We've Moved!

You can now find our blog on Word Press @

http://magellanseaiw.wordpress.com/

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Magellan Community is Growing!

Let's all give a warm, Magellan welcome to Kent Messmer and his partner, Rowan Aurbierre, who have purchased Mystic and Mystic Seaport in northeastern Magellan!

Kent is an avid and experienced sailor and race director in Second Life, residing in Sailor's Cove.  He has also been known to give a sailing lesson now and then, and is an experienced estate manager.   It sounds like the Magellan community will have great fun tapping into Ken's experience in organizing sailing events, regattas and cruises!  Partner Rowan notes she is a sailing beginner, but an enthusiastic sailor and crew member.  She too is an experienced estate manager, and loves to plan and organize social events.  In Second Life, Rowan plays a role in organizing Sailor's Cove's 3-day concert series for Sail For Life, a Relay for Life event that has been held for the last three years.

Kent and Rowan are busy working on their sims (see above), and are looking forward to being active members in the Magellan Sea community and to help organize InWorldz and Magellan events!

Justin Meyer has moved two sims to the southern part of Magellan.  DanCoDi is named for Justin's three children and is a work in progress.  Currently it features waterfalls, three homes, numerous boats, docks, and a lighthouse.  A store is planned for the future.  Justin's daughter Cindy Meyer is a builder and built the lighthouse as well as Justin's photostudio, located on a sky platform in a magnificent three story build.

Naporia is a lovely scenic, with docking areas and land to enjoy.  Justin is also a DJ, and often performs at FogHorn over on Scrimshaw.  We look forward to Justin's performing in some upcoming Magellan events too!  Justin's sims are not just fascinating above the waterline. He has been busy designing environments below the surface too!

Magellan has more new residents to be introduced, so watch for more postings very soon!

Peek-a-Boo with PhysX

It is almost here!  What?  PHYSX!   The discussions on the forum (http://inworldz.com/forums) are scintillating!  Yes, PhysX Phase I is already up on many sims, still being crowd tested for a grid-wide rollout!  Then, more rollouts should follow in quick succession.... especially if no major problems are found with Phase I.  It's all very exciting!

There are rumors of an improved mesh by Spring Solstice!  For insights on what THAT means, check out the InWorldz site at http://inworldz.com/techblog.  Check out Balpien's guest post on Vehicles and Physical Objects in PhysX, and some Forum discussions too.  From all we are hearing, these enhancements are very much worth the wait!

For us in Magellan, THAT means sailing is just around the corner!  WE NEED SAILORS!  There are wonderful sims available in Magellan....for sale (IM Anna Loom for available Magellan sites) AND for rent or lease!  Check the LM Board at IDI.  Visit the Magellan Welcome Center at Alinja and pop around the sims on the map.  There's a growing base of scenic sims too!  Perfect for fun boating and sailing!  Many with pleasant picnic areas and scenic overlooks! 

Future posts will explore some of the Marinas in Magellan (moor your boat!) and some of the airports for your private plane.  If you are a sailor, or a boat builder..... maybe with experience in handling sailing events and regattas, DO volunteer your expertise to Anna Loom!

Meanwhile, come, explore Magellan!  Put down some roots and get to know the area!  There are places for us Landlubbers, and wonderful environments for more fanciful denizens, both above and below the sea!

Come to MAGELLAN!

Dive into the Deep Blue Saturday July 7

Looking for the latest under-sea fashions? Searching for inspiration for new Inworldz venues?

Come to Poseidon (43,124,2) on Saturday, July 7 at 2 P.M. IWT!

TIGGS Beaumont has teamed up with "ALLURE" of InWorldz to bring you a serene and unique fashion show! The designers featured include

 - Lady Lyra by Lyrana Courtois,
 - Haute Couture by Brelle Dufeaux,
 - Designs by Shalenda, by Shalenda Littlebird,
 - ULTRAJE Fashion by Pamela Easton.

InWorldz has d-e-e-p blue seas, ample room for colonies of merfolk and other sea denizens. With the advent of scenic sims - now totalling over 150 (not all of which are scenic water sims) - there is a network of adventures for intrepid mer to explore!

Who knows, perhaps there will be new fashion innovations guaranteed to transfix pirates and sailors, causing them to lose their minds and dive to join their visions of voluptuous mermaids!

Dive into the Deep Blue on Saturday with TIGGS and Allure! In the Magellans THIS Saturday! Stay tuned!

