Response from Mark Robins, Co-founder/CEO, Grouply

To All Second Life Bloggers:

The following is an email response from Mark Robins to my email sent Sunday May 9th and featured in Update 2 of my post "The Grouply Mess"

Mark Robins is the Co-founder/CEO of Grouply
Dear Zoe,

Let me start by offering my sincerest apologies for the negative experience you and your secondlifebloggers members had with Grouply.  I, myself, run several online communities and understand the time and effort required to build trust and engage your members in order to make a community successful.  If what happened to you were to happen to me with any of my communities, I, too, would be angry and upset. We are taking this incident very seriously.  I would like to offer a quick note of explanation as to what happened and to let you know what we are doing about it.

Our intention with the Grouply-to-Ning migration tool was to provide disenfranchised Ning Networks a quick and easy path to a new free home on Grouply.  In fact, Grouply has become the new home for many groups that originated on other systems, particularly Yahoo Groups and Google Groups.  As you may be aware, Yahoo and Google Groups are very email-centric, and most users receive all system updates and message postings as individual emails.  In fact, this is the default setting on Yahoo and Google Groups, and due to our history with these systems, it became the default setting for new groups on Grouply.

Of course, in retrospect, this default setting does not make sense for groups migrating from Ning, as Ning users are not accustomed to interacting with their networks via email.  As you know, when the first few people posted to the new secondlifebloggers group on Grouply, some members became upset with the emails, didn’t see the “unsubscribe” link in footer, and replied back to the “discussion” requesting to be unsubscribed, causing still more emails to go out.

Setting all users to receive all postings as individual emails by default was clearly a big mistake on our part.  We have now fixed the migration tool; members of migrated Ning networks will no longer receive individual emails by default.  We have also made it a lot easier to unsubscribe to such emails if you do decide to “opt in” and receive them.  The very first line of each email now reads “Click here to stop receiving these emails”.  Click the link and you are instantly unsubscribed.

I know these changes are of small consolation to you and your group members who already suffered through the “old” model.  However, I wanted you to be aware that we are treating this issue with the highest priority, that we learned from our mistakes, and that we have taken and will continue to take corrective actions.

There is one other item I wanted to address, Zoe.  In your email you mentioned that you couldn’t find a way to delete your groups from Grouply.  Actually, Grouply does provide a button to delete your group.  It’s on the Management Menu page on the far right of the “Your Group” section.  Click here for a screenshot.  Clearly we need to make this more obvious, though.  We are working on this now.

Zoe, I know the chances are slim, but if you are ever interested in giving Grouply another try, I would do everything I could to ensure your success.  I would personally help you get your groups up and running.  I would also offer you the full set of Grouply Pro premium features at no charge for the lifetime of your groups: http://blog.grouply.com/premium-tour/ .  If you check around, I believe you will find that Grouply’s feature set is unmatched by any other offerings.  Here’s our Feature Directory: http://blog.grouply.com/features/ .

Again, Zoe, I am terribly sorry for this incident.  If there’s anything I can do that will help to set things right, please let me know.  My cell is (cell number removed), and you can call anytime.

I wish you and your groups continued success.

Regards,

Mark

==========

Mark Robins
Co-founder/CEO, Grouply
(Contact information removed)

Skyboarding back...

I'm happy to report I'm not leaving SL or SL Social Media.

Mind you... I'm not going crazy with it either.

But I feel great after meeting some like-minded aviation friends at the aerodrome today, and by-golly it just might all work out for the best!

I'll see you around the Grid and the SL Social Media Bubble.

SL Bloggers Christmas Party 2008

(Zoe and Phin on Christmas Day 2007)

Like last year, I'll be holding our Christmas Party in Caledon.

This year it will take place Saturday December 14th.

I'll have more details about the start time and exact location as it becomes available.

Also invited are EDF, RCAF, and members of Girls with Guns.

5 Days of Fact and Fiction

Originally posted on Boned Wednesday 12 November 2008 for the SLBloggers Mix&Match Scheme ;)

A week ago I was given a TPS Report without courtesy of a cover sheet. Ignoring this little oversight, I read further. In this case the acronym TPS stood for "The Post Switch" as in the SLBloggers Mix & Match Challenge.

