Second Life and The London Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,170-2060259,00.html

Not quite sure if this is the correct forum to post this link, but it is about money and the economy.

Tells us about a in world Avatar making $50,000 real US dollars per year selling alternative Avatars. Well done Chris, it is nice to know others can make real money here without having to take the financial risks some of the big land Barons accept.

Having said that I have come around to the view that all content providers, including those who sell and trade land, are helping to expand Second Life. I note today we have a world population of more than 150,000 with increasing numbers of people online at any one time.

Finally (for the benefit of US citizens) The London Times is perhaps the most respected general newspaper in the UK, so I would suggest this article will get noticed by other media sources.

PS on edit Ordinal (chuckle) I know....but despite that fact the paper is very widely read (smile)

Er. Well. I wouldn't say that, not since Murdoch took it over.

Having said that, it is certainly significant.

LOL precisely !

I think I've got too used to SL, I'm always surprised by the surprise of others when they find out people make real money in virtual worlds. But it's nice to see a press article that respects the anonymity of the avatar for once. Doubly remarkable considering said press Baron

Um. The article says he's making 50,000 British Pounds Stirling per year. Last time I looked that's better than dollars.

It also says he's making this money selling _animations_, not avatars. This makes more sense. There is a small group of avatars selling really fine animations. They're not easy to make.

I wish some of these articles would stop reporting just the money possibilities in SL and would instead, stress the great improvement it could mean to a person who is a shut-in or disabled.

Whay always about money? SL could be used in SO many other ways!

True. At present, £50,000 is equal to approximately US$86,000.

Not too shabby.

P2

Lee you are correct. At spot 1.796 as I type. Well I understated his success, and please pardon my non understanding of subtle issues regarding scripting.

Justus I understand your point, but at the start of any business its all about money. Without commercial success there would be much less content, or for that matter a desire for many to involve themselves given the sheer time commitment. No disrespect intended.

I maybe splitting hairs here, but there is no such paper as The London Times. We have The Times and Sunday Times, but sorry no London Times

First let me say congratulations to Chris!

Now on to the article -

I usually have respect for most reports in the broadsheets, tho more so for 'The Independent' in particular, but the following line caught my eye -

"He is thought to be the first Briton to subsist entirely from trading in a virtual world."

There must be at least a handful in SL, probably more. Also, surely SL can't be the first place someone has achieved this? Where did the reporter come to this huge conclusion?

I am also getting a little tired of seeing that EVERY article about SL revolves around money. Am still holding out for an article that represents SL in a more accurate way.

$econd Life - it's the new spelling...

I told that reporter not to do a story on me. Damn it...
Now my income has been exposed...

Nobody is going to write up a story about the pretty rainbows
you can make in SL... The only thing that gets the headlines
are the stories like:

Unemployed worker makes $1,000,000 Dollars playing a
Video Game.


Its all about MONEY!!!!!! Ge used to it..

Yep that's the "right" attitude, "Get used to it", $econd Life is all about money folks. Forget anything of any lasting value, the only thing that's important in this day and age is the "One True God" of get it while you can self interest. Anyone who disagrees is a lefty self apoligistic terrorist and should be locked up forever in the cornfield.

Damn, a supporter.. Thanks for helping to preach the gospel.

Yeah SL isnt facist is it ? It's just the noise in the forums.

LOL go on let's troll again ! "Get used to it "

Let's troll again, like we did last summer....

Tra-la-la!

I could have sworn it was at least 9% about entertainment and having fun. Oops sorry missed a digit, that should have been 99%.

Having said that I did meet my first SL beggar the other day. Make that 98%

Quotes like that almost make me want to remove RBD from my ignore list, but not *nearly* as funny as



Must work harder.
Unlike Chris Mead (whoever that is in SL) who deserves hearty congratulations. Well done sir!

I know a lot of people who simply plow their earnings back into SL as they consider it entertainment (this includes at least a few land barons, who trade and rent for fun). I wonder how many have been able to give up the day job and subsist entirely on their SL earnings. 1000? Doubt it. 100? Maybe. A nice sideline more often than a real income, I'd guess.