More on M and M's Sales Cancelation, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

A week ago, we wrote about Marcthur Goosson and his "M and M Creations" having two sales worth a toral of 42,000 Linden dollars being canceled by Linden Lab and the money taken. When he asked Linden Lab for an explanation, they didn't say very much other than the sales, made through M and M's Marketplace page were "done with Lindens acquired from another source." So he turned to us, and our readers, for answers.

Marxus Lefevre was the one person who answered through the Newser's article comment section, saying:

It does happen a lot actually... when I was working for an estate, which shall remain unnamed, LL would take regularly L$ from the estate owners account with above explanations. Due to close contacts with the support we eventually figured, that there were rental payments done with money acquired, i.e. from stolen credit cards etc., often from Russian or Arabian accounts. If the money was stolen from another account, which happens to often sadly too, LL would return the money to the person it was stolen from, independent of the purchases made through the offenders. I always thought it was the right thing to do though, but I understand, that it comes disturbing to Marcthur or anyone who's not aware of these things.

On the Friends of Second Life Facebook page, there were more comments. While there were accusations of "shady business practices," others confirmed Marxus' story. " This has been done for years and even on almost on daily basis. It relates to their procedure on how to handle stolen accounts. And perfectly legal. Credit card comp, banks etc all do the same by reverting payments when accounts stolen. ... This a normal buisness practice and nothing shady." "it's just a nice way of saying 'stolen lindens'."

So why didn't Linden Lab just up and say that they were returning stolen money to it's owner instead of giving vague and cryptic explanations? The only responses I got were from the Facebook chatter, "They just can't give more details than (they) did due to privacy right issues of account holder. ... by law they can't."

I don't know where to look to confirm this explanation. But if this is true, it seems this isn't simply Linden clumsiness at work, but also the law. Still, couldn't the Lab find some way to give a better explanation to a confused content creator trying to make a few dollars only to find his sales canceled and the money taken? There is also to consider that if dealing with stolen cash is a frequent problem, Linden Lab may be naturally reluctant to talk about it. In any event, this seems to be the best explanation there is for Marcthur's missing money.

Bixyl Shuftan

Merchant's Sales Canceled, Lindens Taken, by Linden Lab

Longtime readers may remember "M and M Creations," run by Marcthur Goosson. For years, he has been making quality items for sale, such as his cottages. But he recently came to the Newser after an incident that concerned the sale of some of his cottages.

Besides his inworld store at the Isle of Paradise, M and M also has a Marketplace page. Sales there were routine until December 30 when Marcthur discovered the Lindens had taken away 11,000 Linden dollars from his account, "without any warning or explanation." A few days later on January 4, he found 31,000 Linden dollars were gone. So he asked Linden Lab what was going on. They gave the following answer

Thank you for contacting support. We'll be happy to explain! We discovered the Marketplace purchase on your store was done with Lindens acquired from another source. The transaction was cancelled and the Lindens that were used were subsequently removed. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Let us know if you need any further assistance!

Marcthur messaged them again for more details, and his money back. He was given this answer.

Unfortunately we are not privy to the specifics on which Marketplace purchase was actioned against, you do have our apologies! Our Accounts Review team discovered the issue and made a determination which resulted in the removal of the Lindens spent. For security purposes we cannot reveal the source of the Lindens or who spent the Lindens through your store.

Exactly what Linden Lab meant by "acquired from another source" they never stated. Marcthur wondered if it might be "fraud or stolen Linden dollars." But with the Lab not saying more, he could only turn to the Newser. Of the items involved in the canceled transactions, "I do not know cause they do not tell me. But given the amounts ans transactions in my overview it must be mainly cottages. So my cottages are in the wild now, and who-knows-what other items (I mainly sell full-permissions only). ... I am still in conversation with Linden Lab so they might compensate me or tell me more (or give me the LL finger)."

