Runitai Linden Leaving The Lab

 

 A few days ago on Thursday January 16 at the Content Creation User Group Meeting, one Linden, Runitai Linden, announced he would soon be leaving Linden Lab. He would speak a few minutes after the event started.

"It's been almost twenty years, and it's been, I'll always be grateful for the time here, no doubt. And everything Second Life has done and (I'll) always be proud of what Linden Lab and the residents have accomplished here. But, I've been convicted recently to pursue a career in public service, and at the same time I felt that calling, things stopped coming together in my head for doing the work that needs to be done here.

"I really feel as though I've done all that I can do, and that it's time for me to go on to something else.

"I wouldn't be able to do that if it wasn't for all of you. The career I've chosen doesn't exactly pay a living wage so I'll definitely be living off my savings. But I feel this is what I have to do. I also feel that the Second Life team has never been stronger. Everybody at the Lab and the open source community does such great work. Such talented people, just world-class engineers all around. I have no doubt Second Life will thrive in my absence.

"But it's definitely time for someone to step up into this role. You have to be fully committed to Second Life. And that's something I could do. And I did it for as long as I could. But I have to make a change. I hope that makes sense (and) it isn't too cryptic. But I will definitely miss all of you. I'll miss this place. Well, it's been a rollercoaster, that's for sure.

"I won't claim to know what all the future holds. But it is definately something I need to step away from, at least for a time. But as a parting gift, I will place a copyable and transferable copy of my bear on the table for anybody who wants to take a copy. Spread that to all."

Runtai has Davep as his display name, and joined Linden Lab in August 23, 2005, making him one of the longest-lasting Lindens in the Lab. Inara Pay would state he "has been a core member of the graphics / rendering team" for most of his years before being moved over to work on Project Sansar but would be moved back to it before it's sale to Wookey. Coming back, he would be working on the viewer's visual details, and more recently working on some of the bugs coming out as a resilt of the PBR updates.

She would also say Runitai would be going to work as a paramedic and "his openness, honesty, and jovial nature will be very much missed."

Source: Modem World

Bixyl Shuftan

Keeba Tammas To Retire From Performing

 

 

 Some sad news for fans of Keeba Tammas and the Tiny Maniacs. Keeba will soon be retiring from the music scene. Sunday October 15 was one of her last performances with the band, where the crowd gave them well wishes.

"Well, its just time," Keeba told me, "My health isnt that well, i need to relax and have less stress." She would say she had been with the band for 14 years. She had, "struggled with the Tinies for some time--some people dun like em. However, they will be going on."

 

Keeba's last concert will be in Raglan Shire on Saturday October 21st at 1PM.

Bat Masters Retiring From Live Singing

 

 

 Last night, November 30 at Nat's Jazz Club, live singer Bat Masters gave one of his final performances in Second Life, if not the last. He was retiring from performing music due to declining health.

Bat Masters has performed inworld for over a decade, at a variety of venues such as the Lavender Field. He was among the singers who performed over a decade ago in an event to support fellow musician Beth Odets when she was having surgery for brain cancer. For years he played the guitar. But with his nerve disorders, his profile stated that he had Primary Lateral Sclerosis that I was told had advanced to ALS.

There were over 70 people at the venue when I arrived. Linda Sautereau, who owns the club, told me at one point she saw 75, "He's one of the special ones in here. ... he is one of the nicest, kindest and most talented people I've met in SL and I've been here since 2007."

Bat's voice was somewhat rough, but he sang well, the last song being Frank Sinatra's "My Way."

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

At the event, there were many cheers and well-wishes. "We love you Bat!!" "Bat you are one Class Act." "I'm not crying, shut up!" "The entertaining won't cease entirely, but it is an honor to recognize your contributions as you experience a transition of phases most of us can only find unimaginable. Big love to you, Bat." Bat smiled, saying before leaving, "good night dear friends." Over the stream, he would say to his supporters, "Thank you for all you've done over the years."

Wherever Bat goes next, we wish him well,

 

Hat tip: JardenAlexis

Bixyl Shuftan

Anita Kimono/Kayly Iali Departing The Newser, For Now

 

Newser Reporter Anita Kimono, whom did her first stories under her alt Kayly Iali, has stepped down as part of the Newser team. An artist in real life, for about a year she has interviewed numerous artists and exhibit curators in Second Life. Recently, she obtained a job in real life that was a result of her art-related activities inworld. So she no longer has the time she once has to go about inworld, or write about it. She stated before she left that she appreciated that the Newser writes time to time about the arts in the virtual world, and that she had some time to contribute to the writing.

We at the Newser wish her the best of luck.
 

