Looking A Gift Horse In the Mouth
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | 
~
Ari Blackthorne™
It's amazing how everyone seems to feel a right of entitlement where none is promised, offered or even deserved. It's so true. Just look at the feedback to practically any Second Life blog post:
Before purchasing anything, we want to ensure we are getting good quality. One method of ensuring quality in the health of a horse was to check its teeth and gums. This wouldn't be very polite if the horse were a gift. But more importantly "to look a gift horse in the mouth" is really just a way of looking for the negative in it, instead of the positive.
"Linden Lab needs to stop with bells and whistles and fix the damned grid"
"Transactions on the blink, I.P. Theft, TPs not working - fix this crap"
"Thanks Lindens for devaluing my land in the blink of an eye"
Before purchasing anything, we want to ensure we are getting good quality. One method of ensuring quality in the health of a horse was to check its teeth and gums. This wouldn't be very polite if the horse were a gift. But more importantly "to look a gift horse in the mouth" is really just a way of looking for the negative in it, instead of the positive.Remember: a gift you receive - something you get for nothing - is worth every penny you pay for it. Why then would you look a gift horse in the mouth only to find damage there? Now you will have those negatives 'nagging' at you every time you think about it, rather than being graciously thankful for the gift itself. It also is rather disingenuous to the one giving the gift.
Radio and television signals are free to us, but we must endure the advertising that pays for it. Hell, in the states, paying for admittance to the cinema and you still must still sit through three or four one-minute advertisements. And yet, does anyone complain about them?
In fact, an SL friend sent an envelope to me via the U.S. Post. Let's see, east coast to west coast... three days, four maybe? That's reasonable.
The letter postmarked March 29, 2008 arrived in my mailbox yesterday, April 28th.
I shit you not.
And the U.S. Postal Service keeps raising postage rates, yet their service is getting worse. But do we complain? And if I complain and they ignore me, should I become more vocal and incensed? But what can I really do? The Post Office is a closed system. I don't really have any access to anyone who matters. I don't have their ears or eyes... I don't have their attention.
And the postage rates have just gone up again!
Where is the service I am paying for?
Second Life is a gift horse. Think about it. SL is completely free to use.
Completely.
Linden lab has actually found a way to give you access to SL for free and without any forced advertising. None. Zip-zilch-nada. When I pay for admittance to the cinema, I feel I have a right to complain about their forcing me to watch advertising. The same when I (or any sender) pays for postage and the Pony Express of the 1800's is still faster and better service. Or to complain to anyone to whom you trade money for a service or product and that service or product does not meet standards.
But SL is free.
What right do you or anyone else have to expect anything other than access? And even that is a gift.
My point simply is this: Linden Lab is far more open and accessible to me than any other company I can think of, other than the one I work for. Even my government is less accessible.
And yet, when the employees of this company try to communicate with their guests, (yes guests - you aren't a "customer" in my mind unless you own land and pay legal tender to Linden Lab for the privilege,) those guests immediately start to rant and vent about the problems in the service they are receiving for free. A product that is actually as complicated (if not more so) than an actual computer operating system of a few years ago. Where those companies very open?
These guests are not only looking the gift horse in the mouth, they slap the faces of their hosts. They do it when they leave vicious, painful feedback on the SL blog. Granted, it's definitely getting much better. But those who feel entitled (and never were to begin with) are still about.
So, why am I bothering to write about this? Because I want to remind those people that there are real people on the other side of that and any other weblog. The Lindens are human and just trying to do their jobs. So, it's okay to vent and rant.
But, do try to remember the words you choose carry three or four times the weight and intensity than you might intend - and many times your statements can be rather hurtful.
Never raise your voice when you should reinforce your argument.
Nothing wrong with mentioning off-topic things in a blog post - but at least try to be constructive in your comments. And complaining about some feature - such as voice or the new graphics engine - is really just a waste of time. Those features and any newly planned ones are going to be implemented whether you want them or not. After all, if you don't like what you're getting, take your money elsewhere.
Oh, that's right, it's not costing anything to be a Second Life resident, unless you choose to pay. Therefore, you 'guests' don't deserve any voice at all. Yet, Linden Lab actually allows you to have one... and they do listen... even though you abuse the privilege.
Even though you look a gift horse square in the mouth.
Categories:
Too Many Residents Look Gift Horse In The Mouth
It's amazing how everyone seems to feel a right of entitlement where none is promised, offered or even deserved. It's so true. Just look at the feedback to practically any Second Life blog post:
Before purchasing anything, we want to ensure we are getting good quality. One method of ensuring quality in the health of a horse was to check its teeth and gums. This wouldn't be very polite if the horse were a gift. But more importantly "to look a gift horse in the mouth" is really just a way of looking for the negative in it, instead of the positive.
Remember: a gift you receive - something you get for nothing - is worth every penny you pay for it. Why then would you look a gift horse in the mouth only to find damage there? Now you will have those negatives 'nagging' at you every time you think about it, rather than being graciously thankful for the gift itself. It also is rather disingenuous to to the one giving the gift.
Radio and television signals are free to us, but we must endure the advertising that pays for it. Hell, in the states, paying for admittance to the cinema and you still must still sit through three or four one-minute advertisements. And yet, does anyone complain about them?
"Linden Lab needs to stop with bells and whistles and fix the damned grid"
"Transactions on the blink, I.P. Theft, TPs not working - fix this crap"
"Thanks Lindens for devaluing my land in the blink of an eye"
"Transactions on the blink, I.P. Theft, TPs not working - fix this crap"
"Thanks Lindens for devaluing my land in the blink of an eye"
Before purchasing anything, we want to ensure we are getting good quality. One method of ensuring quality in the health of a horse was to check its teeth and gums. This wouldn't be very polite if the horse were a gift. But more importantly "to look a gift horse in the mouth" is really just a way of looking for the negative in it, instead of the positive.Remember: a gift you receive - something you get for nothing - is worth every penny you pay for it. Why then would you look a gift horse in the mouth only to find damage there? Now you will have those negatives 'nagging' at you every time you think about it, rather than being graciously thankful for the gift itself. It also is rather disingenuous to to the one giving the gift.
Radio and television signals are free to us, but we must endure the advertising that pays for it. Hell, in the states, paying for admittance to the cinema and you still must still sit through three or four one-minute advertisements. And yet, does anyone complain about them?
New Land Store Not ready... but Ready
So the new land store is dependent on the new server code that's been a finicky roll-out for a couple weeks as Linden Lab keeps initiating a roll out, then roll it back. However, I suspect some of that new functionality is definitely in place now.
In the original announcement, Jack linden mentioned this:
Now, what sticks-out in my mind is the part that says "...nearly instant delivery of a new island after completing checkout" This means to me that the whole regions assigning to a resident who purchases one is finally automated the way it always should have been. I feel this also accounts, in part for the drastic price reduction in purchasing a region.
I am not privy to just how any of it is set-up, but I suspect there are several - many regions already running and ready to go, just waiting for a buyer. Much like a Gorean girl waiting to be purchased on the street of brands.
In the original announcement, Jack linden mentioned this:
"Our new Land Store is moving through testing and will be launched in April, perhaps within a week or two depending on how final testing goes. It will be cross browser compatible and will provide nearly instant delivery of a new island after completing checkout."
Now, what sticks-out in my mind is the part that says "...nearly instant delivery of a new island after completing checkout" This means to me that the whole regions assigning to a resident who purchases one is finally automated the way it always should have been. I feel this also accounts, in part for the drastic price reduction in purchasing a region.I am not privy to just how any of it is set-up, but I suspect there are several - many regions already running and ready to go, just waiting for a buyer. Much like a Gorean girl waiting to be purchased on the street of brands.
Second Life Residents Waste Breath... As Usual.
Jeff Linden posted a notice about an issue with updating your credit card information on the Second Life® web site. Yes, the Second Life Grid itself has many an issue, but it is improving. The web site has far fewer issues, but it does have issues. Such as the friends listing being borked for literally three months.
Many residents unfortunately waste their breath and time, and the time of the many of the readers of these notice posts. And it simply incites further ranting as others who also are frustrated are egged-on to also vent.
For example, in a notice about how the updating of credit card information is non-functional for the time being, the very first talkback by Lillie Yifu reads:
The recent problems should be a lesson that the most important thing is infrastructure. Please pull work on non-critical pixel pushing such as
Dazzle
“Facelift” of forums
“Facelift” of blogAnd focus instead on getting underlying issues such as
Asset Server
Payment processing, including stipends and credit cards
Server stability
Client stability
Yes, I know these people are frustrated and simply venting or, in some cases, outright lashing out. Hey, I get frustrated, too. But I don't complain to my tire salesman that my car is losing acceleration, either.
The point is that there are many people at Linden Lab who owns and runs Second Life. Certainly, of the 250 employees, they all are not doing the same job. Each has their own expertise.
Is it silly of me to expect others to figure out that if one of these employees posts a notice about a particular subject, that they are likely within their duty area and expertise and likely not having anything to do with other areas of company operations?
For example: Jeff Linden being on the web site side of things and not having anything to do with the grid side of things? I know, I know - perhaps it is the hope of these posters, such as Lillie that either the right people will see the notice, or that any other employee who happens to spot it will pass the information on.
However, do they really have the time to sit and read blog posts that they themselves have not posted? And even if one does notice the post - there s nothing specific in the request. It is too general, so it becomes a simple waste of space and effort and does nothing but to bring everyone's morale down.
I don't intend to pick on Lillie. I see a lot of her posts and they are far from all being rants. I am only using this one as an example (so my apologies if you feel picked-on, Lillie) ;)
My point is this: use the bug tracker at jira.secondlife.com to file your complaints. Everyone at Linden Lab is working hard to improve our experience in Second Life. I really do believe that. yes, there are major 'hot-head' issues with things like intellectual property and copyright marks (which was and still is a really hot one for this author.)
