The auctions on eBay are priced at $1. If people pay more than that, I assume it's because they see value in the ad opportunity, or because they got together with their friends to buy a space to protest. Either way, it helps us learn something about what's important to SL users, and that's the goal.
Please let me reiterate. The choice of eBay auctions over internal SL auctions was to avoid wasting valuable LL resources. And while we may share an investor with eBay we have no other relationship with them. We're paying for these listings in the same way, and in the same amount, as any other eBay seller.
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We were assured eBay would not be involved! |
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Robin Linden
Linden Lifer
Join date: 25 Nov 2002
Posts: 1,224
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01-11-2005 14:12
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Hank Ramos
Lifetime Scripter
Join date: 15 Nov 2003
Posts: 2,328
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01-11-2005 14:14
The auctions on eBay are priced at $1. If people pay more than that, I assume it's because they see value in the ad opportunity, or because they got together with their friends to buy a space to protest. So the reserve price on the auction was US$1? |
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Philip Linden
Founder, Linden Lab
Join date: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 428
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01-11-2005 14:31
Like Robin said - this is an experiment to find a better way to populate finder and give folks a way besides events to advertise. We used EBay because we wanted to do this in 1 hour without spending any coding time until we see whether it makes sense. It has nothing to do with eBay whatsoever. Remember - EBay didn't invest in LL - their founder did. personally.
We are trying to get out of the editorial business here - nobody likes when we pick the top picks. The experiment of making those listings paid seemed like a great one. I guess in retrospect we should have used Amazon or Yahoo auctions  _____________________
Philip Linden
Chairman & Founder, Linden Lab blog: http://secondlife.blogs.com/philip |
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Alan Kiesler
Retired Resident
Join date: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 354
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01-11-2005 14:35
From my experience with eBay, that does appear to be the case. In fact the 'no reserve' auctions are usually the hottest, and a US$1 reserve is basically the same thing.
 As for Robin's comment, in short they still want to get other things done (hopefully including getting the bugfixes and infrastructure changes in place), so they float a quick auction-based experiment on eBay instead of their own site. Ebay does all the heavy lifting, including having to deal with crashes et al of the auction. LL just has an employee who's familiar with selling there look at it now and then, and to finish the arrangements once auction is done. And the money they get can be placed toward said infrastructure and bugfixes. Kinda win/win for them here from a SysAdmin standpoint. Edit: Good Lord, did not expect Philip of all people to end up simul-posting! _____________________
Timothy S. Kimball (RL) -- aka 'Alan Kiesler'
The Kind Healer -- http://sungak.net No ending is EVER written; Communities will continue on their own. |
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Talen Morgan
Amused
Join date: 2 Apr 2004
Posts: 3,097
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01-11-2005 14:56
Like Robin said - this is an experiment to find a better way to populate finder and give folks a way besides events to advertise. We used EBay because we wanted to do this in 1 hour without spending any coding time until we see whether it makes sense. It has nothing to do with eBay whatsoever. Remember - EBay didn't invest in LL - their founder did. personally. We are trying to get out of the editorial business here - nobody likes when we pick the top picks. The experiment of making those listings paid seemed like a great one. I guess in retrospect we should have used Amazon or Yahoo auctions Amazon and Yahoo suck essentially so Ebay was the way to go  |
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Kats Kothari
Disturbingly Cute
Join date: 14 Aug 2003
Posts: 556
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01-11-2005 15:08
That's a really good idea. Coordinated protest rather than panic and doomcasting. I agree with this statement. Personally, I would have preferred the Top Picks to be selected another way than auctioning them off on ebay (maybe allowing the residents to nominate their picks and then using a voting system for the selecting process). Now that they are being sold, I know that the reason that they are up there is because the person had enough money to buy their spot, not because they made something creative/interesting enough to earn their own spot. I used to visit the Top Picks because they would give me ideas of where to go to explore, but now that the spots are being bought, I will protest by not visiting the Top Picks anymore. _____________________
Maker of many kawaii items: Dolls, huggable plushies, and purses with cute critters. Visit Kats' Kreatures for a better look and feel free to explore! =^_^= Kats' Kreatures Gualala (140,9) "The cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see..." - H.P. Lovecraft |
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 15:25
Yup I said they would be involved and was told I was a)stupid, b) over reacting or c) full of shit with my "conspiracy theories". I said this would happen amongst other things that have come to pass in recent weeks, and I for one am sickened and saddened by that fact. So, Cat, what would you have suggested they do to control the inflation? If they didn't do something, prices would continue to increase so that those making less money wouldn't be able to afford anything with the regular stipend anyway. I'm guessing (and would LOVE for LL to post some figures for this), but I figure the average SL citizen will lose a couple hundred $L per week from thier stipend. They don't lose all or most of it. As for Ebay, screw them I will not sign up with a 3rd party just to pay to have any property listed on the top picks. As a matter of fact I will now avoid the top picks all together because those ppl bought their way in and did not earn the right to be there. The top picks should be chosen by the ppl. Not by the US$. Yeah im pissed I was right. Cat.. for the umpteenth time... its NOT.. NOT... NOT.. for the Top Picks. Get it? It's for advertising. Top Picks is gone. Did you read any of the posts? There's a clear and sensible reason why they chose Ebay: they don't have to use valuable LL resources on this experiment. Jeeez. |
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Kats Kothari
Disturbingly Cute
Join date: 14 Aug 2003
Posts: 556
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01-11-2005 15:34
Cat.. for the umpteenth time... its NOT.. NOT... NOT.. for the Top Picks. Get it? It's for advertising. Top Picks is gone. Did you read any of the posts? There's a clear and sensible reason why they chose Ebay: they don't have to use valuable LL resources on this experiment. Jeeez. Actually, from what I understood this is a new experimental way of "selecting" the Top Picks. Now instead of being Top Picks (like actual picks selected by people), they will be ads for player's stores, events, items, etc. (kinda like a billboard that can be accessed through the find menu and map).  _____________________
Maker of many kawaii items: Dolls, huggable plushies, and purses with cute critters. Visit Kats' Kreatures for a better look and feel free to explore! =^_^= Kats' Kreatures Gualala (140,9) "The cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see..." - H.P. Lovecraft |
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 15:37
It's not the same at all.