Oz Linden to Retire

After over eleven years at Linden Lab, Oz Linden, the Lab's VP of Engineering, will soon be stepping down. He made his announcement in the Second Life forums earlier today. He would call his time with the Lab "one of the best career decisions I ever made," and he would not be taking another job but retiring.

About 11 years ago I was working for a big multinational that had acquired the startup where I'd been for several years, and decided I needed a job with more fun and more job satisfaction. I put out the word on my professional network and got a response from a colleague who was a Linden at the time. I interviewed with several people at the Lab (half my interviews were in-world using an account I'd had for some years), and after much thought I joined the Lab as the Director of Open Source. It turned out to be one of the best career decisions I ever made.

My job evolved over the years, but through it all I got to work with brilliant, passionate, and committed people and got to know many residents. I've never worked anywhere that was as much fun (a Linden who returned to SL after some time away said recently that he'd forgotten how often the SL team laughs in the course of a normal day). More importantly, I got to work on a product users really enjoy using and that makes a big difference in the lives of many of its users - for me there's no greater source of job satisfaction.

Some time ago, I reached the point that I could afford to think about retiring but decided to stay to finish moving SL to its new cloud platform. I can't imagine a better last act in my working life than ensuring that Second Life has this better platform for its future growth. Now that project is done (well, except for a few loose ends), and it's time for me to move on to the next phase of my life. 

I want to emphasize in the strongest possible terms: my decision has nothing at all to do with the change in ownership of the Lab; the timing really is a coincidence. If anything, I regret that I have overlapped with them for only a few weeks; in that time (and in the time leading up to the change) I have come to respect and appreciate the skills and energy they bring to the company.

There aren't many jobs that come with a new nickname; this got me one I'll always cherish, but it's time for me to set aside my Linden last name. I leave Second Life in great hands, and have every confidence that it has a great future. 

Oz would say his last day would be Friday February 26, 2021, the last weekday of the month.

There were a number of well wishes following his announcement,  "You'll be missed, Oz. Thank you for everything, and enjoy your retirement." "Thank you for everything you did for us." "He's done more than leave his mark on the grid. Oz has touched thousands of lives in ways he will never know. For that, we are all grateful. And for the ways he has touched my life that I am unaware of, I am grateful." "Just don't COMPLETELY leave us, okay?" "One expressed pessimism, "Not gonna sugarcoat it. This is 100% bad for SL. Oz is one of the good ones."

Jessica Lyon of Firestorm, "Oz! It has been a great honor and privilege to have worked with you the past 11 years. I remember you coming in as a liaison for third party viewers during a time of great chaos in the TPV space. You created order, structure and in doing so, kept the Open Source nature of Second Life alive. You will be missed by many! Enjoy your retirement! You have earned it."

Tonya Souther of Firestorm, "Thank you for being there, for advocating for open source, and for understanding even when we didn't agree. Best of luck wherever you go next, even if it's just a chair by your pond."

 Coyot Linden, "So long and thanks for the fish. It's been great working for you." 

Alexa Linden, "And now I'm crying again... Oz, I can't thank you enough for the mentorship, encouragement and friendship over the last 11 years.  I am so fortunate to consider you family and I am a better person for having worked with you.  I wish you all the best in your retirement!" 

Dakota Linden, "Thank you, Oz, for everything you brought to Second Life and everything you have contributed to the platform. Your experience has been an excellent asset to Linden Lab and Second Life and you will be missed by a great many people. May your next adventure bring you as much satisfaction as this one has and may you always look back on this time with fond memories as we will remember you with the same. Be well, friend."

Perhaps Oz Linden will stick around in Second Life as a regular resident. Wherever he goes, hopefully it will go well.

Hat tip: Panterapolnocy

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview with Tindallia Soothsayer

Deaflegacy recently interviewed Tindallia Soothsayer, one of the Giant Snail Racing team. For eight years, she has taken part in this longest running of Second Life's sporting events, both as a racer and as a member of the staff. Earlier this month, "Tindy" as her friends call her dropped a bombshell. She is stepping down as one of the racers, though will remain as one of the staff.

Read Deaflegacy's article in People.

Lauren Weyland. Second Life's Comedian/Comedienne, is Retiring

On Tuesday January 17, an era in Second Life entertainment comes to a close as Lauren Weyland holds her last show. For a decade at about one performance a week, Lauren has been the best known stand-up comic in the virtual world. The combination of the male voice and female avatar never got old, and she had always been able to joke about current events, Linden Lab blunders, or those things in Second Life we take for granted that when you think about it are a little silly. A few days ago, Deaflegacy interviewed the noted entertainer about why she was walking off the stage for good, and some of the highlights about her virtual career.

Read Deaflegacy's interview in People.