I"ve been reading almost all the reactions to the OS
tier increase on all the blogs, that I could find. During all this, I've
ran across things that might be the answer to some unanswered or unsaid
directions of SL.
First, I believe its important to bring to your attention or
focus on some great resources that bring this all together, thereby making it
easier to form your own informed strategies.
1. NPIRL's (Not Possible In Real Life), Bettina Tizzzy, whom I have
always highly respected, is providing, her “hands on" research into
alternate virtual worlds, and comments on this issue (listed in order of oldest
related posting first):
a.
Openlife's
Steve Sima has a message for Second Life's content creators
b.
Hello OpenLife®?
c.
Openlife:
Is it ready for most Second Lifers? No. But that day doesn't seem so far off
d.
Second Life®
Expats?
e.
Exploring
alternative virtual worlds - This time a new OpenSim: Avatar Hangout
f.
Mark
Kingdon - Come down, come down from your Ivory Tower and listen to your
Residents: A dose of perspective
g.
The
Gentrification of Second Life®
h.
Can
Linden Lab stop the exodus?
2. Then there is another Blogger and
renowned creator in SL named Vint Falken. She posted an exhaustive yet very
informative post that will give you not just her own views but links and
comments on others from all over the Grid/Internet:
a.
Linden
Lab has it’s business model ass backwards
3. Lets not forget the Rezzables Right As Rain (RaR), CEO of Rezzables, recent attendance
to the Virtual Worlds London
conference. RaR provided much insight on the current Internet presence and
initiatives that affect or impact the evolution of virtual worlds.
a.
Virtual
Worlds--Game Over
b.
Editor comment: I’ve been a follower
of the Rezzables for some time now, got to meet some of the top creators in SL
in the process. Although, I often wished RaR was more positive in his approach.
I can’t fault him for his frankness, and often insightful Dispatches,
with the “goings on” within SL and virtual worlds”. If anyone has a feel for
them, the ‘whole’, he does. I merely take issue, at times with the negativity.
Perhaps this is caused by my relative newness to SL?
c.
But, his generosity to the “public space” of SL has been
invaluable to all. His recognition of quality is uncanny.
The furture of SL, sadly to think, I believe is going in the
following direction. And, I will provide justificatoin of my views with some
links for those that have an interest. While “tagging onto” NPIRL’s effrots at providing all of us with an “exit
strategy” from SL. Mind you these are considerations, nonetheless, informative
and experiential, to help you should you make the decision to leave SL.
Perhaps some background on myself might be in order. First, I’ve
worked in Information Technology, since or even before it was called that. I
started out in the Tellecommunications field and watched the evolution and
supported hardware from relays, then to transistors, then to integrated chips.
I’ve been a not so famous Consultant for small bussinesses on local levels. I’ve
worked for, either in the capcity of support or consulting for the following
industries; Medical, Aerospace, Military, Hospitality, Educational, Retail,
Financial, as well as back-end support on applications, networks, servers etc.
I’ve worked for companies such as; The Boeing Company, IBM Global Services,
Safeco Corporation, Microsoft and Keane Inc.. I’ve been a web master and site
designer since about 1997. Finally, I’ve been a blogger and blog site designer,
since about 2004.
My exposure to virtual environments probably started with Google
Earth, but in the very early days of AI, I delved very briefly in the first 3D
attempts of social networking, I think this was in the mid to late 90’s, but I
forget what it was called. I’ve been in SL since Jan of ’07. My activities in
SL have been artistic primarily.
What I’ve learned from the outset is that this is a community of
very talented people, who have common passions and yet unique expressions of
something deep inside them. This ‘world’ has enabled many who have innate
talents to make them ‘real, albiet virtual, but nonetheless real.
My views and predictions for SL:
1. Within 6-12 months SL
will become a “Business Only” platform.
a.
I think this is a mistake, but appears to be what will be a
short term profit making venture on the part of LL. Its ultimate downfall will
be its abandonment of those that made it what it is, and alienating the soul
that made it what it is. Here is an example of this direction:
i.
Linden Lab and
Rivers Run Red Boost Virtual Collaboration
1.
It’s a great business concept and a
viable venture, but will not for the long term.
2. With the changes in in
the OS tier rates, and not discounting educational efforts anymore is a huge
mistake. But, an opportunity for other virtual worlds who are independent of LL. [Edit]: as of this afternoon LL has decided that educational discounts will be continued. Furthermore, the NEW changes, see SL Blog. Jack Linden has communicated their response to the tier hikes. Charge same as first announcement, reduce prims and other yet to be announced restrictions and call it a different name. Not a solution, still bait and switch.
