Linden Lab Answers Questions and Concerns About Gaeta 1, Other Issues, At Town Hall

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 

From Zada Bury

 On Monday at 11 AM SL time, there was a meeting at Linden Lab's Town Hall building. The main reason was for residents to get answers to questions and concerns about The Lab announcing that the smaller of two unfinished Mainland continents, Gaeta 1, will be closed down and it's residents relocated while the other unfinished continent, Zindra, will be completed. But other issues could be brought up as well. 

 

 I was a little late for the meeting, and regretfully as far as pictures are concerned, my viewer went into "safe mode," with much of the scenery around me not showing much of what was in two nearby sims, including the Linden avatars on stage. 

 

from Zada Bury

 Patch Linden was among the Lab staff there. But most of the questions would be answered by Derrick Linden.

 

From Zada Bury

Behind the audience, someone had put up a huge sign, "SAVE GATEA 1 !!!" 

 

 

 Pantera Polnocy would make a video (click here if it fails to load).

 

There was a considerable amount of chatter. Fortunately someone, Neon Lyter, had done some editing, separating the big questions. 

 

[11:09 AM] Tay Doll: How will the actual moving process take place? Is the land owner responsible for actually moving their own items?

Yes, however we’re planning to work with each individual person and give them time to move the content they need or want to move over, and pick up anything they don’t plan on carrying over.

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[11:14:12 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:09 AM] Fieri Bloodrose (infierna.bloodrose): will small areas of protected land possibly be opened?

Currently we don’t have any plans to open any existing protected areas, and the new regions that are being created in Zindra will have protected roads and waterways.

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[11:16:35 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:09 AM] Neon Lyter: Why not finish Gaeta 1?

This was certainly an option that we had considered, however, there are large swaths of land available here, especially those that are not along any waterways or nearby roads, that is unoccupied and unutilized. As mentioned in the blog, we’re wanting to shift this land into more desirable adult mainland, and use it as an opportunity to finish out the Zindra continent.

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[11:19:40 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:11 AM] Neon Lyter: Lots of people are about preserving the history of SL. This move is going to destroy a lot of history.

I absolutely hear you and it is something that we had to consider very closely and carefully. However, we feel as though this puts us in a more ideal position as we look toward the future and positive future for both Second Life the mainland especially.

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[11:12 AM] Timo Daehlie: Sharp next ?

We have no plans or changes anticipated for Sharp or any other mainland continents at this time :)

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[11:12 AM] Jelly Doll: @Derrick (derrick.linden)  will residents be able to hold Gaeta1 land and the replacement land without additional costs during the move to allow for builds to be more easily moved? or will they have to drop one and start over on another (as it was during the last forced move) ?

This is something we anticipate some users needing, and we will absolutely be working with them to the best ability the we can to make this transition as smooth as possible. And that does include possibly assisting them in this exact manner.

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[11:24:00 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:12 AM] SarahKB7 Koskinen: Four older (Nascera) Linden Homes continents were deleted last year. What has happened to those regions (and the financial savings they created) and why have those Nascera regions not been redistributed to complete both Zindra and Gaeta 1, while also connecting Gaeta 1 to the remainder of mainland?

Those four continents of old Linden Home regions were brought down and the redistribution of those regions is a slower phased process, and are being released with new style Linden Homes over the longer period of time. Those regions were earmarked for Linden Homes, and not Mainland.

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[11:26:24 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:13 AM] Zurí L McGlockin (pucci): will there be any water regions along the protected waters opening for purchase? most of the ones that are here have already be purchased up by land companies.

Yes, there will be some water regions that will be resident occupied. However, the first priority is the individuals that are impacted on Gaeta 1 and those are getting first dibs on the new land being made available on Zindra. We will not make any of the new land available for anyone else to purchase or claim until those individuals are sorted through.

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[11:13:15 AM] Nibbles (skyler.pancake): Gaeta 1 was originally created in 2008. Why was the continent left unfinished? Is it not arguable that the continent would have been more popular and occupied if Linden Labs had finished the expansion of the continent?
Zindra meanwhile, was announced in June 2009 with work on the land starting shortly after, but then left uncomplete for 15 years. Why the change of heart? What has spurred Linden Labs to make this decision after over a decade of residents pleading with Linden Labs to provide additional adult mainland?

