Queen Tureaud's blog

BlogHer in Second Life Registration is CLOSED! We're full! Now what??

2008-07-16T16:02:45-05:00

You've downloaded Second Life. You've registered. You've *maybe* dressed your avatar.

Now what?

If you haven't already, you'll be receiving a 'group invitation' from ME, Queen Tureaud, to join "BlogHer in Second Life '08 REACH!" The notice will come to your avatar in Second Life. You need to join this group in order to be able to attend conference sessions and fun.

Once you are in the group, you'll receive notices and "teleports" come conference time on Friday morning. You click and POOF! you are magically transported to our CNN.com iReport conference center where you'll watch the KeyNotes live from San Francisco and mingle with your fellow Second Life attendees.

We'll have volunteers on hand to help you navigate if need be, and to help shuttle you back and forth to our exhibit and cocktail party area at AskPatty.com. And while you are there, make sure to head over to the BlogHer booth and get some t-shirts AND the most super-cool pin to wear. We can teach you how to edit the pin so when other attendees click on it, they are taken to YOUR blog!

Avatar Osprey Therian made these awesome shirts and the pin, make sure to stop by her blog Second Life Art News.

If you log into Second Life and have trouble, avatars Gidge Uriza, Vint Falken, and Ana Herzog will be around, along with myself, to help you out.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the full conference schedule including speakers and don't forget to add your name and link to THIS POST to participate in the Community Keynote.

DAY ONE, Friday July 18th

9:00-9:15 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)

Welcome to BlogHer '08 from the Westin St. Francis Ballroom in San Francisco

9:15-10:15 AM

"Speed Dating" for BlogHers in Second Life

10:30-11:45 AM

Second Life Break-Out Session #1: The Intersection of Blogging and Second Life

Led by Cybergrrl Oh (aka Aliza Sherman), and featuring:

Ana Herzog (aka Nancy Hill)

Gidge (aka Bridgette McNeal)

Queen Tureaud (aka Erin Kotecki Vest)

12:45-2:00 PM

Second Life Break-Out Session #2: Second Life and Security

Featuring:

Daisy Beauchamps

Padlurowncanoe Dibou, formerly in charge of Hillary Clinton's in-world HQ and co-Founder of MUVErs, LLC

Patty Streeter (aka Jody DeVere from AskPatty)

2:30PM-4:30PM

Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

4:30PM-8:30PM

SecondLife Open Mic and Party

More details on how to be part of the Second Life Open Mic

DAY TWO, Saturday, July 19th

9:30-10:30 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)

BlogHer '08 Morning Keynote: Hybrid Media

10:45-12:00 PM

Second Life Break-Out Session #3: SecondLife as Educational/Training Tool

Featuring:

Padlurowncanoe Dibou, formerly in charge of Hillary Clinton's in-world HQ and co-Founder of MUVErs, LLC

In Kenzo (aka Evonne Heyning, Creative Director and Interactive Producer for Amoration)

Fleep Tuque (aka Chris Collins from the University of Cincinnati)

Dannette Veale (from Cisco)

1:45-3:00 PM

Second Life Break-Out Session #4: Using Second Life for Good

Led by Susan Tenby and featuring:

Connie Reece

Jennifer Cole and Aleja Ospina, the women behind GimpGirl.com

3:30PM-5:00PM

Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

5:15-6:15 PM (live from San Francisco, CA)

BlogHer '08 Closing Keynote: Living the Truman Show

Announcing the BlogHer in Second Life Community Keynote-and how YOU can be a part of it

2008-07-10T01:07:44-05:00

It's true.

This week BlogHer Co-Founder Elisa Camahort announced the Community Keynote selections for BlogHer '08 in San Francisco, and we're certainly not going to allow our Second Life attendees to just "watch" all the fun.

The Second Life version of this year's BlogHer conference will participate in the First Ever "Community Keynote" event.

Elisa writes,

"That's right: the closing keynote for Day One of the conference will be live blog readings from the BlogHer community itself. You'll submit your favorite posts, and we'll get 20 of you at the microphone sharing that favorite post with the entire BlogHer crowd.We thought of calling it BlogHerpalooza, the BlogHer Slam, BlogHer Open Mic or some other such name. But it's a keynote and it will be built from the community, hence: The BlogHer Community Keynote."

