4 of the BEST (Part Deux)

Jeepers has done it again. You can now pick up 4 of the BEST brown shoes from Jeepers, in one convenient and reasonably priced package. Included are a pair of brown DB desert boots with crepe soles, a pair of Kool Kats 2-tone brown suede slip-ons, a pair of cocoa brown Vader's sneakers, and to top it off, a pair of brown Trashville harness boots. All 4 for L500. Deal!

Waiting for marketplace.secondlife.com...

If you've ever had the misfortune to use the Second Life Marketplace, you'll have spent much time staring at these words down in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen: "Waiting for marketplace.secondlife.com..."

I've finally completed something I've been putting off for ages: updating the Jeepers Marketplace. This is no insignificant task. I have almost 400 different products to be entered into the Marketplace system. And each step of this process is made more tedious and laborious because of the ill thought-out design of the Second Life Marketplace.

Take the Manage Listings page. Marketplace allows you to have up to 100 items per page. Fine. But why place the "Next Page" button at the foot of the page, instead of at the top of the page? Do I really have to scroll down through every item, on every page, just to click the Next button? This is bad page layout, and there's no excuse for it.

Here's another example: Why does the first column in Inventory default to the Date going from earliest to the most recent entries? This is not the most convenient or useful way to order a list. Now, listings can be ordered differently, but it has to be done every time the page is updated. This is when those words appear "Waiting for marketplace.secondlife.com..." Why can't items be re-ordered permanently in a way that suits the user?

Here's another completely unnecessary step that could have been eliminated with good design: Every time you want to upload an image, you are taken first to this insert:-

This pop-up informs you of the requirements for uploading an image: minimum and recommended dimensions, aspect ration and file type. Important information, but do we need to be reminded of it every time we upload an image? Only after we "Click here to select an image to upload" are you allowed to proceed.

I have always enjoyed the time I've spent working in Second Life. There's a certain amount of virtual physical labor exerted in the creation process. This is as it should be. A lot of that time is spent moving objects around on the screen, using the keyboard and mouse. Second Life was built on the untold millions of hours that individuals have spent creating this incredibly rich, diverse world. I like the fact that there is an investment of time spent in creating objects in-world; that is as it should be. For without effort, what merit has reward?

Which is why marketplace is such an insult to users. Every wasted click in Marketplace is a click I could have used doing something else in Second Life. This seems transparently obvious, and leads inexorably to the conclusion that the people at Linden Labs don't give a shit about Second Life's users, otherwise they wouldn't have created such a crappy Marketplace. QED.

Jeepers Shoes for Men on the Move!!!

"In a moved that has stunned Industry insiders, Jeepers Shoes for Men has moved its main store from the Shoes sim, to the nearby Men sim. Distance-wise, it's 3 sims west; you can almost see it. Size-wise, the new store has a smaller footprint, but feels spacious. Old customers will feel right at home, newcomers will be surprised at the sheer variety of shoe styles and colors to be found at this venerable men's shoe-store. Steely-eyed Epy "Trench" Trenchmouth said "Jeepers is proud to be with the Men, (and a big shout out to Xplorer and Draco for their help)".

It's true shoe fans, Jeepers has a new home. And guess what, it's even better than before! A smaller store means less walking, and longer hours and shorter lines make shopping fun again! To celebrate the opening of Jeepers Shoes for Men at Men (170, 159, 37)[SLURL/men/70/159/37/], a complimentary pair of Orwell black suede Monk Strap shoes await the visitor. Don't delay. Update your Landmarks.

New Strike 2 Bowling Shirts!!!

Big news on the SL bowling scene: Strike 2 Bowling Shoes have been named official footwear of Bergsons Bowling, Second Life's premier supplier of bowling equipment.

To celebrate this benediction, Jeepers has added new colors to the already extensive Strike 2 line of bowling shoes including Brown & Gold, Gray & White, Green & White and Purple & Violet.

In response to many requests, Jeepers is delighted to announce the introduction of Strike 2 Bowling Shirts. These brightly colored, vintage, unisex bowling shirts are decorated with embroidered designs on the back and come in shirt length and jacket length versions. A total of 16 different designs are on display at the Jeepers Main Store. Custom orders for your team are welcomed, just contact Eponymous Trenchmouth for details.

Bye bye Subscribe-O-Matic

As you know, my Group updates are infrequent. Up til now, I've been using the Subscribe-O-Matic system to handle membership. I just discovered that since I haven't posted for 5 months, it will cost me L10000 to update my subscription. So I'm deleting my Subscribe-O-Matic inviter, and going back to using Second Life Groups to communicate with my fans.

Marketplace Update

Second Life Marketplace is a mess. If you do a Merchant search for Eponymous Trenchmouth on the Second Life Marketplace (https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/2235), you will now see a warning banner across the top of the page:-

I have placed this on the page, because one third of the products shown don't belong to me, though some of they have my photos. I have deleted the contents of my online Merchant Inventory, item by item, all 440 items, but this strange page cannot be removed. Thank you migration team, courtesy of Linden Labs.