Why is Gaeta 1 being sacrificed for the prior decisions of Linden Labs and the incompetence in finishing the continent? At the time of the decision being announced, Gaeta 1 had 10.2% of land abandoned. This is in comparison to Jeogeot with 29.6% and Satori with 27%. Why should the residents of these continents not be concerned that their creations, their effort and time, might just be done away with?
If the decision was based on remoteness to other continents, do the residents of Heterocera,
which in comparison only has 10.7% abandoned land, need to worry that the land they own may be seized some day?

What about Bellissaria? Certain themes in Bellissaria are massively unpopulated. Alpinisseria has 69% of all available homes empty. Fantasseria is only 48% occupied. Overall, there are 10,000 plus homes available on Bellissaria to currently be claimed, meaning 39% of houses there are currently unoccupied. Why is more effort being put into expanding Bellissaria when there's this much product currently unused? Why are we not halting the expansion of Bellissaria or repurposing land from there instead?

[11:36:53 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): @Nibbles (skyler.pancake) Your question was a bit long, so not-repasting it, but to follow up: 

So there’s a lot to unpack here, and I’m gonna try to make this quick because there’s a lot of questions being asked and we don’t have a WHOLE lot of time. I can’t speak to Gaeta 1’s creation or its unfinished state, this happened prior to my tenure here, and pretty much all of the individuals that were in decision-making positions at the time are no longer here. I totally understand this sentiment, but I unfortunately don’t have much I can answer on this front. However, I did see the figures on the forums that are being quoted here based on externally-collected data, and these numbers are not accurate to the information that we have. Gaeta 1’s occupancy on non-protected parcels was actually only 44%. And it being disconnected was a contributing factor, but not the primary reason.

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[11:38:14 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:14 AM] ϻ ᴀ ᴢ ᴛ ᴀ (maztadizazta): question : if we have a xx amount of land in Gaeta 1 we will be given choice for equal amount of land or we can also chosse to buy more than what we currently own for example if its a 1/2 sim can we get a full region in the expansion option too? and what will be the pricing on that

No, it will be same sized parcels for parcel placement.

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[11:42:11 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:15 AM] James Starling: What steps are you going to take to ensure that the new land in Zindra is not immediately bought up by land barons?

We are not making any parcels of land available there until everyone that is being moved from Gaeta 1 has been taken care of and have claimed parcels there, or elsewhere, as they desire and we work with them. That leaves us several months ahead that these regions will begin to be added to Zindra, but not made available to claim the land. The timeline for this whole process is through the end of this year, so realistically no land will be made publicly available until that time. After that, we’re currently discussing strategies for how to make the remainder of the new land available, and it will likely be some sort of mixture of auctions and/or a possible lottery system that we are discussing internally. However, if you have other thoughts, we’d love to hear about them.

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[11:43:32 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:16 AM] V (vivaria.nightingale): So, will us Gaetanss also get first dibs on scoopin up some additionall A class land before the land hoarderss that aren't Gaetanss? & If so how much we lookin at pricing wise? uhh?

Yeah, I’ve answered this already, but just to reconfirm - yes, Gaeta 1 landowners will get first dibs. Pricing will remain the same on your current tier structure as long as you’re just doing a like-for-like parcel switch.

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[11:45:25 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:19 AM] Zoé (zoee.yiyuan): people of general lands do not really like to move to a continent like Zindra that is openly and clearly made for sexual intentions. Why not make extra general / mature sims free at another continent ? Maybe a complete generall continent, not too big maybe, would attract serious investors again

Absolutely understood on that concern, so the good news is that you don’t need to move to Zindra. There is plenty of available General and Moderate rated land available, and our Land Operations team will be happy to help find somewhere for you to move based on your specific needs.

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[11:47:39 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:19 AM] ApplePieCheesecake: In terms of void edge land on Gaeta, what is considered comparable on Zindra? Is it ocean access?

This land is being considered as interior land and not water. However, the new land being spun up on Zindra has plenty of available water, and that doesn’t necessarily immediately disqualify you from owning water-adjacent parcels.

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[11:48:38 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:20 AM] ღ ɳყxιҽ ʋσιɗɓσυɳɗ ღ (punanidasani): What about people who have SL families with child avatars who are living on Gaeta I? They cant move to an adult continent.

