The Easter bunny paid an early visit to Tech Expo this year with a HUGE Easter Egg Hunt - thanks to all who took part. After a frantic couple of hours, many L$ were claimed along with a variety of complimentary Tech Expo gifts. This was one of several recent promo events we have run on the sim. Many of you will have spotted the addition of different camping spots - including our Homage to theBlack Box day (thanks to all of you “worshippers” who came to pay your respects to the grand statue. It was a lot of fun!) Our newly formed camping group has grown in popularity and already has well over 400 members. One of our most popular and regular prize draw events has been the weekly VIP draw. So simple to enter - just make sure you are in our Tech Expo Update group (free to join, find in search) and have included the sim in your picks. Big hint: don’t forget to check you have enabled search on your front page of your profile so that we can add your av name to the random draw…

Sim Redesign

As well as running events and handing out prizes, we have been really busy redesigning the sim. You may have noticed the rather sleek new look down on the ground level. Blax now has a new hangar on the ground level as well as space on the main deck - you have gotta check out BB’s statue! Also, our lovely Trident missile has a very special spot on the ground (get the Thunderbirds look for yourself - this huge and potentially lethal missile is available from our weapons hangar on the main deck). The ever popular halfpipe has a newly sculpted isle of it’s own, along with various other islands. After a long shopping session on the main deck why not stop by our Cuppa Tea Island and enjoy the view over the sim? With the visual delights of Windlight, the ground level is looking rather lovely even if we say so ourselves.

The main deck has undergone some more subtle changes with the redevelopment of several of the main hangars. We are particularly delighted with our new AubreTEC display. AubreTEC are one of SL’s finest creators with a wide ranging product list of highly scripted, well built items. If you haven’t already checked out our display, make sure you tp over here next time you are inworld. You will not be disappointed.

The lower deck has also had a change around. At Tech Expo, we really love aircraft. Come over and check out our current display by Nikki Wilder of Wilder Skies and, most recently added, EB Aeronautica’s fantastic display. DefCon1 are also on our lower deck and specialise in Sci Fi craft. It really is well worth a visit. With a mix of permanent static displays and rez vendors, shopping for planes is much more fun at Tech Expo than just staring at a few posters! There are also some fantastic planes by Pink’s Planes and Darsh Lucero on our Main Deck too so there really is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for technically accurate historical replica planes, futuristic, sci fi or replica craft from hit TV shows like BattleStar or Star Trek, chances are we will have what you are looking for on the sim.

Since it’s original launch almost exactly a year ago, Tech Expo has grown dramatically from a small scale 3 floor department store into what it is today - an entire sim dedicated to the best Tech, Weaponry, Vehicles and Sci Fi that SL has to offer. So, not only have we been celebrating our New Year but we have also been celebrating our 1st anniversary of trading as Tech Expo. A year in Second Life feels like a decade! Certainly, we feel very proud of what we have all achieved. Now seems an appropriate time to thank our Tech Expo Committee members - a few very important people who have helped us (Zimzim Yongbo and Yoyo Shinobu) to achieve as much as we have so far:

Janine Cummings - our Chief of Staff and Tech Expo VIP.

Janine does so much on the sim it is hard to know where to begin. She spends loads of time on the sim, helping customers and with the general day to day management as well as being our partner in the overall planning and development. Not only is she a talented scripter and builder herself, speaks several languages, is unquestionably a leading SL expert in SL weaponry, she has also become a very valued friend. We love you J9!
TheBlack Box - our resident little Red Devil and Tech Expo VIP.

BB (as we affectionately call him) is an integral part of Tech Expo. If you have not been down to Tech Expo sands for a while, be sure to stop off and look around BB’s Isle. It is a fascinating mini world full of amazing sculpties and tools, along with a few other surprises. His scripting skills are awesome as demonstrated in the Wonder Chairs, now famous all across SL. BB helps make the seemingly impossible happen. BB has done a lot for Tech Expo behind the scenes. He is not just a pretty face!

Taz Amat - Tech Expo VIP

Taz has been on board for a long time now and has also had a big role to play in the success of developing the way the sim looks today. His Dematerialiser, Freebie Truck parked out on our main deck (free to copy for all), Jeeps, Sands Cafe and Workshop area are but a few of the many many different things Taz has created. Very generous guy, good friend and lovely person to have around the sim.