But if you are going to post feedback to a notice in the Second Life blog, at least try to keep it on-topic and it would be nice if you at least try to keep it nice. To be clear: Lillie's post is nice. Some of the other vents can be downright stinging. Being a Linden lab employee - it's no wonder they rarely read the feedback on their own blog. Some of the comments can make for a really bad day.
Resident Rants Are Wasted Here
Jeff Linden posted a notice about an issue with updating your credit card information on the Second Life® web site. Yes, the Second Life Grid itself has many an issue, but it is improving. The web site has far fewer issues, but it does have issues. Such as the friends listing being borked for literally three months.
Many residents unfortunately waste their breath and time, and the time of the many of the readers of these notice posts. And it simply incites further ranting as others who also are frustrated are egged-on to also vent.
For example, in a notice about how the updating of credit card information is non-functional for the time being, the very first talkback by Lillie Yifu reads:
Yes, I know these people are frustrated and simply venting or, in some cases, outright lashing out. Hey, I get frustrated, too. But I don't complain to my tire salesmean that my car is losing acceleration, either.
Many residents unfortunately waste their breath and time, and the time of the many of the readers of these notice posts. And it simply incites further ranting as others who also are frustrated are egged-on to also vent.
For example, in a notice about how the updating of credit card information is non-functional for the time being, the very first talkback by Lillie Yifu reads:
The recent problems should be a lesson that the most important thing is infrastructure. Please pull work on non-critical pixel pushing such as
Dazzle
“Facelift” of forums
“Facelift” of blog
And focus instead on getting underlying issues such as
Asset Server
Payment processing, including stipends and credit cards
Server stability
Client stability
Yes, I know these people are frustrated and simply venting or, in some cases, outright lashing out. Hey, I get frustrated, too. But I don't complain to my tire salesmean that my car is losing acceleration, either.
Amazing. They still Just Don't 'Get It'
Wow.
Second and third paragraph from this newspaper story (formatted to a single paragraph here because it's just easier to read):
...and the image bug:
Second and third paragraph from this newspaper story (formatted to a single paragraph here because it's just easier to read):
But take a first look at Second Life, the largest and most popular website of what some are calling an immersion in a virtual world. College of Mount St. Joseph professor Dave Kroger is a big fan. Using the virtual destinations created on the website, he can meet "virtually" anyone from anywhere in the world.
...and the image bug:
Image courtesy of Secondlife.com
Old Meets New in SL Land
Good news, bad news from Linden lab as the new server updates, along with the expected new land store just won't go. Problems and unexpected gremlins just keep popping themselves up, no matter how hard they try.
So the old question of which do you want first? The bad news is the old land store has to be replaced as the new land store just isn't ready for prime-time. The good news is that all regions, including private estates are being sold under the new pricing structure. Unfortunately, 'Open Space' regions just aren't available through the land store and there is a large backlog that must be worked through.
Return of the Old Land Store « Official Second Life Blog
So the old question of which do you want first? The bad news is the old land store has to be replaced as the new land store just isn't ready for prime-time. The good news is that all regions, including private estates are being sold under the new pricing structure. Unfortunately, 'Open Space' regions just aren't available through the land store and there is a large backlog that must be worked through.
From Cyn Linden:
"Rather than inflict you guys with a tool that isn’t ready yet, we have decided to bring the old store back up with the new prices. All the old challenges remain (doesn’t work in IE, wait time for delivery) but you will be able to place orders as you have in the past."
Return of the Old Land Store « Official Second Life Blog
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Second Life Video Tutorials: Dead as we know it!
Okay - not really "dead" - but not as we 'know it', either. They're moving to Sundays.
Our favorite cheerful watermelonie Linden displays obvious goodwill and passion in his day-to-day and always seems to have a large smile, a chuckle and upbeat humor for all residents fortunate enough to run across his (or in-world sometimes: her) path.
Of course, when there are issues with the grid, people will use the talkback posts of the blog to rant and vent, but unlike many other announcements, the majority of talkbacks to Torley's posts are overwhelmingly positive.
"All the world is a mirror" - you will take what you give and fortunately for everyone, Torley always give bucket-loads of cheer and "friendly greetings".
Even in the face of "bad news" - which is really just good news in disguise:
Our favorite cheerful watermelonie Linden displays obvious goodwill and passion in his day-to-day and always seems to have a large smile, a chuckle and upbeat humor for all residents fortunate enough to run across his (or in-world sometimes: her) path.Of course, when there are issues with the grid, people will use the talkback posts of the blog to rant and vent, but unlike many other announcements, the majority of talkbacks to Torley's posts are overwhelmingly positive.
"All the world is a mirror" - you will take what you give and fortunately for everyone, Torley always give bucket-loads of cheer and "friendly greetings".
Even in the face of "bad news" - which is really just good news in disguise:
"The Tip of the Week is moving from ~Thursday to Sundays! Why? It’s because: (1) I’m timecrushed during the week, (2) I observe some potentially worthwhile trends in video viewership metrics, and (3) I want to add variety to weekends on this blog amidst service updates. This is an experimental change and it starts next week on May 6, so I apologize there’s no TotW this week."
Another New Virtual World...
"Your world. Your imagination" has new meaning. A startup called "Our World" is being billed as "similar to Second Life". Though a quick look-over of the site gives me the impression it's geared toward teens with bit of a 'cartoon' look to it.Even so, the heat is on for Linden Lab as competition pressure begins to press. Not only with new start-ups and established virtual worlds and massive multi-player online role-playing games, but with others that are actual clones - to some degree - with open sim, and others like it.
Similar to Second Life, visitors to www.ourworld.com create avatars or virtual identities that live on the Internet, doing everything from visiting a coffee shop to catching a movie to dancing in a nightclub. Actions win you credits or “Flow” which can be used to change the look and appearance of your avatar.
FlowPlay Lets Casual Gamers Play Games and Socialize in New Virtual World
Blogged with the Flock Browser
The Boneheads Still Just Don't Get it.
Wow.
Second and third paragraph from this newspaper story (formatted to a single paragraph here because it's just easier to read):
But take a first look at Second Life, the largest and most popular website of what some are calling an immersion in a virtual world. College of Mount St. Joseph professor Dave Kroger is a big fan. Using the virtual destinations created on the website, he can meet "virtually" anyone from anywhere in the world.
Okay, I can understand a newspaper from some emerging society elsewhere in the world. But one would figure that at least in the United States the news media would have at least figured it out by now. At the very least, done a little research.
But then again, it also is why newspaper readership count is falling dramatically. Not only because it's a world of 'information wants to be free' and it's easy to find at our fingertips, thanks to the Internet. But also, because many news journalists either have some kind of agenda or, simply, just don't do a very good job at reporting accurately.
I'd worked for a newspaper for many years in the past and I remember how conceited many of the so-called journalists were. That was in the days the Internet was just emerging. I'm not saying they all are still as conceited with some kind of slight 'greater than though, I'm influential' head space or not. But if you aren't going to do your job right, stop doing the job and embarrassing the rest of us that at least know better.
[Sighs.]
More Bogus Information About Linen Lab Trademarks
Laurap Linden finally made another SL blog posting on the trademarks issue. It is a consoderably better post with far more detail than the previous efforts. Unfortunately, trademark law is really complicated and a lot of what the law actually allows - for the trademark owner and for the average witness - to be rather relative.
My own gripe is still with the whole idea that Linden Lab, hell, then anyone can make claim to a trademark consisting of two letters of the alphabet - neither being a vowel, hence not even an acronym. And I really don't care what the context is.
I did consider "LL Bullshit" - but, though I am no Linden Lab fanboy, I'm not out to insult them either.
Fast forward to: http://commonsensible.net [and http://Socially Mundane.com - the edgier version]
It's actually a bit refreshing anyway. Time to add a little color to the look of this thing and make it a little easier to read. So I don't think of this as 'giving-in'. Rather, I view it as expanding things. I'm not limiting myself to Second Life any more. I've been looking at a few other grids and even a few other virtual worlds. So it only makes sense, really.
However, SL Review -the very blog you are reading right now - is being placed into hiatus. This is will be the last post [t]here. Though I will leave it [t]here. Primarily to not break links to the articles inside. And I will wait for the cease and desist letter from Linden Lab - if it ever comes.
No worries, though - everything at SL Review is now at Common.Sensible - all the archives have been moved and are availablethere here.
I don't consider myself a 'fanboi' of Linden Lab. I do consider myself a realist. I don't get pissed off or angry about silly things. But I do get passionate when I know I'm right.
So, if my highly opinionated ranting hasn't chased you away yet and you actually are a glutton for punishment in wanting more - then welcome aboard!
My own gripe is still with the whole idea that Linden Lab, hell, then anyone can make claim to a trademark consisting of two letters of the alphabet - neither being a vowel, hence not even an acronym. And I really don't care what the context is.
7. Does Linden Lab have exclusive rights in the letters “SL” combined? Is any use of “SL” in a product or service name, business or organization name, or domain name going to be a trademark issue? Yes, we have trademark rights in “SL” in connection with our virtual world goods and services [Bullshit]. Any use of “SL” cannot infringe or dilute our trademark [Bullshit]. Uses in brand names that are likely to present trademark issues include (but aren’t limited to) those where “SL” refers to “Second Life” and the use doesn’t comply with our license to use “SL” [Bullshit], and those uses for or related to virtual world goods or services [Bullshit].At the same time, I consider myself a releasable person and i do recognize that Linden Lab has the full legal right to control the use of their recognized and legal trademarks. The issue is I don't believe or recognize a pair of letters in any combination as any kind of legal trademark. However, Linden Lab also is a company with far deeper pockets than mine, and the issue causes me to reconsider the name of the blog I call "SL Review" anyway. So, it is with that that I am leaving SL Review behind. Not because i am caving-in to Linden lab's demands, but rather to open-up the title to something a little more generic.
I did consider "LL Bullshit" - but, though I am no Linden Lab fanboy, I'm not out to insult them either.