The only twist on the Second Life version? The first 20 to leave a comment and a link to their blog post are in, pending our review of your submission.

This means your virtual self gets to stand, or fly, or hover in a space craft, in front of the BlogHer in Second Life audience while you read your blog post. It can be Second Life related or NONSecond Life related. It can be your favorite rant, favorite song you sang in a post, favorite post about nothing. This keynote is entirely contructed BY the BlogHer in Second Life community, so the choice is yours.

Elisa continues,

"the basics are:

Did it make us laugh?
Did it make us cry?
Did it make nod our head in an "I've been there" kind of way?
Did it make us want to send the link to a bunch of other people to share the bloggy goodness?
Is it fresh, unique...in other words, could it only have come from you?"

Make sure you are a REGISTERED participant for this year's BlogHer in Second Life conference and HAVE AT IT!

The first 20 comments in THIS post will get to participate in this FIRST EVER event!

CNN.com iReport Trains BlogHers For Citizen Journalism

2008-06-30T13:33:02-05:00

The BlogHer in Second Life conference is excited to offer a new twist to this year's festivities- not only can you blog about your experience, but you are also encouraged to submit an iReport to CNN.com.

Oh, but that is NOT all!

CNN.com is offering some amazing training sessions for BlogHers:

Tuesday, July 1, 2 p.m. SLT/5 p.m. ET - SL iReporting 101
Tuesday, July 8, 2 p.m. SLT/5 p.m. ET - Avatar photojournalism
Tuesday, July 15, 2 p.m. SLT/5 p.m. ET - Virtual world newsgathering

How amazing is that???!!!!

CNN's Lila writes, "We sure hope to see you at the SL iReport hub. And while you're there, stop by the newly opened BlogHer office, where you can find out how to register for the conference and also grab a refreshing glass of virtual lemonade."

This is a fantastic opportunity for BlogHers to learn from one of the leaders in virtual world citizen journalism.

Don't forget to REGISTER for the BlogHer in Second Life conference, and drop by BlogHer's office hours at the iReport hub and pick up some BlogHer swag to dress up your avatar.

I know many of you have asked and YES, the BlogHer in SL conference has bling for your blog too!

BlogHer in Second Life button:

New Speakers Announced For BlogHer '08 in Second Life

2008-06-25T23:54:24-05:00

We've seen blogging impact an election, raise money for causes, and provide needed information- and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

On Saturday, July 19th from 1:45pm-3:00pm, BlogHer in Second Life will present it's fourth and final Second Life - exclusive session: Using Second Life For Good

BlogHer Co-Founder Elisa Camahort Page has put together a stellar panel of women using Second Life to impact the real world.

Session speakers include:

Susan Tenby of Compumentor/TechSoup and is their Second Life community manager. Susan recently addressed Congress as part of a hearing on "Online Virtual Worlds: Applications and Avatars in a User-Generated Medium."

Connie Reece- a social media guru who is also one of the brains behind the Frozen Pea Fund, a fundraising effort to battle cancer inspired by the online community of Twitter.

Jennifer Cole and Aleja Ospina are the women behind GimpGirl.com. The GimpGirl Community was "Founded in 1998 by women with disabilities to serve the needs of our community through various on-line mediums. For many years we were primarily using mailing lists, our web site and later on LiveJournal, Facebook and MySpace, but at the end of last year our educational contacts and supporters encouraged us (and gave us the resources) to expand on to Second Life. Through hard work by our core group, as well as the help of volunteers we developed a parcel on Second Life that now has weekly group meetings full of women with disabilities from all walks of life."

Four amazing women who I have no doubt many things to share with you during the Saturday Second Life exclusive session.

Make sure you register for BlogHer in Second Life-because if you can't make it to San Fransisco there is MUCH you can take away from a virtual conference with the BlogHer community.

We have badges too!

