First up, I’d really like to thank all of you for your attention to the Weekly Linden account changes column that I ran weekly. Consistently, week after week, for the last 38 weeks the feature has attracted more readers than any other single thing.
Unfortunately, this feature will no longer continue.
Originally the feature started at the urging of departing Linden Lab staff members, as Linden Lab continued to shed staff in addition to the 30% layoffs announced by then-CEO Mark Kingdon last year. I know that a number of departing Lab staffers received support and employment offers as a result of appearing on this listing, both from past co-workers and from other readers.
You have maintained an ongoing fascination with Linden Lab’s hirings and departures, whether you’re a Lab staffer, an ex Lab staffer, or a Second Life user.
That said, the issue of privacy has always nagged at me as well, causing me something of a dilemma each week. Regardless of the possible benefits, certainly not everyone leaving Linden Lab (either voluntarily or involuntarily) necessarily would want their change of status to be listed. I can well understand that, and it has been a matter for thoughtful consideration each and every week.
The decision, however, is not entirely in my hands. The Lab itself has been making some rumblings about privacy in this matter as well, of late – quite understandably – and appears to have taken some steps towards improving that privacy. The Linden accounts of departed staff no longer necessarily vanish from the system and profiles when the staff member exits the company.
Probably most of you are already aware of the departure of Sea Linden, head of Linden Lab’s Search team, roughly three weeks or so ago, though the account remains active to this day. That was the first one that I – and you – became aware of (I certainly got enough emails and messages about it), and there may be others besides.
Simply put, without the data for departing staff, this feature no longer fulfils its basic purpose, and must come to an end. Thanks for sticking with it, these last 38 weeks or so.