Fast forward to: http://commonsensible.net [and http://Socially Mundane.com - the edgier version]
It's actually a bit refreshing anyway. Time to add a little color to the look of this thing and make it a little easier to read. So I don't think of this as 'giving-in'. Rather, I view it as expanding things. I'm not limiting myself to Second Life any more. I've been looking at a few other grids and even a few other virtual worlds. So it only makes sense, really.However, SL Review -
No worries, though - everything at SL Review is now at Common.Sensible - all the archives have been moved and are available
I don't consider myself a 'fanboi' of Linden Lab. I do consider myself a realist. I don't get pissed off or angry about silly things. But I do get passionate when I know I'm right.
So, if my highly opinionated ranting hasn't chased you away yet and you actually are a glutton for punishment in wanting more - then welcome aboard!
More on Trademarks >> Still bogus
Laurap Linden finally made another SL blog posting on the trademarks issue. It is a consoderably better post with far more detail than the previous efforts. Unfortunately, trademark law is really complicated and a lot of what the law actually allows - for the trademark owner and for the average witness - to be rather relative.
My own gripe is still with the whole idea that Linden Lab, hell, then anyone can make claim to a trademark consisting of two letters of the alphabet - neither being a vowel, hence not even an acronym. And I really don't care what the context is.
At the same time, I consider my self a releasable person and i do recognize that Linden Lab has the full legal right to control the use of their recognized and legal trademarks. So, it is with that that I am leaving SL Review behind.
Fast forward to: http://commonsensible.net
My own gripe is still with the whole idea that Linden Lab, hell, then anyone can make claim to a trademark consisting of two letters of the alphabet - neither being a vowel, hence not even an acronym. And I really don't care what the context is.
7. Does Linden Lab have exclusive rights in the letters “SL” combined? Is any use of “SL” in a product or service name, business or organization name, or domain name going to be a trademark issue?Yes, we have trademark rights in “SL” in connection with our virtual world goods and services. Any use of “SL” cannot infringe or dilute our trademark. Uses in brand names that are likely to present trademark issues include (but aren’t limited to) those where “SL” refers to “Second Life” and the use doesn’t comply with our license to use “SL”, and those uses for or related to virtual world goods or services.
More on Trademarks « Official Second Life Blog
At the same time, I consider my self a releasable person and i do recognize that Linden Lab has the full legal right to control the use of their recognized and legal trademarks. So, it is with that that I am leaving SL Review behind.
Fast forward to: http://commonsensible.net
Apple Computer, Inc. officially in Second Life?
Very difficult to say. However, [Tateru Nino] MACNN has discovered a patent application filed by Apple Computer, Inc. that clearly describes an online shopping atmosphere and in the details, very strong clues to a 3D world.Is this world Second Life or is it going to be something proprietary or a mixture of both? For now, who knows? But, no matter if it's Second Life, There, Vastpark or even World of Warcraft - if any commercial company can make a damned good go of their presence ina virtual world, Apple Computer - Steve Jobs and company can do it.
So what does any of this have to do with Apple? Simply put, one of Apple’s latest patents presents us with a number of clues that indeed indicate that they’re creating some kind of a virtual world environment in their labs at this very moment. Note here in their patent FIG. 9 where they’re clearly presenting the notion of it being “sunny.” Although that may sound strange, Apple’s patent goes on to clarify that by stating that “environmental/atmospheric indicators are also included.MacNN | MacNN | The Macintosh News Network
Finding Sophrosyne - SILENCE = DEATH
So, the SL bloggers are all on strike in protest of SL's newest policies on branding. Uh, sure you really want to do that? At least that's what I was thinking when I heard the prosecution planned to have O.J. Simpson 'wear the glove'. It's too easy to fake it not fitting.
It's almost the same with the blogger strike.
Here's the deal: many of the bloggers who focus on Second Life are complaining about Linden Lab's new branding policies. The main gist is according to Linden Lab, you aren't allowed to use the words Second Life without the 'registered trademark' symbol, commonly shown as a circle-R: "®".
The same with other marks Linden Lab lays claim to, specifically "inSL" being a trademarked term. Linden Lab also claims the initials "SL" also is a trademarked term. Personally, I disagree and simply refuse to put any marks next to a pair of initials.
So the bloggers are up in arms against Linden Lab because they have given 90-days for any corrections to be made. So, in 'protest', these bloggers are going on strike for a couple weeks or so.
Not a good idea
It's almost the same with the blogger strike.
Here's the deal: many of the bloggers who focus on Second Life are complaining about Linden Lab's new branding policies. The main gist is according to Linden Lab, you aren't allowed to use the words Second Life without the 'registered trademark' symbol, commonly shown as a circle-R: "®".
The same with other marks Linden Lab lays claim to, specifically "inSL" being a trademarked term. Linden Lab also claims the initials "SL" also is a trademarked term. Personally, I disagree and simply refuse to put any marks next to a pair of initials.
So the bloggers are up in arms against Linden Lab because they have given 90-days for any corrections to be made. So, in 'protest', these bloggers are going on strike for a couple weeks or so.
Not a good idea
Your2ndPlace's Ciaran Laval gets it right
Ciaran Laval has made an excellent post over at Your2ndPlace blog. I began replying to his wonderful insight and my reply became so long, I felt it better to simply post it here. It wouldn't be right for me to scrape his post and reposition it here (I wouldn't want anyone else to do such a thing to me) - so I suggest you read his wonderful perspective, then, I hope you will return here to read the rest of this entry:
I concur about how the blogger 'strike' is simply ridiculous. They are punishing their readers in the guise of punishing Linden Lab. In other words, they are doing to their customers what they complain to Linden Lab about doing to them. Frankly, I find it humorous.
"There is of course the issue that some bloggers have chosen to strike during this period. A three day strike from April 15th to April 18th. The strike is aimed at highlighting the issue of the lack of a response over the trademarking policy. The thing is, if it wasn't for those bloggers who aren't on strike talking about this, this strike would be getting less publicity. I really don't see the point of a blog strike unless you're striking against the people whom you're writing for. The pen is mightier than the sword."
http://www.your2ndplace.com/node/1105
http://www.your2ndplace.com/node/1105
I concur about how the blogger 'strike' is simply ridiculous. They are punishing their readers in the guise of punishing Linden Lab. In other words, they are doing to their customers what they complain to Linden Lab about doing to them. Frankly, I find it humorous.
Copybot and Prim Copiers-From the Horses Mouth
There are knee-jerk reactions all the time with regard to prim-copiers... and even copybot. As for copybot... (based on what I understand about it) it's clunky and difficult to use and really not all that reliable all the time with regard to making 'clean' copies.
As for prim copiers (a.k.a. prim duplicators) - I have one of these and use it all the time. There really are legitimate uses. I'll give you a perfect example: I create something and want to give it to Naoki to sell. I'm the creator and, as a matter of habit I also put comments in the description field of each object.
When I'm ready, I use my prim copier to copy the creation and 'convert' it to her name. She becomes the creator of my build and all the comments are changed on each prim, (it becomes her creation because I use a box I had her create, which is used to build the copy.)
But yet, the shrill shoutbacks are ear-splitting.
Well, that argument holds true for CD/DVD burners, VHS Video tapes, even iPod or other music players.
So - should we banish all CD/DVD recorders and punish everyone just because there are a handful (percentage-wise) of users that abuse the technology to steal?
Laurap Linden said what I've been saying all along:
As for prim copiers (a.k.a. prim duplicators) - I have one of these and use it all the time. There really are legitimate uses. I'll give you a perfect example: I create something and want to give it to Naoki to sell. I'm the creator and, as a matter of habit I also put comments in the description field of each object.
When I'm ready, I use my prim copier to copy the creation and 'convert' it to her name. She becomes the creator of my build and all the comments are changed on each prim, (it becomes her creation because I use a box I had her create, which is used to build the copy.)
But yet, the shrill shoutbacks are ear-splitting.
'It is better to deny everyone the use of a good tool, simply because it could be used for plagiarism.'
Well, that argument holds true for CD/DVD burners, VHS Video tapes, even iPod or other music players.
So - should we banish all CD/DVD recorders and punish everyone just because there are a handful (percentage-wise) of users that abuse the technology to steal?
Laurap Linden said what I've been saying all along:
Windows 2008 in Second Life
Just a small blurb from Microsofties who make word, indirectly of course, that Microsoft might be a little jealous of IBM's recent announcements about what they're doing in SL. Not as much of a hooplah even, but just the same, the bigwigs still think Second Life has some value.
Second Life and a Windows 2008 Launch....
Not everyone has been able to make it to one of our Live Windows 2008 Launch events. So a small group of us here at Microsoft are heading into Second Life world to deliver our launch content. We will be "in world" on April 26th to deliver our full launch presentations that you would see at any "real world" launch event.
Second Life and a Windows 2008 Launch....
Blogged with the Flock Browser
More uninformed journalists informing the public :\
Okay class, today's lesson is the word 'Oxymoron'. yes, we've all heard it before: Government Intelligence; Jumbo Shrimp and so on. How about Informed Journalist?
I present for your evaluation the following two paragraphs:
No changes or funny business by me. These two paragraphs literally appear as the first two paragraphs in the story. Additionally, I really don't think it's the author who fumbled. But rather the editor. It is they who write the headlines and hack and whack what once may have been a good story into what sometimes turns out to be an oxymoronic jumble of noodles.
I'm not pointing this story out to be mean or cruel. hell, I do this all the time. I just though it a cute chuckle and wanted to share that chuckle. :)
Oh - and this is the actual headline - it's what grabbed my attention. If this were actually the case, wouldn't it grab your attention, too?
I present for your evaluation the following two paragraphs:
This summer, the School of Business is offering a class that will teach students how to create an online, virtual world where characters can talk, do business and make money.
John Artz, a professor of Web-based systems development, will virtually introduce students to the GW Island, a place in Second Life, and teach them how to create and use business models in this new environment. His students will travel all over the "world" to conduct virtual business in the "Marketplace," but in reality, the 40 student, two-session class will take place in a computer lab, he said.
