Adam Spark

Visualization doesn't force, though, and menus don't prevent. There is a reason one gets a warning when clicking on debug settings, which is buried in a menu and needs to be turned on to even appear there. You make a valid point about LL and their viewers. I think one of the biggest moves a resident should make somewhat early on is explore changing to a third party viewer. But having to toggle to Advanced mode to even see building or purchasing capabilities exist? I am sure a lot of people looked and failed to see the potential of what they could do here. You need to show customers what you are selling. Hiding features doesn't prevent users from finding them before they are ready. If anything, I would argue that its more experienced users who know what NOT to do. It can, however, make one fail to realize they got more than what they see.

Absolutely it can be done. Linden Lab demonstrated it in 2008 as you mentioned. Unfortunately they abandoned the project. Perhaps one day they will get involved. Maybe their first attempt was ahead of its time.

At least the idea of a true metaverse isn't dead. I still wish Linden Lab didn't abandon the idea though.

The only issue with keeping everything out of sight that newcomers don't yet need is you risk an "Is this all there is?" reaction. The beauty of SL is its complexity. This should be introduced to newcomers in a way that encourages them to say "I'll mess with that later". How do you propose one discovers something that is not immediately in sight if they don't have somebody to tell them its in there? I might be wrong, but I feel strongly that this is the reason LL Viewer Basic Mode failed hard. I was never a fan of the IMVU system, but that is just my personal taste. You make a fair point about inventory not being necessary for beginners. I was just speaking in the context of what we have, how newcomers would be better off approaching it, and how more experienced users might try to introduce people.

This. Too many people make the same mistake I did. I joined in Oct. 2006. By January of 2007, I was was working for a venue. By Spring I was running the place. It found its way into my lap and things went downhill from there. The venue was open less than a year after that and I nearly gave up on SL in early 2009. I was doing more in SL than I had any business doing. I was trying to run a venue before I knew had to put two basic cube prims together side by side using simple math for precision placement. The keys to an easier time in SL: First discover what it is - a platform, not a game. The only time you are playing a game while logged in is when you are sitting down and playing something like Greedy - an actual game, played within the platform we call Second Life. Then, take your time to learn the following basics: - How to walk, run, jump, fly and land -Bringing up menus by right clicking on objects -How to manipulate the camera with the basic default camera controls -Use mouselook -How to view inventory, read notecards and use landmarks -how to buy items. You can start with freebies. Don't worry about linden dollars yet. -how to use inventory to change your clothes Do this first. If you are helping others, insist they do all this first. Don't skimp over the basics just because you are way past it. You are doing them a disservice by just teleporting them to your club or your favorite hangout and telling them how to sit and join your conversation. I see too many people doing things on day two that they would be well advised to not be doing in their first month here because the basics were glossed over.

For me, avatars are just a means to an end, and its the end thats important. I'll form a bond with anyone who proves to be someone I'd want to form a bond with. It might start with a style portrayed - an avatar can say SOMETHING about the human. If your avatar is decked out in wrestling garb, particularly styled after a wrestler of the 80s, you might get an IM from me. But while it might establish a connection, a bond is something different. If your avatar says something about you that might be a red flag, I'll be less likely to approach you. The quality of your look has zero to do with it, however. Mesh ain't cheap. Baked on Mesh makes my hair fall out more every time I mess with it. I blame nobody for keeping it old school. LOL

The problem with third-party alternatives is that they can be flavors of the month. First SL residents flocked to Facebook to advertise, now they are flocking to Discord, which essentially became the new Skype as well for some people. Discord won't be the app of choice forever. Just when the pressure gets too hot for most people, they'll be tugged somewhere else.

This is the very reason for hitting so many. Bigger audience, more likely to get that one or two.

Not really, due to the legalities involved. LL doesn't have a choice here. Unless you want them sued out of business.

Luck of the draw is exactly the problem (and the definition of skill gaming).

There are literally thousands of items on the MP, not limited in quantity, that are modifiable. Modify permission is hardly a gacha exclusive thing. Not even close. I buy modify items all the time and change things on them to suit my liking, and I avoid Gachas like the plague.

For movie nights with my girl and our friends

Some days I like it, other days (namely when changing my look and having to set everything back up), I would throw BoM out the window if it was an inanimate object.

Its relevant to general discussion. As posted already, the posting guidelines tell us to stay relevant to SL *except in General Discussion*.

1) Yeah, but this topic is about IP alone. I'd recommend doing that stuff regardless. 2) Maybe, maybe not. If far worse is happening to me already, I've not been made aware of it and it is not impacting me in any way I've noticed, and I have been using my ISP's equipment for 20+years. I really don't subscribe to the theory that scientists doing things that could have negative results must mean that negative motives are behind it.

Your IP address is not a privacy breach. Having your IP address would tell me a tiny bit about your ISP and that is pretty much it. I wouldn't be able to find you or encroach on anything you'd ever be aware of or concerned about. It could be used to match up one avatar with another if you had alts, but that has been squashed. You can still do that. As a matter of fact, its safer today than it used to be.

Welcome to SL! What is a virtual world? Fairly self explanatory, you will come to find out. It is a world that exists online. Think of it as visiting another planet. You're either a tourist, or you'll be a resident (well technically all users are referred to as Residents. I am just using real world metaphors). Basically anything you can do in the real world, you can do with pixel representation in the virtual world. Dance, go to concerts and a myriad of other events, play games, socialize, form relationships, roleplay, and so much more. Its a vast world. You can rent land, buy or build a home and live there. You can also start any one of a myriad of business ventures. Go slow and soak it in. I hope you are enjoying it and if you need any help I or my wife Ari Spark will be happy to help you

They tried it. It was on there. Biggest problem, if I were to guess, is that Steam is a gaming community and SL is a virtual world. Gamers don't often understand Second Life. They look for a game and eventually figure out they didn't find one here. Well, you can find games IN SL (like Greedy, for instance). But SL is not a game in and of itself.

Linden Lab announced a couple years ago that they would make changes like this to offset a reduction in land prices. I was ecstatic. These were the kinds of fees I was fine with increasing. With all due respect to the listed items this will help with, am I safe to assume that Linden Lab is satisfied with the amount that land prices have been reduced to date, or does Linden Lab agree that the cost of getting your foot in the door with a region is still too steep?

There is an old saying. "Never say never". By copying somebody's item you are removing all potential for a need to buy the item. Saying in the moment "I wouldn't pay for it" is no excuse. It isn't about whether we would get your money. Its about compensation for our work. If we sell 400 copies of our work, we earn twice as much compensation than if we sold 200. Twice as much - to the penny. Secondly, creators have the right to sell to you with permissions such as no copy. We also have the right to determine which of our creations are given away free. Copybot takes control away. Third, copybot enables my product to no longer be my product. When you buy an item, that store is the creator, which creates word of mouth and reputation for quality. Copybotted work can appear to come from the copybotter, which could totally kill commerce in Second Life.

God has a sense of humor. Wearing an avatar and being yourself I see no issue with. Unless you're mocking, but if you are posting to ask if its cool, I'm certain your intention is not to mock.

Sorry Vivienne. I might be missing something. It says basically that we may make use of the permissions system to indicate how others may use our products (our rights over the uses). How does this dispute that the permission system is related to IP rights, which was my point?

Completely related. Not related to anything but that. Linden Lab has stated MANY times that the permissions system is designed to protect creators IP rights.

Way to avoid my point. Those things are no less legal, they just haven't been taken down.