So far, Marcthur has yet to tell me of any additional information Linden Lab might have given him, or any of the lost 42,000 Linden dollars. If anyone knows of any similar incidents, please contact the Newser about it. In the meantime, M and M Creations remains open for business.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Paradise/217/158/22

Bixyl Shuftan

Press Release: No Cottage Bizar

Another magnificent new build of M and M Creations. The story behind this one is very special.

During summer of 2017 the fundamentals of my life were destroyed by a devastating event and nothing but ruin was left over. Instead of mourning, grieving and falling into depression which often is very tempting when you encounter a loveshock, I inspired myself to build again on the old ruins. To build up with new materials and vision and make a balanced connection between what was and what can be. Seven months later, my soulmate is still gone but still deeply connected. But I am proud to show you what can be done if you keep on looking on the bright side. This new building, which isn't a cottage this time, is a symbol of letting old patterns go and to have faith that new ones will arrive.

In my imagination the old parts of the building are the solid base upon which can be constructed anything. The big massive stones will support anything beyond imagination, but will also force you not to move them around to much. Thick walls and tunneled stairs, massive windows and impressive doors radiate the force of eternity. A solid home to live, love and feed the spirit of life, forever it seems. Unfortunately time does not support static events and will always manage to crumble down what once was thought to be there forever.

The soul stays in the stones and new times bring new ideas and new materials. The old parts are reconnected again with modern bricks, the massive windows are replaced with steel frames and all the old rotten wood is removed to make place for concrete beams and supports.

Everything connected again makes a new place to live, love and let the wheel of time rotate again.

Old and new in balance with the present. Bizar isn´t it..................

- footprint 30x24 meter
- landimpact 96
- scripted doors and windows with sound
- handcrafted textures
- the sink can be placed anywhere (1 meshobject)

Isle of Paradise (206/102/22)

News and Commentary: Sansar Update: Plans For Release Date, Minimum Requirements, Allegation of Content Theft

By Bixyl Shuftan

A few developments about Sansar have come up in recent days. One is an answer from it's developers via Twitter when asked about when it would be ready for release. The answer was, "Plan is this summer, specific date (to be announced)." This is a little different from when in interview last month Ebbe Linden stated they would release Sansar this Summer. Now, they say their plan is to release it this Summer, but can't give a specific date. Another sign that the development of Sansar is seeing more difficulties than anticipated.

Another development was when the developers, also on Twitter, answered a question about Sansar's requirements. What the minimum requirements were, they stated they couldn't say what they would be, but "current recommendation is aligned to Oculus/Vive specs."

Taking a look at oculus.com, there was the following minimum specs:

Graphics Card    NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 or greater
Alternative Graphics Card    NVIDIA GTX 960 4GB / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater
CPU    Intel i3-6100 / AMD FX4350 or greater
Memory    8GB+ RAM
Video Output    Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
USB Ports    1x USB 3.0 port, plus 2x USB 2.0 ports
OS    Windows 8.1 or newer

On vive.com, these were the minimum specs posted:

Processor: Intel™ Core™ i5-4590 or AMD FX™ 8350, equivalent or better
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce™ GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon™ RX 480, equivalent or better.
Memory: 4 GB RAM or more
Video output: 1x HDMI 1.4 port, or DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
USB: 1x USB 2.0 port or newer
Operating system: Windows™ 7 SP1, Windows™ 8.1 or later or Windows™ 10

Hamlet Au, who also wrote about the recommendations, summed it up by saying "so basically, if you're not a hardcore PC gamer already, you're probably not ready to jump into Sansar when it Alpha launches ..." In the comments following the article, Ckara Seller commented, "when I did a quick check on upgrading prices to meet specs on Occulus and Vive I was coming up with numbers ranging from $2500 to $5000 depending on how much you need and want. I'd say that most people will need a new system if they are going to meet specs for processor alone. There's the cost of the VR equipment, a powerful graphics card, power supply and the required USB ports. It makes no sense to spend a hefty minimum to upgrade to minimum when you know it's inevitable that minimum will be a dinosaur within months. So my amateur take is that you will need to spend a few thousand to get what you need to carry you for awhile. It's going to hurt your wallet like a bad trip to the dentist. Calling for financial pain is where Sansar is going to begin their introduction to new customers. ... I think this message is so untimely and they all know it. ...."