No changes or funny business by me. These two paragraphs literally appear as the first two paragraphs in the story. Additionally, I really don't think it's the author who fumbled. But rather the editor. It is they who write the headlines and hack and whack what once may have been a good story into what sometimes turns out to be an oxymoronic jumble of noodles.
I'm not pointing this story out to be mean or cruel. hell, I do this all the time. I just though it a cute chuckle and wanted to share that chuckle. :)
Oh - and this is the actual headline - it's what grabbed my attention. If this were actually the case, wouldn't it grab your attention, too?
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, Media
O - noez! Torley the sales man! LOL
New bundle of unexpected tutorials presented by Torley Linden today. Unexpected because his 'quicktips' usually surface on Tuesdays and Weekly Tips are usually Fridays. But today in Monday and there is now another set: the Infomercial Tutorials! Woot!At the end of his post is where the ad comes in:
"You can buy the SpaceNavigator Personal Edition (which also works with 100+ other applications like Photoshop and Google Earth) at a typical price of US$50-60 at a number of places..."
Now I know at first glance it looks like I'm complaining. Not at all! :)
Actually, I thinks it great that these versions of tutorial appear. There are a lot of add-on hardware peripheral devices that are finally starting to appear with Second Life functionality built-in (even if the product itself has been around for awhile.)
I have a similar device that is designed for video editing (my first life forté) and it's basically the same thing, except the dial doesn't rock forward and back or side-to-side and doesn't pull-up (it does act as a button, though). It's specifically designed for Finalcut Pro and Sony Vegas among pther higher-end video editing apps, not "gaming' software. Yes, I said it. "Gaming" software, because we all know the manufacturers of these devices lump SL into the same bin as WoW.
Oh well.
Check out Torley's awesome as usual tutorials, even if you don't already have one of these things. The presentation is always so entertaining whether you want the info that's presented or not.
And I wish Torley would slow-down. I promised him a DVD with all these tutorials. It's all I can do to keep-up! Hey, Torley... slow down and give me a chance to take a breath! LOL
4 *fun* SPACENAVIGATOR (3D mouse) video tutorials! « Official Second Life Blog
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, Linden Lab
More uninformed journalists informing the public :\
Okay class, today's lesson is the word 'Oxymoron'. yes, we've all heard it before: Government Intelligence; Jumbo Shrimp and so on. How about Informed Journalist?
I present for your evaluation the following two paragraphs:
No changes or funny business by me. These two paragraphs literally appear as the first two paragraphs in the story. Additionally, I really don't think it's the author who fumbled. But rather the editor. It is they who write the headlines and hack and whack what once may have been a good story into what sometimes turns out to be an oxymoronic jumble of noodles.
I'm not pointing this story out to be mean or cruel. hell, I do this all the time. I just though it a cute chuckle and wanted to share that chuckle. :)
Oh - and this is the actual headline - it's what grabbed my attention. If this were actually the case, wouldn't it grab your attention, too?
I present for your evaluation the following two paragraphs:
This summer, the School of Business is offering a class that will teach students how to create an online, virtual world where characters can talk, do business and make money.
John Artz, a professor of Web-based systems development, will virtually introduce students to the GW Island, a place in Second Life, and teach them how to create and use business models in this new environment. His students will travel all over the "world" to conduct virtual business in the "Marketplace," but in reality, the 40 student, two-session class will take place in a computer lab, he said.
No changes or funny business by me. These two paragraphs literally appear as the first two paragraphs in the story. Additionally, I really don't think it's the author who fumbled. But rather the editor. It is they who write the headlines and hack and whack what once may have been a good story into what sometimes turns out to be an oxymoronic jumble of noodles.
I'm not pointing this story out to be mean or cruel. hell, I do this all the time. I just though it a cute chuckle and wanted to share that chuckle. :)
Oh - and this is the actual headline - it's what grabbed my attention. If this were actually the case, wouldn't it grab your attention, too?
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, Media
Copybot & Prim Copiers - Oh NOEZ!!! END OF THE WORLDZ
There are knee-jerk reactions all the time with regard to prim-copiers... and even copybot. As for copybot... (based on what I understand about it) it's clunky and difficult to use and really not all that reliable all the time with regard to making 'clean' copies.
As for prim copiers (a.k.a. prim duplicators) - I have one of these and use it all the time. There really are legitimate uses. I'll give you a perfect example: I create something and want to give it to my partner to sell. I'm the creator and, as a matter of habit I also put comments in the description field of each object.
When I'm ready, I use my prim copier to copy the creation and 'convert' it to her name. She becomes the creator of my build and all the comments are changed on each prim, (it becomes her creation because I use a box I had her create, which is used to build the copy.)
But yet, the shrill shoutbacks are ear-splitting.
So - should we banish all CD/DVD recorders and punish everyone just because there are a handful of users that abuse the technology to steal?
Laurap Linden said what I've been saying all along:
As for removing 'illegal' copies of 'products' from the asset server, I imagine this is a daunting task, as everything is based on a uID (a.k.a. UUID (Unique Identifier or Universally Unique Identifier)) code. So, for all of you demanding LL remove stolen copies of assets from the assets servers - how about you do your part and provide all the UUID codes of the 'stolen' assets to them so they know exactly what it is you want deleted?
Either way, it's a very good blog entry and kudos to Laurap Linden for posting it.
[Update: Recently (June, 2008) Linden Lab did you a 'universal' takedown regarding all products created by two users. And in doing so, Linden Lab whacked about 20% of all sex beds and furniture rezzed in-world on the entire grid. And those scripts were fully legitimate and legal open source.
So, all you whiners: be damned careful what you wish for. Idiots.]
Source
As for prim copiers (a.k.a. prim duplicators) - I have one of these and use it all the time. There really are legitimate uses. I'll give you a perfect example: I create something and want to give it to my partner to sell. I'm the creator and, as a matter of habit I also put comments in the description field of each object.
When I'm ready, I use my prim copier to copy the creation and 'convert' it to her name. She becomes the creator of my build and all the comments are changed on each prim, (it becomes her creation because I use a box I had her create, which is used to build the copy.)
But yet, the shrill shoutbacks are ear-splitting.
'It is better to deny everyone the use of a good tool, simply because it could be used for plagiarism.'Well, that argument also holds true for CD/DVD burners, VHS Video tapes, even iPod or other music players. Stupid fucktard, you show what a dumb-ass genius you are.
So - should we banish all CD/DVD recorders and punish everyone just because there are a handful of users that abuse the technology to steal?
Laurap Linden said what I've been saying all along:
"We’re sometimes asked why Residents are allowed to have or sell copying devices. The answer is that there are legitimate uses of a copying mechanism. It’s the infringement that we don’t allow and won’t tolerate."I think it's a crying shame that Linden Lab feels they need to publish the "how to protect your copyrighted materials' on the blog, along with instructions on the DMCA process. The shame isn't on Linden Lab, it's on the residents who lash-out on the blog talkbacks. I am not referring to those people who crucify LL for not taking action, such as removing stolen copies of 'products' from the asset server, but rather those who don't seem to understand that all this information is already available, if they'd only do a little bit of research. And they wonder why they are dumb-ass fucktards. Because you're a lazy lard-ass, idiot.
As for removing 'illegal' copies of 'products' from the asset server, I imagine this is a daunting task, as everything is based on a uID (a.k.a. UUID (Unique Identifier or Universally Unique Identifier)) code. So, for all of you demanding LL remove stolen copies of assets from the assets servers - how about you do your part and provide all the UUID codes of the 'stolen' assets to them so they know exactly what it is you want deleted?
Either way, it's a very good blog entry and kudos to Laurap Linden for posting it.
[Update: Recently (June, 2008) Linden Lab did you a 'universal' takedown regarding all products created by two users. And in doing so, Linden Lab whacked about 20% of all sex beds and furniture rezzed in-world on the entire grid. And those scripts were fully legitimate and legal open source.
So, all you whiners: be damned careful what you wish for. Idiots.]
Source
SL Supporting RL? You Live Dangerously
So many people claim to be making a lot of real money inside Second Life. These are the whiners on the SL blog, every chance they get, regardless if the post is relevant or not. In fact, their diatribe whining sounds shrill most of the time and in many cases is completely laughable and only exposes them for the dumb-ass fucktards they really are.
"It is better to let people think you a fool, rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
This happens so much on the SL blog, it's a wonder Linden Lab even bothers continuing to use the blog. [Update August, 2008: Linden Lab has bailed on the blog. All communication is back through the forums. Again.] For instance, when it was announced how Linden Lab will lower to price of new private estate sales to $1000, down from $1700 (rounded). The shrill rhetoric and whining was an absolute hoot to read. As I've already mentioned, when the stock market crashes, it won't affect you in the least, until you sell.
So the claims that the 'value' of their 'investments' were instantly diminished by 40% or more is a ridiculous claim. Even if the price of new sims didn't fall, it was a really piss-poor 'investment' to begin with because a 'used' island never, ever sells for anywhere near what the original purchase price was.
There also are a lot of shrill whining about how unstable the grid is, and complaints about how the asset servers are 'screwing up business' and all that tripe. Hey, I have the same complaints. But my complaints are because I am a premium member and I want the fun I am paying for - not the frustration caused by these glitches.
However, when these so-called 'business' people whine and complain about the instabilities of the grid whacking their businesses and it costs them 'livlihood' - then I have to laugh. Because a serious real life business based inside SL it a really stupid proposition.
But this also brings to mind - every time these people cash-out, that is to say: convert their Linden Dollars to Legal Currency, are they reporting and paying their taxes? I've been saying for a long time now that taxes are coming to Second Life - it's only a matter of time before congress and all the greedy politicians who can't keep from groping our collective asses while reaching into our back pockets find an excuse to do it.
