One must start somewhere

June 19, 2007

One always ponders a new beginning. Some beginnings are small, others large, but most fit somewhere between. Newbetek started somewhere in between.

I, Newbe Writer, came to the virtual world known as Second Life(tm) mostly out of curiosity. I read an article about the the top 100 most influential CIO’s and the brief write up of Philip Rosedale made me look. Although fascinated by 3d virtual environments, I had long avoided the genre, as most seemed to be aimed at just chatting or at gaming. Although I like gaming occasionally as a pass time, I’ve never justified the cost of a subscription. I’m just not THAT into gaming. As for chatting, well, I’m generally pretty reserved. I like to think that I’m observant. Yes, that’s it: observant.

Second Life is different. It isn’t a game, though you can do that within it. It isn’t a chat system, though chatting happens all the time. It’s much more, while being nothing in particular. In a nutshell, it is what you make it. Very little real content is supplied by Linden Labs. They provide the environment, the servers, the client and all the technical stuff to make it happen. The users provide the content, and it is this difference that makes all the difference.

Content is created by people all over the world, each with different interests, cultures, skills and goals. Graphic artists, scientists, writers and everyone else creates content for themselves and for others. Content can be in the form of a virtual physical object, like a house, tree, chair or vehicle. It can be artworks such as a Rembrandt or someone’s original art. It can be a game or some other form of entertainment. One very important component comprises scripts. Any vehicle, vendor or game requires a script to operate. Smoke stacks, steam engines and radios require scripts. Just about anything can be augmented through scripting.

 That’s where Newbetek comes in. I’ve been programming for most of my life. I’ve developed simple applications to rather larger ones in the real world. I’ve also worked as an IT manager for many years. Having spent some time exploring and creating products within Second Life, I have found that the LSL scripting language, though hampered by some strict limitations in the name of security and efficiency, is reasonably versatile. I started Newbetek as a response to my own scripting needs.

Writer Steam Works is Newbetek’s sister company. WSW produces items of a more historical or perhaps steam-oriented theme. Newbetek first started to develop and market items with a more modern theme. Projects in the works include our photo components such as lighting systems. As I progressed, I realized that it made sense to keep all the scripting under a single umbrella. As computer programming isn’t traditionally considered a Victorian vocation, the logical choice was to keep it under Newbetek.

Scripting, much like programming, is a passion of mine, but time is money. I’m always looking for the next project to develop, so if you have something that needs to be scripted, just IM me (Newbe Writer) in-world and we can discuss your requirements.

Newbe.

(disclaimer: Newbetek, Newbe Writer, Writer Steam Works and this blog are not affiliated with the virtual world known as Second Life nor Linden Labs in any way. Newbe Writer is a programmer and builder who uses the virtual world known as Second Life as his medium.)