Ask Dr. Philly: "Pointing Out 'That Guy' "

Dr. Philly (Joshua Xavier) is back with his column about "people issues" in Second Life, such as love, relationships, drama, and more. In the latest two letters, the first has a club manager advertising his venue through Facebook dealing with a supposed former sim owner whom demands he leave and help in spreading "the truth." The second reader points out the success of Joshua (and his alt Becky Shamen) in Second Life compared to him, and asks why the difference.

Read the column in People.

Ask Dr. Philly: "Up The Wall With The Blues"

Dr. Philly (Joshua Xavier) is back with his column about "people issues" in Second Life, such as love, relationships, drama, and more. In the latest two letters, the first reader asks about how to handle people whom just won't respond to being talked to. The second deals with a resident whom wonders what "the rules" are about being able to take advantage of an avatar's ability to more or less take on any form at will.

Read Dr. Philly's column in People.

Ask Dr. Phily: "Between a Rock and a Shady Place."

Last week, we announced Dr. Phily (JoshuaXavier Resident) would be handling our advice column about "people issues" in Second Life, such as love, relationships, drama, and more. Afterwards, we received not one, but two responses. Both were residents having to deal with neighbor trouble. Dr. Phily  offers his advice on the matters.

Read the column in People.

"Ask Dr. Philly" Advice Column

Readers will remember for a while we had an advice column by DrFran Babcock, "Ask DrFran." As DrFran has been on hiatus, Joshua Xavier has stepped up to take her place for a while with "Ask Dr. Philly." Named after Dr. Phil, whom appeared in Second Life some months ago then mentioned the virtual world on his show, "Dr. Philly" will handle any questions from you the readers about virtual relationships, disputes with friends, or any other "people" issues, and offer a little advice on how to handle the matter.

The column will be in People.

Ebbe Linden Speaks At The VWBPE Conference, Addresses ToS Issue

On Friday April 11 at 1PM SL time, Ebbe Linden (Ebbe Altberg) spoke at the VWPBE (Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education) conference. He spoke to a packed audience, whom had a number of questions.

One can get a summary of Ebbe's speech from Daniel Voyager, a review by Jo Yardley, and a full transcript from Inara Pey. Or see a video by Mal Burns:



(Click here if the video fails to load)

Ebbe brought up a number of concerns, including the controversial Terms of Service issue.

I am working with my Legal Counsel to try to try to figure out how we can make it more obvious – or very obvious – that the creators of the content own the content, and we obviously have no intent of ever stealing your content or profiting off of your content independently of the creators in some fashion.

The current terms might indicate that we might somehow have some plan to steal people’s content and somehow profit from it for ourselves, without benefitting the creator, and that’s obviously not our intent at all. It would be very damaging to our business if we started to behave in that way because this whole platform is all about the content you all create. And if you can’t do that, and trust that it is yours, that’s obviously a problem. So I’m working on that, and I can ask you right now to trust us that we’re not going to do what the current clause might suggest we’re going to do, but we’re working on some simple tweaks to the language to make that more explicit.

We also have no interest in locking you in; any content that you create, we feel you should be able to export, and take and save and possibly if you want to move to another environment or OpenSim, that should be possible. So we’re not trying to lock you in either. Obviously, it’s very important to us to get content both in and out, so I just want to put that right out there. 

These words were much more of an answer than the vauge answers given to the United Content Creators of Second Life group when they pressed the Lab for answers. So it seems finally the Lab, or rather it's CEO, has answered.

Different residents had differing views. In a UCCSL group chat I observed, those who had heard the speech were overall pleased, but, "He didn't say a clear position." Talking to some residents of the Sunweaver area, the opinion seemed to be cautious optimism to neutral. One commented the Lab had made promises before and failed to follow through, so would wait for more actions before deciding whether or not Ebbe was any different.

Time will tell whether or not this was the start of Linden Lab regaining the trust lost in the Terms of Service controversy.

