Defining the FIC (Seriously)

Sure - but why not loop through the database, and show the client a snapshot of every group-built sim on the grid, then ask the client for preferences? The worst that can happen is that the group turns down the job, and if they're lucky they might get a nice lowest-bidder thing going.

The deadline issue is a tricky one though. On the one hand, you want to make sure people can work to a deadline; on the other hand, regular building isn't done to a specification and deadline, and so the only way you can prove you can work to a deadline is to get given a job with one.. which means a job with a deadline has to be given to someone who hasn't proved themselves yet. Ouch.

Alright, been in RL so barely scanned through most of the posts. What I can see is nothing hardly of substance has been said though Zee did make a major statement on the issue that the FIC absolutely exists to their knowledge, and Siggy making cutting remarks throughout the thread, and and others continuing their same respective party's line.

I don't have an axe to grind, personally. I am happy. SL is not that important to me, I like it, I want to see the community succeed, but it definitely does not affect my RL. It is a matter of stepping away and turning off the computer is all lol. I do respect other people's dedicated interest in Second Life as a virtual world and community though, so the issue of the "FIC" and sociological issue does interest me. I do have my own small projects, to have something to do while I am online.

As has been said, and I was saying this phenomena of an "clique" as part of human nature exists in every online community as well as in RL but it can be either very corrupt or less so.

I do not think it should be said everyone looking at the issue has an "axe to grind" or is "jealous" or just does not know what they are talking about. Valid points deserve to be addressed, and looked at. For instance, there are still people like Zee who are making honest personal statements on their belief that there is true unethical behavior going on. This would mean it is happening in the "extreme".

For instance, example only no offence to any one, many times people who are called arrogant or self-centered have the come back that others are just "jealous". Well, no, thats not always true. Sometimes these arrogant or self-centered people really are that way, and people see it so they call it as it is. Sometimes people's accusations really do hold water, it is not that their "jealous", "ignorant", or "wrong".

What I was trying to do with this thread was have people state honestly, without pointing fingers, if they believe that this is occuring in SL in an very unfair or unethical way that is comparatively extreme as would be in a situation that Zee stated. Also generally I wanted to have a discussion on the sociological bit of it. Thats just what I was going for.

I'm happy to post my experiences positive and negative - and they can be checked and looked up...

Just like the whole myth itself - I'm asked for proof / history / facts to back up my statements - I give it - and yet on the other side of the fence I never get the same courtesy.

I get either a 'well its true' or 'well I can't tell you or I'll get banned'

If the other side of the fence asks me to back up what I'm talking about - I'll ask the same.

Of course the one time someone HAS posted logs on her blog it becomes blatantly obvious that their treatment has something to do with them acting like a blue veined throbbing dick of the highest caliber.

Funnily enough - the self same person who came up with the term in the first place.

as for equal opportunities - well, even the auction that sold you the boardwalk was open to all.

To summarize, some people think there is a FIC, and some people don't, is that about it?

Just wanted to bump this neglected and under-appreciated thread.

Every time a 'FIC' gets anything from a Linden, it's labeled as favoritism, even if it is a well earned reward or recognision. This forces the Lindens to step very carefully or risk getting a riot act from SLers furious with said favoritism.

The solution that's taken? Lindens try to avoid everything and anything that could be warped by a jealous mind into favoritism, even stuff that they -should- be doing, and would be doing for any one else doing the same thing.

Because of the ravings of some nuts, those who are labeled 'FIC' might actually be having a harder time getting stuff done than everyone else. Way to go guys.

I mean they are like human beings and stuff.

Sure - but why not loop through the database, and show the client a snapshot of every group-built sim on the grid, then ask the client for preferences? The worst that can happen is that the group turns down the job, and if they're lucky they might get a nice lowest-bidder thing going.

Sure - but why not loop through the database, and show the client a snapshot of every group-built sim on the grid, then ask the client for preferences? The worst that can happen is that the group turns down the job, and if they're lucky they might get a nice lowest-bidder thing going.

The deadline issue is a tricky one though. On the one hand, you want to make sure people can work to a deadline; on the other hand, regular building isn't done to a specification and deadline, and so the only way you can prove you can work to a deadline is to get given a job with one.. which means a job with a deadline has to be given to someone who hasn't proved themselves yet. Ouch.

