Robin Linden has announced on the official blog that she will shortly be leaving Linden Lab, I’m extremely disappointed, although not at all surprised by this news.
I don’t know who I’m going to whine to now about Linden policies, there’s only Jack left whom I’m comfortable with and he has such a difficult task on his hands.
I first had doubts about Robin’s role when she stopped her office hours. Then she was involved in the worthy stories from Second Life along with Katt, but Katt’s departure seemed to suggest all wasn’t well, although Katt was Katt and she was a bit feisty.
I mentioned to Robin that she was too quiet, Prok (whom I’m extremely annoyed with right now for his sleights on me) pointed out that with the new hires it seemed that Robin and Catherine would have an office in the car park.
Unfortunately the pieces have fallen into place, and Robin will be moving onto pastures new. Hopefully prosperous and fulfilling pastures.
I know Robin wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but to me she had an air of being genuine that was refreshing. Some of the criticism aimed at Robin was always unjust, although some of the criticism aimed at many of the Lindens is unjust. We at times forget that there are real people behind these names, trying to make things better. Whereas this shouldn’t mean we’re never critical, it does mean however that criticism should be tempered at times.
Robin seemed to embrace the concepts of community, she wanted the experience to be better for all and strived for that goal. I never found Robin to be confrontational or judgemental, I’m sure at times she felt like setting her flutterbys into vicious mode to attack the baying crowd.
I recall at one protest in the Linden village, that Robin came out to talk to the baying mob. I can’t recall exactly which protest it was, but she didn’t shy away, she was there to talk and listen.
Ultimately Robin’s role seems to have been squeezed by the new hires, I wonder if others will follow in her wake. Admittedly my respect for Robin is somewhat biased by my serious Robin Linden fetish, but that’s not the point! Having a serious Taliesin Protagonist fetish doesn’t sound quite right.
I’m very sad to see Robin go, I wish her all the best, she’s been the recipient of most of my complaints with Linden Lab and responded mostly in a positive fashion whenever possible, I will miss her greatly and wish her all the best for the future.
This move is certainly a loss to the community, but I hope it’s a step forward for Robin.