Since I suspect most are not... I foresee some serious trouble for them down the road. There is a pretty good article about how money-laundering is a pretty ridiculous concept when it comes to siphoning legal tender through Second Life. However, reading between the lines (as Congress certainly must be) - I see the loophole they are looking for, and the virtual paper trail that will eventually bite a lot of people in the hind-quarters.
Overall, it's a pretty good read. Here is a talkback comment to that article (link to the article below):
"It is better to let people think you a fool, rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
This happens so much on the SL blog, it's a wonder Linden Lab even bothers continuing to use the blog. [Update August, 2008: Linden Lab has bailed on the blog. All communication is back through the forums. Again.] For instance, when it was announced how Linden Lab will lower to price of new private estate sales to $1000, down from $1700 (rounded). The shrill rhetoric and whining was an absolute hoot to read. As I've already mentioned, when the stock market crashes, it won't affect you in the least, until you sell.
So the claims that the 'value' of their 'investments' were instantly diminished by 40% or more is a ridiculous claim. Even if the price of new sims didn't fall, it was a really piss-poor 'investment' to begin with because a 'used' island never, ever sells for anywhere near what the original purchase price was.
There also are a lot of shrill whining about how unstable the grid is, and complaints about how the asset servers are 'screwing up business' and all that tripe. Hey, I have the same complaints. But my complaints are because I am a premium member and I want the fun I am paying for - not the frustration caused by these glitches.
However, when these so-called 'business' people whine and complain about the instabilities of the grid whacking their businesses and it costs them 'livlihood' - then I have to laugh. Because a serious real life business based inside SL it a really stupid proposition.
But this also brings to mind - every time these people cash-out, that is to say: convert their Linden Dollars to Legal Currency, are they reporting and paying their taxes? I've been saying for a long time now that taxes are coming to Second Life - it's only a matter of time before congress and all the greedy politicians who can't keep from groping our collective asses while reaching into our back pockets find an excuse to do it.
Since I suspect most are not... I foresee some serious trouble for them down the road. There is a pretty good article about how money-laundering is a pretty ridiculous concept when it comes to siphoning legal tender through Second Life. However, reading between the lines (as Congress certainly must be) - I see the loophole they are looking for, and the virtual paper trail that will eventually bite a lot of people in the hind-quarters.
Overall, it's a pretty good read. Here is a talkback comment to that article (link to the article below):
"However, the exchange from Linden dollars to U.S. dollars which Linden Lab facilitates *is* a traceable exchange and no different than any real world economic transaction. And since Linden Lab takes out a transaction fee, you can be sure they maintain ledgers which can be reviewed by the IRS or any other country's authorities, as necessary."Source
Making a living from SL business? Careful...
So many people claim to be making a lot of real money inside Second Life. These are the whiners on the SL blog, every chance they get, regardless if the post is relevant or not. In fact, their diatribe whining sounds shrill most of the time and in many cases is completely laughable.
This happens so much on the SL blog, it's laughable. For instance, when it was announced how Linden Lab will lower to price of new private estate sales to $1000, down from $1700 (rounded). The shrill diatribes and whining was an absolute hoot to read. As I've already mentioned, when the stock market crashes, it won't affect you in the least, until you sell.
So the claims that the 'value' of their 'investments' were instantly diminished by 40% or more is a ridiculous claim. Even if the price of new sims didn't fall, it was a really piss-poor 'investment' to begin with because a 'used' island never, ever sells for anywhere near what the original purchase price was.
There also are a lot of shrill whining about how unstable the grid is, and complaints about how the asset servers are 'screwing up business' and all that tripe. Hey, I have the same complaints. But my complaints are because I am a premium member and I want the fun I am paying for - not the frustration caused by these glitches.
However, when these so-called 'business' people whine and complain about the instabilities of the grid whacking their businesses and it costs them 'livlihood' - then I have to laugh. Because a serious real life business based inside SL it a really stupid proposition.
But this also brings to mind - every time these people cash-out, that is to say: convert their Linden Dollars to Legal Currency, are they reporting and paying their taxes? I've been saying for a long time now that taxes are coming to Second Life - it's only a matter of time before congress and all the greedy politicians who can't keep from groping our collective asses while reaching into our back pockets find an excuse to do it.
Since I suspect most are not... I foresee some serious trouble for them down the road. There is a pretty good article about how money-laundering is a pretty ridiculous concept when it comes to siphoning legal tender through Second Life. However, reading between the lines (as Congress certainly must be) - I see the loophole they are looking for, and the virtual paper trail that will eventually bite a lot of people in the ass.
Overall, it's a pretty good read. Here is a talkback comment to that article (link to the article below):
Full article: Second Life: Better Off Dead?
"It is better to let people think you a fool, rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
This happens so much on the SL blog, it's laughable. For instance, when it was announced how Linden Lab will lower to price of new private estate sales to $1000, down from $1700 (rounded). The shrill diatribes and whining was an absolute hoot to read. As I've already mentioned, when the stock market crashes, it won't affect you in the least, until you sell.
So the claims that the 'value' of their 'investments' were instantly diminished by 40% or more is a ridiculous claim. Even if the price of new sims didn't fall, it was a really piss-poor 'investment' to begin with because a 'used' island never, ever sells for anywhere near what the original purchase price was.
There also are a lot of shrill whining about how unstable the grid is, and complaints about how the asset servers are 'screwing up business' and all that tripe. Hey, I have the same complaints. But my complaints are because I am a premium member and I want the fun I am paying for - not the frustration caused by these glitches.
However, when these so-called 'business' people whine and complain about the instabilities of the grid whacking their businesses and it costs them 'livlihood' - then I have to laugh. Because a serious real life business based inside SL it a really stupid proposition.
But this also brings to mind - every time these people cash-out, that is to say: convert their Linden Dollars to Legal Currency, are they reporting and paying their taxes? I've been saying for a long time now that taxes are coming to Second Life - it's only a matter of time before congress and all the greedy politicians who can't keep from groping our collective asses while reaching into our back pockets find an excuse to do it.
Since I suspect most are not... I foresee some serious trouble for them down the road. There is a pretty good article about how money-laundering is a pretty ridiculous concept when it comes to siphoning legal tender through Second Life. However, reading between the lines (as Congress certainly must be) - I see the loophole they are looking for, and the virtual paper trail that will eventually bite a lot of people in the ass.
Overall, it's a pretty good read. Here is a talkback comment to that article (link to the article below):
"However, the exchange from Linden dollars to U.S. dollars which Linden Lab facilitates *is* a traceable exchange and no different than any real world economic transaction. And since Linden Lab takes out a transaction fee, you can be sure they maintain ledgers which can be reviewed by the IRS or any other country's authorities, as necessary."
Full article: Second Life: Better Off Dead?
Taxes in Second Life? Yes! H. R. Block offers advice in-world
Many commercial organizations have ventured into Second Life, many flopping badly. Mostly due to the fire-and-forget attitude of slapping some advertising up and walking away, expecting others to start falling over themselves in droves to their doorsteps in real life.
Other corporations are finding other uses for Second Life. IBM, Cisco and other high-profile technology companies are here, using it as a technology-enhanced way of doing internal business - such a virtual meetings and project management. Educational institutions are here, again for a myriad of reasons.
However, 'main stream' companies are still trying to figure out what to do in world that enhances their business plan and the ultimate goal: gaining new customers.
It seems H & R Block has found a way. Offer tax advice to residents.
There are other companies figuring 'it' out, too. There is a good article that highlights them and what they seem to be doing right.
A quote from the H & R Block portion:
Virtual Worlds: Taking a Second Look at How Business Is Done
Other corporations are finding other uses for Second Life. IBM, Cisco and other high-profile technology companies are here, using it as a technology-enhanced way of doing internal business - such a virtual meetings and project management. Educational institutions are here, again for a myriad of reasons.
However, 'main stream' companies are still trying to figure out what to do in world that enhances their business plan and the ultimate goal: gaining new customers.
It seems H & R Block has found a way. Offer tax advice to residents.
There are other companies figuring 'it' out, too. There is a good article that highlights them and what they seem to be doing right.
A quote from the H & R Block portion:
"We think it's fascinating," said Paula Drum, vice president of marketing for digital tax services, who first had the idea to create a presence in Second Life. "But we also think taxes are fascinating, so we may be a little skewed."
"A lot of what led us to Second Life is that the people who play in this virtual world are people we call early adopters, or technology advocates," she said. "They were a prime audience for us to explore."
Virtual Worlds: Taking a Second Look at How Business Is Done
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Impirational, First Life
ZOMFG!!! Estate Owners Are HOZED!!!
Okay - so Linden Lab is lowering the price of Private Regions, A.K.A. "Islands" or "sims".
It's really pissed-off a lot of people. Though I really don't know why. The same is happening with mainland regions, often known simply as "mainland sims". Now, for those land barons who stay entirely away from private estates and do all their business on the mainland sim - this will eventually hurt.
But for the estate owners - please - don't whine. I saw a comment on Your2ndPlace today, where someone actually tried (yes, tried) to proclaim they lost $17,000 (U.S.) value by that announcement. What bunk and drivel. First, if you lost even a single penny of real life legal tender, then you are one stupid fuckwad. Stay the hell away from the stock markets or you'll lose the hair off your back and groin in two blinks.
First of all, where do you derive that amount from to begin with? Are you saying your name is Anshe Chung? Excuse me while I roll my eyes and sigh insultingly before breaking into hysterical laughter.
And here's the funniest part of their comment - they ended with this (The following is my reply - with a bit of reediting for this post:):
Or, do you remain calm and simply sit on what you have?
When the stock market takes a nose-dive, you haven't lost a single cent... until you sell.
The same is true with private islands. Until you sell - they haven't lost any value. Unless of course, you are a land-flipper like Sarah Nerd on the mainland. Now, I really do feel for her because she was playing the actual real estate business. Anyone doing the 'land baron' thing with estates got hurt, though I haven't heard of anyone doing that, because private regions usually sell for less that the cost of a new one, no matter what.