It's looking less and less like Sansar will be the highly successful product Linden Lab hoped it would be.

Also in the comments was what might be the first accusation of content theft in Sansar. Someone found what he identified as a BonHuit cottage from M and M Creations. If the name seems familiar to longtime Newser readers, it should. M&M Creations, owned by Marcthur and 10 Goosson, was one of the main longtime sponsors of Second Life Newspaper, the predecessor newsletter of the Second Life Newser and has bought some advertising time in the past. In the past, they had an inworld mall and at one time offered building lessons. Sadly real-life troubles have caused them to scale back on their activities. But they do offer some great products.

I messaged Marcthur, and eventually got an answer. The owner of the cottage did buy it from him, and does have permission to use it in Sansar. So apparently there was no content theft after all. This is a reminder though that Linden Lab will need to police it's new grind for real cases of stealing.

Sources: New World Notes, vive.com, oculus.com

Bixyl Shuftan

M&M Creations:

Second Life Newser talked with 10 Goosson of M&M Creations about what has been happening at her store: M&M Creations. “M&M Creations just keeps steady and growing,” 10 explained, “There's a lot to tell. ... I’ll make it a short list.”

* The scenery screens have been deleted. After three years of selling those, the interest and needs were gone.

* Part of the main mall has been taken by the tree shop with all trees repacked with a temporary rez. So click, see and buy, or leave. Easy and much better than walking over the entire island and not being able to find what you are looking for.

* The flowershop, same story. The flowers have all been repacked, and some new shapes (sepals) have been added, with temporary rez as well. I dusted all flowers this way and was surprised about what I've created last three years.

* The landscaping shop has had a small transformation as well. It's filled, again a fast and easy way to see all builds rezzed, by using the good TP-system to visit the object you want to see.

* Marcthur is still releasing the Antique builder-packs. Those seem to be very popular.

* M&M Fashion will get more time and attention. Full Permission outfits with all materials used are very new in Second Life. Especially because all creators are so anxious about their goods being copied or stolen. We ignore the fear and keep making new things Full Permission to help designers of any level with good stuff to create great objects/outfits.

* It was time to create a new Tutorial: Fit & Wear Fashion Sculpts. A lot of questions about it and it isn't easy. So this tutorial is almost finished.

* In the line of this new tutorial, I will give the other three (and the new one of course) in-world and will schedule these. There has been a long running event in June: Tutorials. So, classes, classes and classes (this time on our islands platform with the possibility to rez, all people who will participate, can build right at the spot)

* I changed the island that much, only a few parts are now recognizable as they were.

- The fairyland has more wetland and has a huge cave with colorful scenes, all fantasy-flowers, fairy-like landscaping items, etc., are rezzed. I'm still amazed I built this all myself and I wonder around at midnight. The stage is wide and open next to the seaside with some quiet, hidden, corners to relax.

- We embraced Annika Designs with her low-prim builds (caves, waterfalls, etc.) so she has a place to rez a few of her great builds.

* Marc is also renewing the oldies. The cherubs have lighting shades and a very special copper texture. They really do look amazing.

* New fashion sculpts are made of course. Some of those oldies are renewed, because they needed the newest skills of the creator (smile).


10's 4rth Tutorial was released in the beginning of June, like all the others, free of charge. They have also been taking part in the gridwide Madpea Hunt.

Always improving, always striving to do better, M&M continues to offer shoppers high quality sculpted outdoor products. And 10 Goosson is still personally helping those new to building to become better at it.

M&M is at the Double MM sim: Click Here for the SLURL.

Bixyl Shuftan