My assignment: Write about my 5 days away from SL and any SL related social media. I was not to login or post anything to Twitter, Plurk, etc. This was definitely cruel and unusual punishment, deviously outlined and insitigated by the infamous Botgirl Questi.

It was Sunday evening and my 5 days away from SL would begin after I logged off that night. I decided to make the most of it by having as much virtual sex with as many avatars as I could. Once several parcels were strewn with dozens of avatars with ambulatory issues, I logged off...dreaming of a new era for me in the real world. I've heard so much about it lately.

Day One: Worked RL Job. Read RL Blogs and various sites for US Election news. Dreamed about flying. Tormented my brother.

Day Two: Election Day. Voted. Went to work. Read more crap about the election.

Day Three: President-Elect Obama calls and asks if I would join his cabinet as Defense Secretary. Obama says he needs a diverse Cabinet and thinks a kick-ass virtual girl with guns who runs a virtual air force sends the right message of diversity and an alternative low-carbon footprint defense posture. I graciously accept as the first virtual world avatar to fill a Presidential Cabinet position. Huzzah!

Day Four: I get my affairs in order for relocation to Virginia and my new job at the Pentagon.

Day Five: Was very thankful for my week free from SL.

So there you have my week.

Huh? What?.... You don't believe this happened?

Perhaps you'll believe this one....

Day One: So far so good. Okay. I can get through this.

Day Two: Biting my nails. Irritable. Snapping at co-workers.

Day Three: Still irritable. Anger issues surface. After work I buy wine. I get home, watch TV, drink several glasses, and sob quietly at my keyboard.

Day Four: My hair is a mess today. No make-up. I'm all about the wine today. Can't wait to get home.

Day Five: I call in sick (hungover). I stay in bed most of the day.

Hah! Well this didn't happen either.

The truth of my 5 Day Experiment....

Days One Through Five: I was inworld everyday. I even thought of cheating and using an alt, but still... I popped inworld for at least 10 minutes as Zoe.

Truth is....

Although I spend far less time in SL as I once did, I would miss my friends if I was away too long, and 5 days is too long.

5 Days of Fact and Fiction « Boned

My SLBloggers Mix & Match blog post ;)

5 Days of Fact and Fiction « Boned

Openspace Sims and the Future of SL Aviation

Perhaps in the new SL, the only public events allowed will be those that allow sitting at meetings and hopping on danceballs....

In the Royal Caledon Air Force Ning Group, Cornelius Fanshaw writes:

"I'm sure everyone's aware of LL's new pricing policy regarding openspace sims as it's being debated to death everywhere, so I'm not going to go over all that here.
One aspect though that might have a big effect on where we can fly and I've not really seen discussed in relation to aviation is this paragraph:-

"Lastly we will begin to proactively discuss overloaded Openspaces with their owners. This is important because as with abuse of region resources, a heavily overloaded Openspace can adversely affect other Openspaces sharing the same machine which is clearly unfair to residents who are using them responsibly. We have listened to your feedback on this, and agree that we need to make changes to better support our Openspace users by actively working to keep the performance levels as high as possible. We will also provide some detailed guidance about what ‘overuse’ looks like and how to prevent it."

Now does that mean that if we gather in an openspace sim for a dogfight, it will "overload" that sim?

Will our dogfights become something that bring down the wrath of LL on the owners heads?

Openspaces are where we mostly meet, yet we know a lot of aircraft in one sim cause masses of lag. Is this going to effect Naval battles and motor racing or any big event on and openspace sim?

Are openspaces going to become no-go zones for events?"

"Avoid the Voids" - Lessons in Lindenomics

I shook my head when I read news of Linden Labs Openspace Pricing and Policy Changes (and a few reactions I've read)....

Most people know I do NOT like to discuss politics or economics openly. In RL I have a particular worldview that was once shaped by family (Democrat), then college (Republican), then work experience (Libertarian), as well as a circle of friends, books, periodicals, podcasts (the list goes on and on).

