Use your social network to earn money

If you have many friends in Second Life you can earn Money and help to make easier your friend’s second life. Do you want to know how?

Very simple! Send the AAT catalog to your friends

The AAT catalog is similar to those from Avon. Inside you can find a lot of different products chosen with care.

With the AAT catalog you have always a store with you. You don’t need to have the store landmark or suffer from lag inside the store. Just rezz the AAT Catalog on the ground and you will have a store in front of you.

The AAT Catalog uses the most advance system and your purchase and commission is send automatically. If someone buy from it and you receive the commission on the same time!!! Yes on the same time. And if you buy yourself any product you get a 25% discount!!!

How it works? Very simple!!! The AAT Catalog has a system that allows the purchase and commission split automatically. Just send to your friends and if someone buy the person will receive the product and you will receive the commission.

The AAT Catalog is a mall in your hands! The prices are low and you can’t miss the sales promotion!

What you are waiting for? Request your AAT Catalog from Anna Avalanche

How to buy? Apart from the arrows buttons, there is a central button that reads "show items" or "show catalogs" depending on what you are looking at. Press the button when it reads "show items" to look at the items of a particular catalog. Click the button again when it reads "show catalogs" to go back to browsing the catalogs.

So use the arrows buttons to brows and the middle button (^^Trade) to get inside each section.

To buy something, just touch the pictures with the right mouse button and pay.

In case you still have any doubt access: http://aatcompany.blogspot.com/ or http://aatcompany.blogspot.com/2008/10/read-below-leia-abaixo.html

Read Below:

Brazilian Music Seduced the World

The Stolen Child an amazing video by Lainy Voom


Poetry Secundo Coming, A pornographic satire By Nebbisk Oh


Second Life Manuals and tutorials free at AAT


Freebies at AAT


Very good dressing clue by Gisa Miles


Philip Rosedale on interview to Portuguese radio station


New tutorial: Using light for a good picture

What to do with Second Life annoying groups?


Dream of the Year: Second Life 2.0


Zurich City SL Opera House Second Life - Beautiful Places inside Second Life by Wildstar Beaumont

Tip How transmit video from your Webcam in Second Life

I was looking for news for the Blog and found this old one, but very interesting for those who like videos, and thought it was worth translating and posting it here on the blog. If anyone knows more tips I will love so publish. Please send me a comment.


Source: Blog Second Life Radar por Cláudio Ralha


You want to transfer video from your Webcam into an event in Second Life or even in your land for friends seeing you in real life? For those who have been frustrated trying the good news is that it is possible, provided of course that you have access to broadband Internet with a minimum speed of around 500 Kbps for upload (check the page of your provider because they normally only disclose the speed to download.

The procedure is relatively simple but involves the creation of a free account at Veodia web site: http://veodia.com/

This is necessary because the web service provides the output to Quicktime, the format adopted by the Second Life for video. With the account created, simply follow the steps in the tutorial presented in Webcam Blog, available at: http://www.blogwebcam.com/webcam-hardware/how-to-live-stream-from-your-webcam-into-second-life

Check the test done by the author's step by step in the video below.



Also in the You Tube, we found a second video showing how to transmit video from the webcam; however the author did not have enough upload speed to pass and was frustrated in the final, thinking it was lag unfortunately.

New URL for Music Stream and Radios for Second Life and Internet

If you want to have music on your land, choose the radio you like, copy the URL (for example: http://216.66.69.100:6210) and paste into your land profile (About Land – Media – Media URL).

Have fun


http://87.98.250.247:8426/ WREZ Radio, http://WREZRadio.net, Radio for SL

http://81.169.149.182:8016 IndieSpectrum Radio, the only 24/7 station with SL artists' originals.

