=== ENGLISH VERSION ===

Hello friends and fans of Stark Islands!

We are glad to tell you after 9 months of absence that we are back and will be releasing a new and optimized version of Stark Islands in the near future!

We have had some time to think through the concept and the technical foundation. The huge (server-)workload of Stark Islands was one of the biggest issues we had to fight with in the past. To offer you a better experience, we've made some important changes and are working on other important details. New Stark is the same size as before (though it may expand in time) but split in 4 different regions on different servers to reduce the workload per server.
The region will have a new footprint, based on the old main island, and the best of old Stark you will find in the new version too. We reduce prims, meshes and scripts as much as possible without changing the soul of Stark Islands. This all means a lot of work and we will need some time, though as you all know, a sim will never be finished.
When we think, the sim is in an acceptable state, we will open the gates!

We're thrilled to bring you this announcement today and hope you're as excited as we are, so stay tuned for further updates!

Wishing you a happy Easter 2022!

With love, pride and respect and all the values that make Stark great.

Mathilda and Niki


=== DEUTSCHE VERSION ===

Hallo Freunde und Fans von Stark Islands!

Wir freuen uns, euch nach 9 Monaten Abwesenheit mitteilen zu können, dass wir zurück sind und in naher Zukunft eine neue und optimierte Version von Stark Islands veröffentlichen werden!

Wir hatten Zeit, um das Konzept und die technischen Grundlagen zu überdenken. Die enorme (Server-)Arbeitsbelastung von Stark Islands war eines der größten Probleme, mit denen wir in der Vergangenheit zu kämpfen hatten. Um euch ein besseres Erlebnis zu bieten, haben wir einige wichtige Änderungen vorgenommen und arbeiten an weiteren wichtigen Details. Das neue Stark hat die gleiche Größe wie zuvor (es könnte sich mit der Zeit aber auch erweitern), ist jedoch in 4 verschiedene Regionen auf verschiedenen Servern aufgeteilt, um die Arbeitslast pro Server zu reduzieren.
Die Region wird einen neuen Grundriss haben, basierend auf der alten Hauptinsel, aber das Beste von Alt-Stark werdet ihr auch in der neuen Version finden. Wir reduzieren Prims, Meshes und Skripte so weit wie möglich, ohne die Seele von Stark Islands zu verändern. Das alles bedeutet viel Arbeit und wir werden einige Zeit brauchen und wie ihr alle wisst, wird eine Sim niemals fertig sein.
Aber wenn wir denken, dass die Sim in einem akzeptablen Zustand ist, öffnen wir die Tore!

Wir freuen uns sehr, euch heute diese Ankündigung machen zu können und hoffen, dass ihr genauso aufgeregt seid wie wir!

Also seid gespannt für weitere Updates!

Wir wünschen euch frohe Ostern 2022!

Mit Liebe, Stolz und Respekt und all den Werten, die Stark so großartig machen.

Mathilda und Niki

Close to both Tokyo and Mount Fuji the small town of Hakone holds something of a revelation. However, unless you are from Japan, you may well not have heard of it. The town plays host to a large open air museum where the works of many famous artists are held - outdoors. It balances art and nature in harmony. The artworks, combined with the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains give the visitor an unforgettable experience. Now recreated in OpenSim for all those missing travelling in Real Life.

https://www.kuriositas.com/2010/07/hakone-japans-amazing-o...

New release today. Something for the garden, at least we can have virtual spring ;)

This one is a victorian-ish garden gazebo.
It has several versions that's aren't all on display at the shop since the gazebo is pretty large. There are 2 metal choices, 2 clematis colors, and 2 vine configurations. Textures are inside a version in the box and an enclosed notecard has all the info.
The vines and the chandeliers are separate objects so they are optional for those who just want the structure.

Have a lovely day!

** PETUNIAS LOG PLANTER ** New release - Available for FREE and FULL PERM at FLORA, GARDEN SECTOR, BOX 01.
- 5 different flowers and seasons included.
- Scripted version also available - use a single script to change colors/seasons using one single script! Even if rezing a hundred of these log planters!
Enjoy :)

HG Houses with Snow Control - NEW @ Needful Things

I added to all my HG Winter Prefabs a Snow Control Panel, so you can switch between summer / winter with just one click.
Most of these houses got a Light Control Panel, too.

p.s.: More modificated HG prefabs will coming soon in "Need a new Home?" store - opposite to the Bank of Needful Things.

