Odd login survey

Upon logging in this late afternoon, I was confronted with a survey.

I don't recall the exact wording of the question, but it simply asked, "are you and your avatar of the same gender?"

I answered yes, because, well.. that's the answer for me.

It does make me wonder though. I know from anecdotal indications here in the forums and elsewhere, that this is actually something people often do - operate avatars of the opposite gender as their real persons.

So the Resident Question is - do you do this? Why? I'm not at all coming from a judgemental stance, it's just a curiosity on my part.

Interesting.... I got a survey "Do you think that avatar rendering cost should be private?" with answers that basically said "just you see it" "everyone sees it" "no one sees it", I think. Which was amusing, because I suspect that the answer from the average SL user is probably "Huh?"

I'm quite fascinated that they're asking about your gender. Some users are going to take offense to that, I suspect. Personally, I'm the same gender and species as my avatar, so it makes very little difference to me. But LL has always talked about user privacy. That's not a good question to be asking if you think people are going to believe that you respect your users' privacy.

This came from Linden Lab? I mean - they already have all your information. Why do they have to ask?

Since the surveys can be lied about so very easily what's the point? Who cares? I haven't seen on yet but I might just lie to be contrary.

But, it might be that LL is really secretly monitoring these forums.........those are hot button topics here.

/me seconds this question.

WOOT Marketing gotta love it!!!!!

I don't remember specifying gender when signing up.

QFFT!

I just X out those surveys anyway, I never answer them

It's no secret. They do watch these forums, they always have. They'd be fools not to, and they're not fools.

Why is this a "hot button" topic?

The whole Realists vs Immersionists bit. and the Voice/No Voice nonsnense

Actually, I b'lieve they are.

Dunno if they 'watch' the forums in any official way but some of them stop by from time to time.. You're right - this is no secret.

so, my alts have unisex names and and avatars of both genders among other forms so, I could answer either way and not be lying.

Don't see the point.

Someone at Linden Labs needs a course in asking questions.

Why do you restrict access to your land? - But Idon't restrict access to the land I own, so none of the options applied !

They need to either

1) Ask multi part questions, a) Do you own land? b) Do you restrict access ...... or
2) Include all possible cases - such as

I own land but do not restrict access

I am both genders and probably a 3rd. But here I am just a guy. but most of time
I am pretty permanently ruthed.
Personally I don't think asking Gender. Race or social security number should be done at all for place like this as far as membership, it's none of their business even if they think they
need it to do marketing data.
It shouldn't be asked when you're paying a bill or for service period unless it medical or legally required to do so.
Banks don't provide that information or mine said they don't.
All that should matter is I am who I am and I am not committing bank
fraud and paying them.
I had another question though. forgot what one was about avatars and resource meter or something or other.

I had the avatar rendering cost one, the gender one, I'm not at all sure why that's important to anyone at Linden Lab.

I got a question worded like "What is your favorite SL Community?" I had no idea what they were talking about. Favorite sim? Favorite club, hangout, group? Very vague questions. It's as if the staff have no clue how to use their own platform or about the culture of it.

Maybe all the staff should log in and and let US show them around.

Maybe someone at LL is doing a school project.

Or has made some sort of deal to allow 3rd parties to post these things. What will be next? Ads on the log in page?

Perhaps intentional. It might be of interest to LL to see how people answer this question.

IMO the biggest challenge to SL is finding someplace where you actually feel welcome and can have real conversation with like-minded people. A great many people come, ask "what is there to do here?", don't get a satisfactory answer, and leave. I've been here almost two years and don't have a satisfactory answer.

If a few people answer "I like voice chatting at Ahern" a Linden can go visit and see who hangs out at Aherm for voice chat (my observation: Brits aged 15-25). This tells them a little something about how the game is being used. It gives them one success story that they can analyze and maybe try to duplicate.

If a bunch of people name an out-of-world community (like this forum or sluniverse or something else) that would tell them some people find it easier to find community outside the game.

If popular places in-game are mentioned they can add them to their spotlight list so other people may enjoy them.

The most interesting result would be if people named actual in-world communities, rather than locations. LL could study how those groups found one another, what they do to stay in touch, how they maintain interest in-world, etc.

SL needs to become relevant to more people if it is to continue to grow. LL may be starting to research how to make that happen.

If that's the case then it's a very good thing. I hope they get useful answers. As a recluse, I didn't have much business answering anyway.