tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post6638306657628504911..comments2023-05-15T11:23:41.550+00:00Comments on Ambling in Second Life: Dutch banks depart Second Life - some thoughts...Timbohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04943524641618211239noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-34756724495267369762008-02-12T23:32:00.000+00:002008-02-12T23:32:00.000+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lem Skallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087927660368783590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-34517316527944791082008-02-12T23:31:00.000+00:002008-02-12T23:31:00.000+00:00I looked up a reference to Cisco's ecosystem and I...I looked up a reference to Cisco's ecosystem and I found this: http://telephonyonline.com/mag/telecom_cisco_ecosystem/<BR/><BR/>It's funny how uncanny some similarities are. Even some common buzzwords like "open systems" and "interoperability". There is nothing new under the sun.Lem Skallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087927660368783590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-11006999168864057332008-02-12T09:04:00.000+00:002008-02-12T09:04:00.000+00:00LemInteresting idea about an ecosystem. I agree th...Lem<BR/><BR/>Interesting idea about an ecosystem. I agree that LL is a small company with big demands on its resources - development, maintenenance, sales and customer service, as well as marketing and "thought leadership." (I'm enough of a cynic to lump thought leadership and marketing under the same heading...)<BR/><BR/>I have doubts as to whether the big names really have that much of a clue as to what works for corporations. I can't think of a classic success, off the top of my head. <BR/><BR/>On reflection, LL have already taken some steps in the ecosystem direction, with the outsourcing of some orientation and large regional customer service (Brazil and Korea, for example). However, they should look to go further - and importantly, be seen to be supporting and listening to corporates and other organisations in SL.Timbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943524641618211239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-30381718030759328392008-02-12T03:58:00.000+00:002008-02-12T03:58:00.000+00:00Al, I don't know exactly what the approach was for...Al, I don't know exactly what the approach was for those banks and why they gave up. I am also skeptical about what would be a good approach for any banks in SL at this time.<BR/><BR/>Having said that, I agree that it should raise an alarm for LL and yet they seem to usually take it quite lightly. They should be looking at ways of supporting the presence of corporations and institutions. Some people may disagree with their presence, but I agree with you that they are necessary in order to create the "comprehensive" metaverse.<BR/><BR/>LL is a small company and maybe it needs to distance itself from the vastness of potential commercial users. However,there are already well established building agencies that act as conduits between LL and these commercial users. And yet LL have chosen to distance themselves even from these agencies (despite all the stories about a FIC). I think LL need to create an ecosystem (I used to hear Cisco using that term) with those agencies and help them help commercial users.Lem Skallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12087927660368783590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-9841908152909752672008-02-10T01:28:00.000+00:002008-02-10T01:28:00.000+00:00dyerbrookme,First off... no, I'm not Dutch (i'm a ...dyerbrookme,<BR/>First off... no, I'm not Dutch (i'm a Brit) - but I have been watching Dutch companies (among many other) in SL for over a year, and have been largely impressed by their efforts. In the case of ING, they worked to bring the Our Virtual Holland community into SL, while ABN Amro worked on a similar project, Schoondamme. <BR/><BR/>Both companies - it is irrelevant that they are banks - seemed to me to have come closest to hitting on the elusive magical formula for successfully working in virtual worlds. Their apparent failure - or perhaps the failure of SL as a VW platform - is thus a concern to me. At least, when I'm wearing my corporate hat.<BR/><BR/>I would like SL to be all things to all people - and all companies. But I am wondering if this hope is misplaced. At least one of the 2 banks may be de-camping to Active Worlds (as others have done before it). I also hear rumours that one of the big build companies may shortly abandon SL in favour of pastures new.<BR/><BR/>I am concerned that either (a) there is something inherent in SL that makes it unsuitable for commercial organisations or (b) there is something inherent in VWs that make them all unsuitable for commercial organisations.<BR/><BR/>Working with proposition (a) - I would say that Linden Lab's detached observer approach is a major contributory factor. Arguably, the environment - for all its flakiness - is vastly more stable, populous and feature-rich than any of its current competitors. So what makes it so unsuitable? Sure... using it the wrong way is a great way to get ghost sims, but the 2 banks worked to tackle this problem, but still end up feeling they've had enough of pushing against the tide.<BR/><BR/>I contend that Linden is not company-friendly, and that if they were, perhaps departures like this would not happen.<BR/><BR/>If proposition (b) is true, then I can kiss goodbye to the notion of a comprehensive 3D internet. Instead, there will be just a bunch of niche worlds, catering for the escapist fantasies (and/or dream realisations) of bandwidth guzzlers like me.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, I don't think either bank ever intended to offer virtual ATMs or get involved in the joys of L$ transactions, but were instead looking to attract RL customers, use them as focus groups, and explore with them what 3D internet banking might be like.Timbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943524641618211239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7151616810519208803.post-71364253862662876402008-02-09T23:51:00.000+00:002008-02-09T23:51:00.000+00:00I'm trying to grok this. You don't have to answer ...I'm trying to grok this. You don't have to answer -- but are you Dutch yourself?<BR/><BR/>I can't grasp the "deeply concerned" stuff. I didn't happen to see these particular banks but hey, they're just banks. I mean, banks aren't that exciting, really, even when you have money on them.<BR/><BR/>I visited some of the German banks and they had freebies, nice builds, helpful information but...no ATMS where I could start to stash some Euros and flee our dwindling dollar value in the States. Now wouldn't that be a nice thing? I imagine they just couldn't justify the little microtransactions, or maybe there were legal/licensing issues, who knows.<BR/><BR/>It would be better if those banks stayed, and felt they got something out of SL. But...they didn't. And...we didn't either, did we? So, it will grow slower, and maybe not as impressively, but they will be back some day, possibly.<BR/><BR/>Please explain more about what upsets you.<BR/><BR/>When I think about banks, seriously, I draw a blank as to what I'd want from them other than: interest.<BR/><BR/>I can compliment a campaign like Chase has had recently, with really spiffy, well-lit ATMs that make my neighbourhood safer, longer hours, and stuff like rebates if you use their card on a cab. I'd love for them to be in SL, too. But...how can you do banking in a leaky, crashy, public place like SL? It's scary enough on the Internet itself...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17462957723334149373noreply@blogger.com