Avatars protest against higher prices for OpenSpace sims

Wednesday 29 October 2008 - Linden Estate Services
Right now standing at the building of Linden Estate Services, where avatars from all countries, nations and languages are protesting against the new prices for OpenSpace Sims. The people are shouting at Linden Lab authorities to come out and talk with them, although the building is empty and all Linden workers seem to be off-world, or just not answering, according to the remarks in the crowd.
People are angry, because the rent for OpenSpace sims is going to increase with 67% by January 2009, as the sims attract much more traffic than was allowed. Read here the argumentation as stated by Linden Labs.
Or read here if you prefer the text in French.
According to Linden Labs, the Openspaces are being used about twice as much as expected, in other words being loaded with double the content/avatar load than they had expected for a region that is supposed to be light use.

One might question whether it was a smart idea at all, to offer low price/low-traffic sims at all, and by doing so, making different prices for sims at all, for the most users will not be interested in the sort or quality of the machine. What the outcome might be: Linden Labs sure has to take a few lessons here.

But there is also lessons for residents to learn. When will people stop thinking that Second Life is a game and treat it like a game? It is not a game at all, but a 3D-webbrowser and as such mainly a great communication tool. Of course, a special webbrowser with lots of great and useful features and of course, it is possible to play games, just as much as on the 2D-web called internet. Then, when will people wake up and learn that they are NOT renting land, NOT renting property or an Estate. All who rent from Linden Labs, are renting a (part of a) server. No more, no less. When you want to make a website, you rent webspace on a server from a provider or host. When you want to make a 3D-website, you rent webspace (hosting) from Linden Labs.
That is all there is.

So, what ever the outcome might be, I think it is time to reconsider your activities in Second Life, when you keep in mind that it is all about communication and not about gaming. Grow up and decide what is really important and what is not? How much 'land' do you really need, to communicate yourself, to show your work, to enjoy the virtual world?

Maybe, after all, we can stop playing around and start to use the virtual worlds for the essentials: education, arts, communication and innovation.

Stonfield Inworld launches RIL Shopping

For nearly 2 years, the company Stonfield InWorld has invested in a comprehensive program of research and development to build a new sales channel that combines into a single format: easy access to offerings of e-commerce, proximity of commercial advice on offerings and the ability to offer financing.

With its expertise in virtual worlds, today Stonfield InWorld announces the creation of RIL SHOPPING in Second Life, in partnership with SOFINCO. The official opening of this new space will take place on 6 November with a sale of outstanding “real” products.

A new way to sell and buy online: “RIL SHOPPING does not replace local shops, the vast
distribution or e-commerce trade” says Pierre-Olivier Carles, co-founder of Stonfield InWorld.
“It adds to existing channels a new way to sell and purchase online. The brands, distributors and / or merchants regardless of their types of offers can offer their products while providing their customer service levels close to the local shops.”

To be opened on 6 November, this unique space in Second Life will allow each brand to meet the expectations of Internet users in online sales: quality products at exceptional prices, the possibility of being informed directly on each product and the offers of consumer credit.

Organized as a private sale, RIL SHOPPING differentiates itself by its ability to accompany each resident during an online purchase, for his advice and assistance but also by the possibility of offering loans for consumption thanks to the presence of SOFINCO consultants.

The presence of a sales-assistant helps to improve the processing rate from 5 to 10 depending on the type of product, RIL SHOPPING offers businesses wishing to change their sales quickly, sales-formats by private, objective and adjusted terms for 4 hours in a few days.

Needless to be an expert in computer science to facilitate a sale in RIL SHOPPING; experts are in charge of Stonfield InWorld and the full development of the virtual shop and they will also accompany the specialist who will guide visitors.

The establishment of this new virtual space by Stonfield InWorld answered the need to be totally in tune with the market. It aims to serve customers better, and offers new opportunities for businesses through a economic potential.

The desire for development and innovation has succeeded in finding an ambitious partner:
SOFINCO, a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe and the pioneer in financing for e-commerce has the strong belief that the Virtual Universe represents a true revolution in online commerce. SOFINCO teams have worked with those of Stonfield Inworld to bring the shopping experience for residents of Second Life to a level of unmatched service and quality.

About Stonfield InWorld

This company, settled in Oloron Sainte-Marie (Pyrenees Atlantiques) and also established in Neuilly sur Seine and Toulouse, became in a short time a player in the market for virtual worlds (Second Life, There.com, OpenSim, Multiverse). It offers businesses of all sizes and all sectors, comprehensive solutions for integrating Internet and virtual worlds in their development strategy.

Accredited with Full Service Provider Solutions by Linden Lab, Stonfield InWorld also focused part of its efforts to research and development on sale online (e-commerce) and training (e-learning) to make two poles of growth with high added value for its clients on Virtual Worlds.

In September 2007, Crédit Agricole entered the capital Stonfield InWorld and became the largest shareholder. Clients of the consultancy and service are companies like Réunica, the Navy, ENST Bretagne, Suez Environment, Saint Gobain Glass, IBM, Intersport, Bull ...

About Sofinco

About Sofinco: SOFINCO, a subsidiary of Credit Agricole SA is a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe with 17.6 million customers. Present in 20 countries, SOFINCO makes 60% of its turnover abroad and is experiencing a sharp increase in its activity.

Sofinco is dominant in all trades of credit to the Consumer direct sales, financing at the point of sale (Equipment Market home markets for recreational vehicles), partnerships.

Sofinco has developed partnerships with major retailers and distribution of many institutions.

To learn more: read also the blog of RIL SHOPPING: www.ril-shopping.com/blog (In French)