I love history, political science, and economics. I consider myself a liberal in a classical sense. To put it another way, I'm a libertarian with a small "l" ... not affiliated with the Libertarian Party, yet sharing in political and economic philosophy. So in the interest of full-disclosure, I look at this announcement with a certain "free-minds and free markets" worldview.

A few points as I see it...

First, on a real world level, LL is a private company and can raise prices as they see fit. LL must spend USD on wages/salaries, electricity, and infrastructure, so that we may all enjoy using Second Life. LL like any RL company, faces increased costs, economic uncertainty, and must act accordingly.

Second, as a RL worker and consumer, I also face economic uncertainty and must make economic choices based on my own needs and wants. My work salary has a certain amount of disposable income that - although not a fixed amount, is only elastic at the margins. My discretionary income can only go so far until I hit the wall of fixed RL expenses. Other than a few generous tips I receive from 2 tip jars and 20 % receipts from aviation-related vendors placed at my aerodrome, I don't make much money from SL, and although I'm very interested in business within the metaverse, I consider myself a hobbyist and social networker. Unless hired by a company doing business here, I'll remain so throughout my time on the grid.

Obviously, all spending within SL must be far behind RL shelter, food, transportation, utilities, medicines, savings for retirement, etc. Personally, I've cut back on certain things (some RL entertainment spending and a 2nd VoIP line) in order to pay for other RL and SL expenses. It's very likely more family budget cuts are in store in the near future.

Avoid The Voids!

My hope was to obtain land-rights to an Openspace sim during the very month that this increase is to take effect. Obviously, that's shot to hell. How many others will "avoid the voids?"

Costs (Taxes) and Discretionary Income

If you consider us all citizens of this virtual world, what is happening is a virtual property tax increase. Uncle M will raise your property values (and taxes)!

Higher costs for land-rights and higher tier fees. Just like a tax.

But remember that taxes control market incentives. And as you raise costs on already burdened individuals and families, only the wealthier among us can afford such things within our ever tightening discretionary income. I don't think the federal government will enact a bailout plan for Void sims. Heehee!

Like many taxes, the likely effect of this will slow down the inworld economy. For many like me who were strongly considering the acquisition of one or more Openspace sims for SL aviation, the decision has now been made. Avoid the Voids!

I do hope that others have enough discretionary income to continue. As an aviatrix in SL, I would hate to see a decline in Openspace sims, but I definitely understand their hardships.

The Big Question:

Is LL still friendly toward hobbyists within the grid? Will aviation in SL be encouraged?

Or perhaps it's their intention that the only aviation-related activity allowed to flourish will be Boeing and Airbus business meetings?

UPDATE: Vint Falken has an excellent roundup of the SLBlogosphere reaction.

My new Ning Group: "Virtual Girls with Guns"

Virtual Girls with Guns


Find more photos like this on Virtual Girls with Guns

Virtual Girls with Guns

New Aviation Sims in Second Life®

The virtual aviation community is a little happier today....



If you're familiar with Bancos Milestone's aircraft, you've probably visited BALSA at http://slurl.com/secondlife/BALSA%20INC%20AVEOUSA/177/160/29

For a long time it was one sim and and not the greatest location for long term flying.

That's all changed! BALSA INC AVEOUSA has partnered with developer Cindy Bolero. The area is now 7 sims worth of aviation-friendly heaven including BALSA INC AVEOUSA, Kittyhawk, Road Trip, Dangerous Curves, Hang Ten, Miranda Meadows, and Horses. I flew over the area last night and it *was* a little rough and laggy in spots. But I'm sure this will change as all the bugs are worked out.

Also....the plan is to expand in phases. This being phase one.

I'm a happy aviatrix today ;)

Zoe is on vacation in August

I'll be around, but not nearly as much.

My real life vacation awaits....

Eshi Otawara (Monday 21 July 2008)

Eshi Otawara's latest and lovely creation in the Desperado sim of Second Life...

Hathian - Urban Street Roleplay

Hathian (also known as "The Crack Den") is an urban street roleplay sim in Second Life® The sim brought to mind the HBO series "The Wire"

The Art of Eshi Otawara 19 July 2008

My friend GoSpeed Racer invited me to the Desperado sim to witness Eshi Otawara's latest build. Eshi is creating a series of 1-hour art installation builds and this video presents one of her beautiful and amazing creations....

