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Australia? There is at least one in SL.

Australia is an island continent, so it’s not surprising that someone would have an SL island of the same name. Tucked away and un-named in an SL search result is an interesting commercial venture that is simply called “Australia“. Whilst the island is not in the shape of Australia yet, its developer, Richard Tripp, has plans to terraform to the Australian shape in the near future.

Covering a handful of the best-known destinations for visitors this build has some important variations to other SL offerings of Australian icons.

Fancy a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge or a stroll around Uluru? Though the Harbour Bridge isn’t in the same league as the Telstra BigPond offering, there is an undoubted attempt to offer an alternative experience to visitors.

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If the Harbour Bridge is less than expected the inside of the Sydney Opera House is certainly a different proposition. This build is a marriage of SL construction and RL photography to display 360º views from inside this icon of tourist destinations. It has a different aspect to that of the BigPond structure and gives visitors a closer understanding of the actual building’s impressive architectural attainments.

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The commercial nature of this venture can be seen in the Australia Harbour Centre. Opened only in the last 2 days it is a three level mall awaiting businesses to set up shop. The build skirts closely to the look of the RL Darling Harbour.

Without doubt the developers of this island are still in the construction stage. Their project’s shopping area and Australia-flavoured destinations certainly highlights the efforts people are making to fly the Aussie flag. It will be interesting to watch their progress over the coming year.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Pontiac sims – heaven for the petrol-heads

The Pontiac sims are a haven for everything motorised, as long as it has wheels. There’s a dirt raceway and a more traditional speedway plus a large range of motor-related vendors.

There’s plenty of vehicles to test drive (although most aren’t tall-friendly):

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The speedway:

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Two fellow residents at the speedway:

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Like a lot of scripted objects in Second Life, their performance can be a little unpredictable – or maybe it’s just my driving.

Check it out in-world

Popularity: 2% [?]

One hell of a ship

Late last month, Australian jazz artist Paisley Beebe headlined the launch of Second Life’s largest ship, the Galaxy.

The size of the Galaxy is best demonstrated by the map view:

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A three-sim boat is obviously a first and there’s significant attention to detail although that has its impact on the lag experienced – I’ve visited the Galaxy half a dozen times and the lag in busy times makes the Galaxy near unusable. Even in quiet times it’s a very obvious issue.

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That said, if you’re nautically inclined the Galaxy is well worth a walk through. The bulk of the interior is social areas including the fairly impressive ballroom. There’s also a load of vendors, the majority with tasteful offerings that match the ambience of the Galaxy.

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Check it out in-world

Popularity: 11% [?]

ANZAC – Ataturk Memorial

A simple memorial for both sides of the Gallipoli conflict can be found on the Iaconelli sim.

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We have no excuse for promoting this landmark the day after ANZAC day aside from ignorance of its existence.

Check it out in-world

Popularity: 7% [?]

The Cavern Club opens

Last night the Liverpool sim launched with an opening gig at the SL Cavern Club. The real-life Cavern Club is a renowned music venue most well known for its relationship with The Beatles. The launch involved a live gig by rock group ‘What The…?’ and a full sim resulted.

“I heard ‘What The…?’ and recognised their Beatlesque sound and asked them to open, also the leader of the band helped me set up the stream”, explained sim owner Deroiste Quijote

Quijote built the sim to recreate the Cavern club in it’s original place and form. “The modern day one is a hundred metres further up and as I play in Mathew Street myself in a band I am always getting asked where the original club was….Well here it was!!”.

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“The Beatles played here 292 times and someone thought it would be a good idea to knock it down. I have been building this sim “LIVERPOOL 2008″ since October in various locations,” Quijote said.

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There are plans on expanding to an island location in the future.

Check out the Cavern Club in-world

Popularity: 8% [?]

Chebi Mosque

Chebi Mosque, built by Marino Nuvolari is an impressive build modeled on the Mezquita mosque in Spain and it’s a striking resemblance.

