Czari Zenovka

Kampu Oyen wrote: On this rare occasion, I'm not blaming LL (any more than on a normal day) for the lower rate of sales. A bunch of people in the US just did their taxes, or, if they are still doing them, expect to pay penalties. For most US users, this wouldn't much matter. But for people who are making an amount of money different from last year (people with larger investments in SL, for example), such an occasion will tend to cause them to tighten up, regardless of whether they have more income or less income than before. Money that would otherwise be circulating around SL has begun to stop circulating after a few days. Likewise, when people start getting their tax returns, you may see a momentary boost in SL money supply, probably peaking in terms of effects on SL at the end of the peak period for return receipt, roughly 60 days after 15 April.... ... that is; right about the time that the boxes get shut off and permissions are still not properly supported for DD, thus forcing a surge of new business in-world and setting up a possible total shut-down of the marketplace on 5 July. But... as I said, today's drop in sales as compared to sales in recent days, is probably not LL's fault at all. Mine isn't a "drop" in sales - it's no sales whatsoever for a period of time, then back to what is normal for my shop. Also, the sales began picking up again the week before and during income taxes, for whatever that's worth.

Spica Inventor wrote: Are your inworld sales taking the same hit or fluctuating the same amount? 99% of my sales are from the MP so I don't have any in-world comparison for my items.

Amethyst Jetaime wrote: Other than an occasional club event for best of the 60's i don't really see many people wearing or using 60's style clothing items. It wasn't all that attractive the first time around and it hasn't improved with time. Its just kitsch. Ain't that the truth!! And it didn't get much better until maybe the mid-late 70's. Polyester leisure suits. *Shudders*

I have a very small store so my sales figures are infinitesimal compared to yours; however, I *have* noticed cycles in sales since DD launched. No clue if it's connected to DD but in the past I made approximately x number of sales/week. About 2 weeks ago or so I posted that my sales had suddenly stopped. Even with the small number of sales I make, a complete halt was odd based on the past years of sales history. Just as suddenly as it stopped, I began making the usual number of sales/week after about 2 weeks. I'd be interested, as well, to hear if other merchants are noticing this.

Darrius Gothly wrote: Czari, You only need the Viewer 3 or Firestorm viewer when you physically upload the products from your Inventory to the Direct Delivery Escrow (holding tank) folder. They disappear from your Merchant Outbox once uploaded anyway, so that won't affect anything you do on an older PC. So you'd borrow the family member's PC, upload the items via the Merchant Outbox on Viewer 3 or Firestorm, then log out and ... Go back home to do everything else on your own PC. Problem solved. Thanks, Darrius. Still have a question on if I want to make changes to one of my listed products. Would I then just delete the product from the MP website and go to family member's house to upload the new one? I guess from not using the system yet, some of it is still foggy to me.

Darrius Gothly wrote: charges. BTW: I thought that LL "bought in" to SL Exchange and then because of their ownership position "motivated" them to change the name. At least that was the scuttlebutt I remember hearing. That's probably why I got the name thing wrong. But you were a lot more involved in the comings and goings on the business side of things, so I'll take your word and fix it up. Thanks for pointing it out. Hey Darrius Yes, Dart is exactly right re: the name changes. When I first began listing my SL products online there were several sites (which I know you know...lol). In addition to Xstreet I used OnRez, which I loved! I *think* (Dart, help me out here) LL purchased OnRez as well then closed it down. Xstreet was changed to SL Exhange (SLX) either at or shortly after SL purchased it. I still see a lot of merchant profiles that say they are listed on Xstreet. They may no longer be in SL or Xstreet became the common "phrase" name of the MP so to speak and some people still use it.

