Interesting Highlights Related to SecondLife This Week
Submitted by Taran on Sat, 05/26/2007 - 01:18
What a week. While I can't write about everything going on, I can write a bit about what's been going on in SecondLife or related to it - and a lot has happened.
Features, and the Promise of Features
Sculpted prims came in SecondLife, which I thought would be interesting. I was interested enough to start playing with Blender on my laptop while I was out running around doing things in the real world. I've got the basics down, and while I'm certainly not a pro I do see some definite limitations - especially within SecondLife itself. Texturing sculptured prims will be a bit of a challenge in some cases, perhaps, but the true limitations as far as I'm concerned is that they cannot be made flexible or tortured. They just... sit there.
But Linden Lab is having a contest where you can win a t-shirt for all the hard work involved. Oh, you have to pay the taxes on $25 US if you win, but that should be a small price to pay for some more laundry.
SecondLife Big Business Changes
Making Your Mark in Second Life: Business, Land, and Money, which I wrote, was released. It is a good resource for first time land buyers and business curious folks new to SecondLife - at $4.99, it's worth a look.
The World Stock Exchange gained some competition - the Allenvest International Exchange (AVIX) opened up on May 22nd, 2007 and has SLReports as their first IPO (you can read up on that here).
While WSE has more in the way of stocks right now, AVIX balances it out with 0.2% interest on cash balances - combining a bank and a stock exchange in one. In fact, that would appear to be the best interest rate in SecondLife as well.
But while we're talking about banks, let's not forget that Touchet Group Corporation had to be rescued because of the following, hidden away on the Second Life website here (emphasis mine):
...If Linden Lab, in its sole discretion, determines that a Second Life user has purchased Linden Dollars for real currency through any means other than LindeX, and that the seller of such Linden Dollars acquired such Linden Dollars through fraudulent means, or any other means in violation of the Terms of Service, then Linden Lab will consider the buying user a complicit party in the fraud or violation. As a penalty for participation in such fraud or violation, Linden Lab will reduce the Linden Dollar balance of the buying Second Life account (and/or any Second Life accounts owned or operated by, or affiliated with, the owner of the buying account), by any amount up to 150% of the amount of Linden Dollars involved in the transaction. In addition, repeated participation in such fraud or violation will result in suspension or cancellation of the buying party's accounts. (The selling account will of course be suspended or cancelled on a single fraud or violation at Linden Lab's discretion.)...
And also, this excerpt from my interview with Lindsay Druart:
[9:16] Nobody Fugazi: OK. 2nd question - What do you think of the 150% penalty inflicted upon SLIB, and do you think banks in SecondLife can mitigate the risk of having fraudulently generated funds deposited?
[9:18] Lindsay Druart: I think linden is justified in trying to combat that, but they have no assistance for the person they take the funds from. i think that is wrong.
[9:18] Lindsay Druart: and for the most part, unless you run a linden exchange, you cannot qualify for risk API.
[9:19] Lindsay Druart: to combat that, i would just have daily trans limits, and monitor large deposits in short time frames
[9:19] Nobody Fugazi: So you're saying Linden Lab policy doesn't scale well for banks at this time?
[9:19] Lindsay Druart: no it doesn't
[9:20] Lindsay Druart: per the TOS, and per billing, they can delete lindens at any time without any reason and we as residents have no recourse
[9:20] Lindsay Druart: we have to do our own policing
So, while banks and stock exchanges are growing within SecondLife - Linden Lab just can't seem to keep up with policy. But that is no surprise, they still haven't been very effective when it comes to the land purchasing and selling issues, not to mention protecting resident privacy.
Real Life and SecondLife
I blogged the Cisco event which was thought provoking - and considering that I was quoted here, maybe I'm not losing my mind. Or maybe a few of us already have. Speaking of which (pun unintended), Babel is coming.
Roleplay sex when your avatar appears below 18 is a no-no. This happened on the heels of a rumor resulting in the closure of one sim. And interestingly, it seems someone claiming to own SLJoe.com has been digging around - perhaps even setting up for a sensationalist story. It wouldn't be the first time SecondLife has seen unscrupulous reporting, so if it is true then it lacks originality.
Mitch Wagner's Linden Lab Needs To Bring In Professional Management even caught Reuters attention1. When Reuters invokes names like Pierre Omidyar and Mitch Kapor, I suppose that is supposed to demonstrate that these people are worth listening to - and yet, either Omidyar or Kapor would probably say something which would be quite novel: Listen to your users.2 Props to Akela Talamasca's article.
