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Fourth in our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...

Every village needs a village shop and OLiVe is no exception.

The exquisitely named Open All Hours village shop is the place to go to ‘buy’ (for free) a selection of items made by residents themselves. Thankfully there is no till to trap your fingers in! It’s also one of the places you can pick up this very magazine!

Here is a quick rundown of the resident-created items currently adorning the shelves:

Cups - Scripted cups bearing the Open University logo. Available in regular size and oversized. Both come with a drinking script in them.

Curtains - A fantastic creation allowing you to curtain your OLiVe whole house at the cost of just one prim. Full instructions included along with four versions to allow for direction your front door faces.

DIY TV - A fully working television screen complete with set-up instructions and sample channel guide.

Female casual clothes - A box of clothes for females. Contains several t-shirts, a jacket and a pair of denim capris.

Village map - Does exactly what it says on the tin! A copy of the village map so you need never get lost again.

Welcome mat - A scripted welcome mat for your doorway that sends a greeting to anyone who steps on it. Greeting is customisable - instructions included.


The village shop is always on the lookout for new stock so if you have created something you think others might like please drop a COPY-TRANS version of it into the letterbox next to the front door of the shop by holding down your CTRL key and dragging it from your inventory. All suitable donations will be placed on sale in the shop for L$0

Focus on...

Third in our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...

Nestled in the south-east corner of Open Life Village, Sholokhov Tor is one of the most picturesque features of the Open Life islands.

The path up to the Tor starts at the bottom of the stream on the edge of the village green. As we take a stroll up this path we pass a picnic spot laid out with picnic hamper, champagne and chocolates. Four cushions are scattered around the picnic blanket providing a place to enjoy the food, drink and scenery in comfort.

Continuing up the path we pass the signpost which points us onwards and upwards towards the Tor. It’s time to get those legs working hard as we ascend to the top of the Tor. Finally we reach the top and see the stone circle, beautifully illuminated under the dark night sky by the candles placed around the circle and the lights hanging from the nearby trees. This area is a peaceful place, a place to relax on one of the stone ‘cushions’ or on the remains of a fallen tree and unwind from the days stresses.

The Tor top is a spiritual place. Prayer flags like those seen strung along ridges and peaks in the Himalayas are hung from one of the trees near the stone circle. Under the same tree is placed a meditation cushion where you can sit and meditate in the peaceful surroundings.

Wildlife is also on show in the area surrounding the Tor. If you walk towards the ‘gateway’ (three stone blocks forming a gateway-type structure) and head over the rocks and past a tree onto another grass pathway you might just catch a glimpse of some of the rabbits that regularly hop about in this area. By taking a route down from the Tor along the east side of the village you might spot more rabbits and also a camouflaged tent for two under the shade of a tree.

Sholokhov Tor: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Open%20Life%20Village/209/42/47

Path to Tor: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Open%20Life%20Village/108/93/30

Focus on...

Second in our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...

The Open Arms has rapidly become a focal point for residents and visitors alike. LOL! editor Eshala selflessly volunteered to spend an afternoon in the pub to check out it’s features.

The pub is situated in the heart of Open Life Village, looking out over the village green, making it an ideal meeting point for the locals. The grounds of the pub are bordered by a gleaming white low wall and numerous pretty flowers, plants and shrubs. In the grounds themselves stands a flowing fountain to the right of the pub, while at the front there are several tables and chairs for thirsty residents to sit at and enjoy the views across the island. The sounds of birds tweeting in the background makes it a relaxing and atmospheric place to be.

The interior of the Open Arms is cosy and welcoming. A roaring log fire on the right-hand side provides welcome warmth on cold, dark, nights while comfy chairs and sofas make it the perfect place to sit back and catch up with friends over a drink or three. Above the mantelpiece is a bookcase though no-one has managed to persuade it to hand over so much as a Mr. Men book as yet. The bar is tantalisingly well-stocked with an array of wines and spirits on show. Sadly there are no barmen/barmaids awaiting your order as it’s self-service but beer, orange juice and espresso are all available.

Adorning the walls are pictures of OU parties, gatherings and general silliness that have taken place over the months on the OU islands. Food can be found in the form of a plate full of sandwiches - bacon, dried tomato or my own favourite, salmon. Surprisingly the sandwiches seem perfectly edible even after being sat on the table uncovered for a considerable length of time now. For that special occasion a magnum of champagne sits on one of the tables ready to be uncorked.

Most nights some of the locals can be found putting the world to rights in the beer garden so do pop along and say hello!

Focus on...

Starting off our regular series of articles each focusing on one of the Open Life islands landmarks is...

This elegant three-storey building was originally located on our previous base, Schomebase, and is now situated at the southern end of the Open Life island. Its position right next to the landing point for the Open Life island allows it to make a striking first impression on those who arrive.

Situated in the foyer of the nOUbie centre is the buddy board. This board allows anyone requiring help to ‘page’ an online buddy who will endeavour to teleport to the centre and provide help if possible. To the left is a seating area with a fountain and a board full of free stuff for anyone to ‘buy’. To the right is another seating area with information boards on display giving information about studying with the OU.

The first floor is home to the orientation room and the bookings room. The orientation room houses an interactive book which gives information and tips on basic Second Life skills and was created by two OU students. To move to the previous or next page you simply click on the left or right pages of the book. The bookings room provides OU staff with information about the availability of the five teaching/learning areas on Open Life. A series of boards informs people about whether the area is currently in use and when the next booking for that area is.

The second floor is currently empty but one half of it has been reserved by the OUSA and is sealed off and under construction.