The Lindens' Billboard Regulations Seem To Be Working, But Are They Enough To Make The SL Mainland Appealing? (Updated: Jack Linden Reports 90% Decrease Of Contraband Ads Since 10/1)

The Lindens' regulations on mainland billboards went into effect on October 1st, so last night, I took a short and random flyby across the continent, to find violators.  As veteran virtual world developer Scott Jennings told me, such regulations, if not enforced, "merely reinforces a sense of bad governance."

Judging by last night's look, the regulations do seem to be in effect.  Where it was once easy to find an "ad farm" after a few minutes of looking, it took me some concerted scouting, to find any.  Over the course of fifteen minutes, I found three billboards, depicted here.  However, they appear to be adhering to company land manager Jack Linden's expanded regulation codes-- if just barely.  Those include prohibitions against ads "higher than 8 meters from the ground", for example, and the three I spotted look to be right at that very limit, or perhaps just above them.

Which brings us to what I think's a more pertinent question now: Are the Lindens' regulations enough to bring a sense of of order and beauty to the continent?  Take a look at the ad above, and two more after the break, and decide for yourself.

Billboard 2:

Billboard 3:

As I said, this was just a short initial fishing trip.  In coming weeks I still intend to gather together a large group for a longer survey of the world.

Update, 4:45pm:  I just got an IM from Jack Linden, who I messaged last night about the existence of billboards which seem to be violating their regulations:

"We have removed thousands of them so far," he messages me, "but it's an ongoing process of cleanup so there are a few remaining. By our calcs it's at about 10% of the level it was on October 1st and falling.  And of course some advertising does comply with the new policy. Please  be sure to abuse report them if they appear to be a violation."

Comments

[Gahum Riptide]

Personally, if we have to see ads inworld, I'd prefer them to look like billboard 3, rather than the towers like in billboard 2.

[Christophe Hugo]

"Please be sure to abuse report them if they appear to be a violation."

Second Life has become a world for delators, not gamers.