http://129.173.67.99:8000 WeFunk

http://89.248.167.22:4060 1.AB-SoulfulClassicJazz

http://64.62.252.130:8030 1.FM - Blues

http://64.62.252.130:8070 1.FM - Channel X

http://64.71.145.133:8010 1.FM Chillout Lounge

http://64.71.145.130:8055 1.FM Jamz

http://64.62.194.11:8020 1.FM-Country

http://216.66.69.100:6210 1.FM-Flashback

http://64.5.130.50:8000 1920s Radio Network

http://213.251.186.167:8000 1-RaDioNIMBOODA.com

http://67.15.180.35:8020 2Believe-Spanish

http://66.250.45.52:7575 3WK Classic Underground

http://66.250.45.52:7800 3WK Classic Undergroundradio

http://88.191.24.102:1755 8 0 's H o t M i x

http://64.202.98.51:808 808 Live Reggaecast

http://81.169.182.149:808 808 Live Reggaecast

http://205.234.168.52:80 90.7 KWMU-FM

http://205.188.215.229:8004 977 80s

http://66.0.192.157:8000 ABS Bluescast

http://66.199.227.218:8000 Absolute Technoise Radio

http://209.9.238.4:9298 Always Country

http://205.188.215.226:8018 Angel Fire Radio WDDT Rock & Roll

http://205.188.215.226:8012 Bassdrive

http://38.99.68.230:9010 Bay Smooth Jazz

http://207.200.96.232:8006 BeatBlender

http://83.133.119.93:80 Beatles Radio - Fab Four & More

http://64.62.252.134:5100 Belly Up 4 Blues

http://69.22.167.174:8000 BIGUPRADIO.COM Slamming Dancehall Reggae

http://88.191.17.219:80 Black Dog Radio

http://62.75.202.238:13000 BlackBeats.FM

http://85.214.55.100:8000 BlackJam-Radio.de

http://220.85.13.109:7700 BlueClassic

http://210.109.97.69:8000 Blues On Air

http://38.96.148.26:7890 Blues Radio UK

http://87.98.150.1:8000 Bollywood Music Radio

http://87.98.150.2:9200 Bollywood.mu

http://207.200.96.232:8014 Boot Liquor

http://205.188.215.225:8002 Breaks

http://213.251.176.192:3015 Canal creole

http://205.188.215.225:8010 ChroniX Aggression

http://205.188.215.225:8004 Classic Electronica

http://130.166.72.1:8006 Classic Heartland

http://213.73.255.244:2026 Classic Soul Network

http://205.234.179.203:80 Classical Minnesota

http://64.71.145.106:8004 Classical WGBH 89.7-HD2

http://89.248.167.7:13000 COCORADIO.COM

http://130.166.72.1:8006 Country-Heartland PUBRadio

http://205.188.215.232:8028 Cowboy Cultural

http://64.202.98.133:9130 CRC Hard Rocking 80's

http://207.200.96.225:8022 Cryosleep

http://85.21.79.5:8040 Deep Mix Moscow Radio

http://85.12.7.2:8000 DEFJAY HIP-HOP AND R&B

http://129.16.159.166:8000 DigitalGunfire-Hard Hitting

http://205.188.215.228:8006 DIGITALLY-IMPORTED

http://64.92.199.69:8240 Dinner Jazz Excursion

http://88.191.16.70:10780 Diva Radio

http://207.200.96.229:8030 Drum & Bass

http://69.5.81.72:7550 ELVISMEN-SALSA

http://205.188.215.228:8016 FLARESOUND

http://194.158.114.68:8000 FREQUENCE3-Paris France!

http://88.191.18.198:8220 Fun Radio - Soul&Dance

http://62.250.7.133:8000 Funk HiQ

http://195.234.45.50:8000 GothVille Radio

http://207.200.96.228:8076 Groove Salad

http://222.122.131.95:8000 HAPPYDAY

http://217.64.173.227:19720 HBR1-Dream Factory

http://38.96.148.38:8755 Hiphop Philosophy

http://205.188.215.228:8018 HOUSEMUSIQUE

http://213.251.129.50:8080 idobi Radio-Alternative

http://140.142.8.222:8000 KEXP Live

http://66.90.118.85:10014 KGRL

http://207.44.222.47:8080 Khaha.com

http://81.173.3.20:80 kinkfm.com

http://207.218.248.42:8000 KOQX Blues Radio

http://red.neostreams.info:8000 Landfall Radio, Island Music

http://213.251.133.49:9320 La Radio de La Mer

http://213.251.129.22:8000 Led Jam Radio

http://205.188.215.225:8018 Limbik Frequencies

http://64.62.161.77:8000 LiveHardRock.com

http://88.191.28.74:8090 LOUNGE-RADIO

http://195.56.146.186:8220 M3MUSIC Classical

http://218.189.210.17:4800 MAGNATUNE.COM

http://205.188.215.228:8012 Megarock Radio

http://69.12.217.101:8000 Memories 89 One KCEA-FM

http://213.186.41.214:80 MIZIKRADIO

http://213.251.173.211:9446 MKM RADIO

http://69.13.65.118:8002 Mountain Apple Company

http://38.118.158.78:8070 MPEGRadio.Com

http://194.97.52.210:8700 mth.Alternative

http://208.53.158.16:100 Music Massage

http://129.241.205.150:8080 Music One

http://radiosolution.info:8700 Music World Radio

http://89.248.163.114:5502 Nashville FM

http://145.58.33.32:8022 NPS Output Webradio

http://84.244.180.46:8034 OLDIES45.NL-50s60s70s80s

http://209.51.162.163:8070 One Dot FM

http://211.43.215.166:8136 ORSRADIO-Best Latin Hits!

http://64.62.253.223:9030 Otto's Baroque Musick

http://64.72.117.112:8000 Pegajosa

http://66.90.118.85:9502 Pirate Cat Radio

http://213.73.255.244:10500 Prolocation:IranianRadio

http://194.158.114.67:5000 PulsRadio

http://64.27.19.195:8668 Puro Reggaeton

http://145.58.33.32:8048 Radio Netherlands

http://207.200.96.226:8056 Radio Paradise

http://88.191.11.123:8767 Radio Rivendel

http://205.188.215.231:8004 radio.wazee

http://82.149.227.170:11600 Radio700-Schlager und Oldies

http://207.200.96.227:8060 RadioDarvish-Persian

http://66.98.164.56:12614 RadioJackie-London

http://208.53.131.181:8000 Radiophile

http://64.72.117.112:8000 RadioReggaeton

http://217.118.212.74:8500 Radioseven

http://88.191.27.15:8128 RaDioTEENTAAL

http://205.234.220.66:7970 RAGGAKINGS

http://66.254.105.246:8000 Random Loveline-Talk

http://72.36.247.66:9000 Reggaetoneando-Peru

http://211.43.215.169:8376 ROMANTICA FM

http://72.236.125.114:8050 ROOSTER CLASSIC COUNTRY

http://212.72.165.24:9012 rootsrockreggae

http://205.188.215.231:8010 SALSASTREAM-Best Salsa

http://207.200.96.225:8010 Secret Agent-Downtempo

http://205.188.215.227:8008 SKY.FM - Modern Jazz

http://82.96.64.7:8080 SKY.FM COUNTRY

http://66.250.45.118:7694 SKY.FM-Classic Rap &HipHop

http://205.188.215.225:8000 SKY.FM-Roots Reggae

http://205.188.215.232:8014 SKY-Class&Flamenco Guitar

http://216.179.194.131:8978 Smoothbeats.com

http://207.200.96.226:8052 SMOOTHJAZZ.COM

http://66.232.110.34:8000 SmoothLounge

http://212.72.186.18:8180 Soft N Easy Net Radio

http://205.188.215.228:8000 Spirit of KJAZ-San Fran.

http://69.9.183.97:9224 Star104

http://38.96.148.19:8300 Steel Radio

http://69.28.128.148:80 stream/radioio_country_free_hi,Radio Country

http://82.197.165.137:80 Swiss Inet Radio-Classical

http://82.197.165.139:80 Swiss Inet Radio-Opera

http://82.197.167.138:80 Swiss Inet Radio-swing

http://80.237.158.27:8000 Techno4ever Radio

http://80.154.37.109:80 TechnoBase.FM

http://38.96.148.19:9950 TELLSTREAM DANCEHALL(UK)

http://38.96.148.26:8155 The AfriRythms

http://67.159.5.135:8010 The Classic Soul Network

http://205.234.179.4:80 The Current

http://67.43.161.248:6005 The EDGE ROCKS!!

http://212.48.126.146:8230 This Is Corrosion

http://66.197.250.37:15068 TOSSM RADIO

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/breaks-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - Breaks (full url required for icecast stream)

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/dnb-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - Drum and Bass (full url required for icecast stream)

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/hip-hop-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - Hip Hop (full url required for icecast stream)

