We Have Moved :D

We have moved to a new premises, all our products can now be found inworld at Embrace the Ocean:

AvaStar Empire Stores - Embrace the Ocean 224/28/501

Free Christmas Tree :D

Ho Ho Ho, yes we are feeling very festive at the AvaStar Empire.

We are happy to offer a lovely sculptie Christmas Tree absolutely free!




Available on XStreet of course our inworld stores (see Quick links!)


Enjoy Everyone :D Merry Christmas!

Multiple Mad Hatter Hat Madness

Yes we have gone berserk, we have now added an additional 7 hat colours to our range! All include a HUD resizer, you can have a hat nearly 10m high, if you really want...!

The full range are currently available:
Online at XStreet and of course our inworld stores (see Quick links!)

All Sold!

All three islands have now sold, thank you to all those who showed an interest.

3 Tropical Islands for sale OFFER ENDS 31st October 2008!

Special offer on three islands for sale at L$5999, hurry! OFFER ENDS 31st October 2008. The plots have been beautifully landscaped in a tropical theme, offering idyllic surroundings plus all the privacy and space provided by 16336 sq. m. (a quarter of a sim).

Unlike many water-front properties, our islands not only provide a sunny beach to sunbathe and party, but also plenty of sea to enjoy water sports. I could go on, but I think the images will speak for themselves:





Visit the islands now, don't miss out on a bargin!:

Island 1
Island 2
Island 3

If you have any questions, please IM Orion Raymaker.

Rent or Buy, we are giving you the choice!

We have two islands currently avaialble for rent or buy, such as the beautiful AvaStar Beach. This as well as our other plots have been landscaped in a tropical theme, offering idyllic surroundings plus all the privacy and space provided by 16336 sq. m. (a quarter of a sim).

All offering superb water-frontage, our islands not only provide a sunny beach to sunbathe and party, but also plenty of sea to enjoy water sports. I could go on, but I think the image will speak for itself:



Visit our vendor in-world to find out latest prices and availability:

Rental Offices

If you have any questions, please IM Orion Raymaker.

AvaStar Bay Tropical Island gains a full sea view!

We are pleased to announce that our fourth island now benefits superb linden sea views. AvaStar Bay is just as stunning as our other three parcels. The plot has been beautifully landscaped in a tropical theme, offering idyllic surroundings plus all the privacy and space provided by 16336 sq. m. (a quarter of a sim).

Unlike many water-front properties, our islands not only provide a sunny beach to sunbathe and party, but also plenty of sea to enjoy water sports. I could go on, but I think the images will speak for themselves:







Visit our vendor in-world to find out latest prices and availability:

Rental Offices

If you have any questions, please IM Orion Raymaker.

Welcome to our new AvaStar Offices

We have move to a new simulator and have taken the opportunity to revamp the AvaStar Offices. Our new premises feature several vendors where you will find our most popular products.

Visit us inworld

Welcome to AvaStar Beach

We are again pleased to announce that we have added a fourth island to our rental portfolio. AvaStar Beach is as beautiful as our other three parcels. The plot has been beautifully landscaped in a tropical theme, offering idyllic surroundings plus all the privacy and space provided by 16336 sq. m. (a quarter of a sim).

All offering superb water-frontage, our islands not only provide a sunny beach to sunbathe and party, but also plenty of sea to enjoy water sports. I could go on, but I think the image will speak for itself:



Visit our vendor in-world to find out latest prices and availability:

Rental Offices

If you have any questions, please IM Orion Raymaker.

Linden Lab and IBM join forces with OpenSim: 'Metaverse' event notice

Start: 08/04/2008 - 12:00 PDT
Timezone: Etc/GMT-7 (8pm UK BST)

The collaboration between Linden Lab and IBM on OpenSim may be the most direct step taken so far toward a true ‘metaverse’. You will be able to hear IBM’s Zha Ewry and Linden Lab’s Zero Linden talk about the progress they have made, and the implications of their work at Metanomics, Noon PST on Monday, August 4th. They will start the show with Dusan Writer announcing the follow-up to his much-lauded competition to create a better Second Life client viewer.

-----------------------

About OpenSimulator

"The OpenSimulator Project is a BSD Licensed Virtual Worlds Server which can be used for creating and deploying 3D Virtual Environments. It has been developed by several developers. Out of the box, the OpenSimulator can be used to create a Second Life(tm) like environment, able to run in a standalone mode or connected to other OpenSimulator instances through built in grid technology. It can also easily be extended to produce more specialized 3D interactive applications."

------------------------
WATCH ON THE WEB!

You dont have to be in Second Life to Watch!
See the live video and to engage in the chat via ChatBridge technology.

As seating in our main location is limited, visit METANOMICS for a list of our event partner locations, or use the references below:

------------------------

JOIN US IN SECOND LIFE :: EVENT PARTNER LOCATIONS:

METANOMICS, Muse Isle (164, 178, 29)

METANOMICS Ampitheatre, Colonia Nova (193, 240, 49)

METANOMICS NMC, Outreach (127, 131, 23)

METANOMICS MetaPartners Conference Area, Grieg (205, 48, 32)

METANOMICS, Rockcliffe (149, 233, 68)

Beam me up, Scotty ! or is it down, left right...