My solution to this apparently unsolveable problem is to create a brand new Jeepers Marketplace (https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/150189), with fully functioning features, owned by Wilde Potato, alter ego of Eponymous Trenchmouth, Cobbler-in-Chief, Jeepers Shoes for Men. At which point, I should point out that there is in fact a financial disincentive to customers wishing to use the online store. Jeepers much prefers you to come on down to the old store, and feast your eyes on all those lovely shoes you never knew you needed, until now...

Introducing Wilde Potato

Hello, my name is Wilde Potato, and I am the alter ego of Eponymous Trenchmouth, Cobbler-in-Chief, Jeepers Shoes for Men.

I will be the figurehead of a brand new Jeepers Marketplace with fully functioning features, replacing the inoperable and apparently undeleteable old marketplace owned by Eponymous Trenchmouth.

For all matters concerning shoes, please contact Eponymous Trenchmouth.

Thoughts on Jeepers Shoes

I was thinking about all the different kinds of shoes Jeepers makes...

Jeepers has been selling shoes for ages. We sell high quality men's shoes of all kinds: Dress shoes, dancing shoes, drinking shoes, shoes with Cuban heels, shoes with leather soles, rubber soles, crepe soles, leather soles, creepers and sneakers, sandals and desert boots, hiking boots and biking boots, bowling shoes and ballet shoes*, shoes of suede and shoes of shine, shoes of toil and workaday grime. Aye, them too. Shoes you didn't know you needed, but now you know where to find them.

*not really

Parts of the Shoe

It occurs to me that a lot of our younger readers may be unfamiliar with words like "vamp", "gimp" and "tongue". Nor indeed may they know the difference between an Aglet, an Oxford and a Derby. Forsooth, help is at hand: An Oxford is a closely laced shoe. By that, it is meant that the two parts of the Facing, when laced, are brought almost into contact with each other; in fact they are both sewn directly under the Vamp. The Oxford is considered to be a more formal (straight-laced) shoe than the Derby, wherein the Vamp continues up to become the Tongue, and the Facings are loosely laced together, allowing for a more relaxed fit. (The Derby is the name of a horse race at Epsom Downs, for goodness sake). Both styles can be decorated with Brogueing - a pattern of small punched holes next to an edge or seam. Gimping is the name given to a decorative zig-zag edge. And the Aglet? It's the little plastic thingamajig on the end of a shoelace that makes it easier to thread through the Eyelets.

New Gilbert ~ wingtip Derby brogues.

Introducing Gilbert ~ wingtip Derby brogues with contrasting laces, stitches and a high gloss polish. Available in four colors: the profoundly Purple Gilbert (suitable for ceremonies sacred or secular), the consumptive Crimson Gilbert, the baffling Blue Gilbert, and the ghastly Green Gilbert.

New Flynn laceless Oxford brogues

Made on the same lasts as the popular Connery shoes, Flynn is a true Oxford brogue, with an extended wingtip, contrasting vamp and quarters, five pairs of eyelets, no laces. Classic styling, modern finish.Remember, "You're flying with Flynn!"

New Connery wingtip brogues!

Connery is a gentleman's walking shoe with highly polished leather wingtip and facings, and rough suede vamp and counter. Connery is available in two styles: dark maroon leather with a golden brown suede, and dark brown leather with a muted green suede. Contrasting lacings and sole complete the picture.

Menswear Fashion Week 2013

Big news for men's fashion! Menswear Fashion Week 2013 is coming to town. April 19-27th. 
This primo event is now in its fourth year and gets better every time. Jeepers Shoes for Men has again been honored by being selected to take part in this prestigious event. Other designers include Faster Pussycat-Velvet Elvis, Gizza Creations, Gabriel, Dura, Belleza, Shiki, Mea Culpa, Razorblade Jacket, and Redgrave. You'll find everything from hair and skins to clothes, shoes and accessories! Full details for the event can be found here mwfw2013.nywdc.com/.

All designers invited to appear have been requested to design one new outfit with a Viva Las Vegas theme. Jeepers has chosen to create a special Vader's Vegas sneaker, complete with dangling dice.

New Huxley Monk Strap Shoes

The Monk (so called because it is reminiscent of the sandals worn by monks), is similar to an Oxford or Derby except that the quarters are fastened together with a buckle. The buckle is attached to the outside quarter, while the inner quarter tapers to form a strap which is threaded through the buckle. The buckles can vary in number, shape, size, finish, etc. The advantage of the Monk is simplicity of the buckle fastening, which is usually just decorative, the closure being accomplished by a concealed elastic strap. The Monk is considered less formal than an Oxford, but more so than a Derby.
Huxley is an original Monk strap shoe, where the shape of the overlapping quarters is echoed in the design of the toe cap. Available initially in a light brown lizard skin and also a two-tone muted green lizard skin.
These shoes will be released to the public at Menswear Fashion Week 2013 which runs from April 19-27th.