I own an island and the price drop doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, it's encouraging me (read; making it damned tempting) to buy that second island I've been thinking about for so long.
What I'm worried about is the statement that "maintenance fees" (read: estate tiers to Linden Lab) will be "reevaluated in Q3" So, I can hold my breath and chew my nails worrying about it, or just take it in stride, trying to enjoy as much fun in SL as I can muster.
Linden Lab Announcement
It's really pissed-off a lot of people. Though I really don't know why. The same is happening with mainland regions, often known simply as "mainland sims". Now, for those land barons who stay entirely away from private estates and do all their business on the mainland sim - this will eventually hurt.
But for the estate owners - please - don't whine. I saw a comment on Your2ndPlace today, where someone actually tried (yes, tried) to proclaim they lost $17,000 (U.S.) value by that announcement. What bunk and drivel. First, if you lost even a single penny of real life legal tender, then you are one stupid fuckwad. Stay the hell away from the stock markets or you'll lose the hair off your back and groin in two blinks.
First of all, where do you derive that amount from to begin with? Are you saying your name is Anshe Chung? Excuse me while I roll my eyes and sigh insultingly before breaking into hysterical laughter.
And here's the funniest part of their comment - they ended with this (The following is my reply - with a bit of reediting for this post:):
HE sez: "And through all this, I have never taken a dime out of SL for myself - I wanted to grow something, build something neat."
Me sez: "Ummm... okay, so continue building it. Does the sudden price in private estates have some unexpected effect that is causing you to not build things and grow your dream? It's just like the stock markets. When they take a nose-dive, what do you do? Do you bail as fast as you can and dump everything for whatever you can get from them to salvage it what you can?"
Or, do you remain calm and simply sit on what you have?
When the stock market takes a nose-dive, you haven't lost a single cent... until you sell.
The same is true with private islands. Until you sell - they haven't lost any value. Unless of course, you are a land-flipper like Sarah Nerd on the mainland. Now, I really do feel for her because she was playing the actual real estate business. Anyone doing the 'land baron' thing with estates got hurt, though I haven't heard of anyone doing that, because private regions usually sell for less that the cost of a new one, no matter what.
I own an island and the price drop doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, it's encouraging me (read; making it damned tempting) to buy that second island I've been thinking about for so long.
What I'm worried about is the statement that "maintenance fees" (read: estate tiers to Linden Lab) will be "reevaluated in Q3" So, I can hold my breath and chew my nails worrying about it, or just take it in stride, trying to enjoy as much fun in SL as I can muster.
Linden Lab Announcement
Estate Owners Lose BIG BUCKS! OMG!!! Pffft.
Okay - so Linden Lab is lowering the price of Private Regions, A.K.A. "Islands".It's really pissed-off a lot of people. Though I really don't know why. The same is happening with mainland regions, often known simply as "mainland sims". Now, for those land barons who stay entirely away from private estates and do all their business on the mainland sim - this will eventually hurt.
But for the estate owners - please - don't whine. I saw a comment on Your2ndPlace today, where someone actually tried (yes, tried) to proclaim they lost $17,000 (U.S.) value by that announcement. What bunk and drivel.
First of all, where do you derive that amount from to begin with? Are you saying your name is Anshe Chung? Excuse me while I roll my eyes and sigh insultingly.
And here's the funniest part of their comment - they ended with this (The following is my reply - with a bit of reediting for this post:):
"And through all this, I have never taken a dime out of SL for myself - I wanted to grow something, build something neat."
Ummm... okay, so continue building it. Does the sudden price in private estates have some unexpected effect that is causing you to not build things and grow your dream? It's just like the stock markets. When they take a nose-dive, what do you do? Do you bail as fast as you can and dump everything for whatever you can get from them to salvage it what you can?
Or, do you remain calm and simply sit on what you have?
When the stock market takes a nose-dive, you haven't lost a single cent... until you sell.
The same is true with private islands. Until you sell - they haven't lost any value. Unless of course, you are a land-flipper like Sarah Nerd on the mainland. Now, I really do feel for her because she was playing the actual real estate business. Anyone doing the 'land baron' thing with estates got hurt, though I haven't heard of anyone doing that, because private regions usually sell for less that the cost of a new one, no matter what.
I own an island and the price drop doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, it's encouraging me (read; making it damned tempting) to buy that second island I've been thinking about for so long.
What I'm worried about is the statement that "maintenance fees" (read: estate tiers to Linden Lab) will be "reevaluated in Q3" So, I can hold my breath and chew my nails worrying about it, or just take it in stride, trying to enjoy as much fun in SL as I can muster.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Laughable, Linden Lab
A Second Life 'era' ends
"The Moment of Truth"
Among the more popular, and better known open sourse Second Life Viewers was the Nicholaz versions. They are stable, rock solid and lacked so many crashing and other bugs. For instance, Nicholaz was able to find and fix the problem of attachments ending up in your rectum after a teleport. He found many a memory leak and plugged them. His viewer was a pleasure to use and a model for the lindens to follow.
However, apparently, the Lindens follow no one. Even if it means they travel a bad, bumpy path that leads into toe wrong direction.
Unfortunately, the Nicholaz Viewer is being put to rest.
It's a very sad day for the Second Life experience.
Among the more popular, and better known open sourse Second Life Viewers was the Nicholaz versions. They are stable, rock solid and lacked so many crashing and other bugs. For instance, Nicholaz was able to find and fix the problem of attachments ending up in your rectum after a teleport. He found many a memory leak and plugged them. His viewer was a pleasure to use and a model for the lindens to follow.
However, apparently, the Lindens follow no one. Even if it means they travel a bad, bumpy path that leads into toe wrong direction.
Unfortunately, the Nicholaz Viewer is being put to rest.
It's a very sad day for the Second Life experience.
"Putting off this decision and hoping things would change again did work for some time, but eventually I can't ignore the facts. So let me be straight and say that they way things look now there won't be any new builds from me."
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Disgraceful, Linden Lab
Eclectic News of Second Life
A short, but interesting article in the Times Online (U.K.) about... well, a slightly eclectic article about a few things. It almost looks like they found a three or four sentence blurb and used it as an excuse to publish something about Second Life.The Times of the U.K. seems to have a serious love-hate relationship with Second Life. I believe there is mention of, and likely a dedicated article about SL once a week if not more often. Hey, that's cool.
But this eclectic article does say a couple things of merit:
“We are at a turning point where the technology is just about catching up with what we want to do with it,” says Cockrill, chief executive of Movix. “But I think people have only just begun to see the real possibilities here.”
There is a small mention of new technology that's being worked on: the 'fourth dimension' is what they called it (though we all know the fourth dimension is time - they are referring to touch.)
“Second Life is a totally unstructured world, like Burning Man. You turn up, you don’t know what’s going on, there’s a lot of nude people and an 8ft transvestite. Only about 10% of people are going to get past that.”
Second chance for Second Life - Times Online
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Tags: Secondlife, Socially Mundane, First Life
Vivox to Lipsync: No voice for you
Eric Reuters (Second Life for Reuters News) is in New York at the Virtual Worlds Expo...
I noticed his original news posting about lip syncing before And now an update: Vivox won't open it's stream to 3rd-party developers.
Is it a shame? yes and no.
personally, I don't thinks it's really that big of a deal as to whether the lips on the faces of avatars inside Second Life actually sync to spoken words or not. The current description is that it is as though watching a foreign-language movie that has been dubbed.
I think that's perfectly fine and acceptable. I feel so because more important than my avatar's lips actually matching what I'm saying is the indication that I'm using voice - period. Those with the voice system turned off will have a visual indication that I am using voice and not some vegetating "away' avatar standing like a frozen statue for no reason at all.
Besides, even with a good-sized computer screen, the default perspective views don't allow one to see another's avatar face very clearly to begin with. I would have to manually 'cam' in close to the speaker's face to even come close to being able to see whether their lips are actually synced to what they are saying anyway.
As for lip-syncing technology - it's been around for some time. I remember when "Lips, Inc." (get it? Lips-Inc = Lip-sync) was available for Poser, Studio 3d and many other 3D authoring, modelling and rendering applications. Though I admit, it is fascinating technology that they have found a way to make it work live, 'on-the-fly' in real-time.
I noticed his original news posting about lip syncing before And now an update: Vivox won't open it's stream to 3rd-party developers.
Is it a shame? yes and no.
personally, I don't thinks it's really that big of a deal as to whether the lips on the faces of avatars inside Second Life actually sync to spoken words or not. The current description is that it is as though watching a foreign-language movie that has been dubbed.
I think that's perfectly fine and acceptable. I feel so because more important than my avatar's lips actually matching what I'm saying is the indication that I'm using voice - period. Those with the voice system turned off will have a visual indication that I am using voice and not some vegetating "away' avatar standing like a frozen statue for no reason at all.
Besides, even with a good-sized computer screen, the default perspective views don't allow one to see another's avatar face very clearly to begin with. I would have to manually 'cam' in close to the speaker's face to even come close to being able to see whether their lips are actually synced to what they are saying anyway.
As for lip-syncing technology - it's been around for some time. I remember when "Lips, Inc." (get it? Lips-Inc = Lip-sync) was available for Poser, Studio 3d and many other 3D authoring, modelling and rendering applications. Though I admit, it is fascinating technology that they have found a way to make it work live, 'on-the-fly' in real-time.
Why Second Life Fumbles for Business...
If you've been in SL for awhile, you've become familiar with it's quirkiness. And, you may have forgotten some of the frustration of learning the interface, how to interact with the world and the SL culture. yes, I said SL culture. There really is one.
Now, I've always believe that if you first come into Second Life and can't figure out the viewer interface within say five-minutes (how to walk around for example) then I believe you really don't have much business being there. Or in World of Warcraft. Or practically any 'game'-style anything on a computer.
