Is LL the second IBM crash?

And yet some of the best software out there was written by hobbyists, until it got to the point where it solved problems for enough people to take off.

You just have to decide that you're not going to use it to promote anything, you're just going to do it because it scratches an itch YOU want to scratch, and open source it.

This could easily be true. For a long time I was a believer in the potential of SL for business collaboration, a true money-making market, but I now think businesses will prefer lighter-weight solutions built for their needs, like Forterra and Qwaq. And for massive 3D social networking, SL will suffice until Facebook gets its act together and builds a good 3D space.

It seems to me that SL's only niche will be the one it is named for - a world for those who, for whatever reason, NEED a full second life. People whose current first life is somehow hampered. That's a lot of people. Enough people for one VERY lively world and economy. I'm not sure it's enough to support even two, let alone many, worlds.I completely agree. For many reasons.
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I still use Karen Ware! 3 different hardware/software combos failed when it came to backing up info at work (acad dwgs) in 3 years. Good external harddive and Karen's Replicator beats them all hands down for reliability and ease of use.

Irfanview, nothing else needs to be said about it besides awesome!
Spybot!
I would say CrapCleaner but then they started bundling a toolbar in which I disapprove of.

Some "hobbyists" just do it because they can (and some do it better) and aren't really interested in the hassles of marketing.
many many many more!

I think the reason that there is no real competition is that they would run into the same problem LL has. It is also the reason "it has never taken off", simply put, it can't. LL has never been able to keep up with the demand they have and it would be stupid of them to try to advertise. For anything to be truly competitive you have to offer what LL does; USER CREATED CONTENT. Unfortunately user created content is it's own achille's heel. The ability to store and fetch whatever anyone desires is a mind boggling problem and is virgin territory for everyone. There are only 80K+/- concurrent users max because that is all the system can handle. When it can handle 100K, they will be here. I really don't think anyone else has an idea of how to tackle the problem either nor how to build the system to do it. Eventually someone will replace SL but they will do it from what is learned here.

As badly as they have run it business and governing wise, you do have to give LL a lot of credit for getting this far, with a big assist from the residents, of course.

they have had around 80% turning away from sl since 2006 when the flood gates were opened up..since they have grown so much since then and that turn rate has not changed much..how can anyone say it's getting worse and people are turning away in droves now??
they always have been..but the stay rate for the 20% staying is is much stronger than the ones checking out sl for the first time and saying after a few hours or days that SL is not for me..that is your people leaving and turning away from sl..

i hear a lot of people that post up in the forums with these open sims that are still using sl..

until it drops down to 95/5 .i'm not gonna worry

I think you have hit on a key point. I was talking with friends and even though I've only been in SL for about a month I don't think I would have made it this far were it not for the "real" people who helped me see beyond the crap on the intro and help islands. I appreciate the efforts of the people who devote huge amounts of time trying to meet newly borns there, but honestly, I remember being so overwhelmed by just trying to walk and type that I didn't appreciate the volunteers for what they were! This needs an active presence by LL, perhaps a couple of booths where one could walk up and pick "what I want to do and see here" and get some guidance, rather than just going out and finding the first nude beach? I don't know the answer, I just know I would be long gone but for the personal intervention of my friends here in the Forum. Jackie.

Jackie, you missed Anya's point. She said SL needs "normal" people; you referred to "real" people from the forums.

Pep (They are *not* the same)

By "normal" people I mean people who aren't here because they like to create things or want to sell things. I mean mainstream people who might use SL for entertainment.

Jackie speaks of exactly the circumstance I described. If you aren't a builder or a gambler and don't want crappy pixel porn you're going to have a hard time finding something to do in SL unless you already know real-world people in SL, or find the forum.

While I realise SL graphics are pretty good in the context of the versatility and size of the grid, sometimes things that 'aren't quite professional grade' are, nevertheless, as good as they can be, given the tools we have.

For example, you can make the best possible flexible shift dress, loose from the bust down, with lovely delicate patterns, but bits of it will still disappear under your skin when you dance!

Back to the original question, since I took the time to reread it Despite all the problems, graphics shortcomings, high dropout rate and so on, I am finding this place fascinating, and I've only visited probably 20 locations! I guess the definition of SL being successful or not is in the eye of the beholder. I tend to embrace change as a challenge or opportunity, so let's see what the upcoming months bring. Maybe I'll just go walkabout or something...I still haven't had a chance to walk over to the sea from my Basenville property! The anticipation builds! Jackie

I never fit into the "normal" category (thank god)....and doubt that SL would survive if only those who wanted to hang out and entertain themselves are walking about...it needs movers and shakers investing quality time and money.....like any functioning "world."

I came in from the Business Week article on Anshe Chung and her real estate empire. Being in real estate in rl....I wanted to "play"....it was intriguing. I ran into tons of people all day long that came in from the same article. They were like me....intrigued...most were business professionals....executives...graphic designers....tekkies....artistic entrepreneurs....and they were arriving at the drop-offs in droves....one right after the other.....as fast as they could land on your head.

I got to "play" big time....because the people I described above were playing big time.....they were dropping tons of money into it. The were also networking, mingling, exploring.....establishing homes and roots.....building relationships.....all the while spending money doing so.....they were also talking about doing bigger and better things here.....building huge projects......and they had the money to do so.

Sorry for focusing on "money"...but that's why I came here....as a business person looking at other avenues.....just like those other people who came in from the same article.....it focused on business in a virtual world.....didn't really focus on the romancing and role-playing. It did imply a huge creative outlet...but if you've got a full time business going on in rl that pays well.....that creative outlet is only going to be attractive to a true entrepreneur if there is a carrot dangling in front of you for future rewards....as slight as that may be.

For one reason or another....most ran into a brick wall....or reached a plateau.....that no longer made it interesting and intriguing to them. They had the energy...the creativity....the commitment....the drive.....the money.... to do some amazing things....but lost interest. Why did that happen?

I don't run into those people in droves like I used to....here and there, now and then....but not in droves. It's way past time for another article like that to come out in a well known publication.....you will rarely hear me comment on how the mechanics and technology is running.....works fine for me....but would love to walk into the marketing department and rattle some cages.



Anya....SL needs to draw the people who can invest the money to collaborate with you on that. Those with the money don't always have the "ideas"....but they have the resources and drive.....and the smarts to collaborate effectively.

Many of us do our part in constantly striving to do better in creating....delving into how all the nuances of marketing works in a virtual world.....offering better products and services.....learning and experimenting with new things....some which require money invested.....but we need LL to do the same thing....with the same creative energy and commitment....in order not to reach the plateau.

Before I read this thread this morning....I woke up, about to turn the computer on....and the excitement in hitting that button is dwindling....thinking that I've hit a plateau....and wanting to get to the next level....I want LL to go to the next level, too.....it's time....past time.

i disagree with that..
skydiving,sea diving,race cars and bikes and horses..play hockey..battle sims.Rp of just about any kind. Shopping photography .the list goes on and on..

the thing is SL has a big learning curve..it also replicates life in a sense..
you are born..you overcome little obstacles at first which become lessons learned which turn into experience that leads you to where you are now...

people want it made easier for the newer people when the learning is part of what it's about..
LL created the grid..it's residents create the world...
they gave us the free will in here and we have molded what everyone see's and does that comes here tomorrow..

it's not for everyone..just like WoW is not for everyone and unreal tournament is not for everyone..
if it was for everyone chances are most of us would be some place else..
cause it would get real boring real fast if it was any easier..

it's not supposed to be a quick learn where you have everything down pat in a week or they point you in the right direction..
finding our way and fitting where we belong is what it's about..

easy is for Sony @Home..