interview | Tracy Rubble

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Ana Lutetia | No Comments

1 – How did you discover Second Life and what made you create an account?
It’s a little known fact that I actually joined in late 2004, but only stayed a week because my PC couldn’t hold the graphics and things kept breaking up. When I upgraded, I came back in early 2005 and actually hung around for about 3 months, learning to design and build, but I decided I couldn’t do it and left again.
Then in 2007 I got a laptop, and spotting all the advertisements for CSI, I thought I’d give it another go, set up Tracy Rubble and have been here since.

2 – How did you come up with your Second Life name?
Tracy is my RL first name, and I decided to choose a second name that was easier to remember. Rubble was the only one so that became mine. It was only a few months later I signed a notecard T.Rubble that I realised I’d inadvertantly called myself Trubble, and rebranded my store (RDesign) too.

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?
As I said, I originally only stayed a week, and then came back for 3 months before I became a permanent fixture. These days I log in because I enjoy designing and working on my store. I love the feeling I get when I take a step further with a new design, or I see someone wearing my design in world. But nothing compares to the buzz of seeing one in a blog. So far I haven’t seen them in a magazine, but I’m aiming for that one day.
Other than that, its my friends who keep me there especially Christine Svenska (CS Fandango), Beulah Mills, Sanguinius Constantine and Celestria Henly among others.

4 – What have you been doing in SL? Tell us your story: what have you been up to or what have you created.
Recently I’ve been re-arranging the store, and getting some new things ready for christmas. I’ve also been setting up an advent calendar in store and sketching ready for some new year releases, so its all go.
I’ve also just started writing for a new SL publication that comes out in the new year called Radar Magazine, which is VERY exciting and I’ve been doing some work with Artists Voice on something top secret for the new year.

5 – Have you found, developed or improved any skills because of SL?
Before SL I had never even owned photoshop, nor learnt how to use it. Since joining I’ve learnt so much about the software. I’ve also developed my RL sketching quite a lot.

6 – Could you share a funny or awkward story that happened to you inSL?
I can’t think of any off the top of my head. But I do know plenty have happened, since I’m a complete clutz.

7 – What would you change or improve in Second Life?
I’d love to see many of the glitches in clothes fixed. The gap between pants and shirt layers is irritating as is the alpha glitch. If I could choose only two it’d have to be those.

8 – Can you share your current and/or future projects for SL?
Well, in the New Year I hope to start learning to sculpt, or at least join forces with someone who can, so that I can extend my range. I also want to finish re-arranging Trubble and settling on a layout that has tons of space for designs, but doesn’t look cluttered.
Outside of the store, I will be working on writing for Radar, and on the TOP SECRET Artists Voice project.

9 – Have you ever had any issues whatsoever within Second Life? If so, how did you reported and was the feedback positive?
I got suspended a few months ago, including on all of my alts, without a single email or notice saying why, but I couldn’t call LL because the UK office refused to comment and said to call a US number.
I was confused and annoyed, so I made another alt and logged in asking a friend what I should do. She kindly helped me out with making a call from Skype, and I found out it was due to paypal not transferring $6.
LL were very helpful on the phone when I got through and had the matter resolved with paypal within a few hours, as it was a mistake on paypals behalf.
Another time, I had a problem with someone using the same store name as me even though I’d been using it much longer. Within minutes of an AR, a Linden was IMing us both and mediating.

10 – Is Second Life merely an online game or do you consider it more of a metaverse or a virtual world?
For me it is an extension of my RL. I’m a stay at home mum in RL, and use SL to keep mentally active and communicate with adults.

11 – Imagine a new resident asks for your help. What would do? What would you tell him/her?
I have a folder of LM’s for newbies that I give out, but if they had specific questions I am happy to help out.

12 – How would you describe yourself in one word?
*giggles* (I get in trouble for saying that too often)

Comments