Seeking reader feedback-- what SL topics do you want to read more about in NWN?

Here's your chance to let me know what you'd like me to write more about-- and, maybe, to get me thinking, and investigating.

I don't mean a specific story, like "write about my store in Shipley"-- I mean themes and general subjects. What topics deserve more coverage in NWN, in your opinion?

I don't have any suggestions, but I do think you're doing a great job of it so far. No suggestions needed, imho.

Boso

I like to see stuff like maybe interviewing someone Like Nick Yee of "Norrathian Scrolls" fame (just do a search for Nick Yee) and get his feedback on SL -- maybe set up an account and watch him as he wanders the world, etc.

I'd like to see something about sex in SL -- especially the success or not of things like brothels and strip clubs because even though it's a relatively well-kept secret, we all know they are out there.

I like to see stuff on body image/ways people relate to other based on the "attractiveness" of avs, that kind of thing.

Otherwise, I also think you're doing a good job.

Zana

Well I would like to see more articles on unscripted events, like the Jessie hostage situation.

Also more interviews would be really great. There's a lot of buildings in SL and I often wonder if anybody is really doing anything with them.



Oh yeah and some articles on SL Musicians would be cool. I don't know how many are out there, I've seen pianos you can play and I know Lola Bombay and Duck Crossing have a band, Boolean.

I'd like to see something about how SL architecture differs from or mimics real-world architecture, and why. Some people build structures with elements that aren't necessary in SL, like butresses and supporting posts. Others build without real-world limitations and have floating platforms and transparency.

I'm also interested in profiles of SL artists: sculptors, graphic artists, writers, etc.

I would like to hear about anything that isn't Jessie or Cory Doctorow related.

Yes to axeing the Jessie-centrism. NWN seems to spend a lot of time focused on guns and conflict and attention-whores (which I guess makes for good copy). No offense to people that have been written up, but a lot of it sound like "ooh ooh look at me, I'm being naughty! Aren't you shocked?"

I have to agree...I feel like all the gun/Jessie related articles are only so major publications will pick the story up, as they did with the story of the Jessie Wall and the Tax Revolution. I'd like to see more every day news stories.

Also, I'd like to see a major in-world publication, run by Hamlet, hiring freelance reporters to get stories. The publication could also publish that day's NWN in world, which would be very nice.

I've always liked the stories that go into the backgrounds behind the in-world builds. I mean, we fly past a lot of stuff every day, and even stop and take closer looks, but it takes an interview with the builder to know the true story about why and how. THAT I'd like to see more of.

(And there's plenty of material out there... )

Agree that the Jessie stories ought to probably die at this point. Frankly, after experiencing Jessie for myself and getting into a flamewar on the boards about it, I'd rather just forget that Jessie exists. The conflict seems old, tired and a little juvenile from my perspective. It also makes me wonder why certain folks don't just hush and go play Doom where randomly killing people is much more statisfying . . .anyhoo . . .

(oops, Zana starts a flamewar and returns to the game crispy and smelling of grease!!! OOOOOH!)

Anyway, back on topic, there's a lot going on in SL and a lot of really interesting people who aren't really "visible" in the "popular" sense of SL and who are really fascinating and doing some cool stuff. I'd like to see more on "everyday" folks.

Zana

p.s. Thanks for not mentioning my name in the lastest Jessie story, btw, but considering everyone in the world knows I'm Baccara's best friend (she tells everybody, duh) it's not a very well kept secret. Might as well out myself. I've explained my side of things to the folks who matter to me, so oh well.

I'd like to see more of some of the unique projects being undertaken around SL rather than the same old same old conflicts... what are some great accomplishments that have been made or are being made?

Liason interviews?

These are all marvelous suggestions/comments-- please keep 'em flying. To respond to a few of them, I definitely plan to write about something related to AVs and body image, and more big project-type architectural stuff (in addition to my Architectural Digest series.) And I *really* want to do something about musicians in SL-- in fact, I was working on one, when the musician in question had to drop his account. Far as sex-related entries and Liaision interviews, those are both great ideas, with some big caveats. With the latter, I'd be interviewing a Linden, and I'd be afraid my questions might violate the confidentiality they have with the residents. With the former, it'd be difficult to write about sex in a way that isn't coy *and* doesn't violate community standards. (And on that count, that little Burning Life entry on the PoG is probably the water mark.) But when the right story comes along...

