Second Life and Virtual Worlds
New World notes did a quick blurb on articles about the Microsoft Buyout Rumor of Linden Lab – Second Life. See: Second Life Bloggers Blogging About Linden Lab. One of those articles is by Dusan Writer in which Dusan writes an imagined conversation between Phillip Rosedale, Linden Lab’s CEO, and investors. Prior to the imagined … Read more
McCabe is the primary developer of the Imprudence Viewer. Seems his laptop is wearing out and about to fail. So, over on the Imprudence blog they are asking for donations. If you are using the viewer and like it, please chip in some bucks. The donate button is at the bottom of the Imprudence blog … Read more
Yeah, we have all heard the rumors and speculation. If you are into drama, there are a number flaming threads on the Second Life blogrum where wild speculation runs wild. But, we still have no solid information, we are still dealing with opinion and speculation. In regard to speculation Gwyneth Llewelyn has a new article this morning. It is so far the best example of the application of intelligence to make a rational speculation.
See: Microsoft Life?
By now you have probably heard the rumor that Microsoft made an offer to buy Linden Lab and thus supposedly Second Life. However, this could just be an offer to buy some of SL’s technology. Or it could all be a griefer’s spoof. The source of the rumor tracks back to a banned player and a group known to grief. The complication comes in that both have been involved in revealing ‘real’ secrets in the past.
There is no way to confirm or deny the rumor until either Linden Lab or Microsoft make a statement. Even then many will speculate the official spokes-holes are spinning to control PR. In the political season here in the States that makes perfect sense to many. There is just no way to know who is spoofing, spinning, or in the know. But, the story has legs because it is a credible idea that Microsoft might actually want Linden Lab. As more and more blogs pick it up, more real news sources pick it up and the story spreads. Many will use the number of sources as a measure of truth, which is a really poor way to decide.
Alphaville Herald has an article up this morning: Hacktivism, Governance, and Copyright Debates 4chan Style. This is an interesting spin on ideas many of us consider fixed. In regard to copyright, and actually most of government, it should be no surprise things simply don’t work well (A good reason for small government). The problems created … Read more
Update: 2010-10-06 – Added link to SL Wiki and Mesh Costs
Second Life Teen Grid
The teen grid closes at the end of this year. Today Terrence Linden posted in Welcoming Teen Grid Organizations to the Main Grid that 13 to 17 year olds will be allowed on the main grid. Previously they planned to allow 16 to 17 year olds on the main grid. The change today is the Lab will allow 13 to 15 year olds into regions owned by approved organizations. Current teen organizations will continue to operate past the end of the year without interruption.