Designing Worlds explores the Linden & Mole builds of SL19B

All the images in this blog are by Wildstar Beaumont, and show some of the fantastic steampunk builds created by residents at SL19B.

This episode is the first of two that document the Second Life 19th Birthday Community Celebrations, held at the end of June/early July 2022. This episode focuses on the public buildings largely created by the Moles.

From 2pm SLT today, Monday 18th July, you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or you can join us for our Watch Party in the beautiful Designing Worlds studios in the Garden of Dreams!

The theme for the event this year was Steampunk, and the Linden builds exemplified this, with some beautiful soaring builds for the stages and an airship-filled Welcome area. This year, there was more examples of resident work, such as the Steamworks, created by Walton Wainwright, and the amazing airships that surrounded the Welcome Area.

In addition, certain regular SLB features like the Tapestry of Time reappeared in slightly modified form. In this show we have a look round these stunning builds – and take a balloon trip!

In the next programme we focus on the wealth of Resident builds.

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Sadly, the Second Life Birthday celebrations are over now, although you can read more about it here: https://bit.ly/3yVp2XM

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Designing Worlds explores the Libraries of Caledon and discusses the role of virtual world libraries – on the web!

Caledon Library Meeting Room, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Our fascinating show looking at the role of libraries in Caledon and in the wider world of Second Life is now on the web!

DW385 – Second Life Libraries on Vimeo.

In the show, we explore with Sir JJ Drinkwater some of the Caledon libraries, such as the Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library and the HG Wells Memorial Library, as well as the Gertrude Jekyll Gardening Collection and the Steampunk Collection. We learn of the extensive renovation the Whitehorn is currently undergoing, and the reasons behind it.

Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library (under refurbishment), Caledon Victoria City

We also hold a detailed discussion with a group of librarians and people interested in and supportive of the work of libraries from all over Second Life – including Sir JJ and Sere Timeless (Owner of the SL Regions of Rocca Sorrentina and the Bay of Naples), Valibrarian Gregg, Director of Community Virtual Library, Kghia Gherardi, Library Patron & Volunteer, and Beth Ghostraven, owner of the Book and Tankard Pub in Caledon Victoria and enthusiastic library supporter. Together they discuss the work of the libraries and how the concept of a library adapts itself to the possibilities and challenges of a virtual world.

Gertrude Jekyll Gardening Collection, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

And our wonderful photographer, Wildstar Beaumont, gives us a glimpse of some of the many libraries available in Second Life.

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If you would like to visit the Libraries of Caledon, here is a list:
The Jack and Elaine Whitehorn Memorial Library, Caledon Victoria City

The Caledon Library Reading Room in Caledon VIctoria City

The Vannevar Bush Reading Garden, Caledon prime. Iinter-Library Loan Catapult, & a book of verses beneath a shady bough

The Marie Curie Memorial Branch Library: Science, Technolgy, Poetry, and the precursor literatures of the Steampunk genre

Marie Curie Library in Caledon Mayfair, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

HG Wells Memorial Branch Library, Caledon Wellsian. “The Art of Going” Real and Imaginary voyages

Tinyville Library, Tinyville, Caledon Tanglewood: 19th century Children’s literature and Literature of the Fantastic

Caledon Welcome Centre, sponsored by the Caledon Library

Steampunk and Airships Dirigible: Steampunk Reference collection, Proto-Steampunk FIction from the 19th c; 19th & early 20th c books on Airships

Caledon Steampunk Collection, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Gertrude Jekyll Gardening Collection

Caledon Library at Oxbridge: Caledon Materials, Oxbridge Materials, Public School Novels.

Caledon Library Meeting Room

The H. P. Blavatsky Spiritualism Collection, Caledon Speirling

What happens in Special Collections *stays* in Special Collections

The Caledon Library is a Branch of the Alexandrian Free Library and is supported by the House of Wu and the Caledon Library Benefactors group.