BlogHer in Second Life button:

An Introduction To (a few) Second Life BlogHers

2008-06-18T18:06:02-05:00

BlogHer '08 in Second Life is starting to take shape with CNN.com iReport the sponsor of all the sessions and panels and AskPatty.com hosting our exhibitor booths and Friday night cocktail party.

So now that details are emerging, you may find yourself wondering exactly what to do in Second Life.

BlogHer in SL volunteer Gidge is giving you a few tips over at her blog Live From The Wang of America,

"One of the FIRST things you'll do when you set up your AVATAR - your character - is pick a name. Second Life gives you a lovely RANGE of last names,and yeah you'll probably find that the surname WRITER is still open to choose.

And there is nothing geeky or weird about picking it, totally pick the last name that you like. But keep in mind.....the name you choose for your FIRST name is going to be what we all call you IN WORLD. So it might seem funny to choose TheBest as your first name and WRITER as your surname......until you get into world and people call you THE, or THEBEST, or worse - with typos - Thebeast.

You follow?

Doesn't have to be your real name but it can be. You like being Jane? So be JANE!

And why does that even matter? Well.....because some people who came last year STAYED! You really won't want to start all OVER with a new avatar once you build one (you might, but most people don't.)

Because there is a lot to do, and it's FREE.

What is there to do? Well......you should think of it as a chat room or bulletin board with a pulse - with a fashion sense."

Gidge can be found in Second Life under the avatar name Gidge Uriza. She also contributes to the iheartsl.com blog.

Another BlogHer in Second Life volunteer is Vint Falken, blogger and avatar who is currently teaming up with other SL bloggers in asking for your message to Second Life as the virtual world turns 5-years old.

"We feel sometimes we shut people out of important happenings like SL5B, because they don’t speak the right Linden language - English in this case. So here is the call out in a few languages. Feel free to translate and spread the message for messages yourself! (And can we get a copy then? ;))"

Also be sure to check out Mygdala March. Myg's blog is the "sordid, silly, disturbing and sometimes mundane adventures of Mygdala March and company whilst romping through the Second Life metascape" and one of last year's fantastic attendees.

You can register for BlogHer '08 in Second Life here, and find me in Second Life as avatar Queen Tureaud.

If you are having trouble navigating, send me an email queenofspainblog@yahoo.com and myself or one of our fantastic volunteers will make ourselves available to show you the way!

Want to Attend BlogHer in Second Life? Time to REGISTER!

2008-06-11T13:35:31-05:00

Yes, you need to register in order to attend BlogHer '08 in Second Life!

Registration is now open and we are expecting a full conference, so please get your name on the list ASAP.

You can register to attend here.

Once you've registered, come and check out the CNN.com iReport BlogHer office- (photo by Grace at Phasing Grace)

Here we've set up a place for BlogHers to gather in Second Life, attend training sessions, and even chill out on some cozy floor pillows while drinking some virtual lemonade.

We've also got BLING! for your blog-

BlogHer in Second Life button:

While logged into Second Life use THIS LINK to teleport to our BlogHer office-and attend office hours- or email queenofspainblog@yahoo.com for help.

BlogHer in Second Life Office Hours: (all times Pacific)
Monday 10am-2pm
Wednesday 10am-2pm
Thursday 12-2pm 8pm-11pm
Sunday 4pm-6pm

Can't wait to see you 'in-world!'

Can't Make It To BlogHer in SF? BlogHer in SECOND LIFE is Back!

2008-06-06T19:03:03-05:00

I am very pleased to announce BlogHer will again be offering a way for you to participate in BlogHer '08 if you can't make it to the annual conference.

BlogHer '08 in Second Life is free, lets you see the keynotes live from San Francisco, and all you need to do is download Second Life and let the BlogHer team help get you comfortable in a virtual world.

This year we are thrilled to have CNN.com Ireport sponsor our parallel conference in Second Life, hosting all of our keynotes, sessions, and programming.

Our Second Life exclusive sessions are once again on the agenda, as is the popular 'cocktail' party so you can dance the night away right along with all the community members in California.

Registration is open- just make sure you can download and run Second Life on your computer.

Once you've registered, you can attend BlogHer Office Hours (listed below) at the CNN Ireport Hub in Second Life and the team will help teach you how to walk, get dressed, and even raise a virtual toast.

