The Metaverse Journal - Latest Comments in The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Gary Hayes — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:09:33 -0000

Thanks Teddleruss you are spot on and your comment echoes many articles and talks I have been sending out over the past two years. If readers get time these two posts provide more depth:
Corporations in Social Virtual Worlds and a Linden Lab cited article

The Brand Owners Guide to Joining the Metaverse

Both talk about a key critical component being the iterative listen, respond, listen cycle that needs to happen for brands or any independent wanting to connect with the inhabitants. This is a very reactive, immersive synchronous medium which raises expectations and passions, not a pushed website/TVshow. I would recommend reading and listening to Lord Puttnam at Virtual Worlds 2007 a few months ago here, half way down page who talks about agency and how to engage in virtual worlds also.

To finish let me leave you with this simple analog - "what would be your approach to setting up a branded area to connect with and learn about the needs of the local tribes in the jungles of Borneo?" I am not being flippant or superficial, really think about the steps you would go through.

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Ryu Darragh — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:59:27 -0000

Thank you, Teddlesruss.

I would also point out that just as volunteer staff are nto renumerated in any way by ABC, the folks who *are* on the ABC payroll frequently help maintain ABC Island during off hours at no pay as well ! They may be paid by ABC, but the ABC Island is only a part time endevoure for them.

The second thing I would point out is that game shows, like Wolfies Rockit!, are not supported by any monies from ABC at all. None of them are, really. The ABC simply gives permission to host the game on the Island.

There are even night shift Admin who are not paid and help out because they like the folks at ABC Island and have many friends there.

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Dustin Varun — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:24:50 -0000

Got anything to back up what your saying here? or actual comments from the people listed here?

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Sakkano Imako — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:19:18 -0000

ABC has been somewhat of an anchor for me, as it was where I was really introduced to SL. Without the help of the volunteers there, I think I'd not enjoy SL as much as I do.

With that said, I believe that ABC. though a bit laggy at times, is a constantly evolving experiment. It's just a matter of finding what works and what doesn't. And while some stuff might not be well-received, the people who volunteer there and world there are what make ABC great for people outside Australia.

While some may debate the existance of the Laneways at ABC, I would like to point out that many people will probably never get to experience such a place first-hand. So I must admit, that for the atmosphere, I really do like the Laneways. It's not something an American is likely to experience while in the middle of his (or her) own country.

But I hope that the rumors of expansion are true. It would be of great benefit for ABC to do that. However, I must wonder, what is in it for ABC in the real world? Without a real answer to that question, I don't think I can buy into the rumors about an expansion.

Here's to a great 1st year, and I hope that there are many more to come.

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Wolfie Rankin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:51:29 -0000

We are far from Possesive Admin Juanita, we actively encourage people to join in with us, if you ask around, you'll see this is indeed the case. If members want to join Admin they only have to ask.... but they must be dedicated to helping and at the same time we all have to get along, as any in-fighting will be quite damaging.

Fortunately we have a great team of enthusiatic people on our side, and I should say at this point that I am one of a team, this isn't just all about me, it's an awesome team and I'm proud to be in with them.

Nearly all the suggestions hastily given on the chat were mostly things we've also suggested and tried to get going, in many cases there have been stoppers in the form of legal issues at ABC... Such as the inability to stream music, that is not ABCs fault, they were willing to pay extra to have this feature, but the people put in place to help musicians recieve fees, got in their way and said NO. If I were a musician I would prefer my music was heard, rather than locked away tight with DRM and nutty laws, but that's just me.

ABC have loosened up a lot, and allowed us to produce more content.
Rockit was created for the ABC to show them that regular programs, which can be a bit of fun or serious interviews, panel shows, comedy and more could be
done live in the space... and we should produce our own content too, as there's no crossover from Radio and TV in RL, why then should there be a crossover to this new media? which is how I see SL.

Rockit is my thing, and it takes a few days to collect questions which like a nice box of fireworks all go off at once, I cannot host other shows, and don't really want to... I have a plan to get people to create new programs which I may discuss further at the forum.

I realise it would be very easy to obtain presenters, however I am equally certain that many, once realising the amount of work which needs to be put in will give up after a few weeks, as I saw when I worked in RL Radio years ago.... Yes, my background is media, it's what I did.

It's no good advertising programs and then not having the host turn up simply because they're tired of the whole thing and just want to watch TV tonight.

Lastly, I saw most of your comments as mere criticism, if you wanted to be involved, you could have been, but you haven't.

You've merely sat on the sideline and spat like an angry cat when anything displeased you.

All you needed to do was grab one of us at any time and sit down and have a heart to heart, that's all any of the readers need to do, we like talking to new people and hearing their ideas, and yes, we really do try to get things happening.

We would love there to be more classes in the sandbox if anyone would volunteer there.

And yes, I will be attending the meeting on Thursday and am prepared to listen, but do keep in mind that most of the things asked about in chat have already been considered months ago, and changes are on the way which should please most people.

Wolfie!

Re: The ABC in Second Life: one year on

Juanita Deharo — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:34:04 -0000

Thank you for your timely article.
There is no doubt ABC island, in particular the sandbox, has been a major benefit to Australians in S., nor that a small band of volunteers have out in a lot of effort to make it work. Thank you to them.
However, with 12 months on the clock I wonder what sort of serious evaluation has been done of ABC's presence in SL.
I was part of the initial discussions about starting the island, and have attended almost every event - except the music quiz show and tiny soccer- neither of which interest me. In its 12 months existence ABC has offered some interesting content like the CSIRO talks or the Librarians discussion - but on the whole I think it has offered very little that has been engaging to me or to many others I have spoken with in SL. It is in no way representative or even indicative of ABC's rich and diverse offerings to the Australian community, and it has not offered many opportunities for creative individuals to explore and push the boundaries between the real and the virtual.
Before the ABC expands with more of the same ( or a bigger and less laggy version of the same) there needs to be some thought given to the whys and hows of its presence in SL and to the way it has operated in the last 12months.
Unless there are ABC staff resources devoted to the project it is in danger of becoming the domain of possessive in-world volunteers and vested interests and will not offer the sort of environment that can truly test the possibilities of virtual worlds, or present the ABC in any good light to the world.
I offer these thought not as criticism of those who have worked in world to maintain the ABC island - but as an observation from someone who sees unused potential and wasted resources. I think it would be a waste to have ABC island expand without a serious rethink of its role in SL and the addition of resouorces and management from within ABC.