You may’ve noticed that the Second Life login screens got a facelift recently — for awhile, they’ve changed with the time of day, but now, the photos are much more beautiful, reflecting the current state of WindLight-powered goodness.
I took the photos (because I like doing that), and it’s nice to see the feedback and ideas that’s been coming in so far, particularly suggestions to customize it thyself or even a contest to show off the mastery of Resident photography. About the latter, there may be some legal complications involving clearing rights to what’s within a scene (which I ran into earlier doing photos for Marketing/PR; long story), so I hope to followup on what’s possible here. (Not to be confused with Here.)
WORTH KNOWING: the news feeds aren’t gone forever, so stay tuned for worthwhile changes. In the meantime, click the “Second Life Grid Status” link and logo in the upper-right to get to the Status Reports page.
Nostalgia trip: see what the splash looked like in 2005. And 2006.
(Thx for the heads up, Katt Linden!)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
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They are beautiful – but those of us using the RC client do not see them
Mykyl: there is no new release candidate anymore, the current stable release is actually newer than the newest release candidate out there
So you should totally get it (latest RC on the site is 1.20.14, the official release now is 1.20.15)
This is much nicer to look at Torley, good stuff
This is great stuff ! I've wanted different log in screens for some time now
However it was wonderfully nostalgic to look back at the 2005 and 2006 screens !
There is also a JIRA issue relating to this here : http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-5305
One day, perhaps we could even have a "live" view in world… Ahern ? lol
A 1.21 Release Candidate will be out soon enough… and the world moves on.
@Evalia: Thx for helping!
@Dizzy: For a long time, I've wanted live, inworld "webcams" showing popular activities happening NOW and get people excited from the get-go. Loosely like what some of Stickam does well, but for Second Life.
Great images, Torley. Thanks for a fresh breeze on the login.
You might be interested in this short discussion about empty landscapes on login screen http://www.plurk.com/p/21why
I remember there used to be such a thing with live video streaming to the front page. It has been a while and I can't recall all the details. I think the name of him was Video Linden, he would go about and take live action shots. I was at an event one time where he was filming and I was soo excited to see myself on video. I'd love to see something like this again.
I Don't See How u get K.Dick lol '
- Anthoney
@dandellion: Thanks for pointing me that way.
@Ravenelle: I used to get in front of the camera in the Morris sandbox. I remember Blue Linden crafted Video Linden's camera.
I've really been enjoying the images on the login screens this winter, and find myself constantly asking "wow! I wonder where that is???" Is there any way to get this information? I'm particuarly intrigued by an image I saw of penguins in the foreground, snow, a woman in a pink dress with a pink umbrella walking away, and what looked like a frozen ship or research station in the background…
@Tonto: Glad I could chat with you in Second Life! In the future I'll aspire to keep better track and advocate for things that make it easier to "travel into the login screen". Also related: http://torley.com/why-i-dont-consistently-post-slurls-with-hi-res-snapshots
I'm a rather new member of SL, born in January 2009. Like tonto, I'm wondering the same thing — WHERE are these locations? Many, MANY times I wish I could follow a link and TP to the location to look around. Is there a forum or guide anywhere that I'm not aware of, which tells us where these places are located?
Oops think I just found it, on the link you provided. Thanks!