"Features" Calm Thread, Suggestions, Opinions.

This will probably sink quicker than, well something that sinks really fast, due to all the economy hysteria propoganda. But any other thread on the subject of the "Top Picks"->"Features" change doesn't seem like my post would be on topic with, wide range of angles here we go:

The change is an interisting one and while I'm not against the concept all together, there are some things I'd do differently (and would like to see changed naturaly).

First: Instead of calling it "Features" how about "Classifieds" or "Adverts". If "Features" is still kept, please put somewhere in the window an explination that the items in the list are paid advertisements, and NOT Linden selected, with perhaps a link to the page where you can bid on space yourself (I suspect the later would happen on its own). Why? Because its taking the place of Top Picks, a previously Linden endorsed area, people (in general) would naturaly assume "Features" meant "Linden Featured Items" as well.

Second: eBay, don't use it. Why not use the Linden made auction system? It needs to be expanded anyway. Expansion should include possibility for things other than Land to be put on bid, as well as users being able to put stuff up for auction as well (weren't we supposed to be able to do this originaly?). With using eBay, users have to create new accounts, free? Maybe, I dunno. I personaly am turned off by it being on eBay because I don't want to create an account or deal with whatever policies eBay has. I understand that the situation may call for "we need something quick, and ebay is just sitting there", but c'mon, hastey desicions like this are what have in the past gotten people into trouble and cause worse situations down the road. I've never used eBay, so I can't say what exploits there are, or anything else towards that.

Third: All USD, ouch. This basicly tells me "Unless you're willing to pay USD, you are not a serious business person in SL and don't deserve a spot", now I know you aren't saying that, but c'mon, the feeling is projected by it. I'm sure there are many serious business people in SL who would be willing to pay for a spot in Advertisements with L$. If they really wanted to Advertise in the Advertisements tab they'd now be forced into using not only eBay, but USD conversions (or out right paying) to do so. To me this is an unfair advantage cut in the market. Prices will naturaly rise just as they have in the Land auctions, Advertisement tab will become inflated in an economy of which you have no control over.

Fourth: Need L$ sinks due to inflation? Wouldn't Advertisements be a PERFECT one? Those who have large sums of L$ and are producers would be the ones more likely to use Advertisements than others, wouldn't this be a perfect money sink for them?

Fifth: Inflation control... is what you have none of with using USD strictly. If you had a mixture of both, it would help level off a bit. However as people are more willing to spend 100's on a spot (which lasts how long?) in USD, it naturaly would make people want to pay more in L$, which creates again a large money sink. This is seen done with Land right now as well. The value put on Land by USD alters the L$ value as well.

Sixth: I see a trend here, Land started out with USD and L$ possibilities, the L$ posibilities generaly become less attainable for "common folk". Now Advertisements are stricktly USD. Will this trend continue on other future auction things? Or will we get options to use L$ or USD? I never felt like I had an issue with Land in that sense because it allowed me to have the option to still use L$ (my currency of choice in SL). But now, no one has that option with Advertisements unless they convert using GOM or IGE, an added step and an added restriction. Restrictions are BAD (incase anyone has forgotten), and not having many is what makes SL GOOD.

In Short: Change "Features" to something more obviouse "Classifieds" "Adverts" or add an explination, ditch eBay, use inhouse auction that residents can use without 3rd party accounts, allow L$ to be used in bidding as well, USD restriction is bad on many accounts.

These are my opinions as they currently stand.

You can read my thoughts here

Very nice Sio, some responses to your entry:



If the pay off benefit was raised more by the paying to entry, I'd definitly be more inclined to do it. It of course depends on how much I have to pay to enter, but still, a nice big payout would be very nice. But I don't go to many events,



This is correct, if you reached 3,500 you would not get payed anything over that, I believe it worked like so: User Is Taxed, if User Ammount (after tax) > 3,500, no stipend, otherwise if User Ammount (after tax) < 3,500, pay difference untill 3,500. I'm not sure exactly, but I know if you hit 3,500 you weren't getting anymore.