So, how refreshing it was to read a blog where the author (B. J. Schone of eLearning Weekly) 'finally' took a look at Second Life, and with the issues he has raised, isn't ready to totally give-up on it. What is refreshing to me are his [or her] issues raised: they are smart, intelligent issues that I haven't seen raised in any media description before.
We usually read what some amateur journalist became frustrated with after about five-minutes goofing around in the orientation island. Regularly simple whining and exaggeration to make SL look bad and their article look good, usually in a sarcastic, laughable format.
However, in this posting, the issues are highly plausible ... and genuine. In fact, a couple of them I had not even thought to think of. So, it's a fresh perspective of how plausible Second Life is for any kind of serious business oriented meeting (such as for education or commercial reasons) and presented with refereshing questions that Linden Lab will have to answer.
As for the first issue raised (below) - should I mention to this author that custom surnames are available at $1500 a year and $500 a month (maintenance fee)? Certainly there is an educational institution discount one could look into. :)
Now, I've always believe that if you first come into Second Life and can't figure out the viewer interface within say five-minutes (how to walk around for example) then I believe you really don't have much business being there. Or in World of Warcraft. Or practically any 'game'-style anything on a computer.
So, how refreshing it was to read a blog where the author (B. J. Schone of eLearning Weekly) 'finally' took a look at Second Life, and with the issues he has raised, isn't ready to totally give-up on it. What is refreshing to me are his [or her] issues raised: they are smart, intelligent issues that I haven't seen raised in any media description before.
We usually read what some amateur journalist became frustrated with after about five-minutes goofing around in the orientation island. Regularly simple whining and exaggeration to make SL look bad and their article look good, usually in a sarcastic, laughable format.
However, in this posting, the issues are highly plausible ... and genuine. In fact, a couple of them I had not even thought to think of. So, it's a fresh perspective of how plausible Second Life is for any kind of serious business oriented meeting (such as for education or commercial reasons) and presented with refereshing questions that Linden Lab will have to answer.
As for the first issue raised (below) - should I mention to this author that custom surnames are available at $1500 a year and $500 a month (maintenance fee)? Certainly there is an educational institution discount one could look into. :)
Weird names: Why do I have to take on some goofy alias/username in Second Life? It makes formal meetings and training sessions really difficult because everybody has to reintroduce themselves. I equate this to wearing a mask to a real live meeting; it hinders communication incredibly. (And how are you supposed to take somebody seriously when they’re named Flippy McButterbean?)Source
I.P. Markings Going Too Far
Okay - so it's really cool that Logitech has a three-dimensional (3D) mouse. And, it's cool that it will support Second Life right out of the box. And it's cool that the press release gives a lot of detail. And it's even cool that you'll be able to put your hands on it and test drive it at the Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo... if you happen to be in new York.
What's so funny is that this is a press release that appears to have been written by Logitech, but vetted by Linden Lab. Of course, this is only my opinion and even if I am way off-base here, the main thrust of my diatribe is this:
Isn't it absolutely hilarious how the text copy is simply riddled with intellectual property and trade markings? To me, it actually is a distraction in the reading of it and makes it look sloppy. I know, it's just my opinion. But I find it so, so funny that I am actually, and I mean literally laughing aloud.
Here is the introduction to the press release. And it is interesting information. Check the link at the bottom to read the full document.
What's so funny is that this is a press release that appears to have been written by Logitech, but vetted by Linden Lab. Of course, this is only my opinion and even if I am way off-base here, the main thrust of my diatribe is this:
Isn't it absolutely hilarious how the text copy is simply riddled with intellectual property and trade markings? To me, it actually is a distraction in the reading of it and makes it look sloppy. I know, it's just my opinion. But I find it so, so funny that I am actually, and I mean literally laughing aloud.
Here is the introduction to the press release. And it is interesting information. Check the link at the bottom to read the full document.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at the Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo, 3Dconnexion, a Logitech company, announced that its 3D mouse product line will be supported by the Second Life Grid®, the platform behind the popular online 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab®. 3Dconnexion’s 3D mice – including the award-winning SpaceNavigator™ – will be supported by Second Life beginning in mid-April, offering Second Life residents better control and coordination with 3D objects.Source
Linden Lab Press Releases are so...obvious
Okay - so it's really cool that Logitech has a three-dimensional (3D) mouse. And, it's cool that it will support Second Life right out of the box. And it's cool that the press release gives a lot of detail. And it's even cool that you'll be able to put your hands on it and test drive it at the Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo... if you happen to be in new York.
What's so funny is that this is a press release that appears to have been written by Logitech, but vetted by Linden Lab. Of course, this is only my opinion and even if I am way off-base here, the main thrust of my diatribe is this:
Isn't it absolutely hilarious how the text copy is simply riddled with intellectual property and trade markings? To me, it actually is a distraction in the reading of it and makes it look sloppy. I know, it's just my opinion. But I find it so, so funny that I am actually, and I mean literally laughing aloud.
Here is the introduction to the press release. And it is interesting information. Check the link at the bottom to read the full document.
3Dconnexion 3D Mice Coming to Second Life
What's so funny is that this is a press release that appears to have been written by Logitech, but vetted by Linden Lab. Of course, this is only my opinion and even if I am way off-base here, the main thrust of my diatribe is this:
Isn't it absolutely hilarious how the text copy is simply riddled with intellectual property and trade markings? To me, it actually is a distraction in the reading of it and makes it look sloppy. I know, it's just my opinion. But I find it so, so funny that I am actually, and I mean literally laughing aloud.
Here is the introduction to the press release. And it is interesting information. Check the link at the bottom to read the full document.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at the Virtual Worlds Conference and Expo, 3Dconnexion, a Logitech company, announced that its 3D mouse product line will be supported by the Second Life Grid®, the platform behind the popular online 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab®. 3Dconnexion’s 3D mice – including the award-winning SpaceNavigator™ – will be supported by Second Life beginning in mid-April, offering Second Life residents better control and coordination with 3D objects.
3Dconnexion 3D Mice Coming to Second Life
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Tags: SecondLife, Socially Inspirational, First Life
A fresh perspective from a new user...
If you've been in SL for awhile, you've become familiar with it's quirkiness. And, you may have forgotten some of the frustration of learning the interface, how to interact with the world and the SL culture. yes, I said SL culture. There really is one.
Now, I've always believe that if you first come into Second Life and can't figure out the viewer interface within say five-minutes (how to walk around for example) then I believe you really don't have much business being there. Or in World of Warcraft. Or practically any 'game'-style anything on a computer.
So, how refreshing it was to read a blog where the author (B. J. Schone of eLearning Weekly) 'finally' took a look at Second Life, and with the issues he has raised, isn't ready to totally give-up on it. What is refreshing to me are his [or her] issues raised: they are smart, intelligent issues that I haven't seen raised in any media description before.
We usually read what some amateur journalist became frustrated with after about five-minutes goofing around in the orientation island. Regularly simple whining and exaggeration to make SL look bad and their article look good, usually in a sarcastic, laughable format.
Now, I've always believe that if you first come into Second Life and can't figure out the viewer interface within say five-minutes (how to walk around for example) then I believe you really don't have much business being there. Or in World of Warcraft. Or practically any 'game'-style anything on a computer.
So, how refreshing it was to read a blog where the author (B. J. Schone of eLearning Weekly) 'finally' took a look at Second Life, and with the issues he has raised, isn't ready to totally give-up on it. What is refreshing to me are his [or her] issues raised: they are smart, intelligent issues that I haven't seen raised in any media description before.
We usually read what some amateur journalist became frustrated with after about five-minutes goofing around in the orientation island. Regularly simple whining and exaggeration to make SL look bad and their article look good, usually in a sarcastic, laughable format.
Second Life as strictly a host
And so it begins...
it's the move we all knew Linden Lab would make... eventually. That is to simply be a host to the virtual world... supplying servers and resources and that's about it.
Big Guns IBM has the cash and weight to throw around to basically get Linden Lab to do whatever IBM wants. And so, it begins...
The Technology Chronicles : IBM will host own private area on Second Life
UPDATE: Per Reuters - IBM will host the regions on their own servers -
http://secondlife.reuters.com/stories/2008/04/02/ibm-to-host-private-second-life-regions/
it's the move we all knew Linden Lab would make... eventually. That is to simply be a host to the virtual world... supplying servers and resources and that's about it.
Big Guns IBM has the cash and weight to throw around to basically get Linden Lab to do whatever IBM wants. And so, it begins...
IBM will host own private area on Second Life
IBM will be the first company to stake out a custom area of virtual world Second Life and deploy it behind its own firewall. IBM plans on using its private piece of Second Life to enable secure, rich communciation[sic], collaboration and content creation among its employees.
The announcement today, ahead of the Virtual Worlds Conference 2008 this week, signals a potentially new direction for San Francisco's Linden Lab, which created Second Life. By giving companies and organizations the ability to deploy its Second Life Grid with their own servers, it's opening up the concept of virtual worlds to a wider audience, helping drive adoption.
The Technology Chronicles : IBM will host own private area on Second Life
UPDATE: Per Reuters - IBM will host the regions on their own servers -
http://secondlife.reuters.com/stories/2008/04/02/ibm-to-host-private-second-life-regions/
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, Linden Lab
THE Second Life VIRTUAL WORLD on Samsung
According to Business Wire, it's official... and not just playing around. Apparently Samsung is sold on the idea that there are those of us who absolutely cannot get enough of Second Life that we will actually go in-world through a telephone.
I won't elaborate - here's the quote from the story:
Okay so how supid does it look after I've highlited where the quote follows Linden Lab so-called 'rules' to using their trademarked terms compared to NOT doing the same for other companies recognized trademarks?
Wow.
Simple... wow.
