The post-Beta world of Second Life is still in its infancy (six weeks old as of yesterday, thanks for asking), but our residents have already leapfrogged the learning-to-walk phase. Rather than hoofing it, they're going airborne in every conceivable form of flying machine. As of this writing, the list of resident-created air transport includes dirigibles, blimps, and hot air balloons...

...WWII-era fighter planes; alien aircraft; rockets; anti-grav sleds; jet packs; helicopters; hover boards (tandem sheep optional); flying pirate ships; and for more daring players, a rideable tornado (surrender, Dorothy!) or a giant catapult. An entire city of airships has sprung up, seemingly overnight, on the Gray simulator, while the ever-enterprising James Miller has already monetized the sky, with a speedy taxi service of futuristic, flying checkered cabs (and several hacks in his employ).

None of this is to discount the more earth-bound modes of transport that Lifers have also rolled out: a monorail line that travels through several simulators, and a bus that takes you on a tour around the world, with a coffee bar open to the passengers. Not to mention the motor boats, jet skis, sailboats, submarines, and other aquatic vessels that now fill the oceans and waterways, for private and commercial use. (Harold and Joan Nomad, for example, just rolled out a riverboat tour/party boat service.)

And, of course, when no transport is around to hitch a ride on, there's always the old school "F" key, to launch your body skyward.

A wacky statistical slice of Second Life, compiled by peering deep into the last two weeks of world evolution..

• Number of "rezzed" (i.e. created) user-made objects: 162,000.



• Total Linden dollars spent by residents, to claim land: L$ 3.9 million



• Average time between each in-world land claim: 4 minutes, 30 seconds



• Most successful resident businesspersons in terms of earnings, in alphabetical order: Darrly Chang, Chip Midnight, Skeedalee Skidoo



• Top three most successful resident businesspersons in terms of total customers, in alphabetical order: Fey Brightwillow, Skeedalee Skidoo, shelah Sunshine.



• Positive ratings given to residents by other residents, by percentage: 99.



• Negative ratings given to residents by other residents, by percentage: 1.

Though the team of Driftwood Nomad and Darrly Chang has only been in-world for a few months, they've already mastered the Linden scripting language well enough to create Second Life's first AI companion animal. D&D Dogs in Perry now sells four breeds of lovable canine, complete with enthusiastic barks and happy panting. Turns out you can teach new dogs old tricks, too-- if you've brought enough cash, that is...

Customers at D&D can choose from a poodle, a Dalmatian, a bulldog, or an adorable mutt (more breeds are promised). From there, it's just a matter of putting your pooch on the training platform, and selecting the desired trick-- Sit, Roll Over, Beg, Play Dead-- plunking down your L$75 Linden dollars, and pressing the right button. (Part of a clever entrepreneurial scheme by Driftwood and Darrly, to keep their customers coming back to upgrade their pet; they also sell accessories like dog dishes.)

D&D dogs are nothing if not eager to keep after their master, even if that means flying after them (considered alongside hoverboarding sheep, airborne pigs must be sure to follow.) The dogs occasionally get lost, or panic and leap on your head while you're trying to enjoy a sunset. Sometimes they even drift off world, apparently into another dimension; not to worry, though, as they turn up in your inventory's Lost and Found. (Which will have to do, until a Second Life resident starts a dogcatcher service.)

The smart set of Second Life is already clamoring for the latest in avatar wear from the up-and-coming designer Fey Brightwillow, who recently gave The Second Opinion an exclusive sneak peek at her Fall line. These are the fashions that all our in-world celebrities will soon be wearing, darling, and you simply must take a look at Fey's new collection of swimwear, formal evening wear, and (oh my!) racy lingerie...

We begin with Sindari Jade in an eye-catching ensemble of black leather and lace, limned with sparkling beads. "I found a way to cause clothing to glitter," says Fey. She paints most of her fashions by hand, mainly with Photoshop 7™. (You can also create fashion designs in any standard painting program.) "I had some experience with Photoshop before coming to SL," she says, "but that knowledge has increased drastically since coming here."

Sindari's heart-stopping, seashell-themed swimsuit is a study in pearls-- layers upon layers of them, actually. "Just the top is over two hundred and seven," notes Fey, as Sindari twirls for the camera. This bikini is absolutely guaranteed to be the ultimate eye-magnet, on Second Life's beaches and lakefront resorts.

Moving on to evening wear, Sindari sashays down our makeshift runway (the rooftop of Fey's store, really), modeling a richly-hued silk blouse and matching pantsuit, while Fey herself dons a velvety, green and black, 60's nostalgia Nehru dress.

Shagadelic retro

Blue skies, satin midnights

Mint and fire lingerie

The show's piece de resistance brings the audience to its feet-- and the male avatars in the crowd to their knees. Welina and Sindari are irresistible visions in two pairs of lingerie: the first a mélange of sky-blue textures and midriff-revealing cuts, the second all lacy, bodice-ripping sensuality.

After the show, Ms. Brightwillow consents to a brief interview with the Opinion. We ask about her sources of inspiration. “Some ideas come from old trends and fads," she says, “Other ideas come from watching a movie or a program on the current work of world designers… Guess you would say I get my ideas from about anywhere." When she first came into Second Life, she had to situate her work next to established designers like Billie Sunchaser and Misnomer Jones, "both of whom do wonderful work. I have tried to make designs in my own style, as not to compete with theirs." And Ms. Brightwillow's talents in fashion also extend to the financial side of the industry. "Business-wise, I do well," she says, speaking of the boutique in Tehama she runs with Shadow Weaver and Nick Domino. "Like all businesses in real life, you have busy days and slow ones, the same goes for SL."

But fiscal rewards aside, Fey says she does this for the joy of delighting her extensive and growing clientele. "It's a gratifying experience," she says. "I enjoy people visiting me. And, I am grateful and honored when someone wears something I have designed."

Run a website, tell people about Second Life, get real-life dollars via the Affiliate Program. Easy, ain't it?

Earn Affiliate Rewards based upon the number of people who try Second Life via your website and then get bonus rewards when they become a Second Life Resident.

Upcoming Events
Check out the Event Calendar for the latest goings-on.

New World Notes
Get the SL scoop from "embedded journalist" Wagner James Au (known in-world as Hamlet Linden.) Hamlet reports first-hand on Second Life society as it develops. He also covers computer games for Salon and other publications.

Recent Media Coverage

"Second Life Intrudes on First One", Wired News

GamePro, featuring in-world alien abductions: Slashdot

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