interview | Grazia Horwitz

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Ana Lutetia | No Comments

1 – How did you discover Second Life and what made you create an account?
In spring 2006, I had read some about it, and seen a documentary on TV, but I didn’t think about creating an account til later that year, when I had a better computer, and some extra time at hand to try this “game” out.

2 – How did you come up with your Second Life name?
It’s pretty random. I’ve always loved the name Grazia, and I picked a last name which starts with the same letter as my RL last name. I didn’t really think of it. In retrospect, I might have picked another name had I known back then that three years later I’d still be around.

3 – Lots of people only stay inSL for a week or a month after creating an account. What made you stay and what motivates you to log back in?
The people I’ve met in those first weeks and the fact that I really had some time to kill. The people still are my main motivation, and the things they create. Although sometimes, when there is a lot of drama, I don’t feel like logging in at all. But then, I find a message of a friend in my mail, or a plurk, and then I find myself logging back in and picking up where I left. I would love to name them all, although the list would be way too long. But yes, it’s my caring, creative, funny, bright, smexy and talented friends that keep me wanting to come back.

4 – What have you been doing in SL? Tell us your story: what have you been up to or what have you created.
I’m a blogger mainly. I’ve been a blogger in SL for 3 years now. First with Second Style, later on my own. Which I like better, because I can do things the way I see fit. For about a year or so I’ve had my own pose and shape shop Grapevine, but, although I love making shapes and poses, I’m not much of a content creator. My SL is better off without the stress of having a shop. I do a lot, and I mean a LOT of beta testing for friends who make skins, and that is maybe what I like best, after blogging.

5 – Have you found, developed or improved any skills because of SL?
Well, before I came to SL, I never even opened an application like Photoshop, I had never created a pose, I had never before been involved in a massive fundraiser team effort like SLRFL and I’ve discovered that I can be an active part of a community, even though I’m extremely shy in RL.

6 – Could you share a funny or awkward story that happened to you inSL?
Other than finding yourself, yet again, logging on naked at Ahern after the sim crashed? Hmm… I remember one Saturday that Ginny Talamasca had an AMAZING piece of hair in an ad in her profile, and I had been grid hopping all day to find it… too stubborn to ask… besides, Ginny wasn’t even online at that time of day. So late in my afternoon, I must have visited every existing hair shop back then, I finally see Ginny coming online… so I eventually give in and ask “ok…I need to know… that hair… where did you get that?!” I thought he choked, laughing, because it turned out that “hair” was photoshopped… it was all brushes… and silly me didn’t even know enough back then to see the difference. Gave Ginny a good laugh for sure *grumble*.

7 – What would you change or improve in Second Life?
Grid stability and asset server stability. That would be a massive improvement. I’d like to improve IP protection in SL as well, but seriously, I think people need to work with their legislators to really achieve something. And besides… as long as a lot of people work with pirated software to create their content (whether they make a profit of it or not) that’s just as bad in my humble opinion, as people ripping stuff, so can we tackle that too? (Sorry.. it’s one of my pet peeves: people ranting over stuff being copied, while they have their torrented Photoshop or Maya open)

8 – Can you share your current and/or future projects for SL?
Very recently I’ve taken over most of the customer service for Truth, so he can dedicate himself more to the creating of content. Also I’ve been making new poses recently, but I’m not sure if i’m going to release them commerically.

9 – Have you ever had any issues whatsoever within Second Life? If so, how did you reported and was the feedback positive?
I have suffered a couple of inventory losses. The first time was the worst, because it was never recovered. I lost over half of my inventory back then. More recently it happened another 2 times, but luckily LL has been able to help me out and restore my inventory. While I sometimes ask myself why I still pay for a premium membership, at times like that it’s clear to me. Live chat via the support page and more ticket options is a good thing.

10 – Is Second Life merely an online game or do you consider it more of a metaverse or a virtual world?
It’s a virtual world to me, way more than a game. Games have goals and challenges… and while a weekend of nonperformance can surely be challenging, it’s not a game. SL is a social platform, one of many ways to interact and collaborate on all kinds of projects with people from all over the world.

11 – Imagine a new resident asks for your help. What would do? What would you tell him/her?
I’d tell them to make sure to learn some basic building, because I really think that’s an important skill for any resident, and give them some URLs to blogs from Step Up and Artist’s Voice to learn about original content and how easy it is for a new resident to get in touch with stolen goods. Also, I’ve offered friendship to many a new resident so that they can contact me if they have questions or concerns.

12 – How would you describe yourself in one word?
Me.

Your urls
Blog: http://graziasl.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grazia-horwitz/

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