Don't expect any help from M.

Here is his take on the matter:

http://gigaom.com/2008/10/30/protest-threatens-linden-labs-profitability/

"I contacted freshly minted Linden CEO Mark Kingdon for his comments about the protest. In a statement provided by his publicist, Kingdon told me, “We understand that this price adjustment will affect businesses and other projects of some our Second Life Residents,” and emphasized the cost increases were only directed at select landowners, who have until January 2009 to adjust themselves to the new rates. “To be clear,” Kingdon continued, “this price adjustment affects only a portion of land in Second Life; it does not apply to private islands or regular mainland property. We made this change to ensure an optimal Second Life experience for all Residents.”

"Select landowners"? I would guess easily 30% of the active users are going to be hit by this. Probably more. I think we see where Jack got his marching orders from.

We made this change to ensure an optimal Second Life experience for all Residents.

Yes charging us more money will indeed make a change. Not sure what it is because they wont tell us how giving them more money will fix this or ensure an optimal Second Life experience for all Residents. Stop the damage control LL and just be up front.

I read that article and wondered if he actually knows what an openspace is, how many of them exist or the fact that you need to own a full estate to buy one in the first place because he demonstrates no understanding of the concept of them in that article, nor how widespread they are.

Actually, to me it sounds more like M has only the vaguest of ideas what the debate is even about, not like he's the one behind it.

Although I suppose it's entirely possible that he was behind the price change AND that he has no clue about the issues involved and how residents will be affected.

All residents? I guess that means the ones leaving their sims and not paying the money he will "expect" to see. To think this is a "ripple" that will have no impact on SL shows how disconnected SL has become from the user base. This won't be and isn't a ripple, it's a full blown "impact" that "will" have an effect on the bottom line that a 67% increase on those who stay won't make up for.

This is SL, not a cocaine addiction. If SL impacts RL finances..........people will not just complain, they'll do something about it.

I'd say the bleeding has already begun, only the ones running SL planet don't realize it yet. There will be lost revenues and is already. This isn't a "small group" of people with lands that has no impact on SL.

Again, this just shows how disconnected the Lindens are from the ones who run what economy there is in-world. But to think SL's economy is disconnected from RL's economy is silly. Someone really is living in a fantasy world. It's just not us. Apparently private islands and the Mainland is doing so well that they don't need "the rest of us."

What this comment from the big guy tells me, if true is that we won't expect a reversal of the announcement. So if we're waiting for them to change their minds and save our lands.......don't hold your breath as your land turns into pristine water for "light" boating as you sink and wonder if that was worth your time and RL money.

I think the writing is on the wall. Sounds like someone is saying, "let them eat cake"..........and that didn't turn out too well either.

We are screwed.

Island Tier is going to sky rocket.

As far as i am concerned, the Sky is Falling.

seriously, this action has me abandoning oss, selling island, and unwilling to buy mainland. it has completely destroyed any trust i had for ll. it sure isnt a ripple to me, its testament to how unscrupulous ll really are and it has completely redefined my relationship with them and utterly changed the ways in which i am now willing to deal with them.

i cannot be alone.

Affect some residents directly sure..affect everyone in SL indirectly absoloutely what a frighteningly short sighted outlook on what is a complex economic system. Im getting teh phear.

I have only one true root issue with this entire turn of events:

"Linden Labs are making us pay more, without getting more in return."

What is this extra money paying for? A performance boost is non-tangible and may not even exist as far as we know. If they increase the prim count and lift the usage recommendations in exchange for this cost increase, then there is no argument and I would gladly pay it.

NEVER is it good business to make a customer pay something for nothing.

This is simply more clear evidence that the people who run SL haven't a clue about what they run. I believe this recent price increase is simply evidence that SL is bound to collapse pretty darn soon because those running the store don't know anything about the merchandise or even the store. This is really sad since the product line, as compared to what else is out there, is superior. However, people will not put up with this nonsense.

I was just managing to reserve a small amount of love for SL and the Lindens until I read that! What an utterly insulting attitude for the CEO to take.

Sure I have until January to reconfigure my estate, but then what will you do to me? Something else will come along to hit my wallet.

Day before yesterday I was shocked but making preparations to stay in SL. Yesterday I was more angry and closer to leaving. Today... it won't take much at all to push me over the edge.

Just you wait in about 3 months' time. Due to SL destroying their one very popular product line - the Open Sim - it will experience huge drops in revenue. In order to compensate for it, just see them increase the price and tier for Estate Sims. But they won't touch the pricing on its ugly Mainland. That is how their minds work - up the price on the things they don't want, and maintain the pricing on the things they THINK are good for the community.

"We made this change to ensure an optimal Second Life experience for all Residents.”

I simply don't know what to say, at this point.

I, too, have no words.

Perhaps it's time for action?

Seriously, Desmond, you are a self-made man and a respected private leader in SL. I am very interested in hearing what you think and have to say.

oh i have words, but i saw what happened to sarah.

What happend to sarah?

What on earth is the shirt talking about! And he is the CEO of LL... *omg*

"the cost increases were only directed at select landowners, who have until January 2009 to adjust themselves to the new rates"

Select landowners - perhaps; but it's like shooting sparrows with cluster bombs... and a large percentage have no means of 'adjusting themselves' - they only have one option: to abandon their islands!

“this price adjustment affects only a portion of land in Second Life; it does not apply to private islands"

Hello there!!! open-spaces ARE private islands... *jezzzz*

In the present mess there is only one way out (or 2 as the case may be) that are legally respectable and lives up to the commitment LL made:

1) LL grandfathers the existing open-spaces without any restrictions but those already in effect, as long as they belong to the original owner.

2) LL refunds the 250US$ to all owners with 1, 2 or 3 open-spaces, that do not want to keep them.
LL gives the option of a free conversion of 4 open-spaces to a full sim, to those who want it - otherwise they receive a refund too.




[/quote]

I'm working on a response, but not rushing it.

If I'm still allowed to post, it will be here:

/354/ef/290082/1.html

Yikes, I knew the CEO was out of touch; just didn't realize to what extent and it appears the virtual emperor is blissfully unaware of his naked condition.

I don't know what the fuss is about to be honest. So, LL have decided to up their prices for one of their services, and they have given over two months notice of their policy change. I see this as an improvement in their communications policy.

LL are operating a business. They are operating a business that serves many many thousands of people. If you don't like the price change that is being applied to a small part of their service then you are not forced to continue to pay for it. If on balance, the business lost outweighs the performance benefits (and income) they seek, then they will probably change their policy.

Well Rudolph, the fuss is just about a 66% price raise that will make thousands homeless and force other thousands to give up their investments and dreams - that is of course just to be scoffed at!

Yes, that is one view I suppose.

Another view would be that anyone that can afford a dual core PC with a pair of the latest nV graphics cards (and to upgrade the set-up every 18 months), plus a fairly high grade internet connection and enough disposable time to spare to develop a sim, that can afford $75 USD per month on a wholly discretionary purchase, can, quite probably, also afford $125 USD per month.

Very simplistic...
I'm not going into a flame war with you - there are enough of those in the forum already, imho. Go goad somebody else.
You are entitled to you views and I to mine.
Bye.

Are you in the wrong forum? You don't think talking sense is going to go down well here do you?