New Russell Monk Strap Shoes

For that special dressy event, you'll need some special shoes. Russell, is a Monk with a difference. Similar in shape to Huxley, this black leather single-buckle shoe, has received special detailing in the form of burnished highlights and contrasting sole stitching.                                                                                        
These shoes will be released to the public at Menswear Fashion Week 2013. The event runs from April 19-27th.

New Orwell Monk Strap Shoes

Orwell is a two-buckle Monk strap, currently available in blue suede on a contrasting red sole (as shown), and red suede on a contrasting blue sole.
These shoes will be released to the public at Menswear Fashion Week 2013. The event runs from April 19-27th.

New Wells Monk Strap Shoes

The Wells Monk Strap is similar to the Orwell design, but with a one-piece synthetic color-scripted sole. The uppers are available in red, blue and green, and they all come with a choice of four shocking florescent colors:  yellow, pink, green and blue. Shocking, I know.
Note: These shoes will be released to the public at Menswear Fashion Week 2013. The event runs from April 19-27th.

New -Zag suede shoes!!!

I was very pleased with the final shape of the Cairo summer shoes and decided to use the shape in a more contemporary and edgier shoe. Introducing -Zag (with a hyphen). For this shoe I modified the regular straight-across toe cap, and distorted it, making it asymmetrical. To enhance this jagged toecap, I added a large contrasting stitch. -Zag is available in Black suede with contrasting gray stitching, Blue suede with green stitching, Green suede with violet stitching, and Maroon suede with blue stitching.

New Cairo summer shoes!!!

This is the post I was going to write, until I got sidetracked into telling the whole story about my tussles with the Phoenix viewer (see previous article). Anyways, I wanted to make some summer shoes. I'm not a fan of sandals. Men's feet are best kept hidden; nobody wants to see toenails or clumps of wiry hair. But in the summer, feet need ventilation! This does not mean removing your socks. IMHO, wearing leather shoes without socks is a blight on fashion!  

I recently come across some nice wicker textures, and I wanted to try a woven panel in a classic Oxford shoe. Once again I ended up making a completely new shoe shape. I started with a brogued leather wingtip stretching way back, leather heel and ankle binding, and finally a large overlaid facing, rather like a golf shoe. This way, all vulnerable parts of the shoe are protected by leather. Everything else is perforated and allows cooling breezes to waft through your shoes, taking the heat off your feet.
Cairo summer shoes in four styles: Carob - deep dark plum colored leather with matching hessian cloth vamp and quarter; Pampas - coffee colored leather with straw colored woven cloth ; Thyme - golden brown leather with contrasting green hessian cloth; and Wicker - medium brown leather with wicker.

Unwanted highlights and shadows on curved surfaces.

One of the requirements for merchants at the Menswear Fashion Week 2012, is to have a new exclusive item to release at the show. I'd been working on this idea for men's summer Oxfords in a very old-fashioned style, yet totally nouveau and elegant.  Work on the textures going good, until I decided to update my old Phoenix 1.5.2.1185 viewer, to the latest 1.6.0.1600 viewer. Suddenly, these beautiful light-colored shoes looked strangely lumpy.    

Cairo in Phoenix 1.5.2.1185

Cairo in Phoenix 1.6.0.1600

What was going on? I tried every adjustment I could think of in the viewer itself (Edit> Preferences), all those variables, and I don't have a clue what half of them do). Then I made a simple object to test in both viewers. This loaf-shaped object consisted of 10 slices (like the highlighted slice). This is how the object appeared in the old Phoenix 1.5.2.1185 viewer. The individual slices cannot be discerned, and the object appears to be a smooth monolithic whole:-

Image 1. Phoenix 1.5.2.1185 viewer.

This next image is the same object as above, photographed under the same lighting conditions, on the same computer, video card, monitor, etc. As you can see, the upper half of the object, which consists of a series of half-discs, has unwanted shadows and highlights, which prevents it from being seen as a single smooth monolithic object.

Image 2. Phoenix 1.6.0.1600 and SL Viewer 2 v3.2.8

I wrote up a ticket in the Phoenix JIRA, (PHOE-3919, Faceted textures in 1.6.0.1600). After about six weeks of dialog, the ticket was moved over to the Fire project team. At their request, I also filed a ticket with Second Life (VWR-28603, Unwanted Highlights and Shadows on Curved Surfaces), which I think is a more accurate and descriptive title. 

At some point in viewer development, highlights and shadows were added to curved surfaces. This subtle effect only shows up under the following circumstances: the object must be white or light-colored, and it must be perpendicular to the light source. A vertical stack of discs viewed under noon daytime lighting will not be affected, because the light source is directly overhead. Whether some bright spark added this lighting effect as an  "enhancement", or whether some number got rounded up instead of down, I don't know. But anyone who looks at DEMOs of my shoes on the latest viewers, will think they look like shit. If you do, please add a comment to the JIRA Tickets (PHOE-3919 and VWR-28603). The more people complain, the sooner this subtle effect can be removed, and I can get back to making light-colored shoes.