WOW!!!!
I would like to thank everyone that has commented on my previous posts. I had no idea of the many various opinions on this matter that you as fellow residents had on the issue of protection of residents and on the many pitfalls that I face in this endevour. The most helpful of these comments I regret to say, came from the negative submissions that raised legitimate concerns of fairness and relevence of such a list.
I cannot of course reply to, or answer every comment that was posted, I can however touch on a few of the major points and concerns that were voiced.
One of the first comments posted asked a very interesting question and that needs a response. The comment was questioning my appointing myself Police Chief in Second Life. In response, the only real answer I can supply is simply that I am not trying to be the police chief of anything. I would prefer it to be thought of as a Better Business Bureau for avies. I do not seek any authority to punish or to disipline any one, that is up to LL to do that. I do seek to make some type of tool available to my fellow residents that may assist them here. No more, no less. It is as simple as that.
Another reply posted was rather disturbing in itself, that particular post questioned the validity of such a list and the possibility of abuse. Both very appropriate questions. I am afraid there is no simple answer as to the question of "who watches the watchers?". The only real answer there is, is that peer pressure on me as well as an honest desire on my part to help others with no ulterior motives such as financial enrichment or personal gain is the most powerful option available to act as a check and balance system for an undertaking such as this. There will always be questions as to the validity of such a list and justifiably so. Any list is only as valid as the effort and honesty that is put into it's creation.
Perhaps the most legitimate issue raised was that this would start the finger pointing. On that point, you may be right, however......There is no plan at this time to allow others to post to this list. Nor have I entirely formulated a procedure for screening complaints to insure fairness. As I clearly stated this is in the infancy of developement. The only real option that I see open to me would be to make an honest attempt to make contact with any potential additions to this list before their inclusion and to try my best to be fair and reasonable.
I was also pleased to see the question raised as to how to prevent someone from simply creating another avie and continuing with their activities. There just is no way to prevent that. I would hope that repeatedly changing avies would eventually grow tiresome and the expense and time required would hopefully exceed whatever they hoped to gain. As you and I are both aware, a lock only helps to keep honest people out.
Another suggestion made to me was that perhaps this group might assist other residents in the filing of abuse reports. I am extremely hesitant to involve myself or this group in that area. I would be willing to assist them in finding the proper form, but I am afraid I would have to draw the line there. I do not believe that my involvement in filing official reports to SL would be in the best interests of my fellow resident or of this list. I believe that by being as independent as possible and to be allowed to stand alone on it's own merits is the only avenue open to the continued existance of such a list.
Now on to a progress report on my continuing efforts.
I was pleasently surprised to be recieving almost as many positive comments and suggestions as I did negative ones. There was a donation of land made for an office. There has also been a rather significant amount of cash donated, all without solicitaion. This shows me that I am not alone in thinking some type of list is indeed needed and perhaps even long overdue.
The group has continued to grow and many have shared there own horror stories with me. I was flabbergasted at the number of others in SL that have had some type of abuse visited upon them here. Most of these do not warrent inclusion on a list such as the one I am proposing. There can be no room on that list for disputes of a personal nature that do not involve a deliberate attempt to defraud someone of assets. I have made it clear, that this is not and will not be a "get even" list. I can not and I will not try to resolve disputes between residents, that is even more of a minefield than the one I am currently navigating. To try and be a mediator to such disputes would only make this list a complaint center and that is not it's intended purpose.
Please! Please! Please! Continue to voice your concerns and comments to me here. Even the negative comments assist me greatly in trying to create a viable tool for Second Life.
Please: Have Fun!! Play Safe!!! Merry Christmas!