One Can Almost Always Find Music at Poseidon

IF you're ever looking for something to do in InWorldz, it would be worth keeping Poseidon in mind. This is TIGGS Beaumont's sim, and she has wonderful musical events practically every day! (she truly doesn't miss many days, and often has multiple performances on the same day!)

Top talent visit her place, performers such as Strummer Vultee, CelticMaidenWarrior, LXIX, SCOFI, GANJO, Blueron Clyburn, Russell Eponym..... and more wonderful live talent!

The scenery is lovely too! Great for dancing, visiting, or just listening!

So, check the IWz Events calendar on the login page, or community on the InWorldz website, and mosey on down to the SIRENS showplace at the Poseidon sim, located right on the Iz Straits in the Magellan area.....gateway to the South Magellan and beyond!

The Gypsies are Coming! The Gypsies are Coming!

Great Events at Equinox 2: The Gypsies are coming!

1. Great events! Dancing with Astorial Luminos on Friday at 1 PM IWT, gathering to view Ziva and Rowland's wedding at 3 IWT (in the Lodge), Storytelling with the wonderful Lani spinning folk stories of love afterwards.

2. Fishing and vegetable gathering to exchange for a meal as an introduction to the LEWT trading system (fully compatible with the Genesis system). Here is a great way to see what it's about and how it works. More items to find and simple opportunities to trade (like really cool Gypsy outfits) will be added during the weekend. Go to Special Magic's booth and pick up your FREE LEWT gathering bag. There's a notecard on how things work. And a fishing station just a bit away at the nearby pond.
1. Great events! Dancing with Astorial Luminos on Friday at 1 PM IWT, gathering to view Ziva and Rowland's wedding at 3 IWT (in the Lodge), Storytelling with the wonderful Lani spinning folk stories of couples and love afterwards (scheduled for 4:30 IWT).

2. Fishing and vegetable gathering to exchange for a meal as an introduction to the LEWT trading system (fully compatible with the Genesis system). Here is a great way to see what it's about and how it works. More items to find and simple opportunities to trade (like really cool Gypsy outfits) will be added during the weekend. Go to Special Magic's booth and pick up your FREE LEWT gathering bag. There's a notecard on how things work. And a fishing station just a bit away at the nearby pond.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Equinox%202/178/70/31

3. Join the Gypsy group and then get your free blank vardo (gypsy van) to decorate however you'd like. There will be an exhibition of gypsy vans at the last Festival (dunno when that will be yet....sometime in late August or September), with prizes.

4. Rumors abound of a ship wreck off the coasts..... depending on the tides there may be some interesting flotsam and jetsam coming ashore...... sometime.

5. More activities during the weekend..... including a Gypsy adventure at Pasithea at 1 PM on Saturday, with more dancing later on Equinox 2

6. Dancing and story telling on Sunday, with more items in the LEWT hunt, and maybe some other fun events!

Anything that can be streamed from the Conference at Las Vegas will be streamed at the Equinox Lodge on Equinox 2.

Save the DATE! April 13 for Magellan Annual Meeting

Friday, April 13 at NOON IWT

The location is at the Magellan Welcome Center on Alinja (145, 213, 22)
All residents should plan to attend, if at all possible. Developments from this past year and plans for this next year (and scenic sims) will be topics for conversation! An Agenda will be sent out closer to the dates. All Magellan citizens should feel free to ask questions or share concerns. If you can't attend, DO notecard questions or comments and send to your Committee representatives: Tian Ansar, Taika Wirsing, Anna Loom, and Sunny Day (there has been one resignation).

Whether or not you can attend, DO send in your nominations for the Committee offices to Sunny Day by April 6. Three positions are up for election, including two current committee members running for re-election: Anna Loom and Sunny Day.

This should be a very interesting meeting as events that impact Magellan are happening almost daily as new upgrades are rolling out! Everyone is encouraged to try to attend!

It's a great time to meet and greet new Magellan Sea residents!

Winner of Equinox Ice Sculpture Contest Announced!

The winner of Equinox's Second Annual Ice Sculpture Contest and $5,000 Iz's is LaToymaker!

Eight lovely sculptures were entered by IWz creators Koda Rae, TenBears Running, Noble Sionn & Bridget Jennings, Safar Fiertze, Wolf Hartnell & Teal Freenote, Cataplexia Numbers & Mike Chase, Strand Starsider and La Toymaker.
(also reported on http://inworldz.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=11541

). A panel of six judges, all creators in their own right, evaluated the entries against 6 metrics for a possible total of 300 points:
1. Meets rules
2. Effective use of Space
3. Clarity of Design
4. Effective Use of Ice/Snow Textures
5. Creative Use of Prims/Sculpties
6. Wow Factor

To give you an idea of how close the contest was, only 6 points separated the top two placed entries! There were very creative "visions of physX" which was the theme. One even represented speed, collisions and the effects of gravity.