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/house-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - House (full url required for icecast stream)

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/techno-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - Techno (full url required for icecast stream)

http://stream.transmissionfm.com:8000/trance-high.mp3 TransmissionFM.com - Trance (full url required for icecast stream)

http://66.111.198.196:6256 UrbanSoulNation

http://220.95.210.103:8000 We Met In Classics

http://64.62.252.134:2680 Whole Wheat Radio

http://66.225.205.8:8030 WKSU Classical Channel

http://66.225.205.109:80 WNYC2 Classical

http://xltrax.com:8000 XLTRAX.COM

http://63.241.4.18:8069 XTC.RADIO.LONDON

http://delta.secondlifestream.com:10558 Soderstrom Sounds - 50's, 60's, rockabilly

Retrieved from "http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Internet_Radio_Music_Stream_Urls"

Happy International Women's Day

It’s International Women's Day. Time to celebrate!!! On this occasion remember all the women in your life and make them feel as extraordinary as they always are. Wish us all love and feelings that we are truly special.

Second Life Events Schedule for February 2009

16th, Monday
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Australia Bushfire Charity

NOON SLT - 21 CET
Sphere Quan

1 PM SLT - 22 CET
JONAS Lunasea - NAG premiere!


17th, Tuesday - double special
----------------------------------------------
Midnight SLT - 9 CET
Alienspeaking - Australian DJ Group
Continues Aussie Bushfire Benefit!
http://www.alienspeaking.com/alienspeaking/

1 PM - SLT - 23 CET
Euodia Baxton - continues BUSHFIRE BENEFIT

2 PM SLT - 22 CET
REIS - Launch of VIVO site in Brasil + AUSSIES
http://reis.conexaovivo.com.br/profiles/

18th, Wednesday
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NOON SLT - 21 CET
Sphere Quan ( Holli Vals ) live from the IcyLands

25th, Wednesday
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6 PM SLT - 2 CET
Duzzy Ryder - live from JAPAN

Read Below:

Linden Lab Goes Shopping, Buys Virtual Goods Marketplaces to Integrate Web Shopping with Second Life

Madonna live in Brazil - Anna Avalanche Second Life Blog
The Christmas around world

Exploring the new sailing area: Beautiful Places inside Second Life by Wildstar Beaumont

Deja vu International & AA Trade

What is Second Life? How to download Second Life? How to sign in Second Life?

Brazilian Music Seduced the World

Wonderful Brazil - Other Popular festivity

Poetry Secundo Coming, A pornographic satire By Nebbisk Oh

Second Life Manuals and tutorials free at AAT

Freebies at AAT

Very good dressing clue by Gisa Miles

One Hundred years of Japanese immigration in Brazil

New tutorial: Using light for a good picture

What to do with Second Life annoying groups?

The Christmas around world

This is my last 2008 article for déjà vu magazine. Hope you all enjoy, and if you do, please leave a comment.

The Christmas around world


By Anna Avalanche, Gisa Miles and Luiz Speedwell



The arrival of Christmas inspires people around the world. The people of many different continents come together in this period of confraternities, meetings of family, hot meals and of course, exchange gifts.


One of the most colorful celebrations of humanity is the greatest festival of Christianity. It is time when all the fantasy is permitted.

Christmas is a day on which commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. In antiquity, Christmas was celebrated in several different dates, because it is not known with accuracy the date of the birth of Jesus. It was only in the fourth century that Dec. 25 was established as the official date of celebration. In ancient Rome, the December 25 was the date on which the Romans celebrated the beginning of winter. Therefore, it is believed that there is a relationship between this fact with the official celebration of Christmas.



The Germans give the name of Stomach Fat to the day before Christmas. They believe that those who do not eat well that night will be tormented by demons in her sleep. Of ginger cookies and dishes made from pork, pasta and salads, plus marzipan for dessert, make up the German Christmas dinner.

Moreover the decorations of the Christmas markets in Germany misspend lights and colors, creating a world of dreams and the style and the spirit of the season. A cultural program completes the schedule of attractions


Austria - The Christmas tree decorated with ornaments and candy and the Nativity scene make a perfect pair. The December 25 and 26 are national holidays and people used to visit family and neighbors. These meetings are served cold dishes such as cheese and bread and the traditional cookies and biscuits for Christmas. The Christmas in Austria is famous for being the country of origin of Franz Gruber, the composer of "Silent Night", the most famous Christmas song.

Australia - The Australian supper consists basically of turkey, ham and pork with plum pudding. The Christmas tree of Australians is different from all others, because it is a native shrub with small red leaves.



The Chinese Christians celebrate their Christmas decorating their homes with colorful lanterns of paper. Even the Christmas trees which are called "trees of light ', are decorated with lanterns, flowers and other decorations of paper. As the American children, the Chinese also hang their stocking feet for the Santa put the presents there. But there his name is a bit trickier. The old man is called Dun He Ren dao, which means ''Old Christmas'.

Egypt – The Egypt Christians celebrate the Christmas for four weeks and each one of them lit a candle. They fast for 40 days and not missing Christmas dinner of bread, rice, garlic and ground beef.



France - The French homes have a special space reserved for the Nativity Scene, which is known for the quantity and richness of figures that compose. During the supper French can not miss the trunk of Christmas, a typical cake in the form of tree trunk.



Greece - On the day before of Christmas, the children walk the streets singing Kalandia - typical songs of the region - and as a reward receive candy and nuts. After 40 days of fasting, the Greeks eat pork, accompanied by Christopsomo, the bread of Christ. In the Greek celebration there isn’t Christmas tree. Instead, they use a container of wood suspended, filled with water, which is hung a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. Every day a person's family wet the cross and spray the house with her.



India - Exotic. This word describes well the Indian Christmas. Mango and banana trees are decorated in India during Christmas. Still, the Indians use the leaves of these trees to decorate their homes, and oil lamps in the edges of roofs and leaves of tropical plants and candles to decorate the churches. The Christmas in India is very strict in terms of respect for sacred rituals.


Brazil- as the Brazilian people is one of the most cheerful of the world; the celebration of Christmas here could not be different. Millions of Brazilians gathered in family to celebrate the arrival of December 25. Full of popular culture and traditions, the celebration of Christmas has different performances throughout the country, with regional events and highlighted differentiated mainly in the north and northeast. In general, Christmas in Brazil isn’t much different from natal North Americans and Europeans: the family is held in an exchange of gifts near the Christmas tree and table is always full of delicious meals. The only major difference is the weather, because we are in December at the height of summer and they are in the winter.