Dark Larkspur wrote: I empathize with the issue of people with PCs that just can not manage to run the 'Newer (what are they calling them, Viewer 3 Code) Viewers, required to operate the 'Merchant Outbox' Folder. It may sound less than desireable; but you only need a certain amount of time on a capable machine with the proper viewer installed; log in; move items, upload, log off, thank you. All the rest of the 'work' is not dependant on that PC / Viewer now. I am saying; as a last resort; can you borrow time on a friends computer just long enough to do the 'uploading'. One time the IT Guy from where I work downloaded and installed something for me on his laptop because it was better than my PC ;-0 I Loved my Magic Box; I had it on multiple Regions too; lately with it only in 1 Region I have still had no problem; almost never had any failed deliveries. I feel for the Merchants who have to Migrate 100's or even 1000's of Products, it's a good deal of work even on the Products I didn't change, but we have to endure change for the hope of improvement ;-} Hi Dark, thank you for your post. I, too, am a relatively small merchant. It does make me feel a bit better to know that I only need to use the newer viewers for listing products. I was made aware of this when DD first rolled out so I've been thinking of possible options. I could conceiveably use a family member's PC, but haven't broached that to him yet. One thing I've been wondering - let's say I list my products on a PC not in my home. So, I couldn't *see* my products in Merchant Outbox back on my home computer (although a Merchant Outbox has mysteriously appeared recently in my Phoenix viewer), thus would I have to go back to the family member's home to make any changes to the product, even something as minor as re-doing the included notecards/instructions? I'm assuming I would. The other question I have is - once I have the items uploaded into DD on another computer, does that affect any changes I might make to my MP store, such as uploading images, changing the item description, etc.? Using another PC may be the only option available to me, at least temporarily, but I still have this feeling of not being able to "control" my listed inventory when the PC isn't in my home. Although I'm not convinced that the DD system is "better" at this point, I do understand changes are inevitable. I don't have to like it, though. *grins* Ah well...in the current state of the MP, DD may be delayed beyond June 1...or not...nothing would surprise me at this point.

Van Loopen wrote: A simple question to all: what was wrong with the system of magic box? notifications on delivery appeared earlier and were containedin sales ledger. It seems to me that is the latest attempt to force the migration to the new viewer saw which bears only compatible with this new system ANS and Direct Delivery. Why to mess your life? I agree with this 100%! In fact, unless I purchase a new PC which I cannot financially afford to do atm, I won't even be able to USE DD. While some people are not having any issues with the new DD and are saying that they did with MB, in almost five years I have had absolutely no issues with MB. I used to keep a box in my store and one in my home in case there was a region issue, but now I just have the one box in my store and, thus far (for the last 9 months or so) have still had no issue. Personally, and I know I'll likely be flamed for saying this, but I am 100% AGAINST DD.

I wholeheartedly agree! Thank you for the post, Sera.

4 new borked listings in my store - items in the 1558xxx range. Images not mine with my items' descriptions/name, etc. These items have been in my store since before migration so they are not new items. They don't appear in my edit listings so I can't remove them. The odd thing is...the borked images with my descriptions - the real items with those descriptions are still intact with the correct images as well. It's the weird duplication thing I had previously.

Marcus Hancroft wrote: I have come to the conclusion that the keyword is only meant for clothing designers. I would be interested in hearing from clothing designers on the forums to see if they listed any outfits with "madstyle" and if their items are delisted for spam. The LL notice didn't seem to indicate clothing only, but who knows anymore. Sidenote: Maybe it's a frame of reference thing, but everytime I see "madstyle" I think of Mad Magazine. lol "What me worry?" :matte-motes-wink-tongue:

Hi Zenara (*waves at her cousin*) & Argus...from looking at the recent jiras it seems like this new borkage is making the rounds of merchants. I am totally mystified.

Pamela Galli wrote: I don't count this as a step forward. And I would like to reiterate what I have said about this before: they can't fix it. I would agree. My "one step forward" was when I thought the two borked listings had finally been taken down by LL, since I couldn't...but then saw I now have more borked listings. At least all my items that I have listed are correct; these are duplicates of correct ones with the wrong images.

Sera Lok wrote: The new item I saw in my store was an item that I had had unlisted for a long time, perhaps even before the Xstreet migration. Was that true for your items as well Czari, or were they listed items? No, the items that are showing up with the wrong images (shoes) but with my product description have been listed since back in Xstreet days. I have not deactivated nor unlisted them. Soooo, no commonality to go on there.

Ahhhh, ok. Yes, I checked the MB status which takes me to the XStreet site apparently. I didn't realize that (except for having to click "Cancel" on the big green popup before I can proceed to that spot). Although, I'm pretty sure/almost positive I've checked that since 2010 as I was used to synching new additions with the MB and making sure it was on the Active listing. But you're right, on the Manage Inventory section all the items are showing up as active. Thanks, Arwen.

Heh! Actually, I kind of like those shoes...I looked up ~Mischa~ in the MP search and got about 8 hits, only a couple of whom have current stores and none sell shoes. Edit to add: The current borked listings are linked to items that have been listed for a long time in my store but fall into the 1558xxx item listing range.

I'm still using the Magic Box for my MP products. Except for the borked listings, everything else looks ok in my MP store. However, here's something a bit odd - when I check the status of my MB, all of my products are showing up as "Unassociated Listings." I actually noticed this about a week ago and updated/synched each product, updated the MB on the website (which is showing as active), and resynched it in-world. I kept refreshing the MP site but the items stayed in the unassociated listings category. With everything that is going on in the MP, I figured it might take awhile to "catch up." In the meantime I've been selling products from the MP. All items are showing as active in edit inventory, but they are still showing as "unassociated" in MB status. I'm not too concerned about it since I'm selling items and haven't seen anything stuck in delivery or had any customers asking where their item is....but just another oddity. Anyone have a clue why this could be?