A special Equinox Award for Humor was given to TenBears Running, for his excellent portrayal of patience in visions of physX. (See photo below.)

Please join me in congratulating these wonderful artists! It was fascinating to see their interpretations come together!

The Sculptures may be seen on Equinox and Equinox 2. Visitors should follow the ice road around and through the Village and the harbor. Do hurry though, as spring is coming and the sculptures will be melting away!

A replica of La Toymaker's entry will be featured on the Equinox Mardi Gras float on Tuesday!

Second Annual Ice Sculpture Contest on Equinox Nearing Final Decision!

The six creator judges have voted. The results are being tallied! It is a very competitive contest! The challenge was to address the theme: Vision of PhysX.

The winner will be announced at a swinging pre Mardi-Gras party on Friday, February 17, featuring Cataplexia Numbers from 6 to 8 PM IWT at the Equinox Lodge. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Equinox%202/77/11/28

Wonderful prizes are being offered..... more on that tomorrow!

Building Zoological Gardens in Western Magellan

"What would be a different, fun attraction for Magellan?" Magellan residents Cepheus Ceriano and Anna Neutron asked themselves. What would be a beautiful attraction that IWz doesn't yet have, that would be a great destination for sailors, fliers, and everyday residents alike?

After exploring IWz, and much thought, an idea took shape: The Pink Flamingo Zoological Gardens, a beautiful place to relax and look at animals in natural environments, currently under construction on Nautilus. On the sim, you will not only find all kinds of animals, but also themed areas to look at, and a very romantic lovers lake, which invites cuddles under the stars. For more active visitors, a bike/cycle track circles the sim for all to enjoy.

Next door, on Firedog Island, a Biker's dream is taking shape. This will be an exciting country ride with lots of twists and turns. For thirsty Bikers, the new club Tequila's House of Blues is being built.

With frontage on the Iz Ocean, moorings are under construction for IWz's jolly sailors to come ahoy. Anna and Cepheus invite all to feel free to drop by and take a look. "But wear a hard hat," cautions Cepheus, "because we are still under construction!"

A Special Post from Anna Loom

The Magellan Sea: Community and Fun over Land, Sea and Air

Originally the vision for the Magellan Sea area was inspired by the Blake Sea in SL. The concept was that Magellan would be created by sim owners with one or more sims clustered together in ways that encouraged community AND the ability to boat and fly. The concept of scenic water sims is one of the tools envisioned to help important connecting areas remain affordable and accessible.

The intention was that the Iz Ocean should connect between the two mainlands, though the Eastern side still presents some challenge.

All of this means that planning and coordination is required for placing sims, so that all of the area communities - including the Mainland folks and all those around the Iz Straits - can enjoy the benefits of IWz and the foresight of the Founders to create these common waterways. Magellan established a Charter, approved by the Founders, to help manage this process.

With the prospect of a sizeable area becoming available for new development, we ask that all who are interested in joining this community to contact Anna Loom (Chair) or Taika Wirsing (Community Development). Per the Charter, an application should include the name of the Estate and the regions that propose to be part of the Magellan Sea, the full avatar name of all the owners of the Estate, a contact email address for the sim owner, and a landmark to the Estate. If the sims do not yet exist, a statement about the planned themes is requested. Sims must conform to the Magellan Charter which limits height and commercial areas and specifies no ban lines and high sky platforms, if any, and the theme in place in that area. Upon inquiry, the full Covenant will be sent to the applicant. Upon acceptance of the application, there is a one time payment of $3,000 Iz's per Estate (comprised of however many sims) due prior to sim placement.

It would also be helpful to include some information on applicant hopes for expansion or other considerations that may be helpful in planning.

As of this writting, there is no announced timetable, and the Magellan Committee will post information as it becomes available. Thank you to all who would consider Magellan as their home, and the many, many IWz residents who would enjoy the resource. And, as always, thanks to our Founders for their willingness to experiment and innovate in this virtual community setting.

Magellan News

After a long absence, the Magellan Blog is Back! And not a moment too soon! The Iz Ocean and the Iz Straits can be sailed and flown. There have been a stream of craft, and even freighters, with non-physX scripts, plying the waves. PhysX is almost imminent, as the grid's foundation code has been declared just about ready to handle it.

