SL5B has been surrounded by controversy almost from the start, lack of time to prepare, lack of organisation, Lindens stepping in, are just a few of the things you can hear about or read in other blogs.But to be honest I just think 'what is all the fuss about?'
With any big event 'someone' has to organise it and make the rules.
I can actually understand Linden Labs' point about keeping the celebrations PG (to an extent) the problems have arisen more because, as usual, LL have handled it very badly - lack of understanding has caused uproar.
Lack of communication and honesty has caused anger, we all know how well LL communicates their wishes and, be honest, did anyone really expect better over this?
Having a communications officer that no-one trusts is worse than useless LL needs to have someone in the position who can actually turn around and say "Look our back's against the wall, we have no choice" instead of someone who backtracks and denies what everyone has seen and read:
'All exhibits are PG, because we want to make the SL5B as inclusive as possible'
This one sentence is the mainstay of the Lindens point of view but it is a total contradiction!
Every event has to have a 'bad guy' someone has to protect those most vulnerable and as parents most, underneath, probably understand LL's wish to protect the innocent BUT there are ways to go about this without a 'blanket ban' and without everyone rising up and shouting!
As I joined the exhibitors I heard rumours of bad organisation and lack of support for those setting up - this is not my experience - in the 2 days it has taken us to set up at the SL5b, I have had no reason to complain, there is always someone on hand who can fix the terrain or set the media streams or even add someone to the group, those helping have been quick to respond and polite in the extreme.I wish I could say the same for those setting up their exhibits. I have felt acutely sorry for the VOLUNTEERS here, the rudeness and impatience of people astounds me. These people have freely given up their own time to set up this event for everyone and what do they get? Hounded and spoken to like SH**
To be on hand to sort out 30 or 40 people at the same time, to set media, edit terrain, fix errors, add to group, answer questions, these organisers are doing a fantastic job and they are doing it because they want to, they don't have to, if they don't like the Lindens stepping in its understandable they have put a lot into this event and want to make everyone happy.
So please tell me why would people be rude to the volunteers? Why blame them for LL rules?
Who knows I guess human nature is the same everywhere *sigh*
I think the event will be a huge success, the problem is that for many the controversy surrounding it will be remembered more than the event itself which is a shame as all the hard work of those organising it and those exhibiting will get lost in the blog posts about the controversy instead.
This newspaper wishes SecondLife a happy 5th Birthday and hopes there will be some good points to even out the bad (Oh and a new communications officer that has some idea of what's going on and knows what honesty means).
Dana
Visit us at the exhibition HERE on the 23rd
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