* * *

HG Häuser mit Schnee-Menü - NEU @ Needful Things

Ich habe meinen Winterhäusern mit Schneedach, die ich über die Jahre im HG aingesammelt habe, einen Schnee-Kontroll-Schalter hinzugefügt, so dass man mit nur einem Klick zwischen Sommer- / Winterstyle wechseln kann.
Ebenso haben die meisten der Häuser einen Lichtschalter zum Kontrollieren der Lampen bekommen.

p.s.: Mehr modifizierte HG Häuser (ohne Schnee^^) folgen nach und nach in den neuen Shop "Need a new Home?" - gegenüber der Bank von Needful Things.

New release today. I was intending to make these flowers for a while and finally did them. Day Lilies and "Tiger" Lilies. In my garden, the flowers I call Tiger Lilies are really just larger Day Lilies. The real Tiger Lilies are different, I know, but I named them as I knew them :).

I worked out a solution for initial sitting bug in the NPC Horse (script by Shin Ingen) where the avatar sinks through the horse when wearing an AO.
In the NPC horse script by Shin Ingen in under run_time_permissions(integer perm) FIND
if (perm & PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION)
{
llStopAnimation("sit");
//llStartAnimation("man-stop");
switchAnims("idle");
}
and REPLACE with
if (perm & PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION)
{
list anims = llGetAnimationList(llGetPermissionsKey());
integer len = llGetListLength(anims);
integer i;
for (i = 0; i < len; ++i) llStopAnimation(llList2Key(anims, i));
//llOwnerSay("Permissions Accepted");
switchAnims("idle");
}
If you don't like coding, just hop over to Neiferleaf and fetch the boxed new horse rezzer at the landingpoint.
Enjoy

LIGHT MUSEUM is now known as LIGHT and SOUND MUSEUM *** Available for FREE and FULL PERM (store number 07), SOUND BOXES (environment sounds) for ur sim/place:
Choose different environements such as:

NATURE SOUNDS: Boreal Forest, Australian Outback, Pine Forest, Desert,Rain Forest, Swamp, Beach, River, Waterfall, Rain, Thunderstorm, Wind, Tornado, Underwater, Whales & Dolphins ,Volcano Eruption, Earthquake, Wet Water Cave and African Savannah.

URBAN SOUNDS: Bar, Harbor, Amusement Park (Machinery, Merry go round, Haunted Mansion and Zombies), Construction,Subway, Factory, Military Base, City Traffic, Airport, Stadium, Garden Party, French Cafe, Irish Pub, Buddhist Temple, Bazaar (Oriental Market), Mosque, Chinese Market, Cooking, Office, Volleyball, Hospital, Night Club ,City Battle WW2, Swimming Pool, Traffic Jam, Gregorian Chant, Grocery, Police Department, Coffee Shop, Mantra OM and Hockey.

FARM SOUNDS: Farm Ambiance, Ducks, Cattle Yard, Turkeys, Backyard Geese, Horse Stable, Goats, Pigs, Fire (Campire and fireplace) and even an Old West Saloon Ambiance.

BIRDS SOUNDS: Amazon Parrots, Black Capped Chickadees, Budgies, Cockatiels, Crows, Eagles, Nightingales, Northern Cardinals, Owl, Pigeons, Robins and Thrushes.

MEDIEVAL and FANTASY SOUNDS: Medieval Tavern, Space Station, STARWARS (Cantina, Duel of Fates, Imperial March), Yggdrasil Viking, Cosmic Melody, Enchanted Forest, Dinosaurs Jungle and Spiders Cave.