Image from Gemma Cleanslate

Bixyl Shuftan

Ask DrFran: Dancing Queens Drama

DrFran's column "Ask DrFran" is back. Her latest letter deals with a girl asking her advice concerning a new friend. She had been happily accepted by her group of friends. But lately, there's been some trouble. What exactly was the issue, and what solution was there? DrFran had a little advice on the matter.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Is Second Life™ Addictive?

In her latest column, DrFran answers not an email, but a question by a friend in an inworld conversation. The friend mentioned another friend, and posed the question: is it possible for someone to spend too much time in Second Life? DrFran has some answers, and comments for the questions. It might not be quite what some might expect.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: The Green-Eyed Monster

DrFran's column is back. In her latest letter, a reader deals with someone looking herself after some actions concerting her relationship with a friend, and not liking what she sees. So what happened and what should be done? DrFran offers a few answers.

Read more in People.

Ask DrFran: "A Buddy Comes Out"

In recent real-life news, the topic of homosexuality has been making headlines over the issue whether or not the state should recognize gay partners as married. It's not an issue in Second Life as partners could be same-gender from its start. But there can still be problems. DrFran recently got a letter from a resident whom in the past a good friend of his "came out." So what happened, and what did DrFran have to say on the matter?

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Where is the Meaning?

Today, DrFran is back with her help and advice column. In her latest letter, a reader had once been going happily about the Grid. But recently, she's been having some feelings of doubt about what her Second Life has been. So where does she go from here? DrFran has a few suggestions.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: How Can I Get Him Back?

In her latest column, DrFran gets a letter from a lady whom was in a relationship in the past, and now wants to try and find love again. So what's the answer to her questions? DrFran had a few things to say on the matter.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Lonely; Not Alone

In her column today, DrFran get's a letter from a reader with a problem. He and his girl were busy doing things together on the Grid. Now with her having gotten a job inworld, he's feeling a bit alone and unsure what to do when she's not around. What to do? DrFran has a few answers.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: "A Friend in Need"

DrFran's latest column deals with two friends, a guy and a girl. With the girl already partnered, the two still have clean fun together on the Grid. But when her partner goes away, he's at a loss to help her out, and offering to date her doesn't seem to be an option. So what can he do? DrFran has a few answers.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Grief Caused By Grief

DrFran Babcock's latest column deals with a letter from a new resident. Having been on the Grid for a short time, the moments he remembers the most are attacks by griefers. So what can he do to avoid them and enjoy Second Life more? DrFran had a few answers.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: "The Roles We Play"

DrFrab Babcock is back with her column. Her most recent letter  comes from a business co-owner. Business has been good, but she's not so sure her relationship is. So what's wrong and what can help?

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Caught Between Two Worlds

Today, DrFran Babcock looks at a letter from a reader whom has been in some interesting times. While working at the Relay For Life, she met someone, and as time went on, it looks more and more like true love. There's just one not so small problem.

Read more in People.

Ask DrFran: DrFran’s Soapbox

Today's column from DrFran Babcock hits on some sensitive issues. Her latest letter comes from the person behind a child avatar, for whom Second Life allowed the happy childhood that was never available in reality. Recently however, something happened that has cast a dark shadow over the once pleasant time here.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: It’s a Big Grid

In DrFran's column today, she gets a letter from someone who came back to Second Life after a long absence, and is amazed at how the place has grown. But with all the places around, just what's the best way to meet and make friends? DrFran had a few answers for her.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: It’s All About Perception

For her latest "Ask DrFran" today, DrFran Babcock had been emailed by a woman whom was in a relationship with a guy she really cared about, and they had wonderful times. Unfortunately there were differences, and ultimately there was trouble. So what could she have done differently? DrFran has a few answers.

Read DrFran's column in People.

Ask DrFran: Weighty Issues

Today in her latest "Ask DrFran," Dr Fran Babcock answers a letter from a reader whose avatar suggests all is well. But in real life, she has a problem of which ever year she makes a New Year's Resolution to solve. So what's the problem, and what does DrFran have to say?

Read DrFran's column in People.