Top Picks: Linden employee picked favorites Featured Listings: Advertisements for in-world businesses paid for via auctions on Ebay. Robin mentioned in an earlier post that they were going to change the name from Top Picks as it was confusing and not the same program at all. |
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Lordfly Digeridoo
Prim Orchestrator
Join date: 21 Jul 2003
Posts: 3,628
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01-11-2005 16:00
As for Ebay, screw them I will not sign up with a 3rd party just to pay to have any property listed on the top picks. As a matter of fact I will now avoid the top picks all together because those ppl bought their way in and did not earn the right to be there. The top picks should be chosen by the ppl. Not by the US$. Yeah im pissed I was right. Why is this an issue for you? I thought you left? Or are you back now, in full force? You're a bit early... I wasn't expecting you for another month. LF _____________________
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http://www.lordfly.com/ http://www.twitter.com/lordfly http://www.plurk.com/lordfly |
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-11-2005 16:25
Why is this an issue for you? I thought you left? Or are you back now, in full force? You're a bit early... I wasn't expecting you for another month. LF Why does it matter to you what I do? _____________________
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 16:28
Why does it matter to you what I do? For one Cat, it does no good for anyone if you come in guns blazing with bad information. |
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-11-2005 16:28
So, Cat, what would you have suggested they do to control the inflation? If they didn't do something, prices would continue to increase so that those making less money wouldn't be able to afford anything with the regular stipend anyway. what inflation, everything seems fine to me the way it was. I'm guessing (and would LOVE for LL to post some figures for this), but I figure the average SL citizen will lose a couple hundred $L per week from thier stipend. They don't lose all or most of it. a couple hundred will hurt a lot of ppl not older ppl like you. Cat.. for the umpteenth time... its NOT.. NOT... NOT.. for the Top Picks. Get it? It's for advertising. Top Picks is gone. Did you read any of the posts? There's a clear and sensible reason why they chose Ebay: they don't have to use valuable LL resources on this experiment. Jeeez. Man don't get all bitchy no shit top picks was replaced by the buy in system on ebay that is my point. I think it sucks. They dont have to use valuable LL resources. Oh you mean the resources that should be fixing the bugs?? _____________________
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 16:32
Man don't get all bitchy no shit top picks was replaced by the buy in system on ebay that is my point. They dont have to use valuable LL resources. Oh you mean the resources that should be fixing the bugs?? Uhhh.. then why did you refer to 'Top Picks' being auctioned on Ebay? As for Ebay, screw them I will not sign up with a 3rd party just to pay to have any property listed on the top picks. You're contradicting yourself. They dont have to use valuable LL resources. Oh you mean the resources that should be fixing the bugs?? Exactly. Using Ebay means they can roll it out faster and focus on real issues. Removing Top Picks means they remove themselves from the editorial process and can focus on fixes. |
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-11-2005 17:06
For one Cat, it does no good for anyone if you come in guns blazing with bad information. Then say that to everyone, better start with LL. _____________________
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-11-2005 17:07
Uhhh.. then why did you refer to 'Top Picks' being auctioned on Ebay? You're contradicting yourself. Exactly. Using Ebay means they can roll it out faster and focus on real issues. Removing Top Picks means they remove themselves from the editorial process and can focus on fixes. Paying to be on the top picks list is wrong. I think we are confusing each other here. Top picks should be decided by the ppl not the all mighty US$. As for priorities instead of issuing all this bullshit and spending time on it they should of been using that time to work on the bugs. _____________________
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 17:12
Paying to be on the top picks list is wrong. I think we are confusing each other here. Top picks should be decided by the ppl not the all mighty US$. As for priorities instead of issuing all this bullshit and spending time on it they should of been using that time to work on the bugs. Cat, you're seriously confusing this. Top Picks is dead. You have never been able to pay to be listed on them. You will never be able to pay for them, as that program will be gone. Top Picks was never decided by the people anyway, it was the Lindens. As the world grows ever larger, I'm sure it was taking more and more of thier time to review and choose a Top Pick, so they simply decided to redirect that time and effort to something else - thus, Top Picks are gone. As for the bullshit, we're the ones that created it. If people had actually read what LL posted and posed good questions to clear any murky areas, we could've avoided this whole debacle. |
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Juro Kothari
Like a dog on a bone
