New Bergen Gets Dressed for Halloween

His Majesty reviewed the decorations that are going to be placed around New Bergen. Hes Directive was "Harmless fun, not scary or gory" for the nature of the decorative items. You cannot tell here, but many of the items are animated which adds to the fun.

The pace around New Bergen is approaching frantic as the deadline for the public opening draws near. His Majesty announced that New Bergen would be open no later than October 31st.

Other items of interest include security measures and work programs.

Security Measures:
Part of the sad reality of life is that not everyone is polite. Micronations have been victimized by forum spam, flamers and other anti-social behavior in their online forums infrastructures for years. Second Life has its anti-social population as well who practice various hostile acts collectively knowns as "griefing". Griefing can make an otherwise excellent region into an untenable place which drives off participants. His Majesty has put protections in place including scripted sentries who guard the entrances and human sentries who can respond quickly should someone become belligerent.

Work Programs:
New Bergen offers colonists many opportunities to contribute to the community beyond assembly meetings and building their homes. The colonial government compensates colonists who contribute to the upkeep of the colony.

Two examples should illustrate their value:
First, landscaping is in constant need. Weeds grow in and around the common areas of the colony and someone has to pluck them. Colonists who take on this duty can earn credit for their rent, with the most productive colonist earning a full weeks* rent free.

Second, liter control. Trash of various types can be found around the common areas of the colony and it needs to be picked up. The compensation plan for this duty is still being considered.

*It is customary in Second Life to charge rent by the week, not the month.

NOTES:
In the background you can see the assembly building in its latest stage of construction. Unlike physical buildings that must be built from the ground up, the structures in Second Life can be built in any order. Here the floors are being lined up before final construction.