Magellan residents are busily building docks and harbors, helipads and boat rezz places, motorbike tracks, all sorts of resources to take advantage of PhysX when it is unveiled.

This blog (and the attendant twitter account) will do its best to keep up with some of the happenings in Magellan. This will include fun things, and - if there is reader interest - regular updates from the Magellan Committee on the duller, but important, committee meetings - as well as info on new residents, activities and so on. It will need everyone's help to do so! So pictures and descriptions and notes about upcoming activities will be totally welcomed (as will decent lead times for posting time sensitive items!)

Reflections of Us Vemo

by Mera Kranfel & Leanna Caerndow


Us Vemo and Anna Loom, founders of Magellan InWorldz

1. How did you find IW and when was that?

I have been following the OpenSim development for quite some time because I have been involved in the OpenSource world professionally. I thought that it was more interesting than SL. Some things happened in SL, and I started more actively to look for an alternative and stumbled on IW by coincidence really... and I liked what I saw. That was in July 2010. After a few days I asked Anna if she would like to come and see. We thought that IW may just be a place to come to relax every now and again - little did we think that after two days it would become home and we have never looked back.

2. When did you think of creating Magellan and why?

It was just after a week or so. I saw all these scattered sims, looking like the homesteads in SL, and I never liked that. We had been quite active in the sailing scene in SL and I have been participating in some races there, the last one was the huge America’s Cup that was so much fun with RL sponsors. However I really disliked all the intrigues and drama among the yacht clubs there, so I thought it would be good to start something fresh in here. For sailing, you need connected water, and so I posted the idea in the forum about creating a new kind of colony/community without the drama and that it should be run in a democratic way...

Most of the reactions were quite positive but some forum trolls did almost make me go away, give up the idea and leave IW. If it hadn't been for Anna and her support and encouragement, there would have been no Magellan. By the way... the Magellan name was Anna's idea. I soon realized that the founders did like the idea and that they were willing to support it... so I moved on.

3. How do you see the future of Magellan?

The committee has made changes which have remained along the original ideas. Having a committee proves that Magellan is a democratic group, not just a few people deciding everything. That is why I didn't volunteer to stay on the committee after six months at the helm (In the charter it is stated that one should serve for a six month term as a committee member). I also think it is important that the majority power should not be concentrated with a few big landowners taking over. For the future success of Magellan it is important to keep those original thoughts and ideas in mind and to elect new people in the leading roles for the future.

I hope that when the Physics arrive and the new script engine is in place Magellan will be in the center of IW and a lot of activities will be going on there. Not only sailing and yachting, but also aircraft, spaceships and balloons. To be able to go between the two mainland continents and visit some of the greatest sims in IW will attract a lot of people. My wish was to make Magellan open for all the people in IW not just the sim owners there. No borders, no ban lines and no stupid security orbs! Just open friendliness! We can make a better virtual world together if we keep that in mind.



4. Does it cost extra for a sim to become a member?

If I am correct the committee decided for 3,000 Iz’s for each estate. That means if you have 2 sims it is still 3,000 Iz’s. The conception for this payment which was in the original charter was to be sure that we had funds to move any disruptive sim out from Magellan. Magellan should not have too much commercialism, no violence and no porn. People can do what they like in their skyboxes but in the open and in public their actions should not be too provoking. The founders were clear about how they would assist the committee, in the case of a removal, but their costs needed to be covered... that was the reason for the fee. However up until now this has never been used... so it is just giving us interest rate... that was a joke. Of course there have been some minor disputes between neighbors, but they have always been solved in a friendly and positive way.

5. What are you doing when you're inworld, and how do you relax?

We like to build all the stuff we use here. On our sims we have I think three objects we have not created ourselves. There is this amazing tree from Julia that I would never replace. Hmm, I don't remember the other two things... lol, we might replace those...

I like to try and figure out how things are made, to fix the sculpties, textures and scripts... that’s my relaxation really. I have been a professional developer all my life, everything from assembler, C, and PHP even though the strategic part of it has been growing the last couple of years.

Anna loves building anything and everything that appears to be a challenge has to be tackled. Live Music plays an important part in relaxation and it is a chance to meet others and go to other sims.

Well, I have met some amazing people in here that I really like to talk to and learn from. My life has not been without troubles and I have found here people with so much wisdom and perspective. I have met love and some amazing friends in here and I hope I am able to be supportive to them in the same way they are to me.