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The information supplied on notecard about the Chebi Mosque covers a range of information (exerpts only):

“As-salaamu alaykum (Peace be upon you)

INTRODUCTION
A warm welcome to Chebi Mosque. For the benefit of those who use the masjid (mosque) as a place of worship, we kindly request that visitors behave with same level of respect as they would visiting a mosque in real life. It is customary for people entering a masjid to remove their shoes. Your courtesy is much appreciated and we hope you enjoy your visit. Please feel free to return at any time and bring your friends!

LOOKING ROUND CHEBI MOSQUE
Things to look out for during your visit to the Second Life masjid:

Mawdh’a (Fountain)
This is the wall holding the fountains which Muslims use to perform wudu (ablutions) prior to salah. There are two Mawdh’a in Chebi Mosque, inside the main courtyard.

Manarah (Minaret)
The tower situated at the corner of the masjid structure, from which the Muezzin makes the adhan (call to prayer). You can listen to an adhan by clicking play on the music icon at the bottom of your screen.

Mihrab
The ornamental arched niche set into the qibla or wall that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca). The five daily salah (Muslim prayers) are made facing Makkah.

Minbar
The steps from which the Friday khutbah (sermon) is delivered.

Qur’an
The Qur’an displays the 27th surah (chapter), called An-Naml (the Ants) in Moroccan calligraphy. If you click on the Qur’an (but not the stand), you can hear an online recital of this verse in Arabic with an English translations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this a “real” mosque?
- Islam is a way of life and people do not stop being Muslim simply because they enter virtual reality. When avatars meet and talk in-world, it is no different to Muslims talking on the telephone – and indeed, one of the officers of the mosque uses the skype telephone service to communicate with other avatars! Chebi Mosque is currently the most important meeting place for Muslims on Second Life – so this is a “real” mosque in many ways. However, it is not exclusively for use by Second Life Muslims. Anyone can visit – at any time.

Do Muslims perform salah (pray) in Chebi Mosque?
- Yes, they do. If you right click on a ball marked “pray” above one of the prayer mats, you avatar will automatically kneel and bow. However, the opinion seems to be that such prayers do not count as fard (obligatory) salah, but are either nawafil (supererogetary) or the equivalent to du’a (a prayer which can be said almost anywhere and in any language).

Is there Jumu’a salah at Chebi mosque?
-There has been in the past. The mosque is open to anyone who wishes to organise Jumu’a, providing all are welcome.

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Are there other mosques on Second Life?
-There are three other mosques:
(a) Hassan II. The design is inspired by the Hassan II mosque in Morocco, and is part of an island created by a real life American University:

(b) Fort Malaya. Part of a museum inpsired by an 18th century fort that I gather was the scene of battles between Sultanate, Portuguese and Acehnese forces.

(c) el Second Life Mosque. One of a complex of religious buildings constructed by a real life member of a New York based group which promotes interreligious understanding:

Does Chebi Mosque have an Imam?
-No.”

Check it out in-world

Popularity: 9% [?]

AFL Footy Fever Jerseys

With summer almost over and our cricketers lulling the world into a false sense of security, the beginning of the footy season is now in the offing and fans can prepare themselves by donning their favourite team colours at a little shop I found tonight.

Located at Martinis Bargain Clothes, this small venture caters for AFL team fans. And whilst it does state it is an outlet where you can buy NRL jerseys, that particular section seemed to be still awaiting stock.

At $100 Linden the AFL jersey’s are a little cheaper than their RL counterparts. If you have a hankering to be outfitted and ready to go barracking for your team, perhaps a quick venture to this shop will see you through the season.

As a Rugby fan I didn’t actually find anyone catering for that particular code at a Super 14 level but I did find a place where you can buy a Wallaby jersey. It was located at Taff’s Rugby and the range of footy oriented gear is quite large. With the World Cup not too far away, go the Ra Ra! Oh, they also have the round-ball footy code covered as well.

Popularity: 8% [?]