Looking on the Bright Side!

We have many more people in SL now!

When I first joined (February, 2005), there were only 35k players. Now we have over 300,000! Soon we will have 10x the number we had when I joined, less than a year and a half ago!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE lots of players. I love a growing, vibrant game. Makes it a happening, exciting place.

Things have been pretty herky jerky the past few weeks, with a lot of changes put in fast and a lot of upsetting things, and some mistakes. But I was taking stock of it all last night, and here's what I noted:

1. Lots more new players!

2. We worried about the increased odds of pedophiles preying on young people on both grids. But good news: LL reinstated the cc requirement for the teen grid! (As one person pointed out, it might just be a greater incentive to join the adult grid, which is easier to do - but still, I think this is good and necessary, and helps keep the pedophiles OUT of the teen grid, which is of paramount importance.)

3. We worried about (and experienced) an increase in griefers. But with the ability to identify individual computers, a ban now actually means a ban. (Which also means any pedophiles on either grid aren't as anonymous as they might think.)

4. Did I mention lots of new players?

5. We got too-high ban lines, BUT they are going to fix that so it's only for people actually banned from your lot. We had an AR tool taken away from us, BUT they plan to put it back. A new product was released allowing anyone to track and stalk anyone else on the map, and so LL put the same ability onto the preview grid, BUT both these things are apparently bugs, which I assume means they are going to be fixed. (Correct me if I'm wrong about any of these.)

6. They even put in things to help those running adult things - a new category of adult, and also the verified/non-verified thingie. Hate the verified/non-verified thingie though I do, it is another layer of protection both for LL and for those providing adult products or entertainment (or engaging in adult activities with other residents).

So there is considerable headway being made on the problems associated with this newer open enrollment, and we ARE getting lots more new players! And a significant percentage of them ARE legitimate, adult, good new people.

I also think these new players are coming in with the expectation that they will purchase Lindens for the things they want, and I think they are doing so. Add to this the fact that the land glut has tightened up a bit and the Linden is stronger, and you've got something to celebrate if you are running a business in SL!

Or even if you're not! Like I said, a growing, vibrant game is a lot more exciting to be in than a static or declining one. And if we are getting more non-U.S. sign-ups, that's exciting, too!

coco

yup, coco, as far as I can see the glass is simply full.

there is no bright side because the whole thing is freaking shiny to me!

Yup, that's how I'm seeing it also Coco!

I also think LL are doing an incredible job of noting resident's concerns and addressing them promptly.

Bah, the glass is always full! Sometimes with water, sometimes with air, sometimes a mix. But ALWAYS full!!

I Agree!

Way to have a great attitude.

I can't wait to get back to the States and my cuddly laptop to check out the new group tools.

http://paul.merton.ox.ac.uk/filmtv/brian.html

Cheer up, Brian. You know what they say.
Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad.
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle,
Don't grumble, give a whistle!
And this'll help things turn out for the best...
And...

the music fades into the song

...always look on the bright side of life!
whistle

Always look on the bright side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten!
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing,

When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps,
Just purse your lips and whistle -- that's the thing!
And... always look on the bright side of life...

whistle
Come on!

other start to join in
Always look on the bright side of life...
whistle

For life is quite absurd,
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow!
Forget about your sin -- give the audience a grin,
Enjoy it -- it's the last chance anyhow!

So always look on the bright side of death!
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
Life's a piece of sh*t,
When you look at it.

Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true,
You'll see it's all a show,
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you!

And always look on the bright side of life...
whistle
Always look on the bright side of life
whistle