Jennyfur: I'm waiting for the day when quite a few of our best designers, builders, scripters, decide they've had enough and leave. Why should they stay if they do the work, and maybe the work gets mentioned, but they themselves can never get press because they're "FIC" and the Lindens can't risk offending the rest of the SLers by admitting that Yes, that nifty new thing we're raving about? It was made by a suposed 'FIC'.

Jennyfur: I'm waiting for the day when quite a few of our best designers, builders, scripters, decide they've had enough and leave. Why should they stay if they do the work, and maybe the work gets mentioned, but they themselves can never get press because they're "FIC" and the Lindens can't risk offending the rest of the SLers by admitting that Yes, that nifty new thing we're raving about? It was made by a suposed 'FIC'.

Wow. Because you're then selling a client someone who may not have any interest whatsoever in putting together a sim for pay. It wastes the clients time and its rude as hell to the people you're selling. "Worst that can happen is that the group turns down the job." Well, for a potential client, that's pretty bad. Bad enough to make them think "Screw this tea party" and not do the project at all, if they have to go through that kind of BS just to get a good referral of quality workers but LL's hands are tied because they suddenly present every...single...sim...for consideration without any other qualifying factors presented for team selection.

Is it so freakin' hard to accept that LL handles their business dealings like an actual business, and expects the inworld people they work with to do the same?

Jennyfur: I'm waiting for the day when quite a few of our best designers, builders, scripters, decide they've had enough and leave. Why should they stay if they do the work, and maybe the work gets mentioned, but they themselves can never get press because they're "FIC" and the Lindens can't risk offending the rest of the SLers by admitting that Yes, that nifty new thing we're raving about? It was made by a suposed 'FIC'.

It's not a problem for you, is what you mean. If it's not you being negatively effected, you don't care.

Whoa. This is closer than you think. I know more than a few people who feel discouraged by the Linden's efforts to help enforce the "FIC Hit-List" by dampening or eliminating public exposure of those who appear on the list. It's not a matter of sour grapes, it's just a matter of finding other outlets for the creative energy that got us here in the first place.

I know cowering beneath the rampant blog-o-fear that is pervasive at Linden Lab may seem like a great short term marketing strategy, but it comes at the expense of discouraging some of SL's most active, loyal, and creative people. Losses due to these discouraging policies should be minimal as long as SL is the only game in town. However, if there is competition on the horizon with a marketing department hungry for stories of SLers jumping ship, Linden Lab had better hope they have done a good job maintaining morale for the people who make the most positive impact.

Note that I didn't say they had to present every single sim on the grid - just all sims that have been built as a whole by groups. Just by doing that, those groups have already done something very impressive, and they must also be involved in financial arrangements since after all they're spending US$195/month just to keep the sim online.

I think it's more the case that "if creative people, who just want to build an area, are forced to treat it as a business by high tier fees, why shouldn't they get some of the benefit side of being in business too?" If they don't get offered the job, you'll never know if the sim the customer wanted was actually the dream sim the builder wanted to build for their own sake, too - and if it happened that it was, then I think the customer might wind up getting some very high quality work for a lower price, right?

If dampening some people's exposure is necessary in order to give an equitable amount of exposure to others who are also worthy of it, then that is a good thing.

There are OTHER people who have made a positive impact who need a chance at the slice of that pie, too.

It is also necessary to maintain their morale. Why should they go on producing if only the same few keep getting the publicity and the perks? Which is why we now have these new processes.

coco

Well said.

I guess to some people the Lindens aren't or shouldn't be allowed to have any residential friends. Such a shame. I mean they are like human beings and stuff. I can't possibly imagine someone who works for a business being friends with one of their clients...etc.

I'm friends with Lindens. I don't hide it. I don't suckle at the great Linden teet for special treatment. I don't ask for favors. If the Lindens reward me in some way it is of their own volition and not my skills at "tossing salads" if ya' know what I mean.

Favoritism, however, it is defined is purely subjective, but a part of the world we live in as quite a few people have explained. The whole FIC thing just seems like some stupid highschoolish popularity contest.

while others are sure they'll die cold and alone?

Margaret says I will have this fate.