Anyway, keep suggesting new trails to explore.

And oh yeah, I promise: no more combat-and-conflict-in Jessie stuff for a long while!

I would kinda like to see my name somewhere in the midst of all those art gallery stories, given that I both built and own the Bhodi Tree Gallery in Jessie. Thank you

I would also like to hear about less Jessie situations. The last article titled, 'Occupying Jessie' was a good article but not entirely true. Also showing me as a bad guy in some ways, which i never intend to be.

Well I agree that more human interest stories would be wonderful... It is nice to know who people are (if they allow it) and how they came here. We have all become so much a part of each others existence, so why not understand each other a bit better. We come from all the US and the continent as well, how fascinating to all end up together.

i agree, more interviews would be great.

Not as exciting without the Jessie conflicts, is it?

Hehe, but then again I read news for entertainment, not insight

-AP

Well, since I'm still of Junior Member status, one of the most fascinating topics to me is that of SLers developing romantic relationships even though they're married in real life. Some of these individuals get involved with other members with their spouse's knowledge, but many without. Sure, my thinking is that it's all role playing, but many have taken the relationships to such extremes that it extends to outside SL, resulting in ongoing emailing and IMs. Unfortunately, when their SL romance ends, there's so much baggage and drama that it results in personal affronts, causing people to sell their land and take down some trademark structures. This is nothing new to the web nor to online gaming/virtual reality worlds from what I've learned from SLers who've been members of communities like THERE. So of course, I'm not totally surprised that it occurs here...but it sounds like such a dirty secret when people discuss it. SO, who better to do an expose on this than out Hamlet?! Maybe it might be too controversial for some, and maybe others would rather not bring up the topic, but I think it's funny to meet SLers (who're married in RL) who have some "serious" romantic relationships not just in SL, but in other online virtual worlds. I'm curious as to why they even bother in partaking in such behavior and the moral fortitude (or lack of) behind it all. LOL! Ok, maybe this is might be a poweder keg topic...or maybe people would rather not bring too much attention to this topic, especially if they partake in SL's world of romance...or it might violate SL's privacy agreements, etc...but it's a thought I'm throwin' out there...lol!

Check out Monday's entry, Cyrus, it's a compendium
or SL/FL romance!

I'd love to hear more stories about really innovative, fun, weird, and creative ways people are pushing the envelope. What's the latest must have gadget? Who has great sight gags? who's bringing in new levels of interactivity and how? What's a new must see build? I love the architectural digest series and I think it would be great to extend that to innovators of all types.

hi chip.

marilyn murphy

How about a weekly column on a randomly selected member, a la the "Everybody Has A Story" feature done by CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and pioneered originally by a reporter named David Johnson at a small daily paper in Lewiston, ID (the newspaper I read while growing up, incidentally)? Johnson selects a random number out of the local phonebook for his interview subject; Hartman throws a dart at a map of the U.S. to choose the town where he will also use a phone book to select the person he interviews.

All of us in SL have a story, and they are all interesting, in their own unique way. Find a way to select a SL member at random and introduce us all to him or her, Hamlet.

That sounds like a cool idea, Beryl!

I agree with Zena and Beryl. Once you've been here for a while, it's easy for your SL world to get smaller and smaller because from the instant you log on you are constantly distracted by your entertaining and amusing friends. I rarely "wander" around SL like I used to when it was new, and I am missing some wonderful places and marvelous people, I am sure.

I would like to know the stories behind builds, too. And I like Beryl's idea of interviews with less visible SL people. There are a TON of fascinating people here that people rarely run into or hear about. They're just being quietly industrious.

I'd also like to see an interview with some of the people who cannot, due to life and job situations, be online too often, but who still love the game when they can get to it. These people are interesting and I'd like to know more about them.

Or how about SL/FL friends? People who are friends in SL AND FL. Pete Fats and Skrull Money; Jake Cellerdoor and Kelwyn Gallant are two that come to mind. Do you realize that, aside from the Lindens, these people are the ONLY other ones who can gossip about us in a face-to-face conversation....?????

Maggie