Hylee's Second Life

Inspirational Building and Exploring OSgrid with a new tool I found

2012-01-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

I don't have a constant flood of ideas for cool projects and don't normally build just for the sake of building. My building tends to be in cycles where I will get an idea based on a need that I or someone else may have or I will get inspired by someone else's work in world and elsewhere. My building projects could last hours, days, or weeks. It really depends on what it is and how much I feel like investing in it. In between building projects, I love to search for inspiration and have just now started to explore OSgrid.

At first I was checking the map, looking for interesting shapes in the land and how many builds showed up. But as I was visiting these areas I was disappointed at the amount of undeveloped and under used land. I think it may be because land is so inexpensive in OSgrid that many people have much more land then they need or will ever use, but what ever the reason there are a lot of boring regions out there.

Then I started collecting landmarks from other people, websites, and regions that I visited but those tend to be for freebie areas, welcome areas, and educational builds. I found lots of cool stuff, but it wasn't what I was looking for. I was looking for the creative, the strange, and the wonderful. I was looking for the stuff that was not necessarily built for a purpose but just out of a passion for building and creating.

I know they are out there because I have found a few. I have discovered regions that have given me chills up and down my spine. I have found regions that make me giggle. I have found some that even make me angry. But isn't that what art is supposed to do? It's supposed to invoke a reaction and a feeling, and I love it.

A friend of mine recently gave me a url for a tool on the OSgrid website called Users In World. It lists all the occupied regions in OSgrid and how many avies are on them at the time. If one of your friends is on that region, their name will be listed with the region. All other people are listed as "someone" to protect their privacy. I thought it might be cool to check these regions out since someone was obviously there for a reason. So I started at the top of the list and started to work my way down.

What I found was very interesting. Most of the time, when I visited a region with just one avie present, it was the owner of the region so I always said Hi and complimented them on their region. Some people seemed surprised that I was there and told me that they never have visitors, but they were all gracious, welcoming, and loved to share all the little secrets that they had built in to their land.

Well..... except for one person...
I have to share this with you because after meeting this person I was speechless and for those of you who know me.... Speechless and Hylee don't normally show up in the same sentence. :)
I found this region with just one person, so I teleported in. I have tried to teleport about 100 meters or so away from people so I don't startle them with my presence, but close enough that they should know that I'm there. Anyway... I teleported in and right away said "Hi xxxx :)". He walked closer to me and said "I don't know you." I didn't know how to respond to that. Of course he didn't know me and I didn't know him. That has always been the first step in an introduction, but here I was... speechless. So, I said the first thing that popped in to my head... "would you like me to leave?" knowing, of course, he would say no which would allow me to explain my travels and apologize for intruding. But he didn't say that... he just responded with "please". Please leave?! I thought to myself. Was this guy serious? Most people if they don't want visitors would lock down their region or property to prevent uncomfortable situations like this. He then said that he had someone coming over to see his tent, but by that time I had already teleported home. I then sent him an IM apologizing for the intrusion, knowing then that he would say something like that's alright. But he didn't say that. Instead he said "well, that was very rude to just pop in like that." What?!! Again... speechless. I wrote several IM's back to him trying to be witty but ended up erasing each one before I sent it and then just decided to let it go. I was so upset by this meeting that I did not do any more exploring that day. I did read his profile (I read everyone's profile) and found that he was new to OSgrid and had come from Second Life (the land of pixel sex and red ban lines) so I know that he hasn't been here long enough to learn what an open and sharing community OSgrid truly is. I do hope that he finds out and learns to be more friendly. If he doesn't... I pray to God that he doesn't bring anyone else like him here!

Anyway... I digress....
I did find some incredible regions using the Users In World tool and I added them to my OSgrid Landmarks box at the landing spot in Ptarmigan Park.

Oh... one more thing....
Everyone is welcome to visit Ptarmigan Park anytime you want ;)

I am so happy I moved to OSgrid!

2012-01-14T16:27:00.000-05:00

I have met a lot of incredible people who share my love for building and sharing with others. I have always loved giving my stuff away but I received a lot of negative feedback when I did it in Second Life. I hope OSgrid never gets and economy and content stays opensource.

Update to "Where do I get stuff..."

2012-01-07T12:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I met one of the people who's work in the metaverse convinced me to make the scary leap out of Second Life and in to the OpenSim world. Her name is Linda Kellie and she has her own region in OSgrid now where she has stacked boxes and boxes of her incredible creations. I felt like it was Christmas again! :)
You can find her at My Place (126,127,22)

Where do I get stuff for OpenSim?

2011-12-24T12:20:00.000-05:00

Where do I get stuff for OpenSim?... This is a question that I get asked a lot by by friends who are still stuck in Second Life counting prims and living on postage stamp size parcels.

