Changing my Job
Friday, March 14th, 2008 at 10:20 AM by: Philip LindenWe’ve decided to search for a new CEO, and I wanted to briefly talk to everyone here about the reasons for that decision.
I feel that the most important contributions I have made and will continue to make to Second Life are related to building both the product and the company through my direct contributions to vision, strategy, and design. As we grow, the role of our CEO will increasingly be to hire and grow the right team - to lead and help the company scale - to thousands of people and tens of millions of users of Second Life. I believe that we can hire a fantastic person in that role, and also give me the ability to totally focus myself on the job that I do well. I bet this will be the most interesting job opening in the technology world.
As to title, I will become chairman of the board. I will be 100% involved and fulltime at Linden Lab. Second Life is my life’s work, and I am not going anywhere! I will focus on product strategy and vision, continuing to design the right kind of company, and being an effective communicator and evangelist about Second Life. As a community member, you will probably see more of me in-world.
Again, this is a decision driven by my desire to best grow SL and match my job to both our needs and my passions. We don’t have a specific timeline, and I don’t expect my job to change while we are looking for someone.
We’ll organize some further conversations in SL on this topic soon, and as always, feel free to talk to me about this if you run into me in-world.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:26 AM
[...] Changing my Job « Official Second Life Blog [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I wish you the best Philip, and may your decisions be the right ones. only you know for sure what is right for you.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:34 AM
hoping this turns out good rather than bad.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:38 AM
You are a visionary! Keep up the great work and we look forward to the future.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:40 AM
of course its good. a new league to play in. be on the boards of multiple companies, etc. the logical growth step for a CEO.
growth changes a lot of aspects of any startup.
not everyone will like the necessary direction and culture changes.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Not keeping it “litterally”, this is a good news (hey i don’t have anything against Philip… indeed
). I mean the “brave” to leave the “king” status to concentrate on something else (when you know you can do better there…) while another person (with a more focused mentality) may keep the role is perfect to drive the company to the future.
Good wishes to you Philip and to Linden Labs!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:40 AM
There comes a time in every business when they are growing that there is additional focus and/or help needed to move over that little hump into the greater size. I applaud you in you seeing this yourself, and moving more naturally into that phase. It seems that you will do an easier transition between visionary and operations, and that will be wonderful for all of us in world.
I wish you well in your refocus, and i hope this goes well and is very effective for all involved.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
This is the best news I’ve heard in a while. I look forward to seeing the changes in the months and years to come. Hopefully the new CEO will work on the problems that plague SL these days ranging from stability and inventory loss to better handling of customer relations (might even get Linden Lab’s BBB rating up!)
Philip, this took some guts and balls to step down from that role and put the company first. Hopefully this will help start a new era at Linden Labs.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
This might be a wise decision: to be the one with the vision and let another one do the work of managing and organisation.
Please find a great new CEO, Philip, and make your dream come true to have a real great SL with tens … hundreds of millions of people.
Thanks so much for what you made true.
I hope you still have more visions and will give them all to the future of SL.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Does this mean anarchy brakes out until a new ruler steps up?
March 14th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
when i first read the headline in forum (and then read others making fun of the ‘joke’;) i was briefly worried you’d been ‘ousted’ lol!!
but it turns out this is really great; actually probably the best news to hear in a long time :)) - i take it you’ve steered it all thru the storms and now it’s ’smoother sailing’ i hope… 
take care have fun phillip!! 
March 14th, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Thanks Philip for what you have done, and for what you will do!
I interpret this change as meaning that now the money people see that this metaverse thing will be BIG, and want to put one of their own in charge of day to day business. So the metaverse has grown from science fiction to hard business in only a few years, and you have played one of the few key roles. More than enough for a lifetime, but I guess you will do many other things and maybe even bigger.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I hope we don’t get some suit who wants to fire torley and destroy LL’s open transparent culture : (
March 14th, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I heard Steve Jobs still has some free time
off topic : Did the looting start already?
March 14th, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Interesting parallel to the path that LL board member Mitch Kapor took at Lotus, in days gone by.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Good luck, may this be for the best both for you, and for the Second Life community!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Best of luck to you Philip, and thank you for SecondLife
March 14th, 2008 at 10:47 AM
You have brought the company quite far. This is a good decision at the right point in time. The demands on a CEO of a maturing company is different from those in a a startup.
