischief - Xtra Storange Skirt
Socks/Garters - Sn@tch - Cherry Forever (Socks also available from Candy Stockings)
Fingertape - Sn@tch - Sn@tch Fingertape
Tattoo - Original Choice - Indian by Original Choice

On Sileny:
Skins: Nuuna's
Hair: Lamb
Eyes: Poetic Colors
Jewelry: KessKreations
Tattoos: Sn@tch
Dress: Sn@tch
Shoes: SLink

On Heidi:
Hair: Uw.St. - Kotone Type B Mesh Dry Leaf
Skin: Twilythula - PaNina Mountain/Medium
Ring L: Fairy Tail
Ring R: Gabriel
Bracelet L: Sugar
Bracelet R: YS&YS
Dress: Prelude - Twiggy Black (includes belt)
Shoes: SLink - Caged White

I hope you have enjoyed the plethora of black and white outfits my friends and I have put together. We all barely scraped the top of our inventories.
Dig into your inventory, and pull out something black and white, see if you can come up with own bold looks!
Tune in next weekend for our next color: Red!

Black & White VII

[1:12] Heather Connolly: i want to like you in the penis!!!!
From Heather, in regards to the last look in the photo.

On Prudence:
Skin: Rockberry - Megan
Jeans: Paper.Doll
Jacket: SMS - Another Vintage Jacket
Cami: Fri.day
Hair: Aden - Tori
Glasses: HOC Aviators
Shoes: Bax - Suede Boots

On Heather (Middle):
Hair: Truth - Sasha - treacle
Shirt: **MIS** - Tart Halter - Contrast 1
Skirt: {SMS} - Highwaist Skirt Black
Belt: Fri.day - Wide Waist.Belt (Fruit.Punch) (freebie)
Tights: *Sheer* - Tights 15: Stripe-Fade Black
Shoes: [Detour] - Glamour Metallic Pumps - Black
Necklace: +>A&A<+ - Pretty Please necklace

In both of Heather's looks:
Skin: :: Exodi :: - Lily Cherry (Cygne Noir - DkBrow)
Eyes: Redgrave - Blue Water Eyes
Lashes: [the Obscene] - Lashes-JEZEBETH-Tintable

On Heather (Right):
Hair: Truth Veronica - treacle
Dress: SUGARCUBE - dolly border balloon dress [ sesame ] (freebie)
Leggings: Armidi Limited - Metallic Tights - Black
Shoes: UBU - PornStar Lo-Tops

Black & White VI



On Heidi:
Skin: Sun Made Fashions - Amelia Skin Natural
Hair: Shag - Coquette Platinum
Ring L: LaGyo
Ring R: Dark Mouse
Dress: Zenith Fashion
Shoes: Ordinary - Margay Black

On Prudence:
Skin: Belleza - Belle
Hair: Decoy - Katie
Glasses: Role Optic
Necklace: IS - Heart Necklace
Jacket: Tuli - Cable Knit Cropped Vest
Sweater: Pig - Cozy Chenille Sweater
Belt: Elate - Skinny Belt
Jeans: Zaara - Charcoal Jeans
Boots: Kookie - Pomskie

Black & White V


On Prudence:
Skin: Tuli - Kalista
Hair: Tiny Bird - I and Love and You
Necklace: Cake - 80's Pop Necklace II
Bracelets: Cake - Flea Market Bracelet 2
Top: Artilleri - ah, Bella! Zebra
Pants: DeLa - Cropped Pants "Marni" Black
Shoes: AWD - Schoo - White tiger

On Norma:
Hair: Ingenue - Ms. Page Hair
Eyes: Elate! - Hazel Eyes
Top: Mischief - Rock, Me Roll Me tank (Subscribo Gift)
Skin: [42] - Skin in Bloom_04
Tattoo: Garden of Ku - Carpe Diem
Pants: DeeTaleZ - Braces Business Pants
Boots: J's - Engineer Long Boots

On Airedine:
Hair: !lamb. - Bang Bang
Skin: L.Fauna - {Lapine . Pale 1} [Voom]
Bow: +>A&A<+ - Skully Bow
Eyelashes: Glow Studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft
Eyes: [ENDEAVOR] - Twinkle Eyes dark night
Facial Piercings: +>A&A<+ - Sweet Nothings Mouth Piercing
Dress: +>A&A<+ - Houndstooth VIPexclusive
Gloves: +>A&A<+ - Daydream Fishnet Gloves
Shoes: NX-Nardcotix - Ashoka T-Strap Plaid Red

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Black & White IV


On Hempy:
Skin: Cupcakes - Seduction Champagne - Retro Skin
Lashes: [Deviant Kitties]
Hair: BP* - OKAPPA Hair Black
Jewelery: ((Ripe)) - Black Diamond Drop Jewelery Set
Shirt: [PinkOutfitters] - Poppy Sheer Chiffon Blouse
Skirt: Stitch By Stitch - Graduation Skirt
Heels: Dilly Dolls - Retro Bow heels