But No matter the language, ethnicity, economic condition, age or the climate. Color, joy, hope, love, gifts and music create the festive atmosphere of the time and each country follows a tradition, respecting the line of evolutionary time, the legends and customs produced by ancestors.


This article has been sponsored by AA Trade Company, Cleary (128,128,0) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cleary/128/128/0

For more pictures and information see:
English blog: http://annaavalanche.blogspot.com/
Portuguese blog: http://dejavu-intl-portuguese.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaavalanche/

Second Life Events Schedule for January 2009

January 18th
Time: 2 PM SLT
SL NAG @ Rich Island

Wipping Willow live premiere
from MIDEM event @ Cannes / Frances

http://myspace.com/WippingWillow
http://www.midem.net

Scheduled Sequence:

introductory instrumental, image et violoncelle
la periode noire (4 songs) "CInematika"
cerise intro tango
then the singer Anouk joins on l'oiseau tarantelle !

Emergence
Cello Fan
Darquologie
Cerise

Oiseau tarentelle
Cordes pixélisée
coeur grillé
Bonheur ephemere (i shouldn't)
Lollipop
Keskejfoula
rupture inversé (beauty arround)
Escapade
Demenagement
watcha Weia

RL-Videos to your attention:

oiseau tarentelle : http://vimeo.com/1138620
Bonheur ephemere (i shouldn't): http://vimeo.com/2228371
Keskejfoula : http://vimeo.com/2401243
Lollipop : http://vimeo.com/2559001
rupture inversé (beauty around) : http://vimeo.com/2188756
Escapade: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5hyyt_wipping-willow-la-bellevilloise-liv_music
Demenagement : http://vimeo.com/1169521

-------------------------------------------------
January 19th
Time: 1PM
SL Zurich Opera House

Info: http://www.francescocuoghi.it/bibli_streaming.htm
http://www.bibli.it/musica/adesso/2009/09-01.htm

LIVE from ROME:
Maurizio Barbetti viola
Francesco Cuoghi guitar and electronics
Gabriel Maldonado guitars and electronics
Speaker: Gianni Antognozzi

Music from following composers:
Eckart Beinke, Klaus Stahmer, Luca Miti, Edu Haubensak,Bruno Strobl,
Aldo Brizzi, Gerhard Stäbler, Gabriel Maldonado, Riccardo Sinigaglia

ask EdDereDdE Laval - for further infos :)

How to Survive in Second Life - For Newbies

Read Below:

Brazilian Music Seduced the World

Wonderful Brazil - Other Popular festivity


Poetry Secundo Coming, A pornographic satire By Nebbisk Oh


Second Life Manuals and tutorials free at AAT


Freebies at AAT


Very good dressing clue by Gisa Miles


One Hundred years of Japanese immigration in Brazil


New tutorial: Using light for a good picture

What to do with Second Life annoying groups?


want to hug a dragon ? - Beautiful Places inside Second Life by Wildstar Beaumont


Oxbridge - Beautiful Places inside Second Life by Wildstar Beaumont


Zurich City SL Opera House Second Life - Beautiful Places inside Second Life by Wildstar Beaumont

Freebies - good or bad? - by Lucille Morigi

Please have in mind that this is an opinion of someone who does not make money in sl for a living. Also, someone who hates hunts and never spends more time inworld than exactly needed.
Also, someone who have spent so much real money in sl that is starting to rethink it - why do I need all these stuff? So many skins, hairs, acessoires, etc. Why? To feel accepted?
That makes no sense to me, since second life's acceptance doesn't matter to me at all. If someone doesn't like me - I don't mind - that's her/his right.
*******************************************************************************

I understand that some business owners are worried about the huge amount of freebies given around SL.
Time spent on designing, building, uploading textures, investing on their buisiness X free items given away to people that never come back to the store.

Some of them actually make their living from sl.

Ok, I agree, this is something hard for those who make their living or want to become successful in sl.

I beliebe in good quality freebies- either given in groups or not.

I have returned to the stores sometimes IN FACT only beacuse of freebies.
Ex.: Tuli, Splashing Doll, Minnu Model Skins and Hair yes - Venessa Hair freebie made me go back and purchase more hair there, Chai, MAdesign - I have purchased many eyes from the soul eye line only because I recieved one pair of eyes in group and fell in love with them. I only wear those eyes.
Stitch by Stitch also. I have received gifts from the designer and also purchased items from her.

When I like something - I buy it - if I need it at the moment for some reason.

These are a just some examples. I came back to many more. I was thinking of going to Blowpop - after getting that nekkid skin freebie.

Good quality free items always make me come back for more.

But, I believe in one thing:

Second life is supposed to be exactly what it's name suggests - a SECOND life not a first- much less- a real life for me at least.

Let's agree that we all live in the real world, right?

Therefore, we must eat, drink,wear clothes, do whatever a human being needs to do to survive and that means - PAY BILLS.

Exluding freebies is elitism. Pure and simple. Some people simply don't want to/can't spend real money on sl and who can blame them?

Now I don't think they should go on as noobs, naked,barefoot, bald because of that. No. Let them wear freebies. Why not?

If a business owner is terrified because of freebies, well change the public approach/marketing. That if your money come from sl.


Besides: how much are regular residents willing to spend from real money to dress a doll, build it a house, etc.?

If you say that you live in sl, well, I am so deeply sorry for you - there are much, much more in life than a virtual world, but you are the only one that can make choices.

Unless you have no alternative, real world, real sky, real sun, real people will always be better than a virtual one.

ok links:
Freebies are them for free - Raul Crimsom's blog

Freebie Culture in SL - Ana Lutetia's blog

I can Haz Freebiez by Prad Prathivi

What to do with Second Life annoying groups?

Your screen is full of notices from my 25 groups? Some of them are really spamming! What can I do?

Apart from leaving the annoying ones? Go to Contacts > Groups, select a group and then click on Info. On the first page, uncheck “Receive group notices”. From time to time, you may want to check what’s going on: check the Notices tab in the group info.