Thank you for your leadership so far and keep the vision going!
March 14th, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I nominate Prokofy Nevah.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:55 AM
When do I start?
March 14th, 2008 at 11:00 AM
We know you are secretly a space alien and that this is all a hoax perpetuated to steal Linden Dollars from the needy. Rip off the mask and show your true face as Ming The Merciless so we can roll the credits!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I find it rather coincidental that the announcement was made on Philip’s Rezday
March 14th, 2008 at 11:00 AM
This is the natural evolution of a high growth company, and you remain its visionary. Operational experience is great…and I nominate Eliot Spitzer, he’s an operator, he’s looking for work, and he knows how to whip people (into shape).
March 14th, 2008 at 11:01 AM
dont forget that a ceo’s primary allegiance is to shareholders/investors.
they dont care about you, they dont care about the product, they DO care about the bottom line and maximising profits for investors.
keep that in mind.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:03 AM
My first reaction after this is trust in Philip’s words and optimism about the future of Second Life.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Handing the reigns over to someone else is never easy to do and I expect Phil to look both anxious as well as exstatic towards the future. It’ll be a new focus, possible even back to where Phil came from : thinking things over and plotting the way that SL goes.
In the mean time, the new CEO can deal with the logistics and day to day business. There’s only so much one can have on his/her plate and when you notice you spill more then you eat, it’s time to get in some help, or get a bigger spoon.
Let the tugging for attention and prioritizing of topics and issues that are part of SL start : Let the games begin!
Phil, see you in world. Never let go of the dream!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Hello all i had a question….. Hows come i go in the in world and look in people search there is no phillip Linden can someone answer that?
March 14th, 2008 at 11:06 AM
@TyrisFlare nielsen- one l, not two.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Thank you, Phililp, for your invention, vision, and expertise in creating SL and bringing it this far along. I hope you and your new partner can preserve the power of Second Life as a vehicle for people to re-invent themselves. Perhaps, eventually, for corporations to do the same.
Second Life so far has been a wonderful gift to the world, a playground for human imagination, a freeing from physical constraint that has powerfully re-engaged many marginalized in their first lives. No matter what other successes LL has, if you can preserve that, your place in human history will be enviable.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Tabitha: Prok has managed to get herself a Encyclopedia Dramatica entry. That means she has managed to anger Anonymous. That’s bad.
but we do need some one with experience.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I really wish the best luck to you Sir and the whole Second Life community, it’s been best chance to every one to change their own life for better .. SL is just a best chance for who really wish to change, develop hie/her real life. Thinking to keep in developing things is best way to let everything fresh.
Best luck always !
March 14th, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Best wishes.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Good lord .. Why would anyone want to be CEO of a company where you’re the chairman and chief product strategist, and, no doubt, everyone is going to continue to look to for leadership?
What a nightmare in the making!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Congratulations, Philip. When you began all of this, I’m sure it only felt like you were doing one job. Lately, I bet it’s felt like five. I’m glad you decided to remain in the position where your experience and vision will mean the most. Thank you.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Ps theres no Torely Listed lol
why is that that not right how do u expect trust in this chatroom?
if u wish to talk to me personally about my questions i would like to speask to a Linden plz
lol:) have a nice day:)
P,s,s preferably Torely or Phillip plz and TY:)
March 14th, 2008 at 11:13 AM
[...] http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/03/14/changing-my-job/ Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 US. [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:14 AM
One More Thing why are they called Lindens in the first place lol…!!!!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Like many others here said befor i think its a wise decision ..maybe. Anyway best wishes Philip for you and SL!
@#27
for me his profile shows up with “El Presidente” at his account inf ;D
March 14th, 2008 at 11:15 AM
lol
im in the right content cause it involves lindens lol
March 14th, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I’ll be back…
March 14th, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Sounds like a great decision, leaves you doing what you do best. Exciting times ahead
March 14th, 2008 at 11:20 AM
/me applauds Philip!
I can imagine the CEO position being more of a LL management job then a SL management job these days. Must have been a harsh decision, but glad you followed your heart and are coming back to us with your great vision and drive.
We all this to you, did I say thanks already?
J.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Will you be an Executive Chairman Philip, or a non Exec Chairman, pardon my interest
March 14th, 2008 at 11:28 AM
i can has ur job?