3. In order to sustain a
true “Social Networking” environment, its imperative that it be democratic and
not autocratic. One of the core issues inside of SL that has prevented the
likes of the Rezzables from truly being sucessful is that its an organization that’s
autocratic. This is founded on the fact that LL only sells land to ONE person. This
one person, perhaps originally not being self-centered, but it was their investment
and efforts that pretty much enabled a place for ‘us’ to be with each other, to
learn, to grow, to have fun, etc., etc.. This autocracy is doomed for ultimate
failure from the beginning.
4. The former would be
better supported by a non-profit group that has governance. This might be an
issue for many. But, the governance sole “mission statement” should focus on
the “place for others to express themselves”.
a.
If they are to sustain themselves, financially, there has to be
some sort of revenue, perhaps subscription based at the outset, and not
implemented later. Provide greater discounts by the degree of involvment in its
service. Use techniques that have been sucessful in RL for organizations that are
social based.
b.
Be allowed to have marketers express their branding inside the
creations/environments WE create. But on the level of subtlety as what Greenies
(TP ) has done. There can be
beauty in products, even if they are not just ‘art’ for arts sake. But, there
has to be an acceptance upon the marketers that this is not meant as a place to
“sell” their products in all cases, but the exposure and support of “social
networking”. This sort of loyalty of its consumers will reverberate into
purchases in RL. This is the bridge, like it or not.
c.
Musicians have seen, and do have an opportunity that will/is the
infancy of this kind of effort. Traditional artists might do well to watch this
and adapt their approach in a similar fashion.
i.
Fundamentally, everything that happens inside of a virtual world
is artistic, albiet a new form of art, but many facets of its experience are
dependant upon, scriptors, graphic artistis, animators, avatar creators,
builders, etc..etc. Some folks have become proficient in the areas that enable
them to create an ‘experience’ that allows them to be independent. But, I
forsee, a form of art that will be co-operative and collaborative. This presents
issues of ‘ownership’, but we need to
come up with a way to enable this kind of art to move forward faster.
1.
Sort of like buying paint to create RL art, or canvas,
brushes..etc..etc. Perhaps some would become wholesalers to those that create
the ‘thing’.
5. As for in-world product creators we need to
sell our goods inside the ‘experience’ of all these environments or create an
environment that supports congregation of others at their place of business.
But, if its autocratic in rule, the long term success is not sustainable. So,
the dillemma is that you as a business owner can’t be in all places all the
time. Futhermore, you might decide to get out of the business. Your exit has an
impact to the very people that made you successful, you have an innate responsibility
to do everything that has it continue by your absence.
a.
Customer Service is the rule of law. Not arrogancy or ignoring
your customers as I’ve often experienced in SL. The likes of these I do not
purchase products from any more.
b.
I’m have gone thru many Internet based social networking
communities. Almost always the problem as been too much ‘one person’ control.
To much focus on profit orientation. But, a certain parodox exists here.
Sometimes, the idea is individual and much money and effort is put into
creating that environment, so there has to be a way that ‘pays back’ the
founder, and perhaps provide them some ongoing risidual income in recognition
of their efforts.
c.
For those that wish to make a living from virtual envoronments
or your presense inside them, then become a provider of products to the people
inside the group(s). Not the sole owner of that group. Its not supportive of
good customer service.
6. Since SL is short
termed as far as its future goes. Present virtual product creators would do
well to stay on top of the current trend or movement away from SL. Develop a migration
plan of your products. Also, provide a way to those that have bought your
products to move them to this new platform. This would be the ultimate in
customer service and further support customer loyalty and help sustain your own
close relationships with your customers.
a.
Your reputation is everything, greed is another. There are ways
this can be done, I’ll leave this to you to come up with since its your
business.
b.
In this effort, and in the effort to be able to take your
creations to these other virtual worlds, there is only ONE product that
supports this, called Second Inventory.
Which I’m going to test as to its viablity to support this migration. I
personnally do not want to have to re-create much of what I made to this point.
7. Start a blog that
enables your customers to keep in touch with your offerings. This is probably
the single most important consideration in your businesses future and further
supports expansion of your business to all those that are new to virtual
worlds. Plus it allows you to be independent of the likes of SLExchange.
a.
I have some views about businesses like SLExchange but will
reserve that for another time.
In closing, change is always a given, in Internet based
environments its much faster than RL. In virtual worlds its even faster. In
social networking the change needs to not affect its existence, when possible
to control. But, acceptance that dependance is always on the platform, the
hardware, the wires, etc. ; acceptance of this by the users is imperative and
needing respect.
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