I understand a need for change and that Second Life was created to generate income for its owners. I understand that Second Life needs more people to maintain the system as growth occurs. What I don’t understand is the way SL is going about its growth problems and the way they collect the money needed to keep up with that growth. First we had “reduced stipends for premium accounts created after July 21, 2006.”( Robin Linden, 07-17-2006 at 10:26 PM).
Then we are told that Island rates will increase “After we run out of our existing inventory of approximately 150 regions, the cost of Private Island Set up will be US$1675.00 per region and monthly Maintenance fees per region will be US$295.00”.( Robin Linden, 10-30-2006 01:31 AM)
Even though the island issue is presently on hold, It is the way that SL thinks out there monetary needs that strikes me as odd. SL always looks at ways to raise the cost of those that already contribute to SL by being paid account holders. I personally disagree with the free association with SL. At most a new player should not be allowed to keep their free status for more than sixty (60) days. By then they know if they want to be apart of the community. If they do then they subscribe. If they don’t want to be apart of the community they can go elsewhere . I don’t know where they would go though because free access is unheard of .
Simply put. If you need the money – get it from those that should be supporting SL. Do not keep asking paid clients to pay more to support the homeless.