Diamond Coronet

Please remember the TITANIC. Sometimes what “looks good on paper” when executed, fails miserably, because those in charge DO NOT LISTEN to concerns from those who are actually involved…in this case, YOUR CUSTOMERS. A responsible company IF THEY HAVE THE BEST INTEREST of the whole community will take a survey and find out what their customers concerns are. They will address those concerns before launching full steam without seeing potential weaknesses. When Linden Lab announced the decision to increase non-profit organization’s tiers, I ended my blog on that forum with the comments of : I can understand that Linden Labs has a margin of profit they need to attain to exist…… we all do, but I beg them to weigh their decisions against what non-profit and educational communities have given to them and will continue to give them and their customers. We do this out of love, passion, and loyalty, - not to make a buck. Please remember that Education is the substance that many of you Linden employees have had the pleasure of receiving that allows you to hold the position you have in Linden Lab today. You have the chance of offering the same opportunity to our future little Lindens who one by one can change BOTH of our worlds. I beg you , don't force us to the archives. We as adults can choose to stay or go to another place to continue…. BUT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT effects our CHILDREN! I AM NOW FRIGHTENED to again plead to Linden Labs to PLEASE review and see how their decisions will effect ALL of our future. I have to point out that those "other virtual worlds" are actually showing more responsibility by NOT offering this service without first asking their community for input and involvement. To this date, none have launched this service because they UNDERSTAND the consequences of prematurely launching an idea such as one that effects our CHILDREN. I am reading this blog that will bring the little Lindens to their grid in abundance and our youngest , most innocent children will be allowed with a sponsoring institution. What institutions can afford to sponsor a sim that will protect our children? They have made it so difficult by not even allowing the nonprofit organizations that have been here for years to even regroup within an annual budget to make any adjustments. Many are looking for new virtual worlds to rebuild their community again. And many virtual worlds are welcoming them in abundance.. Who will be left to “interact” with our children? Who will be left to educate them? Who will look out for them? Who will help govern and report potential dangerous situations? That statement made me stand up and REALLY think of the consequences down the road….. Teen Life was NOTHING like the environment they will become used to. I can say this as I was involved in Teen Second Life and participated in that environment first hand. I remember as an adult I had a huge adjustment period of how to interact in the adult environment with the main grid, and was very lucky to find a community who valued learning and providing such as the non-profit organizations. SO I ASK YOU LINDEN LAB : Who will be left to help educate our children on how to responsibly interact within an open virtual community such as Second Life? What are you, Linden Lab, REALLY referring to when you say rich? The experience will not even be close in comparison as what you are seeing on your paper when you look at numbers crunched that will be generated by allowances and birthday money that children will be able to use to spend buying Lindens ….buying items and who knows what else. It takes a village (or in our case a community of responsible adults) to raise a child. Who will be raising OUR children now in Second Life? WHO will you be leaving our children in the hands of. LISTEN TO THESE CONCERNS OF nudity, predators, and BDSM activities that you have PROVEN is impossible to govern. I am begging you this time, Linden Lab, to PLEASE respond responsibly to OUR concerns we are stating.

As I read the thoughts of everyone and see our name mentioned I feel the need to add my thoughts as well. Renaissance Island has been with Linden Labs since 2007. During that time we have networked with countless of organizations to name a few: Showtime to bring them in to show the Tudors..... The Globe Theatre Grand Opening (featured Shakespearean Scholar Dolgoruky Umarov and Builder Charlene Trudeau, who presented two joint programs.......not to mention hundreds of volunteers who spend their own money preparing for events like the re-enactment of Henry VIII's coronation in celebration with his 500th anniversary celebrated around the world....We have teachers who chose to come here with their students and complete their dissertations using facilities like our the Globe Theatre, manor and library (as well as all over Linden's community sims......we promote any sim who gives learning opportunities).... Colleges that now acknowledge Second Life as a reputable education opportunity and give credits for projects done is SL and include them in their fiscal planning.... I have the extreme pleasure of being part of Renaissance Island which was created by Alliance Library System, who helped GREATLY to raise Linden Lab to a platform of public recognition. They gave free publicity net working with local news organizations, websites, and conferences promoting what Linden Lab created and what Second Life can offer to non profit organizations all the while encouraging the public to "join aboard". They promoted Linden labs and spread their name not only across all of Illinois but from coast to coast and over seas. Sadly Alliance felt the ultimate government financial cuts and was absorbed into a state system. These are very hard times for everyone. Cut backs are hitting not only non profit organizations. Our Country is feeling the effects of the economy crunch. Even through this, Renaissance Island found another loyal sponsor and continues to see a loyal community that donates and supports to the point of covering its own annual fees and therefore shares support and loyalty to Linden Lab. We continue to promote Second Life and Linden Lab as leaders in the education community and continue to call the "all aboard" invite. I can understand that Linden Labs has a margin of profit they need to attain to exist..... we all do, but I beg them to please weigh their decisions against what the non profit and educational communities have given to them and will continue to give to them and their customers. We do this out of love, passion and loyalty - not to make a buck. Please remember that Education is the sustance that many of you Linden employees have had the pleasure of receiving that allows you to hold the position you have today in Linden Lab. You have the chance of offering hte same opportunity to our future little Lindens who one by one can change BOTH of our worlds. I beg you, don't force us to the archives!!!!