Of course, we could go on and on. Tech Expo is only as good as the products we sell. Many many thanks to our talented traders for their ongoing commitment and hard work. We wish you all a very happy and profitable 2008.

Zimzim Yongbo and Yoyo Shinobu

It is the Season to be Spooky..

Whilst you are unlikely to find any bling bling spider necklaces or green mascara on our sim, we are not letting Halloween season past us by without a little fun first. In fact, when you look around the sim you will be amazed to find a huge range of cool stuff that is perfect for Halloween parties, ghoulish costumes, dramatic disco lighting and a lot more. In fact so much that I have just been looking at party wear today and thought I would share with you all some of my favourite Spooky costumes, skins, clothing and attachments. (Prices range from 100 to 2000L$ so something for every budget and style):

Here is our spooktastic low down on Tech Expo’s top items for a Horrifying Halloween:

Avs and Av components to create your perfect Party Look

(in no particular order - don’t make me choose!!!!) :

1. Brunie’s Little Horror Cabinet - full range of awesomely nasty Avs. Choose from a decaying mummy, death, maybe Abdul the Butcher complete with chainsaw - which one will suit you…

2. Central Plexus Borg Implants - starting at only 100L$ per item, there is a full range of implants to create your own ghoulish look. (The borg cube would make one interesting party location for Halloween too)

3. Alien Crawler by DanielJack Sin - found in the StarGate Hangar - black, shiny and ever so scary. Awesome animations, will cause a stir at any party.

4. Kithares Industries - how about going to your Halloween bash as a Nebari Rebel?An unusual and hauntingly beautiful av for those who don’t fancy going as your standard witch with cape or blood spattered mass murder this year..

5. Sci Props’ Spiderman 3, the Symbiote - black, sexy and oh so perfect for Halloween

6. Sci Props’ Venom - we lurve this one too!!

7. Cyber Bunker’s Cyborg skins are true works of art. 3D body mapping on these gruesome avs are very impressive and worth the price tag. Male and female available. Great with or without clothing. Will definitely make you stand out from the crowd and not just for one off use - you will not want to take these off..

8. Darth Maul Sith Saber - we love all of R341ty H4ck3r5 work and think this one is particularly good for Halloween - come over, check out the collection and see which one you think will work with your party look. Oh and while you are over there, check out AvecMek’s gas mask complete with green particle smoke.. halloween P3rty W34r at it’s finest :D

9. Elsewear’s Droid avatar complete with scary red eyes will be a conversation opener on the dance floor..

10. Furious Avatars’ Twi’lek Skin system - nothing shouts “alien” quite the same as an unusual coloured skin - check these out for out of this world fancy dress fun.

Now don’t you dare for a minute think that this is an exhaustive list.. wander round to find more bargains for Halloween and beyond on the sim.

1st Prize was awarded to Cat Carfagno for her inspired shot of one of Tech Expo’s highlights : F-Zixx Mecha!

We love this image. Nice one Cat!

2nd Prize was awarded to Raynold Burt for his amusing shot. Really made us smile.

3rd Prize was award to Butter Mcfly for her lovely shot of the weapons hangar sign being used as a seat. Incl an av in the shot helped give the whole snapshot a sense of huge scale and interest - nice touch.

All these images and along with our other favourite entries will be on display at the sim shortly.

This is free to enter and open to all members of our Tech Expo Update Group (free to join if you haven’t done so already - just look up Tech Expo Update Group in search and click to join).

How to Enter:

1. Take a snapshot on the sim
2. Edit it if you wish or send direct to Yoyo Shinobu
3. Make sure it has full permissions so I can use it to texture a prim for others to view
4. Make sure the snapshot (texture) is labelled clearly eg: “Fred Bloggs: Comp Entry”
5. Send to Yoyo Shinobu by Sunday 1pm SL time

Prizes:

• Winners will be anounced within 24hrs of comp closing
• 1st Prize: ANY 1 item of your choice from our Tech Expo Weapons Hangar
• 2nd Prize: 1000L to spend on our sim, Tech Expo
• 3rd Prize: 500L to spend on our sim, Tech Expo

Rules and conditions:

• Max 2 entries per av.
• Photograph has to have been taken on the sim - external processing permissible
• Free to enter but we ask you to be a member of Tech Expo Update group
• All decisions about winners are final. Art is subjective lol
• By entering our competition you are agreeing to our rules and conditions
• By entering, you are giving us full permissions to use your texture on the sim and display it on our website

How to get there:

• Standard TP link to this store
  
• How to use this link: Please see this FAQ article

Finaly its here ! The L96A2 is a nice Bolt Action Sniper Rifle wich comes with nearly 70 Animations. The build, textures and sounds are in well known BREACH quality standards. Lots of options comes with menu or chat controlled. Roleplay enabled.