Music and radio stream for second life and Internet

Sorry I took so long to post. I have been busy working at AAT. But I promise I will do my best to keep the blog update.

One friend of mine asked me about music stream for Second Life and I decided to publish a list about it. As I made a search on my old notes some of this links could be offline. Please let me know if there is any wrong address on the list.

1.FM - Country, /country = http://38.99.68.236:8020
60s 70s and 80s = http://67.43.161.248:82
70s 80s and 90s = http://213.251.163.210:80
80s Classic Rock = http://67.43.161.248:80
80's on SKY FM = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1013
977 - The 80's Channel, /eighties = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1040

Absolutely Smooth Jazz = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1010
Absolutely Smooth Jazz = http://149.174.135.199:80
All Hit 70's = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1076
Bay Smooth Jazz = http://64.62.194.11:9010
Channel X = http://64.62.158.226:8070
Chillout = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1035
Chillout = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1035
Chillout Lounge = http://64.71.145.133:8010
ChroniX Aggression = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1039
CKLW & Windsor = http://64.34.162.142:44
CKNW Radio = http://64.34.149.231:80
Classic Electronica = http://205.188.215.225:8004
Classic Electronica = http://205.188.215.225:8004
Classic Rock = http://72.51.33.149:8000
CO-OP Radio = http://216.19.181.187:81
dance = http://69.80.225.46:9000
Deep House, /house = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1007
DEFJAY HIP-HOP AND R&B, /hiphop = http://85.12.7.2:8000
DJ Mixes = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1017
Drone Zone = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1032
Drum 'n' Bass = http://207.200.96.229:8030
ETN.FM - Progressive = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1028
EuroDance & HiNRG = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1024
European Tranc = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1003
Folk Alley = http://66.225.205.8:8000
Freeform Radio = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1053
frisky Radio = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1015
Frobozz Radio = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1029
GOA and Psy Trance = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1008
GOA-Psy Trance = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1008 , DIGITALLY IMPORTED
Groove Sala = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1018
Hard Core Channe = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1004
Hard Dance! = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1025
HITZRadio, /hits = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1038
HitzRadio.com = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1038
HOT 108 JAMZ = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1071
HOUSEMUSIQUE = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1033
http://82.94.204.111:8000
Indie Pop Rocks = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1073
IP-HOP AND R&B = http://85.12.7.2:8000
Kickin' Country = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1075
Korea Top Radio = http://222.122.131.23:22000
KPIG - Live Free-Range = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1001
Linden Radio = http://66.221.51.119:9008
Lounge = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1009
MOJO Radio = http://64.34.149.231
Mostly Classica = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1006
MPEGRadio. = http://38.118.158.78:8070
Music One = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1011
NME Radio 128k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1056
NME Radio 32k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1055
NPR = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1062
NPR News = http://205.234.188.21:80
Nugs Radio = http://radio.nugs.net:8000
Onart Radio = http://www.musebroadcast.com:8000/onart
Otto's Baroque Radio = http://64.62.253.223:9030
Phreak Radio = http://listen.phreak-radio.com
POWERHITS = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1044
POWERHITS = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1045
Progressive 128k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1079
Progressive House = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1026
Proton Radio = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1041
Pure Classic Rock = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1023
R A D I O L O N D O N = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1070
Radio Pardise 128k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1048
Radio Pardise 192k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1049
Radio Pardise 192k = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1050
Radio Woodstock = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1059
RadioDarvish.com = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1031
RadioParty.pl = http://212.162.20.89:8888
Radio's Rock & Rol = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1043
Radioseven.se = http://217.118.212.74:8500
rap = http://66.230.165.60:6666
Rock = http://205.188.215.229:8010
Rock 101 = http://64.34.149.216:80
Roots Reggae = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1017
Roots Reggae = http://205.188.215.225:8000
salsa = http://205.188.215.231:8010
Salsa stream = http://205.188.215.231:8010
Secret Agent = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1021
Sexy Deep House = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1007
SFU Radio = http://www.cjsf.ca:8000/
Simkast Radio = http://64.62.252.134:8860
Simulcast = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1046
SKY FM Country = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1019
SKY FM New Age = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1002
SKY.FM Mostly Classical = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1006
SKY.FM New Age, /easy = http://149.174.135.199:80/stream/1002
Smooth and Stylish = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1016
SmoothBeats.com = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1012
SmoothJazz.com = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1005
SmoothJazz.com = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1020
Sporting News Radio = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1057
Sports Blogger Live = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1090
Sports Blogger Live = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1091
Techno4ever = http://80.237.158.27:8000
TechnoBase.FM = http://80.154.33.211:80
that doesn't suck = http://213.251.129.50:8080
The 80's Channel = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1040
The Buzz = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1022
The Christmas Channel = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1030
The Edge = http://67.43.161.248:6001
The Hits Channel = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1074
Top Hits = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1014
Trance = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1078
Trance Channel = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1027
Univ. of Victori = http://142.104.140.48:7070
Virgin Classic Rock = http://69.28.128.148:80/stream/vruk_vc_lo
Virgin New Music = http://69.28.128.148:80/stream/vruk_vx_lo
Virgin Radio = http://69.28.128.148:80/stream/vruk_vr_lo
Virgin Radio Groov = http://69.28.128.148:80/stream/vruk_gr_lo
Virgin Radio UK = http://69.28.128.148:80/stream/vruk_vr_lo
Vocal Trance = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1065
World News = http://149.174.133.201:80/stream/1047

Would you like to date me?????? PAY FOR IT.!!..BUT READ IT FIRST:, by Lucille Morigi

Yes, I am selling myself for a very good cause - no, absolutelly no cybersex during the date!!! , lots of fun, yes!!!!!!!!

Ok, so that's it: if you want to spend time with me, now is your chance!!!!! Go go go go, go cause I rarely stay 2 continuous hours in sl, believe me......

This is important people! I am asking you to take part on this event:

Nuki-Nuki Beach Date-A-Thon 2008

Annual Charity for Breast Cancer Awareness

Date and time - Friday September 26, 2008 07:00 – 11:00pm SLT

In the spirit of giving back, the Beach Brats and all our friends, relatives, and loved ones are welcome to participate in this annual giving event to raise funds for breast cancer research.

All funds collected from the Nuki-Nuki Beach Date-A-Thon 2008 will be passed on to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. Our Goal will be a total stretch but we hope to raise L$100,000.