As for taxes... I'm not sure, if they did bring them back they should definitly be different, perhaps *only* land tax, Prim tax just sucked. (which I think is what you meant?)

I think I agree with everything else you said, nice blog!

Thanks. It was getting a little crouded in these forums, lol.

Siobhan,

How would taxing large landowners somehow be "fairer". We are already paying enormous tier fees, why should a landowner be taxed any more than anyone else?

I agree with everything you stated Oz! Very nice post!

I'm one of them, Cris. Anyway, yes, you're right in the tier thing of course. But it's the way it works in rl. Maybe the rl$ tier fees are the unfair bit. Anyway, they're thoughts. I'm not claiming to have all the answers; not yet at any rate.

Yes, yes, and YES.

I am a little ambivalent about the changes I suppose, other than the bizarre Ebay thing they are doing, which I think is a really bad idea. The Chicken Little posts are annoying me more than anything though * sigh * so this is a welcome thread. Great post, Oz, I agree with everything you said - I have read a lot of these posts this morning and now my head hurts, so I will post my thoughts in a bit.

I have seen LL change SL economic positions a few times. And yes the first time I railed against it as much as everyone else has in the forums since the announcement of this upcoming one. Each one changed the "game play" for the majority of residents. We lived thro them and SL continued to grow.

I dont care for that ebay idea.. That seems, at best, a creative stretch to utilize ebay just because they had too. I hope this direction isnt a shadow of anything bigger lurking.

The rest of the changes will help balance the world, economically and socially. Yea it may sting a bit, but the basic product that is Second Life is strong enough to offer us lots of entertainment and keep us busy.

I would like to see an adjustment to the cost of uploads. I think its time to lower upload costs. Upload costs should reflect the same cuts as other economic cuts. This is only fair. What was the initial determination of upload costs? I would imagine that reasoning is no longer vaild.


fen-

Agreed.
Since it's obvious that the Features are paid for by the highest bidder (as oppossed to picked because a Linden kinda liked 'em), I don't see why anyone would be enticed to visit them. This reminds me of so-called vanity publishers, which will publish any book (no matter how badly written) if the "author" pays them. The result? A bunch of badly written books nobody wants to read.

As much as I'd like fame, recognition and all the trimmings, I don't think I'd stoop to buy it. It's not the same as earning it.

Agreed.



Agreed.



Agreed.



Agreed. Why they aren't increasing the Places listing cost and adding functionality rather than this... crap... they're pulling is beyond me.

Wait I just rememberd something isnt Ebay part of the group that donated the 8 mil?

Curious turn of events, huh?

I would have to agree with just about everything you posted here OZ, and agree with Feniks too, concerning the use of EBAY.

Catherine Cotton warned of this long ago (and we all said she was merely crying wolf), that a large corporation that "gives" to LL, and suddenly we are forced into using their services to Advertise our places.

Just think what happens when Coke gives 8 million to LL, we'll all be forced to drink cokes and have to send in the UPC's just to get in the game.

I am fully aware that a game like Second Life needs cash to continue to run, and continue to improve. But when we, the players, are forced to use a system, that potentially could cost us money, and most ceratinly will cost us time to sign up for, then it's time we step back and ask, "Is ist worth it?"

You know, I don't care only the rich will be able to "Advertise" their over-prized, over-glitzed, over-puffed up places. The joy in Second Life continues to be finding those small out of the way places that are run by players, not corporations. With that in mind, I encourage everyone to visit Red River City in Slate, a nice Old West town, with lots of vendors, poker tables, darts, and friendly people. The town was built by us (with the exception of a couple of buildings) and we to this day still own and run the town. We didn't get EBay to give us an infusion of cash, we didn't have LL come in and pave our streets, everything you see in the town, is done by the players. No Glitz, No Glamour, just a nice creation from one of the oldest groups in SL these days, The Slate Community.