I maintain that Linden Lab's bureaucracy has outstripped it's vision - though there is promise that the Support Dungeon may no longer feature the 'Beware of Jaguar' sign. Time will tell.
Last - but certainly not least - comes something from Tateru Nino at SecondLife Insider (which has been on fire lately!) with her article, New precedents may make Linden Lab liable for attempts to restrict content. Will Linden Lab be liable for restricting content in the future?
Several points to ponder going into next week. Let's see what the weekend has in store for us.
1Though Reuters seems to be uninterested in residents losing thousands of dollars on land deals for some reason.
2And honestly, while rich and influential, I don't know that these folks have done anything noteworthy of late. As far as I'm concerned, they are just investors - and Benjamin Franklin would also give good advice were he alive and an investor. But aren't paying customers investors as well?
Response to incorrect reporting
We are very curious as to your source for the story on SLJoe "digging around - perhaps even setting up for a sensationalist story". We are a real life media organization whom is producing the SLJoe show. It is quite amazing as the story regarding under aged role play has not been released, let alone even gone to production. We are still gathering content on this story. How can one claim to be a reporter within there blog, yet report such incorrect statements.
Perhaps the writer should have done his homework to find that the incorrect statements originally serviced from a website in which is owned by a party whom owns on of the schools in which we will be including within our upcoming episode.
As a real life media agency we are members of several journalist associations and unions and abide to the journalist code of ethics. Can the writer claim the same or are we simply talking about a blog writer claiming to be a reporter?
When the episode is finally released, the viewers will be the final judges as to the content gathering steps our agency took to report on this story. While it is noted that based on current legal rulings, we are not required to honor the Linden Labs TOS (Terms of Service) - recently ruling in US courts, our agency has taken the position that we will continue to honor the Linden Labs Terms of Service with regards to photography and video within Second Life.
Shame to see that the internet blogging like this one is tarnishing the journalist and media industry.
SLJoe is a Real Life Media Organization?
Then tell us who 'we' are, oh mysterious one. You're no one. No trail. No authenticity. And where you fail most is that no one actually seems to trust you. And while you're at it, why not post in a place that is relevant? I didn't mention you here because you're not worth mentioning.
You say: "Shame to see that the internet blogging like this one is tarnishing the journalist and media industry."
I say: "Demonstrate authenticity and you will not be held in question."
You can't have it both ways. At least 4 people of good reputations within SecondLife have contacted me and mentioned things about your methods for obtaining stories - and how you were allegedly trying to tarnish their reputations in the hope that you could make a name for yourself. You say you're a representative of a media company...
Which one, boyo? Put up or shut up.
And now we have a better idea of who SLJoe is...
here.
Today's Challenge, Should You Decide to Take It --
A professional writer (okay, "real life media organization ") would not let stand such lines as these - especially given that KnowProSe has required a comment preview before any posting! Today's challenge, should you decide to take it, is to find the flaw in each of these llines, taken from your post:
" 'digging around - perhaps even setting up for a sensationalist story". "
"How can one claim to be a reporter within there blog, yet report such incorrect statements" (2 errors here)
"Perhaps the writer should have done his homework to find that the incorrect statements originally serviced from a website in which is owned by a party whom owns on of the schools in which we will be including within our upcoming episode."
"from a website in which is owned by a party whom owns"
"As a real life media agency we are members of several journalist associations and unions"
"Linden Labs Terms of Service with regards to photography"
"Shame to see that the internet blogging like this one is tarnishing the journalist and media industry."
Based on the above, and the several references to yourself as a "real life media agency," as a writer, I cannot take you seriously. While you may strive to "abide to the journalist code of ethics," you seem to be ignoring proper useage, spelling and grammar. Yet you expect us to believe you? Where are your references? Where are your credentials?
Did you do your own homework? KnowProSe is a published writer; his reviews are well received, his blog articles full of links referencing his statements. He has even done some editing for a well-known publication. Believe me, your vague claims to a 'professional media' career lack credibility based solely on your representation here.
And me? I am in the SL world, albeit on the very edge. I make no claims about my writing ability, but I am also a poet who loves the language. I am afraid of any article you will eventually produce, based on the lack of care you have shown in this post. It shows a lack or respect for your subject, your readers, and for yourself. No credibility.
It bothers me to see "professionals" disregard the rules of the language - and one of the chief rules of writing: proofread.
--Somebody's Mother
Ahh, let him write...