My answers are slow, apologies, but also addressed - you don’t need to move to Zindra, we’ll help find you somewhere on a General rated region if that’s what you need.

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[11:51:08 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:21 AM] Feorie Frimon: Is this part of an over all 'resurgence' in a focus on mainland architecture? Or is this a 'one time' project'?

This is definitely one step in the direction of looking at working with our Mainland product, and we have several initiatives that we’re currently working on. For instance, we’ve been doing some stuff that I don’t really want to spill the beans on here, however, those of you that have been paying attention to New Bloom Mountain might have some indication on things to come :)

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[11:54:29 AM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:28 AM] Timo Daehlie: When managing relocations or land disputes on Gaeta, do you take into account how long someone has owned their land? Specifically, do long-term residents receive priority over those who purchased land just this week?

Overall, our priority is the largest impacted communities first. Afterwards, we’ll be working with individuals and smaller groups. However, we are giving priority to residents and groups who owned their land prior to April 15th when this blog was released.

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[11:28:37 AM] Aletta Mondragon (alettamondragon): I had this question in the forum discussion, rather a suggestion, since our questions weren't addressed there, could you share your opinion on this here, please?

What if you first tried to redesign Gaeta I and move it to Gaeta V, for example between the Northwestern part of Gaeta V and the Northeastern part of Corsica, roughly between Mya Mo and Imajin, reducing Gaeta I's size so that you get rid of the abandoned land but keep the Sandy Beach Trail, the coastline and the existing communities, moving the other regions as needed to reshape it? It cannot be more work than these planned relocation efforts, and if that doesn't bring you the desired results, you can still shut it down, but trying couldn't hurt more than keeping all the abandoned land online already has for so many years.

[12:00:00 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): @alettamondragon

There were considerations put into this, but the primary concern that we’re attempting to work toward a resolution here is that there is an imbalance between A vs G/M regions. This opportunity allows us to help the land market on Zindra while also solving for lower occupancy numbers on Gaeta 1.

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[12:04:34 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:32 AM] Tay Doll: Will we see more projects like this in the future of land being recycled to for better purposes to be more efficient and progress SL forward?

We are entirely focused and only have plans currently for Gaeta 1. Afterwards, I can make no guarantees for what the future holds, but I want to make it clear that we understand how impactful this is and do not take decisions like this lightly. So this will continue to be evaluated for the future of the mainland and SL as a whole.

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[12:06:35 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:32 AM] Bahama Joe (joebahama): Can you set expecations as to how much land will be available to non-Gaeta residents?  97 regions are moving to 90.  What percent of those 97 were abandoned before the announcement?

We don’t have any clear indications yet just because we don’t know how many will opt for new land on Zindra vs existing G/M land. We anticipate having left over land on Zindra, we just can’t estimate exactly how much.

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[12:14:42 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:49 AM] Prokofy Neva: Did the Lindens already mention how many people this is estimated to actually affect who actually log on?

There were 349 unique land owners or groups as of April 15th that owned land on Gaeta 1

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[12:16:40 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:52 AM] Kristy Aurelia: Will the new Zindra regions have PBR terrain?

Oatmeal already answered, but just in case anyone missed it: not PBR, but we will be releasing new 2k textures on Zindra as we begin to roll out the new Zindra regions.

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[12:18:05 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:55 AM] Ayane Ueda (nalurimurai.lust): @Derrick (derrick.linden) - Will there be a possible chance in the future that Zindra might be connected to the rest of Mainland?

No, this is not possible. We do not place Adult and G/M rated regions adjacent to one another.

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[12:20:20 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [11:56 AM] James Starling: What is LL going to do to help residents with very strong memories attached to their land. For example, residents who still have things rezzed out from family and friends who have passed away in real life. Is there some way for Linden Lab to move these objects to the new land?

Unfortunately, we don’t have any options available to us to selectively relocate specific objects like this.

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[12:24:27 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [12:01 PM] Zoé (zoee.yiyuan): Can we have a meeting with just Gaeta 1 people, just to sort out things more in detail?