Specification

• Model: L96A2
• Classification: Sniper rifle
• Origin: United Kingdom
• Calibre: .338 Lapua
• Capacity: 5 round box magazine
• Action: Bolt action

After many months of hard work and careful crafting, ChronoForge 4D have put down their polishing cloths and declared their new range of weapons ready for combat. Following a very successful launch party at ChronoForge’s HQ on Saturday, Opticon Nykovist has released these products for sale to the public:

Calisto’s Fury: DrakeFire v3.0

Blood Rage: Genocide v3.1

Highbourne Axeblade v3.1 (Special Edition)

Claw of the Tempest: Maelstrom

Blood Mist: Vaporia 3.1 Special Edition

We are proud to announce three new traders who have set up in our newly opened Mini Tech - in no particular order :

• Raynold Burt of ElseWear
• Sandi Omlet of Central Plexus
• Stylez Gomez of Union Micro
  

Quick overview for you:

ElseWear

ElseWear is full of avatar essentials from complete Alien Insect Avatars to futuristic and cyberwear. Check out his range of boots and hot clothing. Nothing fluffy here. His technical belt is particularly nifty and will compliment a range of avatar looks.

Whether you are just after a pair of combat mirror shades to complete your look or are wanting something a little more quirky and unique such as some metallic joints or a complete hole through the chest, ElseWear is a cool anti-dote to your usual endless vendors full of ball gowns or bikinis. At these crazy low prices, what are you waiting for?? Get over here now and see for yourself. Full listing of products and a tp to be found in the ElseWear’s trader page -follow the link in the Trader Directory.

Central Plexus

Simply put this is Borg Heaven. Ever wondered what it must be like to fly around in your own cube or take a spin in a Borg Alcove? Well, tp over here and find out for yourself. Central Plexus also stock a wide range of Borg Implants. Our particular favourite has to be the Ocular implants complete with great looking lazer. Combined with the exoplating, it creates a very realistic avatar. The boots finish the look nicely. Use any of them to give your av that extra edge or combine to create your own Borg and start assimilating. Find a full listing of products available and a tp link within Central Plexus trader page - found n the Trader Directory.

Union Micro

Mr Gomez, the king of elevators, has a wide range of elevator cars and doors for all builder’s needs, complete with a great little controller system and shaft. You can buy items individually to tailor your needs or as a starter kit with all the items needed to set up a working elevator system. As well as elevators, you will find a couple of lovely incredibly low prim buildings to tempt you. We all know how mean and stingy Lindens are with the prim count on land and these 9 prim (yes - only 9 prim) buildings will ease your prim woes in style.

Stylez has made a great range of useful items for builders and landowners. Featured to the right is his RentTracker system, ideal for all potential landlords out there. Also find his server rack, animation director and dance floor within his vendors at Tech Expo. Full product listing to be found in the Union Micro traders page with tp link.

Drag Car Racing is so much fun and with this almost-Freebie bargain set you can’t go wrong. For the sailors out there, there are two different boats on offer and so much more. Oh - and did I mention “those” slippers??!!…

We are hoping it will be a great opportunity for people to get a step on the ladder to greater things. Who knows? We might unearth the next Jimi Hendrix of the SL scripted weapons world…

FAQ:
Q.Can I apply even if I have never sold anything in SL before?
A. Of course! All you need is a great product or two and the ability to package it well

Q. How do I apply?
A. Go to the Mini Tech Area in Tech Expo and get your notecard with simple instructions to help you to apply

Q. Is it hard?
A. If you have the ability to build something of quality then you will be able to manage our simple application process!

Q. What do I get back if my application is a success?
A. We will help you set up your vendor within Mini Tech and you will get to display and sell your product(s) here on the sim!

Q. What type of product are you looking for?
A. Have a look around the sim - weapons, vehicles, scripts, building tools, defence, techy stuff - ie no stillettos with bling!

Q. Is my product good enough?
A. Only one way to find out - get applying today and give it a go.