So I was kind of getting used to the "Snooki" and "Red Eyes" non-existent welcome mats in my MP store. Just checked it out a few minutes ago and..oh! they're gone!!!! Woot...oh wait...whaaaattt? They have been "replaced" by three more borked listings, this time showing someone else's image of shoes for my heart candles. /facepalms Just added it to the jira.

I was over reading in the General Discussion forums and happened on a comment in this thread re: SL9B - http://community.secondlife.com/t5/General-Discussion-Forum/SL9B/m-p/1489851/highlight/false#M59678 The 7th post references info from SL saying that some of the events will be featured on "Second Life social media" and specifically mentions Facebook, Google Plus, Tumblr, Plurk, and Pinterest. Just lovely. BTW, is the "social media" still tied into v3? I recall that being part of the controversy when v2 was first introduced.

Coby Foden wrote: Qie Niangao wrote: Apparently there is to be a 9th SL Birthday celebration of some sort. Has anyone gotten any more details? In the above link it says: "Some events will likely be featured on Second Life social media, so keep an eye on Facebook, Google Plus, Tumblr, Plurk and Pinterest!" What the heck! Do we have to join all those to be able to keep track of what's going on in Second Life! :smileymad: Apparently. The SL Marketplace is currently experiencing major problems and someone reported that the SL CEO commented on it on Twitter, not the Merchant Forums or anywhere here on the SL website that I'm aware of. If this is the case, I guess I won't be getting any updated news. :matte-motes-angry:

Nefertiti Nefarious wrote: Good grief! I've been using SLfor several years, with TPVs, and not a single hack. Your problem is not the viewer, it';s your whole Internet lifestyle ... What Operating system are you using? Same here since 2007. I first began using the Nicholaz viewers when LL started making changes in the 1.x viewers that I didn't like. Stayed with Nicholaz until LL 2.x viewers came out and Nicholaz quit making new viewers. Have since used Phoenix. No hacking problems whatsoever in almost 5 years.

Amethyst Jetaime wrote: As far as I am concerned he doesn't communicate at all if he can't communicate within SL. I don't have and don't want a twitter or facebook account and tons of SL residents don't either. SLU only has 21059 total members ( not necessarily active users) as of right now - I looked. The percentage of people that actively go there and see his posts that are also SL residents is so far below 1% of all SL residents that its effectively zero. He uses these platforms so he can say he is communicating without communicating. (Emphasis mine) THANK YOU!!! I was going to say that in my post but didn't want the Twitter/FB afficionados raining down on my head...lol. Rod is communicating on SLU??? Seriously?? So we have the CEO of a corporation "hanging out" on a non-official company site. Nothing against SLU - I just think it would be like making all LL viewer announcements on the Phoenix website. Something just doesn't "gel." *Starts humming "Give 'em the ole Razzle Dazzle" again.*

Medhue Simoni wrote: Now, lowering tier would be something to think about. I think the price point is high, especially for the service we get. <snip> At the very least, LL should cut the set up fee in half. It's such a BS charge anyways. YES!!!! This has been discussed on the forums for years and I do think changing the tier structure would bring more people back into the land market.

Zanara Zenovka wrote: Spica Inventor wrote: You know if Linden Labs is really having a problem with keeping up their profits, why don't they just boost up their Marketplace commission to 10% or something. I for one wouldn't mind it at all at that rate. I would much prefer that over L.L. just jacking up exchange rates periodically to compensate for falling income. Jacking up their exchange rates simply resulted in more people abandoning inworld land renting. Of course if they drop their land rental rates, that would be the best thing they could do for all concerned for the long term, but I don't think that's going to happen until there is some real competition to force them to look longer term. Huh? what "jacking up exchange rates"? And no - screw higher commissions. THIS ^^ The last time LL announced they were going to charge a commission for 0L purchases plus some other change - many of the longtime SL resident/merchants left in droves for another virtual world. They have probably been replaced in numbers by new residents/merchants but I personally know of several large businesses that left SL altogether after that. Oh, and then LL decided not to go through with it.

Pamela Galli wrote: I am speechless. Talk about rearranging deck chairs. Or maybe Mickey and Judy: I know! Let's put on a show! What came to my mind was "Give 'em the old razzle dazzle" from Chicago. Especially the line: "When you're in trouble go into your dance."