P.S. When boxes are rezed for the 1st time it might happen the sounds break a little bit. Normal at Opensim when more than 1 wav file is played. But after loop is completed ,sounds will go smooth :)

Arkham Grid was born without an internal community project, players can't register, so I knew the difference. Not knowing and not having friends. This has not happened, I have more friendships now than in many years of Opensim, many come to greet, to talk, or to listen to me. I am very happy, there is a lot to do in this grid, my next project is to open land for residents "Arda", I am ready to host friends in my house.
I thank all the people who have always chosen Arkham, thank you for your friendship, and for creating a great community in the grid.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!
https://youtu.be/44iGtczRJjQ

*** NEW RELEASE ** A good collection of snow, cloud, mist ,fog in mesh or sculpted for covering houses or streets to the close winter. Available at WEATHER AREA for FREE and FULL PERM.
PS. I updated also the FALLEN LEAVES and PETALs box at BOX 08 , GARDEN AREA.
Enjoy :)

*** GREEK OLIVE ANIMATED TREES PACK *** FREE and FULL PERM different models. Seasonal textures (spring with flowers, summer with green and black olives and winter) included. Animated leaves (script included when needed). Available at FOREST AREA (ground) at BOX 05. Enjoy :)

The new Stark! magazine with Miranda Djannovic from Virtual Dream Grid and Niki Stark is out now! Be careful! It is HOT!

Get your copy of the magazine and/or vendor from the new Stark landing point.

A New Chapter Ahead

After taking some time away, we have been giving a lot of thought to the future. Due to the many requests, messages, and words of encouragement from so many people, we are seriously considering making a return—with a fresh outlook and a stronger vision.

To be clear, this is not a reboot, nor is it anything like what one negative individual suggested in a previous comment.

What happened did hurt us, but it did not break us. If anything, it made us stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

This may be the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to sharing more when the time is right.

Keep an eye on future notices... there may be some exciting news ahead!

Ted & Sofee

Just well letting you all know this project is going exceptionally well. I just added 2 more categories...weopons and Heads & Hats and wel another 100 items of all things. SSSSomething to inspire you to come by and collect things

The Journey Collection
For many of us, our avatars have walked beside us for years.
They have shared our adventures, our friendships, our celebrations, and countless memories across virtual worlds.
Yet while we changed, learned, laughed, cried, and grew older, our avatars often remained frozen in time.

The Journey Collection was born from a simple question:

---- What if ... our avatars could tell their stories too? ----

Today we are introducing the first members of this collection:
Elsa and Matt.
Each avatar includes multiple carefully crafted life stages that allow the same character to evolve through time.
These are not different skins.
They are not aging add-ons.
They are not separate characters.
Each stage is part of the same skin, carefully designed to preserve the avatar's identity while reflecting different moments in their journey.
You can choose the stage that feels right for you.
You can remain there forever.
Or you can let your avatar grow alongside you over the years.
There are no rules.
There is no "correct" age.
The choice is entirely yours.
Because The Journey Collection is not about getting older.
It is about allowing our avatars to carry a little of the story we have lived together.
TP to ----- Full Avatar
hop://alternatemetaverse.com:8002/Tierra%20De%20Volcanes/1...

They're ready, some of them anyway, rustic outdoor terracotta chimney fireplaces and they add a beautiful touch to any outdoor setting. They are full perm to the "next owner" and they're free and waiting for you. The display fireplaces are not for sale, you touch them and you'll be given a copy. They are decorated with mid western and south western tribal patterns. Please enjoy them...Blessings and much love, Lavia.

Bringing some bug fixes !
and a wish for nice week-end.
❤️❤️❤️



hg.vallands.ca:8002
http://www.vallands.ca


If you find my work valuable and want to contribute and help me keep working on, please send your donations or come rent a few weeks in Glossy Island.

Thank you for your generous donations.
https://paypal.me/valr300?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US

For years I relied on the animations and systems created by others, never imagining I would one day be creating my own. This week that changed.

I have successfully created my first custom surfboard system, complete with a new board script and original animations. The project is still a work in progress as I continue fine-tuning movements, adjusting timing, and creating additional tricks and poses, but the foundation is now fully working.

This achievement marks the realization of a longtime dream. A huge thank you goes to my friend Ferd Frederix (@ferdfrederix), who pointed me to the correct Avastar tutorial and helped me finally understand the animation workflow. Once everything clicked, I was able to create, export, and test my own animations in OpenSim.

Over the coming weeks I will be refining the animations, creating new tricks, and improving the overall surfing experience. When the project reaches the next stage, Ferd and I plan to publish a complete how-to guide through Outworldz, along with the animations I created, so others can learn the process and begin creating their own custom animations as well.

It's exciting to move from simply using content to actually building the tools and animations myself. This is only the beginning, and I can't wait to see where the next wave takes me.

Image - A much needed break (I had been coding and animating for hours)