What If.....

As we all know the Welcome Centers are uner construction, which is a good thing I'm sure, but what do you think would have happened if LL would have put out a RFP (Request For Proposal) that described what needed to be included, but then allowed SL Players to bid on building the Welcome Centers. Each person bidding could bid on the general look and feel they would make the Welcome Center and if chose would build the Welcome Center. IF the chose builder didn't live up to his/her promise then another builder could be chose to take over.

The idea is to get the Community involved in their own world, in ways that would give them recognition and pride in their accomplishment.

What other ways could LL include the Community so we would feel like this world really did belong to us?

Excellent! idea Bob.

Or do this for one of the secondary WC's.

You know, I do like this idea. My suspicion is that concerns about Linden favoritism would kill it, but there might be ways to minimize that (say several winners, either at once or over time, rotating the builds). If there was no money involved it would minimize those fears further, but then might not provide enough encouragment. I'd think reputation alone would keep some interested, as long as credit for it was clear and relatively obvious (other than a billboard sign, or the "Club {insert name} Welcome Area" a la college bowls.)

As for other areas, hmmm. Maybe different looking telehubs in various places (we have this to some degree, but still rather lookalike). Not sure road construction would be terribly interesting to folks (though groups paying the Lindens to have signs "Cleaned by {insert group}" along the road would be funny. Bridges and tunnels might be of interest to builders, more than roads. Not sure what else.

This is a great idea, though I must say the Welcome Center in Waterhead is really a very nice place.

There's a job opening on the LL website for a part-time artist. I'm guessing/assuming from this that LL prefers that sort of continued trust over bidding contracts.

I agree! Waterhead is both attractive and more fun. Actually, I don't know what it is exactly, but when I was there the other day, I was thinking... that it just was so much better than I've ever seen Ahern be. There were all sorts of new people talking and asking questions and the people were being extremely helpful. I actually had to call in Torley because the place was getting so crowded with newbies I couldn't help them all!

It seems like in Ahern, the new people run off into the wilderness and don't talk to anyone or ask questions. I mean, sure, there's always a few default people running around, but nothing like what I saw the other day. Newbies, Oldbies, and Midbees! All talking and sharing items and helping and meeting each other! In perfect harmony! It was wonderful..

Now, I don't know if that had to do with Waterhead itself, the scenery change bringing all the established people out of the woodwork, all the negative people finding another place to hang out.. or what. But it was SO NICE. And I can only hope that when Ahern becomes the Welcome Area again, this quality will continue.

(By the way, I should be back in-world tomorrow, with any luck! Performing the hard drive wipe tonight. Wish me luck!)

Hmmmmm, not sure how I feel about this but I'll ramble a bit anyway because it is a good topic. I really don't trust the Lindens. I don't think they are evil but I question their organization and processes. If we had a government which guaranteed some form of representation I could see doing these types of things. Otherwise, I fear it would simply be doled out to a friend of whatever Linden would be responsible for giving out the contract.