He and his cohorts simply demonstrate their level with each passing sentence. Writing poorly is not a crime - otherwise I would have been locked up long ago (and still run the risk here and there!).
What is amusing is that in all of this, they are shattering their own credibility. The site is simply the rock the glass breaks against. It is a shame, for much hot air apparently went into blowing the glass... :-)
Interesting points...
Knowprose-What exactly is a good reputation in SL? My opinion of someone or a situation may be completely different than yours and so forth, so could you explain that a bit better?
SlJoe-you need to read a bit closer, he said " And interestingly, it seems someone claiming to own SLJoe.com has been digging around - perhaps even setting up for a sensationalist story." He didn't report actual proof of your story, he merely repeated what he had heard. But, you must have missed that part of the sentence, just like you missed your own typos.
A Good Reputation in SL...
is one built on trustworthiness. Everyone knows that.
And if you actually read what I wrote above - he isn't commenting on ANYTHING in the original post. This is his way of getting attention.
There are discussions in the forums which mention him, not to mention in world IMs. There are serious questions about his methods - one of the rumors circulating is that he is using alternates to set up a story on underage roleplay.
As far as his 'story', he didn't 'repeat what he heard'. He claims that he has video evidence, but since avatars can't move their lips, he's obviously editing the video. And since at least one place was closed when he did some 'digging', it really leaves some big questions.
As far as my typos - they are my typos, thank you very much. I think you missed a lot of the underlying story because you were focusing on typos.
*sighs*
Knowprose, you didn't have any typos. I was referring to SLJoe's typos within his comments-most "journalists" proof-read. Nor was I defending SLJoe, I was defending YOU and your article, which I read a few times, thank you very much. Obviously, I didn't make myself very clear, I apologize.
ahh. Well, you replied to me.
Each comment has separate 'Reply' links... if you use the right one, you link to the right comment, and it is less confusing. ;-)
Hmmm...
I must have been paying more attention to the article and comments than to the reply link. I apologize for the confusion. It won't happen again.
What's the problem
What's the big deal with this sljoe thing. i think it is a great idea kinda like catch a predator for secondlife, right on
Well, for one, he's not catching 'predators'.
What he is doing is going into consensual areas and filming without permission, and potentially spinning things any way he can to get some media attention. In doing so, he is putting the reputation of others at risk.
If he himself were reputable, there would be less of a question. However, he has been less than straightforward about who he is, and the premise for his potential article as listed demonstrates a flare for the sensationalist. There are many rumors flying around about 'SLJoe', and he's denying a lot. People are distancing themselves from him.
Now, let us put this in context: If you persecute someone who is innocent, shouldn't you give them the right to face their accuser? SLJoe, apparently, doesn't do that - and he stands accused of setting up stories.
Do I think he set up the stories? I am uncertain. However, I stand in the open and looking at both sides of this issue - I see SLJoe as lacking in many areas - mainly in being credible.
Statements on what basis?
Just a quick comment to let the blog owner know that the statements have no basis. Our office confirms that the writers behind the Joe brand infact are journalists. We know this as they provide content to our newswire. Would suggest that you confirm your facts before pub
ishing on the internet, even in blog format.
Umm - Who are you? And What Are You Doing Here?
If you read the entry, I made no comment on SLJoe. SLJoe commented here, and what is hilarious is that everyone is defending this 'group of journalists' BUT - let's be frank - no one knows who he really is. Everyone has distanced themselves from him.
I'm sorry, but I don't see any legitimacy... and anonymously claiming that he is legitimate doesn't make a case. There are questions related to his 'techniques' for getting news which have not been addressed, and each one of these denials simply points to the fact that there is a smokescreen which is protecting this entity.
So here's what I will tell you. You have no basis to even try to question the credibility of anything I have written. I have simply reported the allegations and my increasing curiosity of who SLJoe really is and whether there is an iota of experience in the entity known as SLJoe. That you comment here where there has been no information posted on SLJoe simply highlights the lack of credibility.
When I turn the lights on, though, certain creatures run away. The lights are on. If SLJoe wants credibility, then he/they should be standing tall. Instead, I get a bunch of suspicious posts. And even more strangely, I'm not the one keeping this alive... you all are. I have better things to do than deal with things that run off when the lights come on. I typically leave poison behind for those creatures, and they follow the natural cycle.
Comment defence
To be fair, I don't think that the presence of a few sockpuppets constitutes "everyone" defending SLJoe.
Point taken.
It wasn't until later that I started watching IP addresses. ;-)
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