Be sure to take a look at the schedule and check back as speakers are added! Can't wait to see you there!

DAY ONE, Friday July 18th (all times are pacific)
9:00-9:15 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)
Welcome to BlogHer '08 from the Westin St. Francis Ballroom in San Francisco

9:15-10:15 AM
"Speed Dating" for BlogHers in Second Life

10:30-11:45 AM
Second Life Break-Out Session #1: The Intersection of Blogging and Second LIfe

12:45-2:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #2: Second Life and Security

2:30PM-4:30PM
Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

4:30PM-8:30PM
SecondLife Open Mic and Party

DAY TWO, Saturday July 19th

9:30-10:30 AM (live from San Francisco, CA)
BlogHer '08 Morning Keynote: Hybrid Media

10:45-12:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #3: SecondLife as Educational/Training Tool

1:45-3:00 PM
Second Life Break-Out Session #4: Using Second Life for Good

3:30PM-5:00PM
Second Life Activity in Exhibitor Area

5:15-6:15 PM (live from San Francisco, CA)
BlogHer '08 Closing Keynote: Living the Truman Show

BlogHer in Second Life Office Hours: (all times Pacific)

Monday 10am-2pm
Wednesday 10am-2pm
Thursday 12-2pm 8pm-11pm
Sunday 4pm-6pm

location: CNN.com Ireport Hub

A BlogHer team member will be on site during the hours above to assist you. If you are logged into Second Life you can automatically 'teleport' yourself to the location using the location link above.

You can also contact me via email for additional instruction queenofspainblog@yahoo.com.

BlogHer in Second Life-514

2007-08-02T15:51:00-05:00

I think it is safe to say you liked the Second Life version of BlogHer '07. 514 is my new favorite number. I'll explain why shortly.

When I brought the idea to Elisa, Lisa, and Jory a few months ago, we agreed the virtual BlogHer was an experiment. The idea was to offer bloghers unable to travel to Illinois a way to attend and be a part of the conference. We were not sure how many of you would "attend" and in all honesty, we were not sure how it would all turn out. I'm not normally a numbers person (or avatar) but in this case, I'm making an exception for some amazing stats:

Paul Clevett of http://www.hypserstring.net, our virtual conference site, tells me 514 connections were made to our video server as avatar after avatar logged in to watch our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Edwards, live from the BlogHer '07 conference at Navy Pier in Chicago. 514 connections. WOW.

Keep in mind registration was going to be capped at 300 avatars.

We had to franticly close registration on Thursday after word of our live music kick off got out (thanks http://www.twitter.com ) before hyperstring.net found a way to squeeze in 200 party crashers. I won't lie to you, we thought about kicking out all non registrants, but this was a free conference and the decision was made to make all welcome, not to mention see what sort of damage we could do to the grid. I'm going to have to guess next year, many of you will have to go the more legit route into the party though.

Our panels on Friday and Saturday exceeded expectations. Amazing speakers http://www.blogher.com/node/22273 on great topics with discussions that not only lasted the time alloted, but in many cases went over-to NO complaints. The Second Life exclusive sessions really set us apart, I think.

I'm very anxious to hear YOUR feedback on the BlogHer in Second Life experiment. If we do this again, what would you like to see? What would you add to the panels? Topics for discussion? Speakers you'd love to hear? What about the office hours leading up to the virtual conference...were they enough? Did you need more? Was Second Life the right or wrong venue for us?

Leave me a comment-and if you were one of the 514 say hello!

Elizabeth Edwards is live in Chicago and Second Life

2007-07-28T16:59:04-05:00

Live From Second Life-BlogHer!

2007-07-27T10:23:01-05:00

Live coverage will begin at 1045 Central TIME. Come check us out at http://slcn.tv

BlogHer in Second Life-LIVE (in pixels) From Chicago!

2007-07-26T12:31:58-05:00

The schedule http://www.blogher.com/node/22273 is set. The panelists in place. The exhibitors ready. The teleports placed. Our table up on the stage even has bottled water, sparkling and still, of course. We're ready for your avatar to join us for BlogHer '07 in Second Life.