DATE-A-THON

Need a date for that special occasion, want to change things up from that “regular” you have been hanging with, or have you always wanted to go out with that person but never had your chance???

Do not be bashful – now is your time to explore the inner you and express it in a very positive way! Bid on that Babe or Dude and benefit breast cancer research at the same time. Go to the “Date Board” and select your target dates(s) – yes always have a plan B ready!

HOW DO I BID?

On Friday September 26th the auctioneer (The Big Kahuna) will run down the list of each participant (Babe and Dude Dates) from the event notecard. Notecards card be obtained from any event poster. You will simply touch the sign below the “date” you are bidding on. Raise your bid by touching the sign again. All bidders except the top bidder will have their funds returned. Minimum bid starts at $500L.

WHAT DO I RECEIVE?

If you are the winning bid you will receive a date that consists of 2 continuous hours. It is up to the winner to contact “the date” and schedule a time that both can meet and go on their date. This is a charity event and meant to be fun and entertaining for the participants.

HOW DO I ENTER AS A DATE?

Go to the date board and grab the notecard. Complete the questions and do not forget to attach a picture of yourself to the notecard. Send all notecards to Ipunin Pera.

TP to Nuki-nuki beach

One Hundred years of Japanese immigration in Brazil

This is mine and GISA Miles recent article for déjà vu magazine. Hope you all enjoy, and if you do, please leave a comment.

One Hundred years of Japanese immigration in Brazil

By Anna Avalanche and Gisa Miles

This year the Japanese community in Brazil celebrates one hundred years of immigration. June, 18 1908 is considered the milestone of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to Brazil. The 781 impoverished pioneers on the ship Kasato Maru and the thousands who followed them, never meant to stay beyond a few years on Brazil. But who could imagine which nowadays, the Japanese-origin community in Brazil will be the largest outside Japan, with an estimated 1.6 million person.

The first 165 families traveled 52 days on the ship and berth in the city of Santos, São Paulo dreaming with a better life. Most of these immigrants were formed by farmers, who came to Brazil to work in the prosperous farm coffee from western state of Sao Paulo. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Brazil needed workforce for foreign crops of coffee, while Japan was through a period of high population growth and there weren’t enough jobs for the whole population. Then to meet the needs of both countries, was sealed an immigration agreement between the Brazilian and Japanese governments.





In the following years the immigration continued. From 1918 until 1940, approximately one hundred and sixty thousand Japanese came to live in the Brazilian lands. Most immigrants prefer the state of Sao Paulo, however, some families spread itself to other corners of Brazil even in the Amazon forest in Para.




The Japaneses worked hard and soon they were immigrants in Brazil managed to add money and buy their own land. After tough years of labor on the coffee farms, Japanese immigrants looked for work in big cities like Sao Paulo, where they flocked to the downtown area because rent was cheaper.





The Japanese community in Brazil is already in its 4th generation. The descendants of the immigrants perform all kind of activity within the cultural and economic sectors. Immigrants and their descendants who have already close ties with Brazil take part and contribute with love and dedication to the construction of a better and developed country.





But the development of agriculture was the main contribution of Japanese immigrants to Brazil. Food has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of the cultural blending. They helped develop several varieties of fruits and vegetables that did not exist in Brazil including persimmon, fuji apples and ponkan oranges and improved local farming and fishing techniques. Brazil has even allowed a Japanese influence on its most famous drink, the caipirinha. Mixed with Japan's traditional rice wine instead of Brazilian cachaça, the sakerinhas have become a popular option at many bars.

Japanese community in brazil has preserved the language, customs and traditions, such as the Bon-Odori dance. The dance of delicate movement is a recognition by the good crops. Sao Paulo's downtown district of Liberdade, or freedom, is like a slice of Tokyo, its main street lined with red-colored torii gates of Shinto shrines. Soba noodle and sushi restaurants vie with karaoke bars and supermarkets selling sticky natto beans and myriad types of soy sauce.

Today the Japanese heroes are increasingly present in the Brazilian daily life, influencing children, youth and teenagers. The Mangá (Comic stories in Japanese) has won more and more admires in Brazil and spreads to all corners of the country.

The celebretions of one hundred years of immigration was a great event. Prince Naruito participated of wonderful tributes like the inaugurate of the sculpture in honor of the centennial of Japanese immigration idealized by Tome Ohtake, a Japanese imigrant who became the "lady of brasilian plastic arts".





Inside second life there is also an important art exhibition that celebrates the Japanese immigration in Brazil. The professor Hinedori Watanave and his student team of Tokyo Metropolitan University are developing 3D image database of Oscar Niemeyer on Second Life. This is an official art project of "The 100th anniversary of exchanging between Japan and Brazil".


Japan in Brazil. Brazil in Japan

The two worlds exist in both of the countries. There are more than three hundred thousand Brazilians living in Japan and working in factories. The same people who left their own country in a time of so many difficulties also learned open their doors when Brazilians have done the other way. And who would imagine: the Portuguese today is almost a second language in many Japanese cities. Appears in transit plates, is spoken in the streets and heard in the largest issuer of radio and TV in Japan. The Dekasegis are repeating the general pattern of immigrants: while most of them plan to save up enough money in Japan to return to Brazil and set up a business of their own, a majority end up settling down in their new country.

Now, the same way that Japanese immigrants brought, fix part of their culture here, the dekasseguis make it there. Except that this time these customs and traditions are merged with what their ancestors learned in Brazil. It’s all a great mixture of culture and this is the best about globalization.



This article has been sponsored by AA Trade Company, Cleary (128,128,0) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cleary/128/128/0

For more pictures and information see:
Portuguese blog: http://dejavu-intl-portuguese.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaavalanche/

ATTITUDE II, a Baiastice Fashion Show

Today i had my eyes enchanted by Miss Sissy Pessoa, the art on herself!!! Sissy presented her new collection - ATTITUDE II.

Sissy Pessoa, the genius of Baiastice,released her new ATTITUDE II Fall Collection of Clothing and Accessories for immediate purchase. This gorgeously rendered and expansively designed Collection is a 'must-have' that features sumptuous fabrics and a variety of silhouettes and increased versatility with hats and matching handbags available.

