communication

It has been a bit since I wrote the last post and a few things have happened. Mainly, continuing the ongoing story from the past weeks, the banning of RedZone and it's creator who turned out to have been a convicted criminal and someone with a more then questionable record. The last week has also seen the release of the 'Basic Viewer' by LL that, while I don't see it as a bad idea, has not been received that well by those people who tried it. Now of course those people have all been long time users of other viewers and have different expectations then new time residents, but LL would be ill advised to ignore what is being said on various forum posts. The criticism is mainly aimed at who much the viewer is stripped down in abilities that also involve not being able to use voice chat as well as not being able to 'buy' both L$ and items. The inventory is also unavailable and I am not sure, that the distinction between the 'basic' and 'advanced' mode is really that clearly made and visible to new users. Maybe it would be good to make the 'advanced' mode into 'normal' mode and make a big arrow pointing at the button that would enable the extra functions. Preferably without the need to relog, but maybe it is too early for all this in the development circle of this new viewer.

Or maybe I am expecting too much of LL, what brings me right into the big debate that sprung up on New World Notes a while ago and continued, as the writer of this blog continues to write blog entries in the same kind of topic:

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2011/03/second-life-users-hate-and-fear-change.html#comments

As it has been already announced the Lab is moving forward with their plans to implement their new community communication platform:

http://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2011/02/16/a-new-community-platform-coming-march-2nd

Now of course anyone who knew me knew, that this is a topic I am harping about since a long time and that I think that communication is the big topic the Lab is failing in since the very beginning. At least since I am here and take part in this world. I like it here too, so I am continuing to point this out. And here I need to say that:

"We have recently added significant resources--of both people and technology--to improve your experience with both Customer Support and community interaction and communication."

Sounds like a hollow phrase. I guess I would have to apologize but I am disillusioned about such things. I want to see them come true only that experience tells otherwise. A improvement here, in the customer support, would do a great service to any aspect of Second Life. Even those who does not use the service will profit from less drama and a better mood on the grid. And I guess we could all use a little bit of uplifting lately.

On a virtual world like Second Life a lot depends on how the company running it communicates with it's users. Or customers as they should see us or residents as I guess our all official designation is:

http://blogs.secondlife.com/community/features/blog/2011/02/09/improving-our-lines-of-communication-with-the-community

This post on Linden Lab's blog made me stop and think for a moment. How did the communication went in the past and what might those changes mean in the future. I guess anyone who has read some of my previous posts would know, that this is a topic that I almost always return to. It is a topic, I see as very central to most issues we have faced in the past years. It is essential for LL to get feedback, it is essential for the residents to decide if it is a good choice to put some money and time into it and it is essential for the inworld business owners as their plans and investments rise and fall with the mood that is prominent on the grid in any given moment. The less openness, the less feedback, the more screaming and the more rumours that in turn only increase the feeling of uncertainty, that makes many people wonder why we all are still keeping up with this madhouse.