08-02-2004 23:09
Given: This idea will require enforcement.
Given: This will require adding an attribute to the land.
Given: We are already on the verge on overflowing with events, shops, houses and attractions that are becoming increasingly difficult to find / know about / search.

What would players and Lindens think about enacting zoning laws? Consider possibilities:

1. There already is a limited implementation, through Linden Protected land, themed sims, and private sims.
2. Commercial vs residential districts. (Already there are some open markets to encourage the prior)
3. Minimum plot sizes - reduce density and decrease lag.
4. Red light districts - not just mature land, but MATURE.
5. Extended park-land.
6. Supervised public works projects. Like Dore. Ensure standards, and once it's built it's Linden-owned. Could make recreations of real life places, more public places for meetings, more themed sims, etc.

And consider, then, once this is implemented, overhauling the Find tool to take advantage of locality as a search use.

Imagine, "Find shops near Japanese-themed sim, keyword: katana". Results could be sorted by how far from a sim,X,Y as well as keyword matching.

If Second Life continues to grow at the current rate, we will have upwards of 500 sims by the end of the year. It will become increasingly difficult to find things that you want. I believe a zoning system and an overhauled Find system could tackle the searching problem for at least through 2005.

-Hiro Pendragon
Serving SL from Varney 200,200