What is SL?


Midwest Entertainers Virtual World Musician Resource

		Now accepting submissions for 3-D online virtual performances!







	*“If I sorted it out...if I knew all about...this one thing...wouldn’t that be something”! - Finger Eleven*

Second Life Vision and Mission:
To connect us all to an online world that advances the human condition.

Linden Lab was founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale to create a revolutionary new form of shared experience, where individuals jointly inhabit a 3D landscape and build the world around them. Today this experience, known as Second Life, has a rapidly growing population of Residents from 100 countries around the globe, who are creating and inhabiting a virtual world of their own design.

Founder Philip Rosedale is the former CTO of RealNetworks, where he pioneered the development and deployment of streaming media technologies. Linden Lab is funded by a group of notable early stage investors including Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development, Catamount Ventures, and Benchmark Capital.

Based in San Francisco and founded in 1999, Linden Lab employs a senior development team bringing together expertise in physics, 3D graphics and networking. Team members have previously worked at leading entertainment companies such as Electronic Arts, Disney, THQ, Acclaim, Hasbro, and Mattel.www.secondlife.com




	Philip Rosedale’s AV


		PHILIP ROSEDALE SPEAKS TO FORBES.COM

	“This isn't the Matrix, but it's in the same neighborhood. This virtual world, where 3-D software and broadband networking let you download a small application that transports you to the surface of a new planet, is a digital re-creation of reality, where everything you see, like the Web, is owned and created by hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. But unlike the Web, this is a living space filled with other real people behaving much as they do in the real world. In other words, it's a lot more than a videogame. It's a place where real companies and real entrepreneurs can try out new product designs, hold press conferences and get feedback from customers”. Philip Rosedale, Founder and CEO: Linden Labs-Second Life. Excerpt from Forbes.com




Philip Rosedale CEO - Linden Labs


	Update: In March 2008, Philip Rosedale announced his move from CEO to “Chairman of the Board”. LL is currently seeking a suitable CEO.


	You can fly in Second Life! Are you ill, handicapped or homebound? We warmly encourage you to open new doors in your real life by becoming a Resident of SL!


	In her own words: Who is Roxi Bingyi? What is the Second Life Music Association?

Hi! My name’s Roxi Bingyi. I’m the virtual AV for “MWE” agent Deb Mikesch & founder of the “Second Life Music Association” (SLMA). B4 my avatar was created, Deb spent months learning the logistics of supporting musicians in SL. By reading every book, blog & website available, it was soon time to create me & begin her own SL. Did she learn everything? Hardly, but she did learn 2 important things: Virtual worlds are the future of the internet and the music business in SL is thriving. As former RL president of the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) she knew these “in-world” musicians needed support.
So this is where I began. With no money and nowhere to live, I logged in and out of “Welfare Island” & attended “in-world” classes, visited clubs & networked with venue owners, gear companies & talented musicians. Most of all, I danced. 1st thing a noob needs to know...We dance a LOT in SL. LOL!

Finally, I earned enough “dancing” to move into an office & form our group. SLMA.is dedicated to the education & support of virtual entertainers of all genres across the grid. We support humans, furries, Goreans & all cultures in SL. As virtual owner of MWE (Midwest Entertainers) booking agency. I book acts, teach them the basics of performing in SL, & promote their shows with “crossover” advertising in SL & RL.
Using the technology “machinima” I can also help with music videos & recorded performances for Youtube or your website.. Basically, I do all the work. Deb types. LOL! JK.
Congrats for taking your 1st step into SL. WTG! xoxo ~ Roxi ~


	What is Second Life? (clipped from www.secondlife.com)

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.

· From the moment you enter the world you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.
· You'll also be surrounded by the creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.
· The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world unit-of-trade, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges.


	I’m a musician. How can I perform a show in Second Life?

Playing a show in Second Life is done by sending a live music stream from your own computer to a Shoutcast (http://www.shoutcast.com) or Icecast (http://www.icecast.org) server, and mapping the server's stream URL to a parcel of land in Second Life. People who visit the parcel in Second Life will immediately hear the live music stream. Musicians are also typically logged into Second Life at the same time as they are performing, so they can chat with the audience between songs and even take requests! There are also many Residents in Second Life who run clubs and venues specifically to host and feature live musicians, so you don't necessarily have to own your own parcel of land to get started.


	What does a virtual venue look like?

Below are just a few examples of virtual venues in Second Life. Like real life, SL venues can be large or small. Unlike real life, each venue is unique in that its design is limited only by the builders imagination. There are hundreds of venues already on the grid with new ones arriving on a constant basis.
You could find yourself performing at an intimate coffee shop, a giant amphitheater, an underwater biker bar or even on a platform floating around a virtual solar system! Venues are open 24-7 for worldwide residents. Well promoted events are heavily attended at any time of the day or night. SL operates on a Pacific Time schedule for continuity as the main facility “Linden Labs” is based in California.

I still don’t get it. What will I look like to the audience? What about gear?

Each resident of Second Life is represented by an avatar. Generally musicians create avatars to look as close to themselves as possible for real life promotion of their SL shows. But you don’t have to. You can be a spider, robot or anything you’d like to be. You may choose to part of the “Gorean” or “Furry” communities that thrive in SL. You can change your clothes or your entire avatar’s look anytime you wish. You are limited to your dreams.
Gear is plentiful in SL but expensive. Roxi has already acquired stage gear for any show. OD Designs is our exclusive gear company by choice. They are officially approved by Dean Guitars and many other companies to design music gear in SL. Their product is reliable, realistic and loaded with animation scripts.If you have a particular stage design in mind we can often accommodate your needs with the venue owner.
Below are some examples of musicians we’ve met and virtual gear. (Roxi on the piano and Zakk’s guitar).

Guitarists: For starters. how about one of these official Dean Guitars by OD Designs?

OK, I’m sold. Where do I sign up?

You can become a Resident of SL by joining with a free basic membership at www.secondlife.com. Roxi can be reached by email or at our “in-world” location. Teleport coordinates can be found on our “Contact Us” page. Don’t wait too long! The population of SL has grown by 9 million Residents in the last year! We hope this page has been of help in understanding SL and what it can do to enhance your music career.


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