Mera and Leanna on the Magellan map
Address: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Alinja/171/40/25

Fasten Your Seatbelts!!!

Everyone who is reading this blog has at least a faint idea of Magellan Sea InWorldz and knows the main goal of the community: To connect various sims by sailable water once the physics engine is introduced to our marvelous grid.

We thought it might be a good idea to introduce you to the various sims belonging to Magellan Sea InWorldz and provide you with ideas on how to spend your spare time inworld.

However, there is something we would like to address before we entertain you with our adventures.

First of all, the order in which we visit sims is in no way intended to be a rating and should not be understood as such. Our writing for this blog does not mean we look down upon other sims not in the Magellan area. Both of us enjoy exploring the entire grid and spending time on different sims, and we will continue to write about it in our private blogs and praise whatever tickles our fancy at a time.

We are Mera Kranfel and Leanna Caerndow; both of us have our private homes on a sim belonging to Magellan Sea.

Mera Kranfel came to InWorldz in [...] 2010. At the end of July, she bought her first sim, Lost River. A bit more than three months later, Mera moved her sim to Magellan and renamed it to Midsomer County. Here's what Mera said on why she decided to become a part of Magellan:

"The Magellan area did appeal to me the minute I heard about it first time. But then I already had a sim on mainland so I didn’t do anything about it. But time changes, and we felt it was time to eventually take this step. I like the covenant in Magellan and it suits me a lot better than mainland with no covenants."

Mera by Leanna

Leanna Caerndow came to InWorldz in August 2010. In early December, she heard of Midsomer County and went there to explore and meet Mera. They quickly became friends, talking a mile a minute about nothing and everything. Leanna is a huge fan of Scandinavia and likes to confuse the Scandinavian community with her odd mix of Norwegian and Swedish, with the occasional Finnish curse word tossed in for good measure.

In the next blog, we'll talk a bit more about Magellan and its founder Us Vemo. We hope you'll stay tuned and enjoy our exploring the Magellan Sea. Just you wait until you see us trying to hop on a boat O.O

Two Magellan Sea Sims Now Available!!!

Two adjoining Magellan Sea sims, Hawkside and Worcester, are now
available. If anyone in the Magellan Sea group wishes to purchase them, please
send a support ticket to Elenia Llewellyn. These sims are bound by the Magellan
Sea Charter, and first time sim buyers will be subject to a one-time fee of
$3,000 Iz's for the Magellan Sea Escrow Account.

For additional information or answers to any questions, please contact Anna
Loom or any member of the Magellan Sea committee.

New Magellan Sea Events Calendar

Visit our new Magellan Sea Event Calendar at:
http://www.my.calendars.net/magellansea

Please send an IM or NC to Chrystophur Silversmith

with any upcoming Magellan Sea Events

Magellan Sea Meeting Minutes - January 23, 2011

Magellan Sea Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Sunny Day, Committee Secretary

At the meeting held yesterday, January 23, 2011, of the Magellan residents, the following items were addressed:

Chair: Us Vemo
21 Sim Owners and Residents present

1. Ownership of water sims

The founders have agreed to maintain the open waters of the Magellan Sea. However, many questions remain as to the ownership of the water sims. Remaining unresolved are prices and prim counts. There was some discussion about the purchase and ownership of the sims by the Magellan group. This issue was tabled until more information is available.

2. One time fee for landowners

A vote was taken to determine the one time charge to estate owners to cover costs for moving sims. It was decided to charge 3,000 Izs. An additional fee can be assessed later if it becomes necessary. These fees will be paid into a separate account to be created by the treasurer.

3. Election of committee members for the first six month period

The committee is comprised of 5 members who will lead subgroups as needed. Elected were Talia Fournier, Sunny Day, Chrystophur Silversmith, Anna Loom, and Anyraya Braveheart who will serve as treasurer. A motion was made and seconded to have the treasurer serve for a one year period.

4. Additional Items.

A suggestion was made to bestow an honorary title on Us for all his time and hard work on what was initially his dream. This will be discussed at later meetings.

Also, Chrystophur Silversmith has volunteered to do a blog of Magellan events.

A New Chapter

A new chapter has begun in the growth and development of the Magellan Sea.

On Sunday, January 23rd, the residents of Magellan gathered to elect the first community committee. Those selected include:

Anna Loom - Chairperson

Anyraya Braveheart - Treasurer

Chrystophur Silversmith - Marketing/PR

Sunny Day - Secretary

Talia Fournier - Community Development

The committee would like to thank all of those who voted and attended this historic meeting for their support and proposals.