Help! Safety in Avatars United
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Desmond Shang
Guvnah of Caledon
Join date: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 5,250
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01-31-2010 22:50
From: Tali Rosca With this, I assume you mean... I can't really comment, other than to say that I'm a typical stable suburban dad. Who isn't rich. There's nothing rocking my boat, though times are a bit tough with 3 kids starting to enter college one by one, starting this year. 25000 USD x 4 = 100,000 per education. Multiply that by 3 kids and the fact that 100,000 each is a lowball estimate, and one or more of them may go for higher degrees. So... it's not like I'm in a position to pour money in and hope for the best. Enough out of me... I get the profound sense that fussing in forums won't be a constructive exercise in any case, and probably just make things worse.
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 Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!
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Tali Rosca
Plywood Whisperer
Join date: 6 Feb 2007
Posts: 767
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01-31-2010 22:55
From: Desmond Shang I can't really comment, other than to say that I'm a typical stable suburban dad. Didn't mean to pry (apart from the general feline curiosity. It is in my job description). Just wondering how much we should start wringing every Lindens' word for a clue, and while your list looked rather SL-centric, it just struck me that you *might* actually be talking about some outside force/decision. |
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whyroc Slade
Sculpted and Blended
Join date: 23 Feb 2007
Posts: 315
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01-31-2010 23:23
From: Desmond Shang I won't go down without a fight, here... that said, I have to keep options wide open, unless I somehow magically gain the ability to change the tide of resident choices. Hi Des, maybe we should all shout 'Adrian!!!' in our best Sly Stalone voices, we are fighting hard to keep moving forwards in across a couple worlds by staying innovative and trying to respond to the crazy swings in public perceptions of virtual wolds, digital goods and social networking. It's very difficult to define value and ROI in this kind of environment. This magically turning the tide you talk of, is this something you bottle and sell? I'll pre-order a case  -C
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Sculpt Maps Galore - 100's of full perm sculpt maps. Top quality sculpts - low prices.
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Yoshi Zhangsun
Registered User
Join date: 27 May 2008
Posts: 7
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01-31-2010 23:26
From: Veritable Quandry That's my general policy, it confuses the dataminers.
This thing is getting weird. I am listed as Veritable Quandry twice at AU now (once each for SL and BM). At first, I was getting friend requests from people that I recognized from here or educational groups in SL, but now it's random strangers and occasionally bits of software (I don't want to friend my viewer, thanks).
I do hope they fix it, otherwise I'll just lock down my accounts, hide them from search, and leave them to protect my name. And then register as Desmond Linden or Philip Shang.
I do hope that Caledon can survive another jolt. If things turn worse, I may well just jump ship as soon as I can purchase a decent frock coat and tophat in Blue Mars. Nope my profile is set to 'private' with no 'friends' added...Still getting spammy requests from randoms and software...Only signed up so nobody could take the name. Also noticed some Lindens have set their profiles to private...How's that for customer support!!?? Incidentally the 'private' profiles aren't so private...Friendlist (if you do add one) is still fully viewable. http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/sea-lindenFor example... So any cyber stalkers out there have an easy ride lol. |
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Ephraim Kappler
Reprobate
Join date: 9 Jul 2007
Posts: 1,946
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01-31-2010 23:51
From: Scylla Rhiadra 4) Under "Account > Manage Applications > General Settings" unclick the box for "Allow installed applications to access my extended info (gender, date of birth, location, time zone and language)." (With thanks to Qie for pointing this one out.) I don't see the options for this on either the 'Your Account' web page or my client (Standard 1.23.5) menu. |
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Lias Leandros
mainlander
Join date: 20 Jul 2005
Posts: 3,458
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02-01-2010 00:09
From: Desmond Shang There won't be a Caledon group there either, until it's linkable to the inworld group. You might want to re-think this decision and just make the group so you have it first. Then do as you wish with it at a later date. The 'shout out' feature of the group is a nice function/ You can just post announements and updates there.
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 http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bear/214/199/107 Join in SL open enrollment CLUB JOBS to announce new DJ and Host Jobs for free. And on Avatar's United http://www.avatarsunited.com/groups/club-jobs
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Lias Leandros
mainlander
Join date: 20 Jul 2005
Posts: 3,458
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02-01-2010 00:11
From: Scylla Rhiadra I want to put together a brief set of directions for the "safe" use -- i.e., use that doesn't disclose RL info -- of Avatars Unitied. Scylla for Linden!
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http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bear/214/199/107 Join in SL open enrollment CLUB JOBS to announce new DJ and Host Jobs for free. And on Avatar's United http://www.avatarsunited.com/groups/club-jobs
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Angela Talamasca
VR Hacks
Join date: 20 Feb 2007
Posts: 58
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02-01-2010 00:24
From: Desmond Shang There won't be a Caledon group there either, until it's linkable to the inworld group. Actually, there are already three. Here's what one says, for example: I created the groups I care about yesterday, and in fact, advised a couple of friends to create their groups too. Even if you don't plan to use them. Also, you can set the group posting rules, privacy settings, etc. Just sayin...
