Roawenwood: Design & Craft

This post is going to be a little out of the ordinary and I’m going to be asking for feedback, I don’t think my readership is all that large but I’ll be mentioning it in my notecards to the update list etc…

I have a sincere question about in world groups…. Group slots have generally always been an issue in SL.  When they raised the limit of groups from 15 to 25 (yes, omg can you believe it when I joined it was only 15 I think) people thought their problems were over.  They have yet again raised the limit to 42 with the caveat that they may reduce that count IF lag and/or other issues becomes too much of a problem with people having that many groups.  With the problems of keeping groups between rentals, vip groups, friends, family, land… you get the idea, the update subscribe list became mine and most merchants friend.

With the limit raised I have been considering giving the in world group a few more benefits assuming that folks may be more willing to keep a store in a slot.

Fast forward to now… you have a choice, what kind of group do you think is most appealing?

Option 1: The group is open enrollment, kept that way in general.  Group discounts may be applied, the odd freebie every once in awhile or perhaps group only type announcement or benefit is thrown out there… if a special group only event occurs it may be closed during to make it more ‘special’.

Option 2: The group has a nominal fee to join, say… 200-500L but you are guaranteed some special compensation for paying into the group.  Special freebies available only to groupies, sales, and other things on a rather regular basis… this group could also on occasion be closed during more special offer event type deals if they occur.

Option 3: Closed group by invitation only.  Can only join if given an invitation, also has guaranteed specials, sales, and events announced available only to them.

I have seen all three options used… because I know group space is generally dear and hard to come by along with the fact most people really –don’t- need extra spam I am wanting to ask you folks what do you think works best or would draw your attention from a consumers point of view and give you the most benefit.

Now with all that said… I GREATLY appreciate feedback on all levels, good… bad… or indifferent, so to prove that I’m willing to send a gift to everyone who responds either in world on a notecard to me, Searlait Nitschke, (please title it something like… “Data Mining for Roawenwood [date here]” or commenting here on the blog.  Please let me know your SL name if you comment here and it is not the same as in world.  Thanks very much, till next time!

Hey guys, don’t panic…. closing up the Five Blades sim for a few days to rebuild and get a few things squared away.

Hopefully it goes smoothly enough.  I’m hoping to be back up and running by the end of the weekend.

There’s a landing point up above so ya’ll can still get the prize for When Roses Turn Black and a couple vendors for the seriously shopping addicted.

Vendors have a 25% discount going till I reopen the main part of the store.

Splinter’d is still open next door so can go over there too.

Have a great week, and weekend!  Hopefully I don’t get too burned out.  *grins and winks*

If you’re like me you use the Marketplace as a place to do shopping, searching, and finding things without having to traipse all over the main grid.  Since the teen grid is being merged into the main grid there are going to be some changes to how things are done of course.  The marketplace is getting some major things done this week so I’m going to post a quick lil helper for anyone who wanders past because even though LL SAID they sent out an email to all merchants with listings I know they didn’t…. why?  Well because I didn’t get it and had to find it for myself.  This is going to effect everyone including shoppers.

One noted change is that Gor/Gorean are considered a mature word and unless you click the little box on the page that says you want to look at mature items you won’t get anything back that has that used as a keyword… including things as simple as a Gorean vegetable garden.  I know, I know…. it’s not mature or adult but we roll with it and adapt.

Marketplaces changes blog post:  http://blogs.secondlife.com/message/592342

Copy of the email:

Important Maturity Changes in SL Marketplace

As you know, the Teen Grid officially closed last Friday, January 21st and teens are now allowed to join the main Second Life Grid. To ensure that the Marketplace is safe for all Residents, we’ve rolled out some changes to the Marketplace to better align the maturity settings in Marketplace with the rest of Second Life.

Recommended Actions to Listings from 1/27 – 2/1 Today, Thursday, January 27th, the Marketplace has begun to use the same maturity ratings that are used in Viewer and inworld — General, Moderate, and Adult. Your listings have been automatically updated with new maturity ratings, based on keywords and other algorithms. Note that this automated update is currently a work in progress. If you’re unable to find one or more of your listings in search or have additional questions, read the Marketplace/ Sellers FAQ.

Please follow these steps to ensure that your listings have been accurately rated:

* Review New Listing Guidelines: Use these guidelines to update the maturity level on listings that may be incorrectly ranked.
* Adjust Maturity Ranking of Items by 2/1: Use the new maturity level selector, on your Manage Inventory page, to adjust the maturity rating of each item. Please complete any necessary ranking adjustments, by Tuesday, February 1st.
* Refrain from Flagging Items Until 2/1: As a courtesy to your fellow Merchants, please do not flag other Merchants’ items until February 1st, giving them a chance to update their own listings.

Before the end of February, the Marketplace will be updated to allow setting maturity level preferences at a more granular level than is currently supported, such as allowing Residents to view moderate content without adult content included.

Thank you for helping us support the migration of teens into Second Life and if you should have any additional questions, please see this forum post.

Regards,
Brooke Linden
Sr. Product Manager, Marketplace

Andddddddddd a link to the marketplace guidelines for General, Moderate, Adult and Banned items:  https://marketplace.secondlife.com/listing_guidelines#adult-guidelines

Have fun, good luck, and now I’m grumbling as I sift through the task of going through my listings again.

Personally I think this is the time when LL -really REALLY- should release their list of words that are flagged, my rug beating chore is labeled as adult… while my beating the furs chore is not, basically the exact same ad.  It boggles the mind.  Take care!

Hi hi.  I know I haven’t written yet this year and I should have.  Things of course during the holiday weeks were crazy.  I think I spent more time offline than on.  The last new thing I released was the outdoor shower, which I think is really cool but time of the year… hehe most things are winter related so I don’t expect a whole lot are really that interested in a shower for the outdoors.  Brrr….

I have some things I’m working on but really the big thing that has me bouncing right out of my chair is that I finally redid the spot over at the Gorean Merchant Isles.  I rent and have properties all over the place trying different things.  Well I’ve had a spot at what used to be Hunter’s Cove, and is now just called the Gorean Merchant Isles for a long long time.  I picked up a little bit extra land and ripped out the build to start over.

I’m absolutely loving the feel of it.  It’s really so very me.  The cutest and down to earth little buildings.  It has me rather inspired.  I’ve been tempted to pitch a lil tent along the back corner under some of the pines but I haven’t.  I’m thinking of possibly doing something over there.  I didn’t get a weekly special this week because of real life stuff…. though the Gorean Grid Hunt is supposed to start at midnight tonite so I’ll be sending out a notice of a sort anyhow due to that.

I guess we’ll see what I come up with.  Just saying a little hi… talk to ya’ll soon.

I’m just peeking in and leaving a little note in between all the gift giving and cooking.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope the day and the holidays have been wonderful for you all.

With much love,

Sear