We're kicking off our conference just like they are in Chicago-with some "unofficial" parties. Tonight at hyperstring.net http://hyperstring.net island you can find three live musicians and your fellow blogging avatars. Listen to Dalien Talbot http://daltonic.blogspot.com/, Grace McDunnough http://phasinggrace.blogspot.com/ and Montian Gilruth.

We are very close to CLOSING REGISTRATION, but never fear...you can watch coverage of the BlogHer '07 in Second Life conference with just the click of a mouse. SLCN.TV will be providing live and archived footage at http://slcn.tv for everyone to enjoy WITHOUT having to log into Second Life http://secondlife.com/.

A few helpful hints as you log in to join us:

-click on your avatar and select "groups" from the menu. Then chose the BlogHer '07 in Second Life group and "activate." This will change the "tag" hovering over your avatar's head and allow you to enter the conference and check in!

-Hyperstring.net and BlogHer staff will be available to help you. They can show you where the live music stage is, how to get to the conference center, and how to wear that tiara you found at my exhibit booth!

-Don't worry about bumping into walls or flying into a tree! HAVE FUN!

"SEE" you there!

Is Your Avatar Ready?

2007-07-23T00:37:24-05:00

There are only two Queen Tureaud Second Life training sessions left until BlogHer '07!!!

Yes, just as Elisa sounded the warning bell earlier, time is running out for you to get up to speed on BlogHer's virtual conference in Second Life. Monday and Wednesday (10am to 2pm PST) are the last days to attend my office hours in SL, a great and easy way to learn how to walk, fly, get dressed, and get ready for the conference.

Take a look at our conference center's exhibit area, vendors and nonprofits are building booths full of information and freebies and our programming just keeps getting better!

I'm pleased to announce Friday's â€œmeet your fellow avatarâ€ activity will be led by Mygdala March.

Lillie Yifu of Second Sex will join session #2 on Friday to talk about privacy, exposure, and risk.

Starr Sonic, host of That Sâ€™Life - a five minute review show about what is happening in Second Life SLCN.tv will join session #1 on Saturday, "Covering a Virtual World."

Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, have also blogged an update on the status running SL with Vista-so you Vista users, there may be hope for you yet!

Email me at queenofspainblog@yahoo.com if you have any reservations, and get registered! Keep in mind I'll be enjoying BlogHer in Second Life WHILE at the real life conference in Chicago, so those of you tapping away on those notebooks at Navy Pier, sit down next to me and join in on the fun!

BlogHer '07 in Second Life Schedule

2007-07-15T19:50:48-05:00

I am happy to announce the line up for Day One and Day Two of BlogHer '07 in Second Life!!!

In addition to live audio from Chicago, we have an amazing line up of Second Life exclusive sessions and Second Life exclusive speakers.

"Sex Tech expert" Regina Lynn, columnist for Wired and author of "The Sexual Revolution 2.0" joins us for the second session on Friday, mirroring Chicago's "Privacy, Exposure, Risk: Can you maintain safer spaces online?" Regina is ready to talk to us about sex in Second Life and it's risks, and maintaining safe relationships with your fellow avatars.

The second session on Saturday is just as exciting, with the topic entirely virtual world exclusive:

Session #2: Candidates in SL-good, bad, indifferent?

Many political parties, politicians, and â€™08 presidential campaigns are setting up shop in Second Life, does it make a difference? Are voters being reached and do the REAL LIFE campaigns care? Panelists include Sarah Granger, who pioneered Internet Strategy for former Senator Gary Hart's Presidential exploratory organization in 2004 and launched his blog, known by many at the time as the "first true weblog to be put up by a politician." Avatar Padlurowncanoe Dibou , founder of Hilliary â€™08 in Second Life and others to be announced! Letâ€™s find out if these campaigns are working or just causing bad press!

The speakers and sessions are amazing and even feature some of our own BlogHers in avatar form! You are NOT going to want to miss this!

And did I mention the FREE STUFF??? We have an exhibit area filled with fun and free things for your avatar including the cutest BLOGHERS ACT shirts ever!