Join date: 4 Sep 2003
Posts: 4,418
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01-11-2005 17:13
Then say that to everyone, better start with LL. Why? They didn't disseminate bad info, WE did. |
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Lordfly Digeridoo
Prim Orchestrator
Join date: 21 Jul 2003
Posts: 3,628
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01-11-2005 17:25
Paying to be on the top picks list is wrong. I think we are confusing each other here. Top picks should be decided by the ppl not the all mighty US$. As for priorities instead of issuing all this bullshit and spending time on it they should of been using that time to work on the bugs. Yes, it's wrong. That's why, if you had paid attention, you would see that they're changing the name from Top Picks to Sponsored Links. It's an ad. Plain and simple. LF _____________________
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http://www.lordfly.com/ http://www.twitter.com/lordfly http://www.plurk.com/lordfly |
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Kats Kothari
Disturbingly Cute
Join date: 14 Aug 2003
Posts: 556
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01-11-2005 20:33
Yes, it's wrong. That's why, if you had paid attention, you would see that they're changing the name from Top Picks to Sponsored Links. It's an ad. Plain and simple. LF If people really want to protest this change, the best way is to not visit the places on the Sponsored Links instead of going crazy on the forums. LL already made the decision on using this as an experiment. If it fails, it will be removed and going post-crazy won't fix the situation. _____________________
Maker of many kawaii items: Dolls, huggable plushies, and purses with cute critters. Visit Kats' Kreatures for a better look and feel free to explore! =^_^= Kats' Kreatures Gualala (140,9) "The cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see..." - H.P. Lovecraft |
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Jacobi Fatale
Registered User
Join date: 1 Sep 2004
Posts: 49
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01-12-2005 00:48
I agree with this statement. Personally, I would have preferred the Top Picks to be selected another way than auctioning them off on ebay (maybe allowing the residents to nominate their picks and then using a voting system for the selecting process). Now that they are being sold, I know that the reason that they are up there is because the person had enough money to buy their spot, not because they made something creative/interesting enough to earn their own spot. I used to visit the Top Picks because they would give me ideas of where to go to explore, but now that the spots are being bought, I will protest by not visiting the Top Picks anymore. totally agree kats. i used to look at the top picks all the time. now whats the point. |
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-12-2005 02:07
instead of becoming indignant i asked myself if linden labs had a very effective auction software on their own website, why would they take this one to ebay? i answered to myself while on LL's auction site the usual few thousand people would see that advertising space in this virtual environment had USD value, ebay actually had millions of subscribers. perhaps this was not only relatively free advertising, but also evidence of the value of this virtual luxury economy. then i asked myself, how do people who have no experience in designing, implementing, or trouble shooting virtual environments or their economy not only critique LL's deliberated decisions in all regard so harshly and with such contempt but also do so with such self assurance. i couldn't come up withan answer. Is it a leap year? Did the sky just fall? WTF? I completly agree with Jauani! _____________________
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-12-2005 02:13
Yes, it's wrong. That's why, if you had paid attention, you would see that they're changing the name from Top Picks to Sponsored Links. It's an ad. Plain and simple. LF CORRECT and I am saying using EBAY to Provide an AD via SL is wrong when we were told Ebay would have zero influence in SL. I got that it was an ad right off the bat. Makes me sick to think of who will be "using" yet another LL made system to their advantage. Put it in the hands of the ppl let them decide whats best. Which brings up another point here, if LL can't manage a simple thing like a top picks list they sure as hell can't handle the extra load of a kiddie grid. _____________________
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Catherine Cotton
Tis Elfin
Join date: 2 Apr 2003
Posts: 3,001
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01-12-2005 02:14
If people really want to protest this change, the best way is to not visit the places on the Sponsored Links instead of going crazy on the forums. LL already made the decision on using this as an experiment. If it fails, it will be removed and going post-crazy won't fix the situation. Absolutly! _____________________
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Totally Barmy
Proud Apoligist
Join date: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 46
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01-12-2005 08:30
If people really want to protest this change, the best way is to not visit the places on the Sponsored Links instead of going crazy on the forums Agreed, I made that point too, except I went crazy on the forums first! |