Along with the ATTITUDE II Fall Collection Preview, Baiastice will have their first ever discounted sale. All previous Baiastice Collections and Accessories will be discounted by 50% for 3 days only to members of the "**BAIASTICE*** by Sissy Pessoa" Group.

The 50% Discount Sale is ONLY available at the BAIASTICE SIM Store.

After the show, i talked with Maddox DuPont, Owner of KMADD City & MADesigns Shapes, Fashion consultant ~ MAD Image, Art Director and owner of MAD Agency and Fashion writer for GLAM Magazine

Melinda Emms: how is hosting a show for a label like baiastice?

Maddox DuPont: Baiastice is one of our most loved clients that has had number of great shows with MAD Agency. She knows what she wants and she has confidence that MAD Agency can deliver it. This time was no different.

Melinda Emms: and for sure she can be confident, you do a great job!

Maddox DuPont: Inspired by Madonna's Rain video. She came to us with a request of clean, modern, cool minimalistic set for her new line Attitude II. Sissy's clothing is breathless, she is one of the most creative and flamboyant designers we love doing shows for.

Melinda Emms: i think you had defined everything when you use the word breathless, she really is!! Thanks Maddox, and congrats for your great show.

See some photos at :http://www.flickr.com/photos/15204472@N03/

Now, stay with some of her creations.

Matie in blue. This gabardine dress is a saturated slate blue and beautifully textured to show depth and movement.
The full tea-length skirt is a beautiful sweeping design, graceful with each step you take, a Baiastice trademark characteristic.
Hiding beneath this gorgeous gown are the Matie thigh high stockings, a thick band of elegant blue lace topping these sheer seamed stockings.
The Matie bodice is a lace underlayer with a bustier bodice worn over the top. The lace underblouse can also be worn alone, and features discreet placement of the floral pattern to allow sexy but not scandalous exposure!
The prim peplum defines the strong silhouette and the full length bell-end gloves and prim collar as well as the beret hat add the finishing details for this very well thought-out creation.
The matching evening bag is trimmed in coordinating lace and will find hold those few essentials each woman needs for her night out!

A formal gown designed with rare silk and sheer silk. The Urghenz bodice is sexy bustier in shirred print silk, the sleeves are prim capped and finished with bows and ruched bell prim cuffs. An alternate and included bodice is done in sleeveless light lace. The full ballgown-type skirt of Urghenz is kinetically active, fashioned of rare silk flexiprim panels, it has the hint of a train and is beautifully nuanced in shades of silver and cream. The waist of the Urghenz gown is a rose prim belt--realistically rendered silver rosesand leaves form the tone on tone subtle floral accent. The Urghenz top hat and rose/veil lace spray is elegant and befitting of a princess who is stylish with a bit of an attitude!Regal a nd pristine, fresh and youthful.. this gown is all things for all occasions.











Reverse. Created of velvet and satin, the Reverse bodice is sheer satin lace with pockets discreetly placed so that it can be worn even on a PG sim. The layered prim sleeves and collar as well as the sheer lace peplum add dimension to the bodice and realistic details to the entire garment. The pencil skirt is shaded to show the satin's sheen and has a delicate print that echoes the peplum of the top. The Reverse hat is a mod touch, a billed cap with coordinating band. Sexy, modern and tailored... Reverse has it all covered, and with amazing style!

Uff....now i will run to Baiastice. ;)

DAB GOREAN EXPO BY MELINDA EMMS

DAB Designs is promoting the "DAB GOREAN EXPO" during september 08 and 09 at neverending.

"Gor is a world created by John Norman in a series of 27 science fiction novels. It is located on the same orbit as Earth, but is directly opposite to us so that it is always on the other side of the sun and undetectable to Earth science. Gor is a world of greater and lesser technology. A race of Priest Kings, insect like creatures, live in the Sardar mountains. They have a technology superior to ours. They rule as Gods over the planet, but remain unseen and mysterious to the populace. They limit humans to a rudimentary technology, similar to that of the medieval era here on earth. There are different cultures on Gor, different cities, peoples of the wilderness and there are differences in laws and customs among them. However, there are similarities regarding the roles of men and women as seen on Gor. On Gor, as in our own past on this planet, men are dominant. Men are Masters. There are kajiri, male slaves, but they are rare. Gor is a man's world. Women have three roles on Gor. In the books it is noted that the majority of women are Free Women, and only 2 to 3% are slaves. It would appear that there are more slaves than Free Women because the books focus more on women as slave characters, and in online role play, more women choose to role play as slaves than Free Women. Many women who start out as Free become enslaved, but not all, and this further reduces the number that we see in online role play. Free Women are the respectable women of Gor, the ones who become Free Companions and the mothers of children. The closest thing to marriage on Gor is a Free Companionship contract which lasts for a set period of time, usually a year or two. They run the household, work in professions outside the home, raise and teach children. A Free Woman may even have her own silk kajirus, a male pleasure slave. A Free Woman must be keenly aware that her freedom is always at risk. If she shows slave-like behaviour, she can be enslaved. Such behaviour would include dancing in public, dressing immodestly (showing too much of bare arm or leg, showing her naval, and in some places not covering her hair and face with veils), or addressing a man as Master. If a city is raided, she can be captured by enemies and enslaved and sold. If she or her father cannot pay debts, she can be enslaved and sold to cover the debt. If a Free Woman couches or prepares to couch with a slave not her own, she can be enslaved. A Free Woman must toe the line if she wishes to remain Free. A woman can flee to the forests and live as a Panther Girl. These women are escaped slaves and Free Women fleeing an undesired Free Companionship contract. Panther Girls live in the wild. They sometimes capture and enslave men, playing with them for a bit and then selling them when bored with them. If a Panther girl enters a city, she is likely to be enslaved. A woman does have choice on Gor, but make no mistake, it is a man's world and the domination of men over women is considered to be the natural order of things." (extract from Gor 101 by Vivienne Daguerre)

I talked with Daron Brandeis, CEO of DAB designs:

ME:How did you have the idea of an interactive expo?

Daron Brandeis: it came to me when i was watching a show, a normal runway show, and how the first designers that showed there items would have less sales because most people forgot about there designs, so i thought if the items were already out and in the vacinity of the models people could buy there and then as they were looking at the items on the models.

ME:Why the gorean motivation?

Daron Brandeis: I am gorean. I come from a gorean background that is why, but the concept works on any type of show.