On Heidi:
Skin: Tuli - Kalista
Hair: ETD - Roslin
Earrings: Dahlinks - Morrihgan Black Pearl & Diamond
Dress: Rag Dollz - Madame Scientist (includes hat, choker & gloves)
Shoes: G Field - Short Ribbon Boots Anna

Black & White III


On Airedine:
Hair: PIDIDDLE - Oh No, I Tried Hair
Skin: : HeartSick - Serenity
Earrings: ((RIPE))Moon And Star Earrings
Glasses: Gritty Kitty: DuckLips Glasses
Eyes: [ENDEAVOR] Twinkle Eyes dark night
Necklace: Gritty Kitty: Knuckle Sandwich
Tattoo: PIDIDDLE - Remember That I Love You Tattoo
Bracelet: ((RIPE)) Evil Aura VoodooMojo Bracelet
Leotard: PIDIDDLE - Raw Bones Leotard
Gloves: PIDIDDLE - Kill or be Killed Gloves
Shoes: *Kookie* - Yuki Sock supreme heel

On Whathole:
Shirt: AOHARU - Silk Flower Shirt White
Shoes: HOC - Bolts sneakers
Hair: Find Ash - LeLook l'homme Jet Spike *TINTED DARKER* (Available only at LeLook.)
Pants: Redgrave - LeLook l'homme pants (Available only at LeLook.)
Skin: Signature - Kamron

On Prudence:
Skins: Imagen - Irene (LC Gift)
Hair: ETD - Natasha
Dress: Cover Girl - Nora
Socks: Freak Boutique - School Daze Lace Bobby Socks
Shoes: COCO - Oxford Shoes Two Tone

Black & White II


On Heidi (Left):
Hair: EMO -tions - Raider Mohawk Just Black
Skin: Twilythula - Panina Midnight Medium
Eyes: Ruin - Hell-ena: Azathoth, slit (including prims)
Earrings: DV8
Cloak: Refuge - Brood
Shirt: SLink - Spahgetti Strap Top
Shoes: Monogrind - Toxic Waste Shoes

On Prudence(Right):
Hair: Lelutka - Hera
Skin: Belleza - Belle
Jacket: Fishy Strawberry - Material Girl Sweater Gun
Bra: Seldom Blue
Pants: LeeZu Baxter - Lea Pants Black
Heels: Maitreya -Slinky Stiletto

Black & White I

This weekend, I am bringing to you a mass of bold looks and diverse style in the form of two of the most commonly paired colors we all know, and use: Black and white. With the help of my fashionable friends and extensive inventories, we shall dazzle you with classics.


Stay tuned for style info on the above looks, and then some.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Slick


Skin: Jennifer by Vive9
Lashes: Innocent - Smooth by Glow
Hair: Julie By Truth
Jacket: Short Leather Jacket By Ce Cubic Effect
Dress: Rebel Yell By Canimal
Boots: The Catalyst By The Abyss

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Looks Can Kill

Beauty Kills


Skin: *REDGRAVE* - Leticia Tan - Glamour Smoky
Top: [W&B] - I'll Be A Ghost Shirt
Pants: Pacadi Jasha - Black Knee Pants
Heels: Jimmy Chau - Surudoi Red
Cig: Pixel Dolls - Part of The New Zero set

Friday, January 1, 2010

Porcelain Launch


To launch this blog with style, I am hosting a small photo contest.

The theme of the contest is Porcelain.

Porcelain ~ a strong, vitreous, translucent ceramic material.

I am looking for creative personal portrayals of Porcelain and the beauty this material often resembles. This can be exhibited in so many ways. For example, a porcelain doll photo shoot, use of glass or transparent beauty, ethereal, pristine. You can even turn the tables and aim for a darker theme such as a shoot revolving around a broken doll look. Porcelain is a very refined and delicate ceramic.
It provides a pristine open canvas to be painted on and dolled up.
It is very easily broken, and damaged.

Perceive the theme with your own creativity.

Rules

  • Be creative!
  • No more than three entries per person.
  • All entries must be submitted to the contest group on Flickr:
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/porcelaincsrpc/
  • No use of Renderosity for post processing.
  • You must be the photographer.

Prizes

  • First place - Five fully stamped WinterChoice! cards.
    + 1,000 Linden
  • Second Place - Three fully stamped WinterChoice! cards.
    + 750 Linden
  • Third Place - Two fully stamped WinterChoice! cards.
    + 500 Linden

Don't know what WinterChoice! is? Follow this URL:
http://edelweiss.sc/choice2009w/

WinterChoice! runs until Jan 18.
This contest will end soon enough that you have time
to redeem your card in the case that you win.



Timeline

All entries can be entered from Friday Jan 1, until Wednesday Jan 13.
No entries will be accept after the 13th.

Winners will be announced on Friday, Jan 15.
This provides winners three days to obtain their WinterChoice! CSR prizes with their stamped cards.