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 Blog: http://blog.vrhacks.net AUSL: http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/angela-talamasca AUBM: http://www.avatarsunited.com/avatars/angela-talamasca-blue-mars
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Scylla Rhiadra
Gentle is Human
Join date: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 4,427
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02-01-2010 00:26
From: Ephraim Kappler I don't see the options for this on either the 'Your Account' web page or my client (Standard 1.23.5) menu. This is within Avatars United, right? Ok, here's a screen shot. I've highlight "Manage Applications" in pink (of course!) at the top left.  That will open THIS page, from which you choose "General Settings":  WHICH will take you finally to the page of options:  At least, that's the way it looks on my computer, in Firefox.
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Scylla Rhiadra
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Scylla Rhiadra
Gentle is Human
Join date: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 4,427
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02-01-2010 00:28
From: Lias Leandros Scylla for Linden! UGH!!! Do you HATE me, or what??? 
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Scylla Rhiadra
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Desmond Shang
Guvnah of Caledon
Join date: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 5,250
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02-01-2010 01:12
From: Angela Talamasca Actually, there are already three. Here's what one says, for example:
I created the groups I care about yesterday, and in fact, advised a couple of friends to create their groups too. Even if you don't plan to use them. Also, you can set the group posting rules, privacy settings, etc. Just sayin... Well. Now instead of doing what I need to be doing, I need to be chasing down this.
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Steampunk Victorian, Well-Mannered Caledon!
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Sling Trebuchet
Deleted User
Join date: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 4,548
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02-01-2010 01:32
Would anybody store their bank account numbers and PINS online .... and be happy to have them hidden from public view by the setting of a checkbox?
If someone would not trust the checkbox for that, they should wonder about the reliability of a checkbox setting to protect any personal data.
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Maggie: We give our residents a lot of tools, to build, create, and manage their lands and objects. That flexibility also requires people to exercise judgment about when things should be used.
http://www.ace-exchange.com/home/story/BDVR/589
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Sling Trebuchet
Deleted User
Join date: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 4,548
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02-01-2010 01:35
On the positive side, having all that personal information online for an account could be very useful for someone who made it all up in the first place.
We have seen OPs in the forums from people who have forgotten what details they used when they signed in SL.
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Maggie: We give our residents a lot of tools, to build, create, and manage their lands and objects. That flexibility also requires people to exercise judgment about when things should be used.
http://www.ace-exchange.com/home/story/BDVR/589
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Lias Leandros
mainlander
Join date: 20 Jul 2005
Posts: 3,458
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02-01-2010 03:58
From: Desmond Shang Well.
Now instead of doing what I need to be doing, I need to be chasing down this. Well, here is an example of a full online community spoofed. Hopefully it was just an over zealous resdent of Caledon forgetting to ask permission. I think LL should ad a dispute procedure to AU for group and avatar names. If you created an avatar name or group name within SL first - it is easy for LL to check and fix the problem.
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http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bear/214/199/107 Join in SL open enrollment CLUB JOBS to announce new DJ and Host Jobs for free. And on Avatar's United http://www.avatarsunited.com/groups/club-jobs
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Kara Spengler
Pink Cat
Join date: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 1,227
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02-01-2010 04:03
From: Rime Wirsing I signed up with an alt with the minimum of information and have just had a steady stream of 'friendship requests' Is there a race for the most friends? I've declined them all. Think I'll let it settle down a bit before jumping in with Rime There probably is, I have 2 accounts set up there and keep getting friend requests by the same people on both of them. I figured I would let anyone friend me this weekend then I would put in a strict 'if I do not know you, IM me to add you' policy.
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Those Lindening Lindens!
'O predictable experience,
O predictable experience,
Never shalt we define thee.
Our users think that means no lagging,
But we say they want no shagging.
O predictable experience,
O predictable experience,
We love you null expression.'
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Tali Rosca
Plywood Whisperer
Join date: 6 Feb 2007
Posts: 767
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02-01-2010 04:22
From: Kara Spengler There probably is, I have 2 accounts set up there and keep getting friend requests by the same people on both of them. I figured I would let anyone friend me this weekend then I would put in a strict 'if I do not know you, IM me to add you' policy. Currently it seems simply having an SL account qualifies as a connection for people to friend  I guess it's a Pokemon instinct. Gotta catch'em all, and have the largest number. |
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Argent Stonecutter
Emergency Mustelid
Join date: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 20,263
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02-01-2010 04:32
From: Ceera Murakami
#1: Just do not sign up there. That place's options for outing your real ID are a nightmare.
Why on earth would you give them any real info? |
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Kitty Barnett
Registered User
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 5,586
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02-01-2010 04:34
One thing in favour of accepting requests from random people aside from people you're actually friends with might be that one of the "password recovery" questions for SL is completing the name of a handful of people on your friends list.
