With Second Life in a state of, hmmm, flux I guess is a word, the upcoming Community Convention to be held in Boston next weekend strikes me as an important time to network, share notes, and get a sense of what’s next for the metaverse.
Last year, I called SLCC a giant support group (see 3:30) and it doesn’t feel so much different as we head into this year’s event:
Last year, Linden Lab owned the main stage, with keynote presentations by M and Philip, and then Tom Hale. The Lab provided book-ends that helped to shape an understanding of where they were at and where they were headed. (Whether where they were headed ended up being where they arrived is, of course, another story). So I was actually kind of excited to see that Philip would open SLCC with a keynote.
He doesn’t have a more critical audience: if you’ve signed up for SLCC you’re an evangelist, a power user, a fan, or are at least passionate about what Second Life is or could be. So to learn that Philip won’t be attending in person strikes me as an astonishing decision.
I personally can’t think of anything more important than Philip (and BK) being in attendance at SLCC – in the sessions, the hallways, hanging out at the social events.
The fact that he’ll be phoning in his keynote may say something about the power to connect through virtuality, but it says something else about his priorities, and you can decide for yourself what you think that message might be.
But regardless of Philip, I’m looking forward to a great conference. Fleep Tuque and the team have done an astonishing job putting things together in an incredibly short period of time. And those conversations we have in the hallways may well determine the future of Second Life. See you there.
Looks like Philip is fixing stuff and making sure “Fast, Easy and Fun”, Ive personally seen a decline in the way the Lab deals with oldbies. They must think about the core user groups, not the 15 second login log out groups. By combing both the power of the standard UI and the features of viewer 2.0 we could see an amazing progress thought sl however after the recent declines i hardly see LL taking any notice at all.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dusan Writer, Cathy Anderson and Doubledown Tandino, Holt Roussel. Holt Roussel said: Dusan Writer’s Metaverse » Philip Rosedale Phoning it In: Second Life Community Convention Update: http://bit.ly/ayVDb7 [...]
Whilst I’m sure many will be sad Philip Rosedale will not attend SLCC in person, many other Lindens will be there. I’ll be running a channel broadcasting it – yet I can do this more effectively from a distance here in the UK. Philip’s keynote will be videocast to Boston and onto the web, whilst his avatar will be present inworld at the SLCC stage. All this at 5am West Coast time too. If virtual communications are to be taken seriously, maybe it is fitting that a keynote should be delivered this way, especially if circumstances prevent it otherwise.
Having attended the last two SLCC’s, Tampa and Frisco, I must say that meeting Philip in person was truly a highlight of each of those. When I heard he was “phoning in” at this year’s event, well, I was concerned about the message it sends on the heels of all the staff transitions.
My hope is that he is so devoted to getting things back on track that even a quick trip to Boston is just too disruptive to that focus. Still, it gives one pause, doesn’t it? WE, the diehards as it were, could probably use a little shot in the arm to counteract the recent upsets.
Personally, I made a decision to back out of attending this year. It’s been a tough economy and my priorities keep me home. But as we move closer to Aug 13th, I often feel a tinge of regret at making that choice. I feel like I’m going to be missing out on something so very special, as the community of SL rallies together.
Hearing that Philip with not be there DID send a message to me. That aside from seeing old and new friends, I did make the right decision. If it’s not worth the time or money for Philip to fly out, I would do best to focus my resources elsewhere.
On a sidenote: Panel announced….“The Second Life Viewer: What’s Next?” ENOUGH ALREADY with the Viewer 2 push. There are so many more important things to present to the SLCC audience.
LOL -more of the magic of LL social communications abiltiies.
Philip as John Gill….”He vill address us from behind the viewscreen.” (man behind curtains)
Star Trek – “Patterns of Force” 1968
I think it is a very poor decision, and disagree strongly with Mal Burns, (that sounds like BS)…. Philip made all the right noises at his public meeting, saying how important we, the residents, are and then doesn’t have time to shake hands and smooth ruffled feathers. Bad move.
It doesn’t matter how anyone spins it, the no show of SL’s creator doesn’t look good.
Treading water time.
I suppose we should go back and count the number of times @jacklinden has posted “Landed in SFO” to his twitter stream this year?
-ls/cm
I won’t be attending SLCC this year either. Chances are Philip’s in the same position I am–he can’t afford to go. That is, he can’t afford to let his company, which just laid off another slew of employees, pay for him to go. I am guessing that’s the thought process behind his not coming. (As for me, I laid no one off. For me, it’s just the economy.)
To put the speculation to rest, Philip has a family holiday that he starts later that day. He had originally planned to attend SLCC this year until he realized what the timing looked like.
As noted, many other Lindens will be in attendance (including Jack!).
It’s nice he can afford a holiday from Second Life proceeds. The former SEO of BP said similar things last month. It’s not if you can. It’s if you should.
Folks…
SLCC is incredibly important to me, and right now I need to be there more than ever. However, my family is very important to me as well. I’m leaving to drive to Yosemite literally that morning, on a trip that has been planned for over 6 months. If the SLCC organizers want to check with my schedule before planning the event, we can make sure I can be there.
“…sometimes you just have to reward their trust.”
Batman- from the “Dark Knight”.;)
[...] Philip Rosedale’s upcoming SLCC keynote means. Why so much thought? Because he’s apparently not giving it in person, but is ‘phoning it [...]
[...] apology. He’s been commenting in a few places on his absence from SLCC this year, including this blog: SLCC is incredibly important to me, and right now I need to be there more than ever. However, my [...]