I was fortunate to be able to attend a really quite excellent presentation @Science Friday - 'Teleportaion Tuesday' by Prospero Frobozz a.k.a. Prospero Linden (Dr Rob Knop) giving a 1 hour talk on Quantum Teleportation.



Yes, as part or the AvaStar Empires keen interest in all things Sci-Fi and scientific the idea of instant transportation between two points 'Star Trek enter your mind's eye...' was too great an opportunity to miss. Prospero used voice while others typed questions in chat to delve into the incredibly unusual world of Quantum Mechanics.




I asked Prospero a question (referring to an electron being observed): "...when we measure and find say a spin "left" the other particle will be "right" we can reconstruct?" To which I had an affirmative YES! This bizarre reaction to a particle being observed was actually the key to teleportaion - allowing a reconstruction of an electron in another location. Probability played a big role in this: left spin would yield right spin and visa versa - also spin up an down as exampled above etc...

The Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen, (EPR) paradox explains this well: '...a phenomenon predicted by quantum mechanics, known as quantum entanglement, to show that measurements performed on spatially separated parts of a quantum system can apparently have an instantaneous influence on one another.' You could say what the right hand is doing the left hand does the opposite lol.

Well for the sci-fi people, the real 'downer' was you can't do it faster than the speed of light - You cant win them all. Einstein is safe for the moment...


Hope to see some more talks of this caliber soon :)

Assimilating Terrains in OpenSim

More OpenSim experiments... This time I was testing the compatibility between SL (TM) raw terrain files and OpenSim files. Essentially I downloaded a raw terrain file from my simulator in SL (TM) and then uploaded it into OpenSim. It worked! But with a strange transfer effect. OpenSim appears to produce a mirror image of the terrain:

This image shows the SL (TM) actual terrain (note that this island's simulator left hand corner is located in the NNW on the mini map)

This is how the same raw terrain file looks in OpenSim (Note that the corresponding sim corner is in the SSW corner of the mini map - when compared to SL (TM) above)

So its scratch head and back to the drawing board. I suspect that it is to do with coordinates, but more testing required. Still it is fun experimenting :D

For the OpenSim developers, I was using: OpenSim 0.5.6-build

Google Lively : a Second Life (TM) alternative?

Leonor and I both had a go at running our own Google Lively "simulator" - yes you guessed it a tropical island :D Well if you are interested in visiting there is a link on the right hand bar of this blog. Anyways, here are a couple of screen shots to wet your appetite:

Leonor and I at our island in lively We have added a phone box and TV recently, lol.

Pathfinder Lindens plot in Lively nice - but you cant beat SL (TM) really ;)

¡¡¡¡¡Campeones, campeones!!!!!

We are quite civilised in RL (honest, guv!) but could not resist joining in on the dementia that followed the Spanish win at Euro 2008 last night. After all, we've been waiting to win a major football tournament for no less than 44 years!!!

It has been a long wait indeed but it has to be said that, when victory came, it did so in style. Well done Spain!!! ¡¡¡Así se hace!!! :D :D :D

OpenSim Revisited

Well I thought I would post a few more picks of my experimenting. I just cannot resit. A word of warning, although OpenSim is an excellent piece of programming it's not Second Life. SL is still miles ahead of this simulator. However, I cannot help but get excited at the prospects.


Added an extra Island ROFL.




Here is Happy, the sim I created, but no one is around :( - not so happy, or am I? Well you cant have it all, but this is the one limitation of running it on your own PC. It is possible to link other PC's via network cables, something I am experimenting with at the moment. The next step is to link your sim with other grids and share your simulator with others.





Put some clothes on Orion and tried some sculpties :) There is no content with OpenSim, you have to provide this yourself and it is not possible to transfer your things from SL. You can only use items you have created offline, you own, and are able to re-upload to this simulator. There are pieces of software available that allow you to reproduce items you have created in SL(TM) but these have limitations. Recognise the auto-rez barrel?

Check out the Ping Sim :D on the top right - zero Lag lol

Re - Noobed Again

What can I say, I cannot help but fiddle with computer software. Orion Raymaker is re-noobed in OpenSim. My own sim, running on my PC - thats a full sim :D But before everyone starts running for the link, the software is in alpha not beta, so you will have to scratch your head a little to get it working. Plus alot of functions do not work. Appart from that, if you're an open source person who loves to tinker, then this is for you!



Ok, in standard mode the physics is missing and you will not be able to script until you change some .ini settings. But you can fly, terraform, build, make sculpties and upload infinite textures :D

You'd be MAD to miss this!

We are selling two limited edition hats that will be available for a short period of time only.

Mad Hatter Hat - Ed's Edition (Plum)



iDOL Black Trilby Hat - Ed's Edition (Plum)



All proceeds for the sale of these items will go to our friend Ed Bumstead. Ed is a superb bloke and a top SL builder. Sadly, he has been going through some hard times lately, so we just want to do our little bit to help him along the way. :)

In addition, these hats and a number of other items are available at an in world sale organised by Kesseret Steeplechase.