March 14th, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Congrats, Philip! A decade ago I started a company where I got to do innovative creative things… then the daily crap of running a company turned me more into a suit than a person… if you can get out from under all the CEO junkwork, you can get back to your roots of being a creator & innovator. And you will likely be happier.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:30 AM
@35 You can hide your name from search. If you were that important within LL you would do the same so that you can be free to do the things you need to do rather than constantly deal with IM Hell.
Either that, or search is down again….
Anyway, I wish Phil all the best here in his decision to move aside into the role he is better suited to - working on the vision of SL and evangelising it.
I just hope he is very careful about whom he chooses to become the CEO of the company. We need someone who will organise things in such a way as to be beneficial to LL’s customer base, as well as LL’s shareholders.
BTW, I hate how this thing tries to correct my UK English spelling - we’re the ones who actually spell things correctly, after all…
Pol McLaglen.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:30 AM
[...] that I only now am discovering perhaps the biggest SL news item of the week : Philip Rosedale is stepping down as Linden Lab’s CEO. As to title, I will become chairman of the board. I will be 100% involved and fulltime at Linden [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Congratulations.
Time to let the day to day stuff to the full time manager types and be a visionary again.
I will enjoy seeing some of that vision on this blog.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:32 AM
[...] in-world reporter. Ziggy is blogging off Adam’s story here. The official statement is here on the official SL [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:32 AM
[...] that I only now am discovering perhaps the biggest SL news item of the week : Philip Rosedale is stepping down as Linden Lab’s CEO. As to title, I will become chairman of the board. I will be 100% involved and fulltime at Linden [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Good luck Philip!
It’s a good man who knows when the future works better for SL in a different role. Just don’t be a stranger
March 14th, 2008 at 11:34 AM
[...] that I only now am discovering perhaps the biggest SL news item of the week : Philip Rosedale is stepping down as Linden Lab’s CEO: As to title, I will become chairman of the board. I will be 100% involved and fulltime at Linden [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 11:36 AM
You are amazingly brilliant no matter what position you hold and I am sure you will find a great CEO for LL. Oh, by the way, thanks for the offer, but I have already taken on another position!! LOL Good Luck!!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:36 AM
@ TyrisFlare nielsen
1) Philip
2) Torley
3) “The company’s name comes from Linden Street, the street it was originally based on.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linden_Lab
March 14th, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Well as Philip Linden has said in the past………..The game out grow him. People in game knew more then he did frankly speaking. Makes sence he is doing this………..But waht otehr changes are coming our way?
U sagi M usashi
March 14th, 2008 at 11:36 AM
A step up and in the right direction. A good person knows what their strengths and interests are and pursues them. It will be interesting to watch SL evolve under a different structure. Best wishes and good luck as Chairman of the Board and, if you need a highly paid spokeswoman inside SL, keep me in mind (laughing).
March 14th, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Congratulations Phillip on this step forward for both you and Second Life. Some people are bound to be concerned, it is a time of transition. I think there is no doubt the metaverse is here to stay and that this evolution will help stake Second Life’s claim to it.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Philip:
Congratulations in the prescience this is a hard decision to make when you have created something like this and it is your baby but do not feel like it is a demotion as there comes a time when strong corporate leadership is required and it normally arrives with the maturation of the project.
In my experience , several times now, I have had to give over the titular head of a project to a hard manager, someone with the vision and experience to make hard, and sometimes cold decisions.
I know you will remain at the helm as chairman but just wanted to wish you well in your search for strong leadership.
As normally happens in successful start ups the creative mind requires the efforts of this type of action all you have to do is look at the examples presented by Bill Gates and Steve jobs both extreme visionary’s but moderated with the vision to realize that this is a requirement for continued success. Oh and BTW the asset server still suks ))
Coventina Dalgleish
hey maybe Chair and CTO ))
March 14th, 2008 at 11:39 AM
This is good news. Thank you for sharing it with us.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Philip, I wish you the best and hope that your decision will help see SL through to a wonderful future. Thank you so much for this amazing place. I hope to run into you in SL the way I occasionally used to when I first started almost five years ago; you are always gracious, helpful and a great person.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Congrats, Phil. SL is the best, in spite ofall the flaws.
