[Bobbi]

I did pay to join SL; it was at a time when Linden Labs was still charging for a Basic Membership. It was a one-time fee, and it was not too price-y to join . The fee is what enables L. Labs to employ people and make improvements .

There are some people whom make quite a good "living" from SL. That's a good thing, since they're applying their abilities and creativity in ways that also suit their personalities and so on.

The only features I find missing from SL, which I think could make it better are:

- Voice Activation (for those of us with mobility limitations)
- A desktop module (for working off-line)

[wannabe]

If it's considered a "game" for those that use SL for purely enjoyment purposes, what's the goal? What do you work towards? Is it to build your assets like monopoly then? How do you "win" or "lose" then? What do you "do" there?

Bobbi, that makes sense, how it could really augment RL exchanges too. Is it like a forum then (a discussion place), only with more virtual aspects to how you interact, like adding more dimensions to the exchange by giving you avatars and RL characteristics whereas a forum is quite flat in that you're only a name and words, this adds more substance to "who" you become in the virtual world? What's the 'purpose' to it for those just gaming?

I guess I wouldn't pay for membership to a forum either. And I sure didn't think I was "crucifying" anyone. ouch.

[Chemar]

Originally Posted by Username

Let the crucifiction continue! Did anyone see the sunrise this morning? I didn't, so it must not be there anymore.



Linda

Yikes! Arent you bein' a bit harsh there toward people who are simply asking for information and making comments in an open discussion forum (never mind the dog poop comment in your edit message!!!)

as to my comments, I intentionally said NOTHING about Second Life or anything related to it as I know nothing firsthand about it.

However, having been at BT for a loooong time, I made my comments based on what I did know firsthand, and that is that for two months the forums at BT have been down and it surprises me that someone of JLs computer skills has not had at the least more frequent updates, nevermind not gotten those boards or a new one up and running faster.
I also know firsthand that this has caused distress and health deterioration for some people who really depend on BT, and I feel pretty sure that there are countless more like them who have not yet found or been told about this board.
I am also puzzled that "politics" would have stood in the way ( I assume) of the update message that was last on BT (what now...2 weeks ago last?) as it didnt point people here as a temporary refuge.

Crucifying ? Most certainly not.
Confused and disappointed ? You bet!

[Jane]

Confusing? Disappointing?? Let me add discouraging.

On the other hand since I am not a board member of BT., I don't personally know what has been going on since the board was established. With that in mind, I will keep my guesstimations to myself.

Jane

[Username]

People (and without going back I can't say who) by their comments leave an undertone of exactly what they mean with their questions. I suppose I was adding that to all the other comments I've been reading about JL. I know he has disappointed many people, but come on, he's gotten really beat up over BT. He doesn't owe anybody anything. Because he started something he doesn't have to commit to that project the rest of his life. Why so many people feel that he owes them something, is beyond my comprehension. It was great while it lasted (and it may still come back) but it's season may be over. It seems like all good he has done for people, is being shadowed by the fact he's not doing it right now. And I don't feel he deserves that.

[Curious]

i think since he asked and got donations for a new server, he should be held accountable. thaty board was also set up with google ads to generate income.

i agree it's season may be over. but where (not to mention how much) did the money go? don't non-profit organizations have to report p&l statement?

i feel the same as chemar. are the old members of bt getting the support and help they need?

i don't think anyone here has crucifed jl.

[Jane]

Originally Posted by Username

People (and without going back I can't say who) by their comments leave an undertone of exactly what they mean with their questions. I suppose I was adding that to all the other comments I've been reading about JL. I know he has disappointed many people, but come on, he's gotten really beat up over BT. He doesn't owe anybody anything. Because he started something he doesn't have to commit to that project the rest of his life. Why so many people feel that he owes them something, is beyond my comprehension. It was great while it lasted (and it may still come back) but it's season may be over. It seems like all good he has done for people, is being shadowed by the fact he's not doing it right now. And I don't feel he deserves that.

We are in agreement except that we don't really know if this has been a matter of lack of interest or being bound by a board with a differing vision. BT stopped being a one man show when it became a not for profit.