We’re currently planning to do a smaller town hall specifically as an invite-only to individuals and groups that have land on Gaeta 1. These will be sent as personal invitations, so keep an eye out for incoming communication over the coming couple of weeks. These will be sent via notecard from a Linden.

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[12:34:01 PM] Derrick (derrick.linden): [12:25 PM] Jelly Doll: @Derrick (derrick.linden) how is contact being handled in the case of group owned land ?

We’re balancing and weighing depending on if the founder still active, in lieu of that we prioritize the individuals that are contributing the tier to the groups.
 

At the end, the Lindens thanked us for taking part, Kit Linden saying, "Thank you all for coming to this town hall meeting!" 

 

Commentary: This will almost certainly not be the last we hear about Gaeta 1 being phased out. It is noteable that just about every Linden who was around when they stopped updating Mainland is no longer at the Lab.  And while there are no current plans to go further, many residents will certainly wonder if down the road other places will be on the chopping block. 

 

 More later on the issue as developments appear.

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Pictures From "Bid The Lindens Bald"

 

By Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan 

Picture from Bixyl Shuftan

From Friday May 10 to Wednesday May 15, the "Bid the Lindens Bald" event took place. This event was hosted by the Relay Rockers team, who were also doing their Relaystock from May 10 to 12. This is the team that brought "Bid Me Bald" to the Relay for Life in Second Life, and a few years ago the Lindens and Moles started getting involved. As this 2018 article shows, it can be quite a chaotic fun event. 

 

This year, there were five teams of Lindens and Moles:

 

Team 1 : Kit Linden, Alexa Linden, Itsa Mole, TJ Linden, Madori Linden, Simon Linden

Team 2 : Patch Linden, Millie Mole, Vanessa Linden, Keira Linden, Briganita Mole, Allota Mole

Team 3: Wendi Linden, Grumpity Linden, Derrick Linden, Oatmeal Linden, Kady Linden

Team 4: Hobbes Linden, Vix Linden, Atlas Mole, Justa Mole, Kreide Linden

Team 5: Abnor Mole, Sequoia Linden, Pepper Linden, Spiffy Mole, Anna Mole

 

People were free to donate to any, or all, of the teams' kiosks. It was promised that the team that raised the most money would give a haircut to the team that raised the least.

 

It was notable Patch Linden was still in the event. He has been somewhat scarce this year, not appearing in Bellisseria chat and skipping the VWBPE event. But he was at the Fantasy Faire "Jail and Bail."

 

Wednesday May 15 was the last day of the event

 

Haircutes are today!
Bidding open until 2:15pm slt
Vote for the team you want to KEEP their hair

Party starts at 12pm with Trader
MrMikie String LIVE at 1pm

Haircuts 2:15pm slt

 

The kiosks had their totals frozen. And at Noon, the party started. Gemma Cleanslate was there. In her words, it was, "Hair chaos, and laughter"

 

Some, such as Oatmeal Linden, had quite some crazy hairstyles. 

The team totals were as follows. 

Team 1 : 72,338
Team 2 : 117,427
Team 3 : 59,325
Team 4 : 50,683
Team 5 : 68,770

 

Patch's Team 2 would be giving a haircut to Hobbes Linden's and Vix Linden's Team 4

 

At 2:15 PM, it was time for Team 2 to make good on their commitment.

Vix Linden was sporting a shiny "chrome dome."

Hobbes Linden, the furry avatar in Team 2, didn't just get a haircut, but got shaved. He was balder than "Dr Evil's" sphinx cat. So we now know what a shaved furry looks like.

Gemma would say, "was a nice party .. loads of cracks about hairdos with all teams. Lots of Lindens and Moles there."

 

The official total raised was 401,658 Linden dollars, or $1670 US dollars. The Relay Rockers total raised this season skyrocketed, going up to a total of 1,470,00 Lindens. Firmly in Ruby level and within sight of Topaz. Before they Relaystock, it had been about several hundred thousand. 

There are still plenty of Relay events to be had. This weekend, the Rockers have the "Relay Fever" event. And of course in a few weeks is the Relay Weekend from Saturday June 8 to 9

Gemma Cleanslate and Bixyl Shuftan

The Linden Snowball Fight

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

 

Friday December 15 was the day of December's Linden Snowball Fight. The event would take place twice, the first was scheduled from 8 to 9 AM SL time, and the other from 12 to 1 PM. "Scheduled" is the key word here as people continued tossing snowballs after the scrap was officially over. 