ME:How many designers and models are involved on the expo?

Daron Brandeis: 9 designers and approximately 30 models

ME: Do you wanna say anything else to our readers?

Daron Brandeis: this is a forward thinking way of showing of some of the best designers in sl, nevermind gor items and i'm proud that i have such a hardworking dedicated team of professional models to help and support the dab dream and family.

Thanks Daron! Thanks for letting me be part of this.

Autism and ASA by Brett Stand

I am proud to post this text by Brett Stand about Autism. Brett Stand is the Autism Society of America (ASA) Second Life president.

Autism is a severe developmental disability which is usually diagnosed around the age of three; although children are being increasingly diagnosed at a younger age. Autism results from a neurological disorder which interferes with brain development; primarily in the parts of the brain that control perception, verbal communication and social interaction.

However, the situation is even more complex than that. Autism is what's considered a spectrum disorder. In fact, an acronym often used to identify autism is ASD ... for Autism Spectrum Disorder. And what that means is that there are ASD individuals spread out over a broad spectrum: from individuals profoundly affected with little or no independent life skills and extremely limited communication ability to those who are seemingly "mildly" affected and function more or less effectively in society. This other segment may have jobs, sometimes even careers requiring advanced education, such as engineering. Some go on to get married and raise families.

The higher end of the spectrum is often referred to as Asperger’s Syndrome, a higher functioning form of autism which was first identified by Dr Hans Asperger. Many people with this type of autism present as being "mildly" effected by autism and may function within society with various degrees of success. You will note that I place the term "mildly" within quotes. I do this to indicate that no form of autism should be considered mild and in fact the condition has a profound impact on every individual on the spectrum.

Some experts consider Asperger’s Syndrome to be so significantly different from other forms of autism that it may in fact be a syndrome separate from autism and may be the result of completely different causes. So the term autism is a very broad catch term for a very complex syndrome. Each individual on the autism spectrum is unique in his or her own way. We have a saying in the autism community: “If you’ve met one person with autism … you’ve met one person with autism.”

Unfortunately what causes autism is still a matter of scientific mystery, and quite frankly controversy. Experts have many theories, but no real conclusive understanding of what causes autism. It is generally agreed there is a genetic component to autism; witness the families in which autism appears to run through generations and involve siblings. While it appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, researchers have not yet identified the gene(s) which causes autism to develop in a particular child.

There is also evidence that there are environmental factors, such as the chemicals we encounter in daily living and in the medications given to children. We live in an age where many chemicals, for example the chemicals used in agricultural pesticides, are more prevalent today than they were in previous generations.

It is interesting to note that because of the wide spectrum nature of the disorder, some researchers feel there may actually be different causes of autism which result in different presentations of autism.

I joined the real life Autism Society of America (ASA) after my son was diagnosed with autism. Being a typical dad I wanted to "fix" what was wrong with my son. I learned later this is a very common reaction on the part of fathers. We are accustomed to fixing things when they are broken. So we incorrectly, but well meaning, believe this approach also applies to our children.

Not too long ago I read an article about Second Life in a local newspaper. It made me curious so I checked it out. I was completely overwhelmed and totally unprepared for what I found in SL. When I entered SL I was naturally curious about autism groups in SL. So I searched under autism and found many fine groups already involved in providing support to folks in SL. Because I have been involved with ASA in RL for so long, and have held various leadership positions, I am very familiar with the resources that ASA can offer. I thought it was a natural response to try to bring those resources into SL.

To date I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that ASA's mission and purpose resonates with so many people in SL. The combination of ASA's grass roots structure and its long history of providing support to families like mine make it an extremely viable vehicle for delivering that same support here in SL. I think the ASA can make a real difference in people’s lives and provide much needed support.

It wasn’t that long ago that documented cases of autism occurred at the rate of 1 in 10,000 births. The prevalence of autism has grown so dramatically that today the incidence rate is 1 in 150 births. What that means in very concrete terms is that if you don't know someone with autism today … you will tomorrow.

These numbers are staggering … frightening actually. Especially since we don't even know what causes autism. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability, growing at the rate of 10 – 17% annually. And it is estimated that 1 to 1.5 million Americans have some form of autism today. If this growth rate is continues unabated, this number could very easily double within the next decade.

One of the interesting aspects of ASA-SL is the number of people on the spectrum in SL. To date the numbers I have encountered have been relatively low, compared to the numbers I presume are actually active in SL. But that is most likely a function of getting the word out, and is quite frankly a situation we hope to remedy. That is, although autism support groups have been around for decades, historically they primarily existed to support families with ASD children; and predominantly young children at that. The autism community as a whole has not done a very good job of supporting adults with autism. There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon ... some good and some not so good.

Regarding what we know about people with autism in SL, that is a very interesting situation. The nature of SL is that many of the challenges found in social interaction are simply eliminated or at least minimized in this environment. For example, the issues of eye contact, body language, verbal communication processing, all of which may present challenges for people on the autism spectrum, are all essentially eliminated in favor of a semi-anonymous environment in which users can manage their interaction in a manner more comfortable for them. And if the interaction becomes too stressful, it is a simple matter to TP out of the situation or even log off. So in many ways SL is the ideal environment for people with high functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome.

To anyone who feels the United States is populated by selfish, self-centered and apathetic people, I would say get involved in the world of non-profit work, especially in the health fields. There are literally thousands of people who give selflessly of their time, energy and resources to help their communities. I am truly honored and humbled to be able to associate with these amazing people. It is a world one can not imagine unless you have actually been involved with it as I have.

I would like to express how humbled I am to have the experience and the opportunity to work with so many generous and selfless people in SL. There are many worthy non-profit organizations in both RL and SL and ASA is only one of them. All the non-profit organizations perform vital functions that so many people rely on just to get through their daily lives. I am truly honored and quite frankly overwhelmed by the response that ASA has received in SL. The generosity of people and their willingness ... in fact, their desire... to get involved and make a real difference in their community is something that never fails to amaze me. I know why I am involved with autism ... because of my son. But there are countless others who choose to get involved and for the simple reason that they want to share their resources, their talents and quite frankly their desire to serve a higher purpose by helping those who need our compassion. It is impossible to exaggerate my admiration for the people who roll up their sleeves and pitch in when they are needed.

Source: Brett Stand ASA Second Life president