Free Basic Membership

The current (or previously current) payment systems didn't prevent these kinda people from coming in.

And it also may give the *most* productive people and *best* behaved people a chance to come in that otherwise couldn't due to whatever reasons.

Funny, assets were the first thing that came to mind when I saw this. Given that the asset server is the single most limiting aspect of SL, if this brings hordes of players we'll all be adversely affected. However, given that the electricity to run SL for 25 hours (forgetting broadband access and the puter) is greater than the cost of a basic account, I cannot see this bringing in the teaming masses.

I'm guessing they wanna bump the subscriber numbers, but I'm cynical that way.

Hey, are you telling me that if I had just waited over a year and a half to join I could have saved ten dollars? Plus the numerous hundreds of dollars buying land plus the numerous hundreds of dollars in tier?

I can live with the hundreds of dollars down the drain, and the declining value of my absurdly large linden dollar balance. The financimotional scars have healed about that long ago.

But that ten dollars I could have saved will haunt my dreams till the end of time.


(Hey, I made a word, "financimotional", not bad, eh?)

Do you really think 10 bucks is considered monetary investment risk? Nowadays you cant even get 1 movie + popcorn for that. I think this is more psychological then being a money issue. Even when something cost a dollar people stop and think about it, although probably the time they spend thinking about this would be worth more than a buck. Also, for psychopath griefers, free or not free wouldn't matter.

I dread to think how much you pay your electricity! I go through the equivalent of $20 US every 2 weeks for my entire flat.

I'm waiting for that.

Years ago, before the Internet even existed, I used to wish for this for books. That way, I could go to bed, close my eyes - no light on - and read myself to sleep.

This change I think is EXCELLENT. There really isn't much of anybody in the way of freeloaders. I know there are a few who never stop being basic accounts, but it's hard to think of them even as freeloaders.

$50 a week isn't much, anyway, and it always ends up in the pockets of people who sell things.

This will mean I can get a LOT more of my friends here, I bet! I've felt kind of guilty that I talked people into SL who spent $10 and then didn't really like it. But ANYBODY will try something for nothing! And the influx of new griefers will probably be no greater in proportion to the influx of everybody else than it is now.

I expect this may mean referral bonuses might become a thing of the past, too. That part I don't like.

coco

LL are making so many good decisions these days that we'll likely be seeing a much needed storage cap in the near future.


Yeah they're stompin all over your immersion lately aren't they.

I sence activeworlds all over again from all the changes

Most of us are here in SL because we love being here, its really that simple. SL has a really unique community, most of us are pretty open, friendly, and helpful. Just think about all the people that helped you, and still help you, many going way out of their way above and beyond, to make sure you get the help that you need.

Give a little of that back to these new folks coming in and you will be surprised how far it goes. Share your knowledge, show off your builds, inspire people. The new people coming in are a blank slate. There is so much talent waiting to be released. Its up to us to welcome these folks and see how they change our world.

A little kindness goes a long way. Some wont appreciate it and will try to spoil your day, but dont let them allow you to give up on the ones that will eventually be our friends and neighbors.

Exciting times ahead!

Well, I am wondering, suppose something like "the anti-Furry attack by the SA goons" got going now with free membership? Wouldn't it be easier to pick up troublemaker types with no charge for joining up?

I am really surprised at the lack of objection to this change, not because of the nature of the change, but to my eye, nothing happens in SL without a big stink coming from somewhere.

They have had free sign ups before without major griefing incidents.

But, there was one time it was free without the need for a credit card, that was a mess.

How long were the free without a credit card trials in effect?

It might take awhile for the zero dollar price of SL membership to reach enough trouble makers to get the ones with a credit card to show up here. A one week trial might not be valid at all. I suspect we may find there are enough Nazi's, racists, gay bashers, furry haters, etc., with credit or debit cards to cause a problem here; it will just take a while to find them. I hope I am wrong.

I already heard one person at the welcome area who has been been suspended repeatedly talking about getting multiple accounts, just adding a number at the end of their first name, presumably their intention would be to thwart the abuse system, plus maybe to get a few extra lindens each week. They appparently hadn't read the new free account policy very well, it only applies to new customers, it's only one per customer, etc.

And a good start towards what I think will ultimately advent of SL: all access will be free, including premium accounts (newly introduced Business accounts, though, might bear an annual fee) and LL will make money off the tier fees entirely.

Now what if LL starts selling advertisement space in LL-owned sims ?