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Exclusive interview with Linden Lab CEO Mark Kingdon

Tateru Nino — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Mark Kingdon, Linden Lab's CEO, has been a bit of a mystery figure since his appointment about a year and a half ago. While he has not been uncommunicative, it's been hard to get a very good sense of the man at the helm of Linden Lab, his passions, interests and direction.

We were very pleased, therefore, when he took the time to sit down with us and answer a whole grab-bag of questions, about himself, about Linden Lab, and - of course - about Second Life. Bear with us, because we've got a lot of ground to cover.

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Exclusive interview with Linden Lab CEO Mark Kingdon originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linden Lab launches updated Second Life Web-site

Tateru Nino — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Linden Lab have launched the promised revamp of the secondlife.com Web-site rather sooner than expected, with the new site having gone live today. Our takeaway from the presentation at the recent Second Life Community Convention was that the new site wasn't due for a little while yet, during which time it would receive additional features.

Nevertheless, the new site and dashboard have launched, and look pretty much like what was previewed by Tom Hale just recently. Hale described the site revamp as a beginning, rather than as an end, so there's still a ways to go yet.

Continue reading Linden Lab launches updated Second Life Web-site

Linden Lab launches updated Second Life Web-site originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philip Rosedale: "Try to work with us. Let go a bit"

Tateru Nino — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Second Life, Virtual worlds

It seems these days that you can't have a Linden Lab employee give a speech to Second Life users without some included warning label of rough times ahead for them. It's almost relentlessly axiomatic nowadays.

At this year's Second Life Community Convention, Rosedale gently urged users and Lindens to support some necessary changes to come: "Try to work with us. Let go a bit." Ironically, he has encapsulated the same core message that Second Life users have been trying to get Linden Lab to hear for the last several years.

Continue reading Philip Rosedale: "Try to work with us. Let go a bit"

Philip Rosedale: "Try to work with us. Let go a bit" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Futurist Ray Kurzweil to deliver SLCC 2009 keynote

Tateru Nino — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Events, real-world, News items, Second Life, Virtual worlds

Some consider him a kook or an eccentric, while others think of him as a technological visionary. Either way, the accomplished Raymond Kurzweil will be taking the stage to keynote the Second Life Community Convention in San Francisco next month, a spot traditionally afforded to a Linden Lab executive.

Kurzweil, a famous futurist, author and inventor, is notable for his many inventions (from the first CCD-based flat-bed scanner to reading machines for the blind), his notions about transhumanism and technological singularities and a significant number of awards and honorary degrees. He has strong opinions on virtual environments, and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

The Second Life Community Convention 2009 will happen in San Francisco, on August 13th - 16th, 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Registration for the event is open and attendees can register at the convention's Web-site.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

Futurist Ray Kurzweil to deliver SLCC 2009 keynote originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linden Lab asserts control of names and images

Tateru Nino — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, News items, Opinion, Second Life, Legal, Virtual worlds

When Linden Lab chooses to shake things up, it doesn't do it by half-measures. Easter Monday saw an announcement by Linden Lab that they were introducing a new Second Life logo program, and changing the terms under which various words and images are presented.

Unfortunately, we technically can't show you the new logo, since by all rights we have to go through the application process first. Actually, after reading all the terms and conditions a bunch of times, we are not sure that we're even allowed to mention its name. It's inSL, anyway. We'll let the company lawyers sort through the paperwork.

Continue reading Linden Lab asserts control of names and images

Linden Lab asserts control of names and images originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Track structure announced for SLCC 2008

Moo Money — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Events, real-world, Second Life

After receiving feedback from SLCC 2007 attendees, the Future United Group (TFU) has decided to open up tracks to the public. In the coming week, they will be posting a Request For Proposal (RFP) form that organizations to fill out for their specialized topic. Some of the info required will be proposed track content, presenters, and potential sponsors. The form will explain everything, from responsibilities as a track leader to deadlines for submitting everything.

As far as actual structure of the tracks, they will run for 1/2 of a day, or about 3.5 hours. In order to keep prices low, there will be an undisclosed sponsorship amount needed to get your track on the program. TFU will be reviewing the RFPs based on several factors, including uniqueness of content and perceived interest from attending residents. You can soon find further details about the Second Life Community Convention on their official blog.

(Disclosure: I was the Machinima Track Leader last year, but I am not on the planning committee this year.)

Track structure announced for SLCC 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cinemassively: Media in SL - old vs. new

Moo Money — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Video, Second Life, Cinemassively, Machinima

Whenever an important topic comes up, virtual video journalist, Draxtor Despres, is on the scene. His YouTube page features a variety of coverage, including movie premieres, celebrity appearances, and even a trip to the Second Life Community Convention. They are all part of what is dubbed "the first TV magazine in Second Life", Life 4-U.

In his latest episode, Draxtor took a look at how both old and new media are participating in SL. He interviewed podcasters, film makers, online magazines, and blogs, to find out what they think about the situation. Starr Sonic, of SLCN, speculated that real life companies coming in won't be able to commit to making it work, because it requires extensive hand-holding. However, at the end, Marvel Ousley states that once residents cut their teeth on the free news blogs, such as CNN's i-Report, she'll pay them to write for SLNN. That sounds like a winning situation to me!

Cinemassively: Media in SL - old vs. new originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cinemassively: Second Life Cable Network

Moo Money — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Second Life, Cinemassively, Machinima

It's been half of a year since Second Life Insider first covered the Second Life Cable Network. Since that time, they've expanded rapidly, growing into a full blown TV station. Their determination has set them apart from other video programs inside SL. I'll personally never forget them, because Starr Sonic poured glitter in my hair at the Second Life Community Convention. It took two people 20 minutes to pick it all out!

SLCN offers a variety of programming for the audience. For the sports fanatics, they have sailing, hockey, SLASCAR racing, and snail racing. They also have weekly talk shows, streaming of live concerts, fashion shows, and on location reporting. In addition, they recently announced a shopping channel that will run 24 hours a day! These channels can be watched on their website or streamed into Second Life.

Read on after the jump to find out more about SLCN ...

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Cinemassively: Second Life Cable Network originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life Community Convention location announced for 2008

Moo Money — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Second Life

Just a couple short months after the last convention, The Future United Group has announced the location of the next Second Life Community Convention. The fourth annual meetup for Second Life residents will take place on the weekend of September 4th, 2008, in Tampa, Florida. It will be held in the Tampa Marriott Waterside.

There aren't many details available yet, but they will be releasing more in the coming weeks. They did note that the event ticket will be roughly the same price, $185-$200 USD, however the hotel rooms will be about $30 USD cheaper per night. Admission will include breakfast and lunch on both Saturday and Sunday.

Second Life Community Convention location announced for 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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