So.... I decided to compile a list of some of my favorite places where you get get just about anything you need for your OpenSim experience for FREE.

Favorite Websites:
First, I would like to suggest that you use the Imprudence viewer. It is the viewer used by most people when exporting and importing items and I have found that it works the best for just about everything in OpenSim.

OpenSim-Creations
This is the first website that I found when searching for things that I needed and couldn't make myself. They have just about everything from Skins and Clothes to Furniture, Buildings, and all sorts of cool stuff. These items are made by various creators from around the Metaverse and donated for free.

LindaKellie.com
This is another website that has just about everything you could possibly need in OpenSim. Everything is made by Linda Kellie and is offered for free without any sort of license restriction at all. She even offers oar files of the regions she has built complete with stores and inventory already set up.

Another is a blog on the Google Sites
This is probably the best thing that I have found on internet for OpenSim because they offer a skin that can be edited in Photo Shop or Gimp to come up with our own unique look. I am using the Starlight skin that can be found on the resources page of this site. You will find detailed directions on how to edit your skin here. There is more information on the Enlades blog on how to import your skins.

Enlades
If you want to learn how to create things in OpenSim, this is a great place to start. They have great articles on many subjects that can help you create your own items in OpenSim.

OSgrid Regions
As you know, I've moved Ptarmigan Park to the OSgrid and it's been a very good move for me. There are numerous places to obtain all sorts of items and meet some great people. Here are a few of the incredible places that I've found in my short time on OSgrid.

Wright Plaza Freebie Mall, Wright Plaza (48,220,22)
This is where I first landed when coming to OSgrid and the first thing I found was a great freebie mall with many different items. I liked it so much that I set up my own store there at Made by Hylee Store, Wright Plaza (160,21,21)

Littlefield Mall and Community Center, Littlefield (127,128,22)
Note: This is an adults only community and some of the areas are not suitable for children.
The Littlefield Mall has a lot of items from numerous creators and everything is free!

PSSMG Mall, PSSMG Mall (129,129,23
This is a German region so be prepared to find some items with non-english descriptions such as scaffolds which are actually high heeled shoes (who knew!) This is laid out like a small German village and is very nice to visit.

Cornflakes (134,131,22)
This is more than just a freebie sim. It's a feast for the eyes and the senses. Cornflake Woodcock os one of the most talented and unique builders in the entire metaverse. If you want a smile on your face, you need to check this region out!

Ptarmigan Park (180,112,34)
And, of course, the Ptarmigan Park Freebie mall which is home to the "Made by Hylee" store.

Have fun Shopping!

Almost Done!

2011-11-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

View of Ptarmigan Park from Ptarmigan Sea (click for larger image)

Ptarmigan Park is up and running on OSgrid

2011-11-24T20:09:00.001-05:00

I'm about 80% done with the move and anticipate that it should be 100% in about a week or so.
Based on the number of emails that I've gotten, I guess I should clarify as to why I moved from Nova.

I believe that the Aurora platform has the potential to be far greater than OpenSim and I applaud Nova for continuing with the beta development. If you love to just build and hone your skills, I would recommend Nova 100%. For the price, you will not find a better opportunity.

With that being said, the one thing that Nova lacked was traffic and other content creators which is necessary for where I want to take Ptarmigan Park.

For me, it was time to make a move and I wish Nova all the best.

Ptarmigan Park has been removed from the Nova Grid

2011-11-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

Ptarmigan Park has been removed from the Nova Grid and will be re-located to the OSgrid in the next couple of weeks.

I've expanded Ptarmigan Park to Two Regions!

2011-10-03T13:18:00.000-04:00

Ptarmigan Park on Right. Ptarmigan Sea on Left

Looking South from Ptarmigan Park to Ptarmigan Sea

Updated Look at Ptarmigan Park in Nova

2011-09-26T17:57:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know me, this will not come as a big shock.
I am up to 22,000 prims!

I love building with water!

Some New Builds - Some Old

And, of course, the Made by Hylee Store
Where everything is Free!

Open Letter to the Residents of Nova

2011-08-27T12:08:00.000-04:00

Hi :)

My name is Hylee Bekkers and I started out in Second Life back in 2006, although my Rez date says April 2007 (long story ;)). Back then, the people that I met were more interested in perfecting their art and growing the virtual community. Nova reminds me of those early days, but with much better technology :)

Anyway..... I believe, despite the growing pains that we are all experiencing here, there is great potential in Nova and I want to do my part to help it and it's residents grow.

I love building, creating new things, teaching people what I have learned, and learning from other people who share my passion for the virtual arts.

The developers of Aurora and the owners of Nova can only do so much. I created Ptarmigan Park and the Made by Hylee (FREE) store to share what I have, but I would like to do more.