Keep on rocking!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I wish you all the best with your new position, Philip. It sounds like a well thought out and smart move to make, and I hope the new position is fulfilling and the new CEO has the same enthusiasm for SL that you’ve always had. Best of luck with the search, and thanks for everything!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Sounds like a plan.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Ok im your new CEO. Everyone is banned.
now i can work in peace!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Sounds like the end is near
March 14th, 2008 at 11:50 AM
With the Ides of March party starting at 12:01 midnight, does this mean Philip will be coming as Caesar?
March 14th, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I allways thougt you were just a CampBot Phill…..
March 14th, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Looking forward to seeing more of you in world Philip and good luck with the hire!
March 14th, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Philip, I hope this is a Good Thing, and I certainly wish you the best.
I hope that the person called to take your place at LL has the same sort of vision that brought Second Life where it is today!
I look forward to seeing you in-world…
March 14th, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Well you can come to the 2008 SLCC asking for people to see you for the CEO position during the event, maybe make a track to be SL CEO.
Huggies
March 14th, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Yay Prok! Can you send us all a note card three times (no, make that four) so that we really really get it?
March 14th, 2008 at 11:54 AM
well as in any nation even second life the time to change comes.
THE KING IS DEAD ,LONg LIVE THE KING
March 14th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
@ 66 my own post –>meant in jest and I’m happy to hear that Philip can now concentrate on what he loves best about the World that we are all part of creating together.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I think its a great decision …. congratulations
March 14th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Good Luck Philip - This CEO position will be an exciting job for someone - Be sure to get the best - Skyler
March 14th, 2008 at 11:57 AM
@64 - Nice misspelling on the name, there . Almost fooled…. Nobody.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:58 AM
kudos
March 14th, 2008 at 12:01 PM
As a longtime ‘player’ in the Semiconductor Industry, I can say I’ve seen this happen twice. Both times the CEO had to step back in to save the company from disaster. Please make sure your replacement truly holds the abilities and strengths needed to continue Second Life down the path of success it has traveled so far (yes, I consider SL a success), and watch for hidden agendas. Good luck in your new role!
March 14th, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I sincerely hope that this will allow you to get back into the grid, and more in touch with the rest of us. Perhaps now you can be an advocate for the rest of us, and for what needs to be done instead of handling all the day-to-day hoopla of running a corporation.
Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?
At any rate, it’s always good to be able to do what you love. If you’re not loving it anymore, it’s time for a change. Here’s hoping this change is wonderful. For all of us.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Best of Luck Philip! ,,,=^_^=,,,
I thank you for creating a great place to be.
SecondLife has been a wonderful networking system to bring the global community together.
May you have continued success!
,,,=^_^=,,,
March 14th, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Best of luck as this develops, Philip.
I’m currently available, if y’know, you need a replacement
March 14th, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Oh god, please don’t pull in some director from google or something
Wish ya the best
March 14th, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I want Torley Lets start the campaign now. I so want to be his PA. Imagine sorting his wardrobe.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Philip — I am very happy for you and all. This makes very much sense for you to be one with the world’s needs and your personal passions. The best of wishes in finding the best of partners to be your and our CEO. Take care and have a great weekend!
… Be
March 14th, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Philip? Aww you make me so proud, come here, give me a hug :o)
March 14th, 2008 at 12:09 PM
[...] Philip Rosedale’s own statement is on the Big Blog. [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Congratulatons! We’re indebted to you for creating a great product so many of us call a world we can live in. History will be kind to you, Phillip. Looking forward to you chosing a fabulous CEO.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Hi,
Well… new CEO means new directions? or too big government pressure? dam… It must be really hard job
p.s. Wish You success in the new role and the same for product !!!
Best Regrds,
shaq
March 14th, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Good luck with the hire. I hope it will be not someone like the Pepsi manager who succeded to put Steves reality distortion field out of order.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Best wishes to you Philip.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Good luck in all matters Second and Real Life.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I wish you the best of luck Philip in you endeavors. I also hope that you hire someone who is in love with Second Life as many of us are. Can I apply for the position?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I think you done a serial of very hard mistakes ruining the economy of secondlife. I think the hardest ,istake was banning gambling.
I understand that you wanted the IBM money … perhabs you needed the IBM money badly.
Something is not well in the state danemark. No CEO drops his job because he just has a feeling. Who asked you to leave ? who is the big sponsor of SL. You cant tell me that this company runns by its own.