My Google Lively Room - Zoe's OpenTalk Cafe

My computer space in Lively is just like my desk in RL. See all the coffee cups?

Facebook Gangsta

The AvaStar: Flying high in Second Life

Coyne Nagy of The Avastar IMed me today with news of my Avastar-Of-The-Week article....

The AvaStar: Flying high in Second Life

"...AVIATRIX Zoe Connolly is the leader of the Royal Caledon Air Force and creator of both the internet and in-world versions of the Second Life Bloggers community.

SENSE OF STYLE: Zoe is justifiably proud of how she looks...."

The AvaStar: Flying high in Second Life

Plurk!

March SLBloggers Party on Sunday the 30th!

Feeling a little SL(tm)ow these days?
Or SL(tm)utty? Or hasSL(tm)ed?

The March Second Life Blogger Party will be in the Clocktower of Edloe Island where everyone can spend a little time together to wait out the impending clarification on the new trademark rules coming out Monday.

Sunday March 30, 2008
1:00PM - 4:00PM

Really bad 80's music courtesy of Crap Mariner of the What Is This Crap? weblog, which will be changing its URL mid-party as a result of the new rules.

See ya there!
Crap Mariner
idiot-In-Chief of Edloe and Nowhereville Islands

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Edloe/128/116/68

PS: If you haven't gotten one already, be sure to ask for one of Kit's Floaty TM Symbol sets.

Ack!....You Frakking Meme-Tag Bastards!

I've been tagged thrice now. I suppose it's time to buckle under the peer pressure.

*shakes fist at Ryker Beck, HawksRock, and Lord Primbroke Edward Pearse*

The rules of tagging are simple, and as follows.
(1) Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
(2) People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
(3) At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
(4) Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog

I shall indulge rules 1 and 2, but will not tag others. As is the case with any horrible influenza, this viral meme must run it's course and die at some point in order to save us all in the SL Blogosphere. Any tagging on my part would only add a double or triple tag upon another SL Blogger.

Besides, this brings me to random fact number one....

1) I'm notorious for procrastination. Unless I'm deeply focused on something or other - an item/task may be lost on a backburner for a while. Like responding to dreaded viral tags such as "8 Random Facts" for instance....

2) I have a duel nature of being both Obsessive Compulsive about subjects I love/like and also suffer Attention Deficit Disorder (ooooo shiny).....where was I?

3) I'm as fanatical about lighthouses in RL as I am in SL. SL has offered me a chance to have my own. OMG how cool!....My RL apartment is decorated with the Coastal/Nautical theme and lighthouses are everywhere. Even my shower curtain has a lighthouse motif.

4) Zabrina McMahon is my evil alt! Evil I tell you! Eeeeeeevvvvviiiiiillllllll!

5) I really do love sailing in RL, and would love to fly if I had the funds and time to learn. Yay for SL where I can indulge both!

6) In RL I am 5'2, thin, have dark hair, am hearing impaired, now work as a therapist for persons coping with new disabilities, am happy for Zoe's gravity defying large breasts but glad I don't have them in RL (Can only imagine the back pain I'd have!) and would love to be as tall as she is...

7) I had one SL account prior to Zoe Connolly. I remember her name was Chloe but cannot recall the last name and only signed in a few times. I lost all other info about her. Zoe was created a few weeks later, but did not become active until I was home sick for a week. In Late January/early February 2007 I had nothing to do but nurse myself back to health and play inworld. The rest as they say, is history. I was hooked, and thus a girl's obsession and sleeplessness began.

8) In RL I am very political and spiritual. I do not discuss such things inworld with anyone but a few very very close friends. Besides SL, Politics is my other obsession and in the past I've worked as a paid staffer on a few campaigns.

The more I explore.....

I've noticed something over the last few weeks....

The more I explore various places on the grid....The more I settle into Victorian Steampunk.

Oh sure! I still get out there, but I don't stay long. I'm at home in Steampunk.

But I'll still need to venture out on occasion, if only to use my vast modern-day wardrobe.