Edison: The consumate IP thief

There's a lot of chatter on the blogs over IP rights recently. From the SL Bloggers forum concerning the new dos and don'ts with SL branding, to Chez Nabob's anti-IP-theft campaign, ironically ripped off inspired by PETA's anti-fur campaign.

However the big news for the day is that consummate stealer of ideas and self promoting patent mogul, Thomas Edison, has been shown to be the non-inventor of yet another item.

Few seem to be aware that Edison's incandescent lightbulb was a pretty close copy of Joseph Swan's bulb, patented in the UK a year before Edison received his US patent. His disdain for Georges Méliès copyright on Le voyage dans la Lune was apparent when he had hundreds of copies made of the film and kept all the royalties for himself, leading to Méliès eventual bankruptcy.

But thanks to Dr. Fabre's mention in The Heliograph, it seems that Edison's claims to be the first to record the human voice have been shot down as well. ABC Technology reports that French inventor Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville made a recording of a young woman singing 'Au clair de la lune' some 17 years before Edison's recording of Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Edison obviously liked nicking things from the French.

Gen X with Edward

Tonight, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm SLT, at the Timeless Underground in the RavKom Sim, Edward Pearse is going to treat you to a dose of nostalgia.

Come along and groove your little hearts out!

Worth1000 Steampunk competition

If you're not aware of Worth1000 you should have a look. They host themed photoshop competitions.

Starting 28th of March is their steampunk theme.

Can't wait.

A year in SL

Today marks the day that my dear wife and I officially became a couple in SL. One year on and still together, despite the occasional bump along the way.







I have been blessed with finding a woman of wit, intelligence and charm (not to mention one who is rather gorgeous), who has been willing to overlook my failings and show her support, as well as being a good listener.

My friend, lover, companion and cheersquad.

Thank you for choosing me my love.

Welcome to Caledon Glengarry

With a name changed from CaerClannagh to Glengarry, Caledon's newest sim squeezes in between Caledon II and Kintyre.

A big HOO! to the new sim.

Geek chart

There's been the Geek Hierarchy chart and variants for a while.

However the chart the accompanied the opinion post in the New York Times following the death of Gary Gygax.



With updates including Harry Potter fandom, Lolcats and Second Life, it's a much needed improvement over the previous edition.

Madcow's Madhouse!

Mr. Madcow Cosmos, who I wrote about some time ago is having an exhibition.

Known for his rather prim heavy but fascinating builds, it's definitely worth a look.

From the promo:

For one week, March 8-15, visit and wander through the whimsical, weird and wonderful creations of Madcow Cosmos. His works contain many many pirms..and just as much imagination and wonder.

In Madcow's words:

"Included are some of my favorite high prim beauties many of which I've never included in a display yet, so I'm happy to get them out of my inventory and get them some fresh air (and no, I have no idea what that smell in my inventory is from although I assume not everything I made started off as a skeleton).
...
Having created them for the pure joy of doing so I also hope that you can enjoy them in such an unfettered way. Climb on them, take pictures, engage in lewd acts when no one else is there if you must, but have fun with them! "

Touch the spinning sign at the landing point for the Artist's statement and exhibit list. The centrepice sculpture may be changed a few times duirng the week so stop back and see. Madcow will be holding 'Meet the artist' sessions on Monday March 10 at 1 PM SL time for the Euro crowd, and on Friday March 14 at 7 PM SL time. Both sessions will be followed by fireworks.

This follows a small selection of the 14,000+ prims worth of exhibits.


Baba Yaga's Steam Hut


Convenience: Industries Golem (Human form made of rusted junk)
There's a lawn mower, washing machines, a fridge, a car axle, engine blocks, kettles, and a host of other bits and pieces on this


Fire dragon (Red Dragon in Flight)


Neon Dragon (Big neon Dragon)
Just to give you an idea of scale, I'm standing close by the left foot. No, look again.


Skeleton Abode (Giant Skeleton)


Jumbo Shrimp (Shrimp with Saddle)
This one really needs a ride anim in it.



Pumpkin Carriage (A coach made from a pumpkin)


Early Sun Rise (three trolls in front of a sun)


Santa's Slay


Worlds of Imagination



Zodiac (12 figures arrayed in a half circle)

Go and see for yourself http://slurl.com/secondlife/Callistei/56/88/28

'E is an Ex-Pirate!

'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!!

You may have guessed there were one or two parrots at Steelhead's Pirate themed party on Saturday night.


Mainly they started off by being annoying and copying everything that everyone said.


So we did the only reasonable thing that could be done in Steelhead...


But there seemed to be rather more dead parrots than originally live ones, thanks to Tensai deciding to build a dead parrot launcher.


Though things took a rather ominous Orwellian turn.


And what would a night in Steelhead be without things being blown up?

Tree-warming for the Davies clan

Yours truly was asked to help celebrate the new home of the Davies clan in Steelhead: there very fine treehouse.


Me in my spiffy new armour.


Conga lines to the music of Gloria Estefan


And dancing to a variety of musical styles


Frau Lowey was feeling a bit pecking and had herself a Jäger sandwich.


And the Duke of Murdann put on his best frock for the occasion.

Fun night and fabulous people.