Instead of a free-for-all, this time the event was a "capture the flag" game with two teams, red and green, with an option not to be on either one. In previous years, the snowballs just splatted, tossed one into the air, or temporarily froze someone. But for this snowball scrap, getting hit three times would send you back to the start. 

 

And since journalists are supposed to be neutral, or at least bash both sides equally, yours truly was on "Team Neither."

 

 Squeaky Mole was among those there, looking festive.

 

 

Looks like Blinky Mole was "hot dogging" it.

 

I think I did okay, giving as good as I got. Yes, I nailed a few Lindens and Moles. But wasn't really able to get a good picture of it. 

Team Red won game two. I wasn't around for game one, so not sure which side won that.

It was quite the snowball scrap to remember. If past years are any guide, expect another Linden Snowball fight in a few months in early 2024 before winter ends. But in the meantime, the snowball arena remains up at Linden Lab's Winter Wonderland for anyone to head over and toss a few snowballs.

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes From the Belliseeria Valentine's Cruise

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

On Saturday February 12, there was a boating event organized by Linden Lab, the "Valentine's Love Boat Cruise." The idea was for people to sail in boats through the river and lake cutting through the Linden Home continent, and either stop at the Bellisserian Fairgrounds, or circle around the large island sometimes called "The Pickle," and then then stop at the Fairgrounds.

Yours truly had a particular look for the occasion, this being a Valentine's-themed event.

 The event was supposed to start in the Campwich Forest sim. But it was full to the point I couldn't get in, at first. 

I thought I saw a Linden or Mole on my minimap, but couldn't make out who it was.

This boat was very much decked out for the holiday.

With the lag, an occasional boat went airborne.

One guy was dancing on top of the water. 

Eventually enough people left Campwich Forest so I could get in. There was a board with a map of the cruise route, plus clicking on it gave a notecard with some information. I had heard somewhere one could get a free boat, but it wasn't from here. 

It was next to some docks where one could rezz boats.

I rezzed my own sailboat, and got in.

As it turned out, one of the freebies at the "Shop and Hop" was a boat. So someone unpackaged and rezzed one. 

Some people patiently waited their turn, either to rezz their own boat, 

Or perhaps just wanted a ride with someone who had one.

I was soon on my way, and once in the next sim over could increase my draw distance.

With the lag, boats often rezzed well before their owners.

It wasn't too long before the river led into Bellisseria's lake. 

I temporarily cranked up the draw distance, and the shore came into view. 

And into the river to the lake's north.

Bridge ahead.

This boat took a stop.

And sailing past the bridge and boat.

 

A short AFK moment due to real-life led to my boat going to the shore.

Another boat passing.

This boat was huge. 

A WW2 PT boat, with the VICE combat system. The joke was, they could handle any griefers around.

There were two of them, and ended up running into one another. 

 With the lag, this lady fell off the boat she was on. I messaged her if she wanted a lift. She told me her ride was on her way back.

These two ladies were watching the show from their amphibious vehicle.

This woman's tag was from a cyclist group. She traded her bike for a kayak today.

And out into the ocean.

Near one island, I saw a helicopter.

And the two on this boat were in a party mood.

Another slow to rezz boat crew. 

Getting close to the Fairgrounds, one detailed boat I saw didn't rezz completely.

Bunk beds and other details were visible from the outside.

Approaching the dock.

But getting off ended up with the boat de-rezzing, and me in the drink.

As it turned out, the sim where the party was in was full. So I could only see in from outside.

With the numbers, not everyone was rezzing for me.

Mischievous, Abnor, and Moonstruck Mole were among the crowd.

Mischievous was playing the music. The others were dancing away.

I never did get to the party area as I soon had other places to be. But it was still a great time.

Zada Bury, noted for her "Drivers of SL" videos, would also sail the cruise. She did a video of her journey, and got better pictures of the party.

And that was my experience at Bellisseria's Valentine Cruise. But for those who didn't make it, don't despair. The shores of Bellisseria have a number of rezz spots. There's also a Bellisseria boat group one can join. So by all means come by any time and sail away. 

Bixyl Shuftan