Child Consumer Reports By: Amira Beaumont
Shop Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Born%20North/144/211/32

It was a simple mistake,I swear! Ok maybe I’m not that sorry for sinning, buying Linden, and buying...get this....a PLANT. Yup, a plant. I must be on crack, you say? Not at all! This plant, for a lack of sheer joyous words, is "Bril" (Brilliant to all my non-informed lingo-ists). I first heard of PlantPets a few months back when Amira was first born into the virtual world of Second Life, but never really thought much of it. Granted as a child of 6 years I had no real use for a houseplant when I didn’t even HAVE a house....or a non-linden skin. Now that I've become more settled, got myself a family and a job *gasp, child labor!* I decided to get a PlantPets. So I walk home with a gigantic crate containing my new (and some would argue only) friend, plop him..her...it...down on my desk and thus it began.

In an impromptu interview with the scripter of this little project I learn that these plants are not the brainchild of one but several imaginative dreamers: Bruce Liebknecht Marika Dagostino, ViVa Laval, Lit Oberth and Gonzo Morales. The team, which includes the Marketing Manager, Maniac Choche, gave PlantPets a labored push into the new world. What started off with only 5 plants leaped to 38 in the 6 months of existence. The scripter, Bruce Liebknecht, commented on how the idea was really Maniac Choche's idea, the rest of the team just took the idea and "made it a reality". Bravo to that!

"Oh, they are like children" commented Mr. Liebknect, when asked about his personal favorite. He then added that he enjoyed them all but liked "very much the work of Marika Dagostino", the 'more artistic' of the group, but added very quickly how " ViVa made the sainpaulias which have been a total hit".  In my opinion it takes a bit more than artistic ability to make something as in-depth as PlantPets, hence their team! A very well put together group of business partners that I ever saw!

But what exactly IS a PlantPet? I’ll take that definition right from their note card, because they state it so much better than I can, 'A PlantPet is a low-prim interactive plant which can grow and express happiness if you take care for it. Each copy has its own behavior depending on how much attention it gets from its owner.

It consists of a changeable pot, soil, an optional moisture meter stuck into the soil, and the actual plant which is temporary rezzed above the pot and gets refreshed once in a minute.

You add water to the pot by a menu, and the plant grows according to the moisture level and the specified speed of growth. In any case, the growth of a plant is slow and normally you should allow at least a couple of minutes before you see visible change."

Yes, a plant that thrives and responds to your personal care. Not only that but you can repot it (I recommend getting some help for that number, as an accidental unlinking of the plant may cause it to malfunction) but by the simple click of the pot you can water it, mess with its settings (allow others to water and interact with the plant, allow it to send you IMs when thirsty, pause progress, see plant's status and name and rate of individual development), and name it anything you choose, hence the crazy names I named mine.

The little plants also come with a water-meter stick that changes color according to the amount of soil moisture (blue high, green medium, yellow low). It develops according to moisture, how happy you make it when you take care of it (it spews particles when bursting with uncontainable joy), and how healthy it is. If health falls below 10% it’ll begin to decay...once it regresses in growth its harder to bring back from the abyss of SL death.

The speed of growth can be sped up or slowed down according to your wishes. Xtra slow is the closest to real plant growth you can get in SL, all be it tedious...the outcome will feel more rewarding. Any other questions are explained fully in the note cards accompanying the plants in 3 different languages: Spanish, English, and German (I believe)

Naming the little plant Willywort Flatspoon (its siblings are McSpiffy, Trundlebutt Bustybums, and  Sally Watersnort) I watered him and watch eagerly, knowing I wont be disappointed by this little gem of prim work and scripting. I recommend making this investment; it’ll thrill, be the discussion piece, and be a beautiful addition to any home. Mine already has a little pink bud poking from its bronze pot. I feel like such a proud momma!

*Disclaimer* The viewpoints expressed here are not the viewpoints of the owners or other employees of this venue. Amira reserves these comments as her own viewpoint. Once again, all rights reserved.**