H. P. Blavatsky Spiritualism Collection, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Other Second Life Libraries you might like to visit:
Community Virtual Library, Cookie
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cookie/54/117/21
Website: https://communityvirtuallibrary.org/

Virtual Ability Libraries
On Healthinfo Island, there is the Consumer Health Library. This library has disability, mental health, senior health, medication, and addiction resources. Actually, the entire island is a library of information. There are eight exhibits that are updated monthly with relevant health information. They also have a Path of Support with information from over 100 health peer support groups in SL. The Research Pavilion hosts health research presentations and shares information on studies that are recruiting subjects. Healthinfo Island also houses a Health & Wellness Center, an Herb Garden, a Farmer’s Market and a quiet reading room. You can find it here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/128/128/24

In addition there is a library on Cape Serenity that features works by authors with disabilities. Next to the library is a lovely poetry garden. You can find it here:
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cape%20Serenity/88/123/22

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Rosehaven Library, in Rosehaven Castle (formerly Winterfell)

Seanchai Library

Seanchai Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

R.F. Burton Library, New Babbage

Accademia di Rocca Sorrentina

The Philomena Public Library

Accademia di Rocca Sorrentina, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Nuba Archives
TV rec-room in the Gym – Nuba Archives

Trilby’s Moors Mausoleum Library

Chilbo Community Library

Chilbo Community Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Designing Worlds discovers why you should Never Cry Dunsany!

From “Never Cry Dunsany”

Join us at 2pm today, Monday 15th June for our latest episode of Designing Worlds at our studio in Garden of Dreams, when we’ll be showing a wholly new kind of episode.

Last week we travelled to New Babbage to look at the literary output associated with the famous steampunk city.  This week we’ll be focusing on one of those stories – Never Cry Dunsany, by Emerson Lighthouse (and others) – told by a combination of New Babbagers, and Elrik and Saffia. It’s a scary tale … one that was hinted at in last week’s show!

From “Never Cry Dunsany” – the inner story

The story has been adapted especially for television by Emerson, with assistance from the cast and it is accompanied by photographs captured by cast members.  The sections of the story are read by Garnet Psaltery, Emerson Lighthouse, Bookworm Heinrichs, Victor Mornington, Saffia Widdershins, Elrik Merlin and Mavromichali Szondi.

So do join us at 2pm SLT today for a rather different episode of Designing Worlds. With added Biggins!

From “Never Cry Dunsany”

Or – if you can’t attend in person – tune in to the web at 2pm SLT on Monday for a showing on SLartist or on Treet – or catch it later in the week on our shows page on the Treet.tv web site at http://treet.tv/shows/designingworlds, on the SLArtist.com channel, the AviewTV Designing Worlds channel – or on the Designing Worlds blog.

New Babbage

For more information about stories and novels related to New Babbage, see below:

Joe Gatch
Phineas Frakture was an avatar in New Babbage before jumping off to his own adventures!
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture
The Adventures of Phineas Frakture: Steam Wars
Steam & Sorcery: a Transdimensional Adventure

Sheryl Nantus
This steampunk western was written by a little clockwork dragon at the CocoaJava Cafe in New Babbage. The book’s dedication page thanks the city of New Babbage.
Wild Cards and Iron Horses

Lori Alden Holuta
Books inspired by city of New Babbage while the author’s avatar resided there. The Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand.
The Flight To Brassbright
The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day

New Babbage

P.S. Chambers
Captive Sky, Truant Heart is based on a New Babbage avatar named Sky. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
Captive Sky, Truant Heart (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 1)
Day of the Dragons: The Girl in the Corner… (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 2)

Andrew McCurdy
Emerson Lighthouse, a New Babbage avatar, appears in the story. The publisher, Penny Gaff Publishing LLC, maintains a virtual publishing house in New Babbage.
A Drop of the Venom: Leviathan’s Bane (Clockhaven Chronicles Book 3)

Maxwell Grantly
Author’s avatar of a clockwork teddy bear features in one story, set in New Babbage.  Other stories are also set in the city.
Runs Like Clockwork

Various Authors with New Babbage Avatars
Tales of New Babbage: The Steampunk City Volumes 1 – 3

Collections of former Flash Fiction contests: Dialogues Volumes 1-5, free in the R.F. Burton Library in New Babbage. Look to the left just as you enter the library.

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Designing Worlds discovers the mystery of the stolen books in New Babbage

Now available on the web – our seasonal New Babbage show!

There’s a coal shortage in snow-covered New Babbage, as Saffia and Elrik pay one of their periodic visits to the steampunk city. But they’re just visiting some of the libraries there … what could possibly go wong?

An unexpected encounter in New Babbage

Before long, Saffia and Elrik, aided by the Assistant Maceholder Victor Mornington and Librarian Bookworm Heinrichs – accompanied, of course, by a hapless Mr Biggins – are dragged into an adventure involving stolen books, seasonal curses and a highly dangerous book, fit to be mentioned in the same breath as the Necronomicon and the Book of Al Azarine …

Uncle Tingly’s Christmas Tales for New Babbage Young ‘Uns, secure in its case

Uncle Tingly book designed and created by Edward Pearse
Bells, Bookstand (and chains) designed and created by Beq Janus

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