There is still time to register and get your Second Life download installed and working.

Don't forget I am available to help during my BlogHer in SL office hours:

Queen Tureaud office hours:(PST)
Monday 10-2pm
Wednesday 10-2pm
Thursday 5pm-8pm
Sunday 4-7pm

If you can't figure out how to send me an instant message while you are in SL-send me an email during those hours at queenofspainblog@yahoo.com and I will locate you within Second Life and help you move, talk, walk, fly...you name it!

See you in pixels!!!

Taking Inventory of Your Second Life

2007-07-06T23:38:38-05:00

Skeletons, old prom dresses, 50 pairs of shoes...we all have closets full of stuff. As you ready your avatar for the BlogHer '07 conference in Second Life, think of your "inventory" as your virtual closet.

"Fine, Queen...but what the heck is my inventory?"-fair enough. Your inventory is one of the options on the bottom right of your screen when you are logged into Second Life. If you click on it and open it, you will find folders and items and "landmarks" and "notecards" and clothing and all sorts of fun things that make your avatar's life so darn exciting.

Everything you purchase, everything you are given, everything you "take" in Second Life goes into your inventory. All the items you find in there can either be opened, worn, attached, detached, or highlighted and dragged from its inventory slot and onto a virtual surface. Someone gives you a supercool new t-shirt to wear? Find it in your inventory, highlight the shirt and "add to outfit" or "wear."

The same way you put on the object, you can take it off. Find it in your inventory, highlight it, and "remove" or "take off item."

You can do the same with virtual drinks, food, jewelery, purses, bubble gum, bouquets of roses, hats, lizards for your shoulder, tattoos, angel wings, tails, high heels...you get the idea.

Your inventory is your Second Life closet, storage space, and garage. It can house your hoverboard, your motorcyle, your jetpack, and your hot air balloon. Which is really good considering BlogHer in Second Life sponsor AskPatty.com has some fun racing toys in store for you at her BlogHer conference exhibit.

Registration is FREE so for those of you who can not make it to Chicago, you have no excuse! We're even working up some Second Life exclusive sessions with some amazing panelists. Stay tuned and ready that inventory for all the virtual freebies!

Queen office hours-I am here to HELP YOU navigate Second Life! (all times Pacific)
Monday 10-2pm
Wednesday 10-2pm
Thursday 5pm-8pm
Sunday 4-7pm

Instant Message "Queen Tureaud" while logged into Second Life or send an email to queenofspainblog@yahoo.com during office hours and I will come FIND YOU and HELP!!!

I've downloaded Second Life - NOW WHAT?!

2007-06-27T11:57:11-05:00

BlogHer '07 in Second Life it taking off!!! Is your avatar flying with us, or still stuck on the ground??

Many of you have downloaded Second Life this past week and it's time to take a deep breathe and get comfortable moving around.

I'm sure it would be just fine with you if our conference just came to your avatar and set up shop-but trust me...you are going to want to walk (or fly) around the FOUR island conference center provided by Hyperstring.net, not to mention dance to a live performance by female-fronted band Toe'd Up at Sanctuary Rock (a Second Life based nightclub-owned and operated by a fellow female blogger!)and strut your stuff with your personalized avatar makeover compliments of Vodkarella.com.

So yeah, you need to learn how to move.

First thing is first..the arrow keys are your friends. They do it all and you need to get comfortable using "up" as a forward move and "down" as backward.

The "page up" and "page down" keys will help you jump and fly...but using the "fly" button on the bottom of your screen might be the way to start off. Once in the air, you can then use those all important arrow keys to move forward, back, left and right.

Let's practice together! Don't forget I am available to help and SHOW you these things during my BlogHer in SL office hours:

Queen Tureaud office hours:(PST)
Monday 10-2pm
Wednesday 10-2pm
Thursday 5pm-8pm
Sunday 4-7pm

If you can't figure out how to send me an instant message while you are in SL-send me an email during those hours at queenofspainblog@yahoo.com and I will come FIND YOU.

For those who have yet to register-get moving! You will get to hear audio LIVE from Chicago and mingle with BlogHers in Second Life.

http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=137268. Registration is free.