Tom's Burned Down Cafe has taken its first GIANT step into the 21st century with an online re-creation of your favorite cafe. With some help of some very talented people, we set up a place where you can enjoy good live music throughout the winter months in the privacy of your own home with a computer.
According to our chief technical advisor, known to us only as "The Doctor":
"Second Life is very comparable to an online game, except in this 'game', there's no point. In this world, you can be anyone or anything you want to be, dress and act any way you want, and travel to thousands of places of the imagination. You can go to museums and see art. You can go to concert and hear live music. You can go to libraries and read books. You can even make money working a job or selling things you create, like clothes, houses and furniture with internationally recognized currency.
"Virtual reality based software like Second Life is the next wave of computing. This 3D environment is catching the attention of businesses, university, colleges, and schools, as well as the entertainment industry. In a single evening, you can take a class, go shopping, and and go to a live music concert without ever leaving your home.
Long time summer islander Jan Edwards, now a Nashville based singer-songwriter was instrumental in helping us set up the Second LIfe Burned Down Cafe. Jan has been in Second Life for over 3 years and has made a name for herself in not only as a performer, but as a music venue operator in her sim called "Moonacy", which boasts EIGHT live music venues.
With help from Jan (aka Moondoggirl Moonmintoog) and her talented people, the Second Life Burned Down Cafe captures the spirit of its real-life counterpart and includes a recreation of Leona’s Café as well.
Music is brought to the Second LIfe Burned Down Cafe via Madeline Island's Internet radio station W.M.I.I.R. , an automated station playing local area music of all styles.
If you would like to join us in this amazing 3D world, it doesn't cost anything and is free to join. There are three steps involved:
1. Go to www.secondlife.com and create a character or ‘avatar' as they are called. You will need a valid email address and will be sent a confirmation email. You will need to click on the link in the email to verify your account.
2. Download the Second Life software and install it on your computer.
3. Run the Second Life software. This will connect you to the Second Life world or 'grid'.
Once you have logged in, you can search for ‘Doctor Shackleton’ or ‘Novia Halostar’. They will glad to help you get around and point you to the Burned Down Café as well as other places of interest in Second Life including music, art, and libraries and more. No matter what your interests, there is something here for everyone!
Jan Edwards performing at the SL Burned Down Cafe Grand Opening in August '09
Listen to Madeline Island Internet Radio: MIIR--Madeline Island Internet Radio