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Brenda Connolly
Un United Avatar
Join date: 10 Jan 2007
Posts: 25,000
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02-01-2010 04:36
"A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
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Don't you ever try to look behind my eyes. You don't want to know what they have seen.
http://brenda-connolly.blogspot.com
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Argent Stonecutter
Emergency Mustelid
Join date: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 20,263
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02-01-2010 04:38
From: Tali Rosca Currently it seems simply having an SL account qualifies as a connection for people to friend I guess it's a Pokemon instinct. Gotta catch'em all, and have the largest number. I accept all friend requests in AU. Poisoning the well is a valid tool for making data mining useless. |
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Phil Deakins
Prim Savers = low prims
Join date: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 9,537
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02-01-2010 06:18
From: Lias Leandros Well, here is an example of a full online community spoofed. Hopefully it was just an over zealous resdent of Caledon forgetting to ask permission. Should permission be required? I don't think so - not for an estate residents group. |
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Treasure Ballinger
Virtual Ability
Join date: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 2,745
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02-01-2010 06:55
From: Desmond Shang Seems I don't have to worry much about this.
Most people signing up as Desmond Shang aren't me, so, it's their risk and not mine.
* * * * *
The real 'me' was locked down private with no friend accepting possible. There won't be a Caledon group there either, until it's linkable to the inworld group.
I *really* don't like saying negative things about the platform. Between longtime residents driven off over this, the potential for fraud, trademark infringement and so forth... I'm still reeling.
If only the announcement weren't made until things were tied to our real accounts.
It's not that I dislike all change or whatnot. I'm good with change. I *want* to say positive things.
* * * * *
Not that anyone is going to read it, but here's the things that will hurt my estate:
1. Homestead tier hike in June, to the tune of 30 bucks a month x our 21 homesteads. Imagine 10 going vacant. 125/month times ten is 1250 USD/month. For that kind of money I think I'd rather buy my teenager a Ferrari.
2. Direct competition against me with starter homes. Ouch. Better for me in the long run? Ah... no, because of #3.
3. Mainland land glut. The value of mainland has been gutted. If there were even a *slight* scarcity, valuations would skyrocket; this is not a huge economy and it's very responsive. Goose and golden eggs issue ~ *precisely* this. They desperately need an economist.
4. Something changing that I cannot disclose, but it's item #4 and pretty significant.
5. Copybot style issues. My estate is roughly 40% commercial, and the merchants own another 10% to 20% of the homes. They are fleeing the platform because almost nothing they make can't be taken... by someone who will return and taunt the business owner with it.
6. Forums shakeup. I'm holding out hope that I'll still be able to casually discuss things here.
7. Longtime residents being driven off because years~old problems recur and drive them crazy. Yesterday was no exception.
8. My primary business tool (the client viewer) being suddenly changed. I'm holding out hope it will be positive change, but the track record here isn't looking good.
9. Somewhere after all the rest of this, there's this avatar facebook thing.
I am fighting valiantly to do my best, and a bit worried that #1 will kick me to the curb on the Second Life platform.
We shall see, I guess. ^^This^^. I was having fun......at first......until the ability to create 2, 3, or 100 accounts using someone's avatar name came to light. I'm sure the spoofers think it's hilarious, funny, cute, the joke of the day. I'm disgusted, and no longer having fun.
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To LL: Sometimes I wondered, I didn't understand; just where you were trying to go, only you knew the plan. I tried to be there but you wouldn't let me in........
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To my forum friends: I'm Missing You...........
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Veritable Quandry
Meddling kid.
Join date: 23 May 2008
Posts: 519
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02-01-2010 06:59
Even in LL's world, Caledon should be a trademark, and Des should be able to control its use. With all of the work to build up the brand, I would hate to see it watered down or worse by this kind of move.
I should also say that, at the moment, all of the advice to register your names to prevent others from taking them seems to be worthless. I just created a new Veritable Quandry account at AU using different information than the first, and it was all to pleased to let me do so. I could appearantly have as many accounts for my name as I have email addresses, and have as many alts per account as I want, using anyone's names, duplicate or not. As long as SL continues to use unique avatar names as a security feature, there must be a way to link AU accounts to SL avatars, or else it's never going to work.
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Rime Wirsing
Color me gone
Join date: 31 Dec 2008
Posts: 345
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02-01-2010 07:08
Well I just signed up Rime to be first in with that name. Given that it says 'account available' (or words to that effect) when one registers the implication is that it needs to be unique. Rather dumbfounded to learn that it may not be.
After turning off all the application permissions my next move was to put a status message that says I don't accept friend requests from strangers.
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Treasure Ballinger
Virtual Ability
Join date: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 2,745
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02-01-2010 07:12
There's no 'might' to it. Per Prok's blog, there are already 3 Prokofy Neva's, of which only one is the real Prok, and Des just said there are a couple Desmond Shang's already too. Disappointment and disgust, here. I was totally open to give it a chance, prepared to enjoy it.
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To LL: Sometimes I wondered, I didn't understand; just where you were trying to go, only you knew the plan. I tried to be there but you wouldn't let me in........
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To my forum friends: I'm Missing You...........
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