Back when I was a wee newblet (the second time around), Secondcast was the Second Life podcast to listen to. Since that time, almost two years ago, they've recorded 63 total episodes, of which only about 13 of them were in the last nine months. One fifth of the cast, Lordfly Digeridoo, recently pronounced Secondcast dead, after months of inactivity.

While I can't speak for them, I can speak as someone who has been on the show four or five times, with the latest being an episode that never aired in July. I heard the tone of the program change before me. What was once a fun project ended up taking a backseat to their own personal projects. Walker Spaight wrote a book, Johnny Ming and Torrid Midnight went to work for the Electric Sheep Company, Lordfly Digeridoo for Millions of Us, among others, and Cristiano Midnight busy as ever with SL Universe.

Instead of focusing on the fact that it's gone, though, I'd rather relate a happy memory I have from the show. After having been on a couple of times, Johnny asked me to make an episode into a Machinima. It turned into a total disaster. The rest of the cast was really bored and did not hide that fact. They goofed off when I needed screenshots, then got cranky before they were to watch all the Machinima.

Read on for the rest of the story ...

Not all of the speakers are recording their presentations for immediate playback, but one speaker, John Martin of Reallusion, had the foresight to do just that! He couldn't make it to the Festival, so he streamed live, using his webcam and desktop, to a website, Operator 11. It allows you to upload webcam media and play it in real time. You can find the high quality version of his iClone demo here.

One of the most common questions that I'm asked about making machinima in SL is how I make my avatar's lips move. Reallusion just so happens to make this wonderful software, CrazyTalk, that is my companion in filmmaking. John demonstrates both CrazyTalk, using our very own SL resident Aren Mandala's work as an example, and their other program, iClone. That software is a 3d engine for filmmaking, but can ALSO be used in conjunction with Second Life through chroma keying. It's nice to see Second Life being recognized!

This Friday, April 20th, will see the kick-off of the International Technology Expo, showcasing well over 50 vendors and developers from all over the world. Organized by the V3 Group, the Expo will take place on Silicon Island and feature a keynote address by Jim Parkinson, VP of Collaboration and ISV Engineering at Sun Microsystems, who will discuss the company's role for 3D worlds.

The Expo will also host a number of interesting panel discussions on topics ranging from Digital Property to Client Demands to User Experience. SL Cable TV will offer a weekend-long simulcast, with additional interviews to be hosted by SLBC-Radio. Finally, the People's Choice Awards for Most Innovative Technology will take place at the end of the weekend, with the winner to receive a year's free rent on Silicon Island, as well as a copy of co-sponsor Reallusion's iClone, a 3D Animation and Machinima suite of software tools. Don't miss this event!

April 20 - 22nd will see the hosting of the International Technology Expo 2007 on Silicon Island and Silicon City. Odin Liam Wright, aka Liam Kanno in-world, is the developer of the event, along with Kelly Emms, its director. This will be a huge event designed to showcase the technological accomplishments of SL's residents in the areas including, but not limited to: telecommunications, marketing, audio, video, content management, and financial operations.

From the press release: "Lectures, demonstrations, and product launches by the exhibitors are scheduled from noon to 6pm PDT each day, for example Afalalota Cummings will discuss The Lag Project research. SLCN.tv will be there to broadcast these events. In addition SLBC will broadcast live radio interviews of the developers Saturday and Sunday between 2-4pm." Additionally, musician John Legend will play in concert on Friday, and Saturday will feature the Black-Eyed Peas.

Finally, Sun Microsystems, who are the main sponsors of the event (alongside S Media Corp., Cattle Puppy International, Reallusion, and SLBC), are offering a 100 free hours of their network.com service to residents who show up to the Grand Opening on Friday. Drop in and say hi to everyone for me!

MPrem.com is holding their First Annual Online Machinima Film Festival, and they'd like Second Lifers to get involved! I'd previously mentioned the Fest to my Machinimatographers group in SL while it was still in the write-in nominations stage. This time, however, they're looking to narrow things down to just a few finalists in each category, with voting ending on April 30th. An account is required in order to vote, but don't let that discourage you. It's quick and painless!

When voting for this round is over, they will hold an awards ceremony in Second Life! Please help support your fellow Second Lifers that were nominated in their respective categories. For the full list of SL nominees, read on...