Visit the sale location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Amira/97/95/21

or check Kess' post for more information.

Island living in Second Life

We had a lot of fun this weekend filming our latest video. We wanted to make a kind of promo to showcase the rental islands. Still learning, but we think it's come up quite well :D

An island is born: Welcome to AvaStar Bay

We are pleased to announce that we have added a third island to our rental portfolio. AvaStar Bay is just as stunning as our other two parcels. The plot has been beautifully landscaped in a tropical theme, offering idyllic surroundings plus all the privacy and space provided by 16336 sq. m. (a quarter of a sim).

Unlike many water-front properties, our islands not only provide a sunny beach to sunbathe and party, but also plenty of sea to enjoy water sports. I could go on, but I think the images will speak for themselves:







Visit our vendor in-world to find out latest prices and availability:

Rental Offices

If you have any questions, please IM Orion Raymaker.

New at AvaStar Rentals

In anticipation to the release of our latest property rental, AvaStar Bay, the AvaStar Rental offices have had a little make over.





Looking good, eh? Oh, and the great advantage of SL... at last Orion has a tidy desk! ;-)

Green Day

After seeing Orion's new Greenie avatar (see previous post) I couldn't resist and had to go and get my own. I was given "Lab Nerd" :D This is it! LOL



Not my best look, I know, but it's a laugh. Anyway, while I was collecting the points for the avatar, I was struck by the Tunnel of Light so later, back to my usual self, I paid another visit armed with the camera. I love the light effects and came back with some really cool pics... here is an example:



More at Flickr

Intergalactic Social :D

OK folks...well intergalactic party time is here. There is nothing like dancing...

Torley Linden digs the trilby hat :D

Torely Linden kindly posted a thank you for a custom pink and green Trilby hat we made for him. There is an image on his Flickr pages :D

Feel free to view our other colours.

Xtreme Target Shooting

AvaStar Films proudly present an amazing shooting experience, introducing the tantalising Pris Jewell.



AVAILABLE:

The Auto-Rez version and standard version are both available at XStreet and of course our inworld stores (see Quick links!).

Second Gijón

I had some time to spare today and a desire to show off my recently acquired ICING "Puma Jie" outfit - soooo gorgeous! So I reached for the stilettos and headed towards Second Gijón. The sim is brilliant photorealistic reconstruction of the best known landmarks in the Spanish city. It provides the perfect backdrop for beautiful pictures.







I'm wearing:

Outfit: "Puma Jie" by ICING
Hair: "Berlin" by CAKE
Skin: "Vogue Champagne Smoky Red" by Celestial Studios
Jewellery: "Marissa Pink Pearl Necklace" by KessKreations

Kess loves the Trilby

Our new range of Tribly Hats (fedora) are catching on fast. We dont want to sound biased, but Kess looks great in our Black Trilby hat ;) Thanks for your post Kess :D

Pretty in pink :)

While I was at cake the other day, I couldn't resist another hair purchase (sorry Orion!). This hair is called Nick (it's unisex) and it's cool too, in a different way. Perfect for those tomboys days, though I think that dressed in pink it's still looking positively feminine:



Pearls are "Marissa Pink Pearl Necklace" by Kesseret Steeplechase (KessKreations)

Posing for Noam

Our friend Noam wanted a picture of both of us to put on his profile. It took a while to get it right because one of Orion's eyes was behaving strangely and refusing to follow the other - weird! Eventually, he managed to tame it, hence the cheesy grin :D

Mark of the Devil?

I was shopping at the Tesla store - shushhh don't tell Orion! - and I just happened to go for a wander down the road and came across this building. I couldn't resist a piccy...



Now, that's a cool address, LOL. I know, I know... I'm easily amused :D

Exploding RadioActive Target with Auto-Rez

Yes folks, AvaStar has released an auto-rez version of their popular shooting target. Why auto-rez? Well target ranges prefer a target that resets itself as it saves time rezzing them.

Those of you that remember the release of the standalone version will be pleased to hear that the effects have been further enhanced - these barrels can and will bounce in all directions rofl :D



AVAILABLE:

Inworld AvaStar Shops

Also available at shop.onrez.com.

Yes, I feel like it's 1936...

I just bought a lovely new hair at Cake. It's called "Berlin" and it has a fantastic vintage feel. Perfect opportunity to get glammed up for a few pictures LOL...

Trilby / Fedora Hats - UNISEX

Orion has been playing with sculptie hats for some time and, finally, he's found the time to do a promo shoot and box a set of cool Trilby hats - Fedora if you prefer the USA terminology ;)

All products available from SLExchange and shop.onrez.com. To buy inworld, please IM us for vendor location.











Here is a close up of the hat in red:



By the way, all the jewellery I'm wearing is by our friend Kesseret Steeplechase. She's lovely and a really talented designer so I would thoroughly recommend you check out her in-world store KessKreations and sign up to her group - lots of free gifts and it won't add to your SL group list. Yay! I love Kess' Victoria set (pictured above) and I'm often seen wearing it :)