Head over to take a peek at the whole article:
I won't elaborate - here's the quote from the story:
The latest in a series of tools designed to enrich the Second Life Grid®, the platform behind the popular 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab®, Samsung (WAIT! Where is SAMSUNGS CIRCLE-R???) brings the Second Life virtual world to Samsung mobile phones. With the Second Life client available on Samsung’s mobile handsets, users can enjoy many services from the Second Life virtual world whenever and wherever. Unique features of the Second Life client on Samsung’s mobile handsets include a mixed blogging platform that allows users to post their blog simultaneously in the real world and the virtual world of Second Life, and the Samsung Mixed Contact feature which allows users to have mixed world contact by communicating with avatar friends via voice or SMS. The Second Life client on Samsung’s mobile handsets is compatible with Windows Mobile devices. Samsung developed its mobile application for the Second Life world based on the open source client from Linden Lab (whoops! No circle-r here!) and has plans to allow mobile handsets in the U.S. to access the Second Life world before the end of the year.
Okay so how supid does it look after I've highlited where the quote follows Linden Lab so-called 'rules' to using their trademarked terms compared to NOT doing the same for other companies recognized trademarks?
Wow.
Simple... wow.
Head over to take a peek at the whole article:
Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, First Life
Second Life® on Samsung
According to Business Wire, it's official... and not just playing around. Apparently Samsung is sold on the idea that there are those of us who absolutely cannot get enough of Second Life that we will actually go in-world through a telephone.
I won't elaborate - here's the quote from the story:
Head over to take a peek at the whole article:
I won't elaborate - here's the quote from the story:
The latest in a series of tools designed to enrich the Second Life Grid®, the platform behind the popular 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab®, Samsung brings the Second Life virtual world to Samsung mobile phones. With the Second Life client available on Samsung’s mobile handsets, users can enjoy many services from the Second Life virtual world whenever and wherever. Unique features of the Second Life client on Samsung’s mobile handsets include a mixed blogging platform that allows users to post their blog simultaneously in the real world and the virtual world of Second Life, and the Samsung Mixed Contact feature which allows users to have mixed world contact by communicating with avatar friends via voice or SMS. The Second Life client on Samsung’s mobile handsets is compatible with Windows Mobile devices. Samsung developed its mobile application for the Second Life world based on the open source client from Linden Lab and has plans to allow mobile handsets in the U.S. to access the Second Life world before the end of the year.
Head over to take a peek at the whole article:
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Tags: Secondlife, Socially Inspirational, First Life
SL is a trademarked term...?
Ah yes... typical sarcastic blog entry about the clarification post on the Second Life® blog. But, in truth, I've never had a problem with any of it. Except for one simple rule they try to make. My only issue is how can you trademark a pair of initials? My beef is with the trademark claim on the initials "SL". Now, you can trademark them if they are in a particular context, but that requires more words.
So - does "Sign Language" no longer have a right to be truncated to "SL"? What about all the other terms that are truncated this way?
Well, I'm going to go ahead and continue using "SL Review" as the title of this blog. Now according to Linden Lab™ I am breaking the rules. Not so much because I am not using the little "TM" next to it, but rather because I have only one proper noun after those initials and they say I must have two.
The same with my other blog "SL Attitude".
Well - even though this blog focuses on musings from within and about Second Life, my "SL" is simply a truncation of the full title: "Silly Little Review".
Oh, and SL Attitude is really "Seriously Laughable Attitude" - but there's not enough room in the banner to make it look good. So I'll stick with what I have.
So there.
Take that, Linden Lab. :)
More on the Trademark Policy « Official Second Life Blog
So - does "Sign Language" no longer have a right to be truncated to "SL"? What about all the other terms that are truncated this way?
Well, I'm going to go ahead and continue using "SL Review" as the title of this blog. Now according to Linden Lab™ I am breaking the rules. Not so much because I am not using the little "TM" next to it, but rather because I have only one proper noun after those initials and they say I must have two.
The same with my other blog "SL Attitude".
Well - even though this blog focuses on musings from within and about Second Life, my "SL" is simply a truncation of the full title: "Silly Little Review".
Oh, and SL Attitude is really "Seriously Laughable Attitude" - but there's not enough room in the banner to make it look good. So I'll stick with what I have.
So there.
Take that, Linden Lab. :)
3. Can I use SL with my product, domain or organization name?Yes, under our special license to use “SL.” You can use “SL” with your own trademark.
More on the Trademark Policy « Official Second Life Blog
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Tags: SecondLife, SL, Law, Trademark, Copyright, Logo, Awesome
The tax man cometh... soon enough...
No...not "Aprils Fool"...
So, Uncle Phil (Second Life CEO - currently, anyway) went to go sit in front of some congressional meeting yesterday. Not all that sure what those greety, out-of-touch-with-the-real-world politicians are interested about with virtual worlds such as Second Life, There and so on... other than we all know what.
Those Europeans have a totally sucky situation with that VAT forced down their throat. But hey, they created and signed-on with the E.U. - so suck it up and drive-on.
Ahah! But the same is true for the United States. The greedy, lying sacks-of-sh... er... politicians sitting up there on Capitol Hill are the same ones we put there. So, if you think this meeting is just a curiosity thing... you have another think coming.
It's the first baby steps toward being taxed in Second Life (yes, I'm speaking of those in the United States) because they are so greedy and they see and hear claims like "$5-million exchanged hands today in Second Life" - which if you think about it is total bunk.
That would be $5-million U.S. worth of Linden Dollars (L$) - but, according to Linden Lab, the Linden Dollar is a token and has no value. If it has no value, how can it be used to measure any 'legal tender amount for any reason?
And, since the Linden Dollar has 'no value' according to Linden Lab, how can the U.S. Government swing an excuse to tax us?
Oh... they'll find a way. Have no doubts about it.
As for the meet... PC Magazine has a short snippet about how Uncle Phil debunks the idea there are terrorists inside SL. Good for you, Phil. I, like you, think it's a ridiculous notion.
Here's a quote:
Terrorists in Second Life? Hogwash, Says CEO - News and Analysis by PC Magazine
So, Uncle Phil (Second Life CEO - currently, anyway) went to go sit in front of some congressional meeting yesterday. Not all that sure what those greety, out-of-touch-with-the-real-world politicians are interested about with virtual worlds such as Second Life, There and so on... other than we all know what.
Those Europeans have a totally sucky situation with that VAT forced down their throat. But hey, they created and signed-on with the E.U. - so suck it up and drive-on.
Ahah! But the same is true for the United States. The greedy, lying sacks-of-sh... er... politicians sitting up there on Capitol Hill are the same ones we put there. So, if you think this meeting is just a curiosity thing... you have another think coming.
It's the first baby steps toward being taxed in Second Life (yes, I'm speaking of those in the United States) because they are so greedy and they see and hear claims like "$5-million exchanged hands today in Second Life" - which if you think about it is total bunk.
That would be $5-million U.S. worth of Linden Dollars (L$) - but, according to Linden Lab, the Linden Dollar is a token and has no value. If it has no value, how can it be used to measure any 'legal tender amount for any reason?
And, since the Linden Dollar has 'no value' according to Linden Lab, how can the U.S. Government swing an excuse to tax us?
Oh... they'll find a way. Have no doubts about it.
As for the meet... PC Magazine has a short snippet about how Uncle Phil debunks the idea there are terrorists inside SL. Good for you, Phil. I, like you, think it's a ridiculous notion.Here's a quote:
"Though there has certainly been discussion [about terrorism in virtual worlds], we have never seen any evidence that there is any such activity going on in Second Life," Philip Rosedale, founder and CEO of Linden Labs, told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on telecom and the Internet.
Terrorists in Second Life? Hogwash, Says CEO - News and Analysis by PC Magazine
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Tags: SecondLife, SL, Law, Tax, Real Life
Caution: Never Use the Letters "S" and "L" Together Again Without Permission!
Ah yes... typical sarcastic blog entry about the clarification post on the Second Life blog. But, in truth, I've never had a problem with any of it. Except for one simple rule they try to make. My only issue is how can you trademark a pair of initials? My beef is with the trademark claim on the initials "SL". Now, you can trademark them if they are in a particular context, but that requires more words.
Does "Sign Language" no longer have a right to be truncated to "SL"? What about all the other terms that are truncated this way?
Well, I'm going to go ahead and continue using "SL Review" as the title of this blog. [update: Got tired of SL Review by now. Like Linden Lab, this web log is now 'Socially Mundane.] According to Linden Lab's blog entry, I am breaking the rules. Not so much because I am not using the little "TM" next to it, but rather because I have only one proper noun after those initials and they say I must have two.
The same with my other blog "SL Attitude".
Well - even though this blog focuses on musings from within and about Second Life, my "SL" is simply a truncation of the full title: "Silly Little Review". How's that for a quick-fix?
Oh, and SL Attitude is really "Seriously Laughable Attitude" - but there's not enough room in the banner to make it look good. So I'll stick with what I have.
So there.
Take that, Linden Lab. :)
Q: Can I use SL with my product, domain or organization name?
A: Yes, under our special license to use “SL.” You can use “SL” with your own trademark.
Source: More on the Trademark Policy « Official Second Life Blog
Does "Sign Language" no longer have a right to be truncated to "SL"? What about all the other terms that are truncated this way?
Well, I'm going to go ahead and continue using "SL Review" as the title of this blog. [update: Got tired of SL Review by now. Like Linden Lab, this web log is now 'Socially Mundane.] According to Linden Lab's blog entry, I am breaking the rules. Not so much because I am not using the little "TM" next to it, but rather because I have only one proper noun after those initials and they say I must have two.
The same with my other blog "SL Attitude".
Well - even though this blog focuses on musings from within and about Second Life, my "SL" is simply a truncation of the full title: "Silly Little Review". How's that for a quick-fix?
Oh, and SL Attitude is really "Seriously Laughable Attitude" - but there's not enough room in the banner to make it look good. So I'll stick with what I have.
So there.
Take that, Linden Lab. :)
Q: Can I use SL with my product, domain or organization name?
A: Yes, under our special license to use “SL.” You can use “SL” with your own trademark.
Source: More on the Trademark Policy « Official Second Life Blog
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