Considering that my current virtual design office will likely *poof* into virtual thin air in the near future, I thought it appropriate to grab a last screenshot of it along with the new “Ripple Water” feature added into Second Life version 1.8 released today (I believe SL has had mesh deformation water before, but bandwidth concerns eliminated that earlier water feature).

Now that I think about it, I might let the place stand until SL reaches the 100,000 user mark (an artificial number, to be sure). That means it’ll be history in a few days time I suppose, but it does give me a deadline of sorts. And a good reminder to get back to some other SL-based projects.

I was recently in an exchange with someone concerning the classic New Yorker cartoon, “On the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog“. Based on my thoughts regarding Reputation (capital “R”) in the expanding internet/virtual world marketplace, my newfound position is that this theory isn’t quite true. So for those thinking I’m mistaken and they can conduct themselves without regard for real life/real world consequences, go read this article over on C|Net titled “Wikipedia vandal quits job“.

We need a new cartoon, perhaps. I’d suggest this line: “For every anonymous jerk on the net, there’s someone sufficiently ticked off to hunt them down“.

I’ve been looking for this short story for quite some time but have never been able to locate it, and now over on WorldChanging.com someone replied to my comment describing this story and provided the reason why I could never find it: I always thought the story was called “The Occupation“. It’s called “Profession“. They also mentioned reading it online, so I did a quick google and found this Link. Having just read it again after 30 years, it strikes me that this story – and Isaac Asimov – had a profound impact on my life. After originally reading that story, a huge light went off inside my teenage head. In some ways, I’ve landed the job that the protagonist, George Platen, endured so much to achieve. Highly recommended reading.

Interesting story over on the L.A. Times newsite (Link) concerning Midway Games‘ new (but not NFL-sanctioned/licensed) football videogame. From the article:

When Electronic Arts Inc. secured exclusive rights to make video games based on the National Football League last year, many industry observers figured it was “game over” for other makers of football-related games.

But instead of throwing in the towel, Midway Games Inc. chucked a Hail Mary — and scored.

Lesson learned: Give the creative people a little room to breathe.

via Blue’s News

It’s always a treat to find something like this: an object made from simple processes (in this case thermoforming) that’s striking in its sculptural beauty. It’s by far my favorite piece on display at designer Brodie Neil’s webpage (Link – opens into a new Flash-based window).

via MoCo Loco

{Image Copyright © 2004 Brodie Neil}