If one checks early posts relative to Brigadoon, it was organized through BT and designated donations could be made to it through BT. As in most not for profits, funds can be designated to specific projects. Perfectly legal and a good thing. This allows those who are interested in a given project to help fund it and reduce the amount needed from the general fund.
Jane

[Username]

I just went back and re-read everything. I admit the undertones weren't the same as they were when I was reading them half asleep at 4:00 in the morning. So, I'll take that much back. But, in combination with the other threads, not just this one, I still believe JL has taken an unfair beating.

He supported BT for a very long time with his own funds. I certainly agree that would never justify taking money from donations and then not funding the site. But, I also believe that has not been proved yet. As a matter of fact, nobody knows what the heck is going on. He may very well be working on it. Innocent until proven guilty. It's still America. (At least where the site is homed!) I think the only thing he's guilty of is not keep updates updated. Period. But, that's only my opinion, which I'm entitled to, along with everyone else's opinion, which they are also entitled to. I think people just need to be more cautious before all the facts are in.

I won't say anymore. I've stopped posting on the other topics as well.

Linda

Edited: I think what happened here on the topic of SL, was once people saw that real money was being made from people buying "imaginary things", they lumped it together with the fact that people donated money for BT and now nothing. Possibly their initial thought was that JL was being less than admirable. And that it what I reacted to.

[Wittesea]

I agree that JL owes us nothing....

However, doesn't he have a moral responsibility to at least try? I say that because over the years at BrainTalk, as it went though changes (leaving MGH, becoming a non-profit) and as John went through changes in his life (also leaving MGH and getting a new job) -- through all that the messages and posts from John all support the fact that he cared about BT, that he would continue to maintain BT, that he would never abandon BT, etc...

That was always the tone and message of his posts during every change - in BT itself, or in his own life.

So, I believe a lot of people are disappointed over the lack of communication from him recently because all of his previous statements regarding the forum were always about how he will always "be there" for BT and the people who use it.

And then the forum crashed, he was nowhere to be found, and there was no message and no communication. After years and years of promises to always "be there" to support BT, all of a sudden he wasn't there anymore.

Sure, technically he owes us nothing at all. Legally he owes us nothing at all. But morally he should have done better because that's what he promised over and over again.

[Thelma]

I guess I am one of those who have been very vocal about how I feel personally about Braintalk at least the five people who have reported on me think I have been by far too vocal. Wish they would have asked me for an explanation instead.

But in any regard there is not much to know really. John has been up front with us about his involvement with second City from the beginning although I didn't think it was anythilng but childish at the beginning I have now seen that it can be a great asset for those who psychologically need it and those who physically have no other way to put their dreams of moving into action.

Although it was not originally intended for Johns purpose I believe he had a brainstorm when he first began to build on his idea for those sites.

Whether they succeed or fail they were and are worth the cost of supporting them.

Take them in the name of research and look at them.

My problem lies in the lack of information he has given out to the members who have stuck by him for so many years. I can't believe the coldness of his response to their concerns.

Sure he has been travelling but he did before and always kept in touch as he carries a very good computer with him.

When he first put on the message at Braintalk it was not him but David Hosobuchi who put it on. John immediately took it off and put his own on. He has changed it only once since he put it in on my birthday aug 24.xxxx lol

So then David can do it as well. Then there has to be a problem bigger than what we are assuming going on behind the scene. The chat moderator said he would have it back last weekend and it did not appear. John has said the chats would have to be closed and the site as well for the repairs to happen. .

I personally sent him an email at his work to ask if it were a money problem and if so let me know and got no reply.

First time on a money subject no reply has come. Although I must admit I have only done it twice.

So there we are in the dark and not a thing we can say nor do till he himself desires to once again talk to us.

I have in a sense picked up all of the straws and they have led me nowhere.

It has been 7 years he has laboured over the site and for it to end like this or even have such an event as this blacken it's name is really sad.

He is in Sommerville and has been seen there yet this lack of caring remains.

This has led me to think about what has happened at Linden Labs and wonder if it has effected other sites perhaps Braintalk.

What ever it is time to stop wondering.

Take care all Thelma