Some of you may have already read "The Tao of Linden", which Philip Linden posted, opening up some more about the Linden Lab work process to the public.
Sometimes, a defective part of me wonders whether it'd be better to keep such stuff unpublished, because laying it out in the open is just going to attract all manner of redundant complaints. However, I also know there are many people who enjoy such transparency, and aren't vocal about it, nor do they want to be—sometimes simply because they don't want to be jumped on. And I think that's a shame, because I don't see enough vocally positive people. See something right? Point it out. Speaking of, today, much joy over llPushObject Restrictions. My angular hat goes off to Cube Linden for making a long-awaited dream come true.
More about the Tao and what it means to me:
Work Together! – While I'm networked (a term I picked up from Pathfinder Linden as I don't like the term "remote", it sounds too distant), I'm constantly communicating, inworld, on the SL Forums, through email, and other technological media. I'm a bridger, which means I connect Residents to Lindens. I forward a lot of communiques and requests and find out who does what. Being on the Community Team, I participate actively in internal discussions about the state of SL and give feedback to ideas that come up. I often support (cheerlead) my coworkers's projects because I'm inspired by what we're doing. I ask a lot of questions too, and as a result, I've come to acquire some really helpful cross-departmental skills I can use in a bind.Choose your Own Work – A few jabs have been pointed at this header, but at least in my experience, they're moot. As blogged numerous times before including this, my work is directly accountable and very visible to the Residents and community at large. Especially when a problem is not just one of reality but perception too, I'm very adamant about showing and not just telling. What's so frustrating sometimes is, I see a lot more false assumptions than curious questions—what can I say, I'm always looking for chess players! Really, the work I choose is the work our customers would choose for me anyway, only as preemptive as I can. Perfectly compatible. Of course, I'm far from the only Linden doing this. Wild idea: I should set up polls asking, "What would you like to see Torley work on next?"
Be Transparent and Open – I talk a lot. Does that count? I'm pretty chatty (when I choose to be). I also spill out a lot of rough stuff before it's refined, which can result in major embarrassment for me but a good lesson to be more time-efficient. Anyway, I'm pretty candid, including about what I don't like. See, I'd like to point out I'm a big complainer. Most people just don't realize it, but if you look back at all I've written, I've racked up a lot of critiques. When I am overloaded and swamped, I admit this too—I'm a believer in managing expectations! And I am super enthusiastic about sharing perspectives on projects with my fellow Lindens and Residents.
Make Weekly Progress – Again, this is why I love having a blog. I can spread what I've been doing. This includes "sneak peaks" at things to come, after I've obtained proper clearance of course. There's a lot of internal stuff I know we could share, it just hasn't been done yet. Definitely something I am helping with. Additionally, If you're paying good money for this service, you want to see results. Maybe you even want to see how Resi action got things changed so you know you made a difference. Oh, good example. I know I have watchers who like to read my posts in SL Answers. It's kinda thrilling. *voyeur peek*
No Politics! – I really don't relate to politics anyway. Gosh knows I've long been a YUGE SL and LL fan at heart too. However, I am a card-carrying member of The Watermelon Party.
Might Makes Right – I can be very forceful, but only in consensual situations.
Do it With Style – You know how those Olympic gymnasts don't win gold medals on technique alone? Same thing here. Presentation matters. (What kind of sucka eats prime rib roast in a sewer?) I think it's a driving light behind my personality, and why I enjoy being memorable. Otherwise, you couldn't tell me apart if I was a generic clone. I truely feel at LL, it's fantastic how so many Lindens have inworld identities that can be referred to in a sentence. Kind of like those Final Fantasy summons.
That's just my take on things. Take it as you will.
I'm just me and that's all I can be, and I'm honored to be here.