Comment of the Week: Grandmother of Six Contrasts & Compares Second Life and OpenSim

Last week a post on Second Life subscriptions re-ignited a regularly occurring reader argument on the merits of SL versus OpenSimulator, its cheaper, open source spinoff. (Which for my money, seems a bit like still arguing whether Orkut is better than MySpace in 2016, but OK.) Into the breach rides Ms. Dykoda Desmoulins (pictured), who speaks from experience:

I am not going to get into an 'Opensim vs. SL' debate, but there are a few things I would like to address.

I have been in Second Life since October 2005. I've watched it grow from a primitive virtual world into what it is today. I am a fashionista to an extent. I spend a LOT of time shopping. I find a lot of enjoyment, and spend a lot of time decorating my house, however, I tend to shop at various well-known stores, rather than Gachas (though I've been known to do the latter occasionally). I absolutely LOVE Second Life because I can satisfy my desire for all of those things, and much more. SL offers me things that I simply can't get in OpenSim.

I am a RL grandmother (of 6, actually). I love spending time in a sandbox building. I rent regions on several OpenSim grids. I love to travel the Hypergrid, exploring what others create, what others have built. I love the fact that I'm not limited by various things in OpenSim such as the linkset limits, etc.

More from this metaverse exploring grandma:

I am not, nor have I ever been a "Furry", or a robot, or an alien. In fact, aside from the mesh body (which I do have in a couple of OpenSim grids...both open and closed), I look pretty much the same in OpenSim as I do in SL. I do not spend all of my time in OpenSim building, whether at a sandbox or on my own region. I go shopping, many of the stores I frequent as designers/creators from SL, most of which are still active in SL. I go to parties, dancing at clubs with live DJs, listen to live music. While I have chosen not to, I can travel via Hypergrid to other grids for the same things, even community meetings. I can find pretty much everything in OpenSim that I enjoy in SL, just on a smaller scale.

It really is apples and oranges. As you can see, everything that has been mentioned in all the previous posts, whether you view it as a negative or a positive, are things that I take part in almost daily in both 'worlds'. I like to think of it as SL being my New York City, and OpenSim is my slower paced, smaller city. It's peaceful, unrushed, friendlier, etc. Each has their offerings and I, like many, many others, enjoy both. I am a daily 'traveler' of SL, as well as OpenSim and I hope that never changes.

So that settles that, and there'll be no more SL-versus-OpenSim arguments, right?

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Comments

[Marianne McCann]

Are there arguments? Enjoy what you enjoy, don't what you don't. It's a big enough world(s) for all.

[JohnC]

Every time you get some disagreement that inevitably turns into an argument on some form of social media, you always eventually get the Meta argument post. The post that by accident or design is supposed to make the rest think, man what was I bothering with all this meaningless conflict for. Then you remember just how dull and plastic the world might become if we all walked around with big wide smiles, hugging each other and agreeing about everything.

[Ugh]

One mans apples and oranges is another's onions and garlics. It might look all fine and dandy to an average casual dress up playing/party going person, but it looks super grim to content creators.

[Chic Aeon]

Dykota and I have been on a few grids together. We have both enjoyed them for what they are. They each fill a different purpose, so there is really no reason to argue about it all.

Pointless really.

Choose your grid or embrace many. Either works.

[JohnC]

You missed an option out there, Choose one and complain about the rest, that works for fine some people as well.

[Han Held]

All I can say is that a large number of us enjoy having a foot in both worlds.

In both worlds there is a wider variety of people, projects and communities than one might imagine (especially if one only went by old grudges and distorted impressions).

Life's too short to limit one's self for no reason. What's the meme... "why not both?".

[Joey1058]

SL and OpenSim are both the same. One is corporate, the other independent. The argument should be over SL/OpenSim vs IMVU or Entropia.

[JohnC]

I think Joeys post is a Zen Koan

[cyberserenity]

I have unlimited land to build on in Opensim but often go to SL for partys and art. Its the good life.

[JohnC]

I really get tired of hearing people criticising OS, SL, Hi Fi, Sansar. I think these platforms are all doing a great job. I personally am having a great time using OS SL and Hi Fi and looking forward to Sansar. All this choice ? things have never been so good. So to all those people complaining, please don't keep banging on about your own personal little problems, that are most likely based on some personal hang up you have with LL. What a waste of time, all this arguing and criticizing when I am having such a great time. I guess these people, these haters, these trolls, just have nothing better to do than attempt to take out the Sun when I am working on my virtual tan.

[Carlos Loff]

I only see a problem in one fact - Many people from SL think OS is different in thecway you use it and think it is amateur and far from achieving what SL does and thatvis my only problem - missinformation about OS - Try both, but not just visit, try both for a few months to get to know exactlyvwhat each one offers and than, EACH TO ITS OWN, Cheets

[Mr Rogers]

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beautywood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please,
Please won't you be my neighbor?

[Barney]

@ Mr Rogers

I love you, you love me
We're a happy family
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too?

I love you, you love me
We're best friends like friends should be
With a great big hug
And a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too?

[Cathartes Aura]

Why not both? Why do I have to limit myself to just one grid or the other? This ole bird likes to go adventuring in many worlds.

And as far as finding shopping places... I've got a huge list of landmarks for shopping in opensim/hypergrid. All Granny needs to do is ask and she's rolling in quality opensim/hypergrid freebies or if she wants hop over to Kitely Market for nice paid goodies. It's just a matter of knowing the right people and doing a little exploring. ;)

And the Turkey Buzzard goes... Hiss ;)

[inthisboxgoesaname]

AOL didn't die, they reinvented themselves. Myspace? It's a music and entertainment focused site now, it had about 20-50 million unique views according to Viant's COO in a Lasvegassun.com article (dated Feb. 11th 2016.)

SL was never THAT huge though, lots of try outs but not as much activity and lots of bots at times. I get your point though, but it is worth noting communities die hard on the net.

Also, Cathartes mentions why not both? Investment of time and money are most likely the issues. Some have as many friends as they can handle, and bringing them to one world or another ends up in an argument based on "why that other place?" BUT, I do agree. many have the HDD space for both and maybe oneday someone will make a pic and chat program that works within each world. Then people can show what is going on and share experiences more.