I would like to see a group developed to help existing residents achieve their goals, help newbies find their way, and promote Nova to other people. This group could also be the first layer in a help system much like the forums are on the internet or the SL Mentor program before it was dismantled.

If you are interested in the same thing or already have a group like this, please contact me at hyleebekkers@gmail.com or IM me inworld.

Thank You
Hylee Bekkers

I've been exporting textures out of Second Life and ran across a picture of my first build in April of 2007!

2011-08-05T10:49:00.001-04:00

I was so proud of this..... at the time. Wow!

Hylee April 2007 and Hylee today!

2011-08-05T10:42:00.001-04:00

This was not my first avatar. My first was a white wolf.

This is the way I look today in Second Life, Nova, Inworldz, and OSGrid.

Hylee's Two Masted Schooner at Ptarmigan Park, Nova Grid

2011-08-01T11:25:00.001-04:00

This build is over 1100 prims!

I captured a few pictures from Ptarmigan Park in the Nova OpenSim.

2011-07-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

You can get to Nova by using Imprudence or Phoenix using the following url http://aurora.4d-web.eu:8002/
You can download the Nova version of Imprudence at http://world.4d-web.eu/
If you choose to visit Ptarmigan Park, please let me know. I would love to meet you there.
For those of you who are still stuck in Second Life counting prims and paying out the butt for lousy service, you really should check this place out!
The grid is part of the new Aurora OpenSim project which I have found to be very stable. Plus, $9.95 per month gets you your own 65,536 sq meter region and up to 80,000 prims (yep! 80K)
I think it's safe to say that I will probably not be coming back to Second Life any time soon.

I've made the jump to OpenSim!

2011-06-29T15:03:00.000-04:00

For those of you who knew me from Second Life, I love building green spaces and most of them have been named Ptarmigan Park. Ptarmigan Park has a new home, but it's not in Second Life! Yep.... I finally made the jump off of Linden Labs sinking ship and landed on what I believe is the future of 3D worlds.

Ptarmigan Park is now located on it's own region in the Nova grid. I encourage you all to visit this grid. It's maintained by a great guy named Enrico and he is offering some insane deals. Right now you can get an entire region for $9.95 US per month. Oh... and the best part... you get up to 80,000 prims! No that was not a typo! That was an 8 followed by 4 zeros!! I honestly don't think the sim will support that many prims, but it is cool not having to count prims any more and I would have a hard time reaching that number anyway.

So check out the Nova website at http://world.4d-web.eu/ and download the Nova Imprudence viewer. Just enter a user name and password when you start up Nova Imprudence and you are automatically entered as a user. Once you are there, please do a search for Ptarmigan Park!

I just finished building a house for a friend of mine!

2010-09-03T06:54:00.000-04:00

I believe this is the best house that I have every built, but that isn't saying much since I don't normally build houses.

It has two fireplaces with logs, burning fire, and fireplace tools.

I put in a prim spiral staircase after trying a sculpty which never rezzed quite right.

And it has touch on / off lights.

At 181 prims, it's not a light weight but it would have certaily been more if I had not used a few megaprims in the build.

If you are interested in this house, I am giving it away to anyone who admits to reading my blog! :)

I opened up a small store!

2010-08-28T08:21:00.001-04:00

I've never seen a store vacant at Runaround Sues, so when I saw a couple for rent I had to jump on it. I didn't think I would ever open up a store again, but it was kind of fun laying everything out. I can't fit everything in, so I will probably rotate some of my more popular items in and out every week. I have no idea if this will make me any Lindens, but I'm not really in Second Life to make money. :) Anyway... Check out Made By Hylee!

My first project!

2010-08-23T11:47:00.002-04:00

I finished setting up my little island and began looking for another project. I have a friend of mine who was looking to improve their property so I built her a new house and will begin landscaping her island soon. This adventure has reminded me of two things.

#1 I love building!

#2 I need more prims!!

Check it out at Hylee's Place

I just bought some property!

2010-08-21T21:20:00.003-04:00

Well.... I did it. I bought a 5000 sq meter parcel. It's a little island on an estate. Yep, I did not buy it on the mainland. I couldn't pass up the deal. It's managed very well, on a class 5 server will a high frame rate. And I'm being charged far less than if I got the property on the mainland. Ok... I know that I am actually just renting, but I did not have to pay anything down so I can't see any downside. I've starting building it out and already used over half my prims. It won't be long before I've used them all. Anyway.... stop by and see it.
Check out Hylee's Place!

Honey I'm Home!

2010-08-18T13:10:00.000-04:00

I am currently looking for property on a good server where I can start building again. I don't have a lot of money so it won't be anything like Ptarmigan Park.

Anyone have any ideas?

2010-04-16T14:38:00.002-04:00