November 2013 – Page 7

November 2, 2013

Second Life’s Historic Plans For World Domination

“Our plans for world domination are proceeding quite nicely” – Philip Linden September 2004.

“We will not be successful unless we are fully open and the control over the world is in your hands. Were we to choose the alternative (as many of the current and former systems have), I think we would be rapidly competed out of business by something like SL. To get SL to reach across the world and become really big, we will have to give up most of our control over it. That is a sacrifice we are happy to make to see this thing happen.” – Philip Linden September 2004.

http://forums-archive.secondlife.com/3/c0/23939/1.html

I’d like to blame this on DrFran Babcock, I really would, but I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Second Life and the Second Life Forum Archive is a wonderful repository. The archive does not tell the full story, which is why I fully support DrFran Babcock’s SL Oldbie Project, but it does tell a big part of the story. The archive also demonstrates the wonderful concept of Linden Lab engaging with their residents, something the class of 2013 are missing out on. What sort of history will archivers find from the last couple of years in ten years time? Personally, I think it’s going to be bereft of detail and that’s a great shame.

Let’s hear a little more from Mr Rosedale, this time from November 2005:

“Well I’ll not take much time before the questions…But I suppose I can give an overview of what it feels like we are mostly debating this week….the changes to ratings stipends,and event support. I think it is important to point out, that by reducing stipends and supporting less events, We aren’t passing any kind of judgment on what people should or shouldn’t do with their time in SL we are simply making gradual steps toward the state of affairs that Second Life, as a platform, is designed for. The meaning of jobs and games and fun and socialization, and everything else here. Is created by you, not by us.

This means that the subsidies that we pay into the economy, and the things we support with our work,..they are temporary. SL is growing much too fast for us to do them indefinitely. I don’t want this to become this huge world where we all do some similar job for the Linden Lab ’empire’. That isn’t our thing. We want the jobs and purpose to come from you. I think this may get lost a bit in the debate….it isn’t and shouldn’t be our choice…whether clubs or events prosper or wane. the idea is you decide it.”

http://forums-archive.secondlife.com/3/6b/32776/1.html

This is a really important post because it highlights a time when Linden Lab were moving away from supporting the world financially. They were happy with the growth and moving towards a more hands off approach, it’s a landmark moment.

Continue reading “Second Life’s Historic Plans For World Domination”

November 1, 2013

The SL Oldbie Project

DrFran Babcock is seeking insight from oldbies as part of a project entitled “The SL Oldbie Project“. What is the SL Oldbie project? Well I’ll let DrFran’s words explain it a little:

“My aim, in attempting to contact early members of SL, is to explore what the experience was like for them. Things now are so different than they were when I rezzed in 2006. I can’t imagine what it was like to operate in a world that really was being created by the people who lived in it in 2002, 2003, and 2004. I am hoping that a number of interviews with oldbies will shine a light on the birth of this virtual world.”

To date DrFran has only received one reply, which is a shame but also understandable as many oldbies have moved on or are busy. However that one reply provides some fascinating insight into the mindset of an oldbie. The oldbie in question is Malachi Petunia. Someone called Malachi taught me how to play Greedy Greedy at the Forum Cartel hangout some years ago, but for the life of me I can’t remember if the surname of that Malachi was Petunia.

The interview, which is definitely worth a read, can be found at: http://slnewserpeople.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-oldbie-project-malachi-petunia.html

Malachi doesn’t log in to Second Life much these days, but he has a lifetime account and was born to the Second Life universe on September 21st 2003. The interview touches upon how small the new frontier was back in 2003, how the world has changed so much in terms of capabilities but more importantly it captures how people just get on with things when the tools aren’t available.

Continue reading “The SL Oldbie Project”

November 1, 2013

The Drax Files Episode 13 – Creations For Parkinson’s

The Drax Files Episode 13 – Creations For Parkinson’s is a wonderful example of how many boundaries the virtual world experience can cross. I’ll embed the video at the bottom of the post. This episode touches upon how people of all ages can enjoy the virtual world experience and how experiences within the virtual world can inspire people outside of the virtual world.

Fran Serenade inworld is a blonde bombshell, or a mermaid, dancing, playing having fun. The person behind the avatar is an 86 year old lady who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. We see Fran inside and outside of the virtual world, we see how her avatar inspires her to walk to the car because she’s determined to be able to do some of the things her avatar can do. Fran’s view of Second Life?

“Second Life might just be the fountain of youth“.

According to Drax on the youTube link for the video, Fran’s use of a virtual world is being closely studied by her personal doctor is but conclusions cannot be drawn without further study, so don’t go buying you parents, grandparents or great grandparents a Second Life subscription for Christmas in a search of the elixir of youth!

Fran’s daughter, Barbie Alhemy, runs Creations For Parkinson’s but explains that the island is not just for people with Parkinson’s or their family members and friends. People come to the island and talk in public or private about their own issues or simply to exchange ideas or get social.

Continue reading “The Drax Files Episode 13 – Creations For Parkinson’s”