I think its best if you leave SL for ever.
Have a nice weekend
March 14th, 2008 at 12:16 PM
This is a great move for Philip, and a potentially great thing for Linden Labs.
Philip would be a great Chief Evangelist. He is good at describing his vision for Second Life. I am glad to see that he will still be involved!
The thing that has struck me over the last 18 months is how Cory, Robin, and Philip were in way over their heads for the roles they were in. Cory’s gone, and if there is a new CTO, he or she is sure being way too quiet. Robin is well suited for some role at LL, but not making and explaining policy — Robin needs to find that role soon.
And from Philip comes the Tao of Linden — from that we get the ‘choose your own work’ idea. Based on the stability of SL, and where we see effort being applied, that idea does not scale very well. The next CEO and CTO need to address this… they need to lead internally, dictate priorities, and proactively communicate with the residents on a frequent basis (go back and look for postings from Cory and Philip…)
Hopefully what happens by summer is that we get a strong CEO, CTO, and VP of Community that understand SL culture, and.. that have the experience to balance leadership, goal setting, and communication without changing the aspects of Linden Labs that make it great.
I’m optimistic about the future of SL.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:16 PM
In the years I’ve been in SL, this is only my second post.
Good luck for the future, and thanks for your vision in bring us our Second Life.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Thank you for communicating with us directly, there is nothing worse than chain whispering & scare mongering. I know there is nothing worse than giving up what you enjoy & do best for the sake of paperwork and beurocracy. I hope the new CEO is as passionate about our world as you (and we all) are.
Good Luck in your search for the perfect person for the job
March 14th, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Growth is always a good sign. Best of luck to you and the future CEO. (You know you can apply with an alt account?)
March 14th, 2008 at 12:19 PM
is my sex bed still going to work ?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:20 PM
This was not unexpected. Founders do not stay CEOs forever especially for something that’s gotten this large.
But…. I really hope that your replacement doesn’t decide to go cuthroat proffit hunting. SL needs to have a customer first/customer friendly atmosphere to survive and not one where we’re feeling squeezed for every nickle and dime you can get out of us. ^.^ So far it’s only felt like the squeeze on occasion but for the most part it’s been chaotic good fun… and controlled chaos is the best anyone can hope for when balancing everything. It’s been a fun ride, and I don’t want to get off it… so that’s a good sign hehe.
I wish you luck and I look forward with hope in the future for smoother and more efficient services and operations. I’m glad you’re staying around though it’s important to enjoy what you’ve created. ^.^
March 14th, 2008 at 12:21 PM
If Philip wills it, it must be the right decision, but I don’t know what this is going to do to my theology…
Samantha Poindexter
Pastor, First Church of Rosedale
March 14th, 2008 at 12:25 PM
As everyone else has said, it’s commendable that you’ve been able to recognise where your strengths lie, regarding SL, and where the company now is, having progressed well beyond “startup”. The other aspect, of course, is you’re now better able to work on future directions SL may take, and less of the company mechanisms.
Ultimately, I’m also hoping this won’t cause any pullback from the company’s commitment to open source development, especially with regard to the eventual release of the server code as well. Perhaps it’d be a wise time to reassert that as a goal?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I don’t understand all of this. PHILLIP FOUNDED THE GAME…CREATED THIS WORLD THAT EVERYONE whines about and hes not making a statement of stepping down for that, its just that its gotten so big, maybe he wants to enjoy his creation a little. I think that if I ever create a company…there will be a clause in the governing of it that states: “whoever is the creative mind behind this will always have an equal, or more-powerful lead in the company.” Shouldn’t that be right, isn’t it the same *itching that so many people do over “permissions?” For someone that started with nothing here, this creative design is beautiful..and for something free….I mean, I see graphics in this game better than some of the high end Xbox games…but I’m not an expert. Bottom line is, and unfortunately, I’ve never met Philip. I suppose that SL is going to become more of a commercial game than something fun…seems to me that the old timers I’ve spoken with miss the community of the old game….but, envisioning growth of this magnitude may have taken that dream away from Phillip and made him rich…I suspect that SL will eventually fall the way of those old MSN messanger chats with the cartoons, or Yahoo Geocities, or VirtualTeen online (forums)…or Yahoo chat……hats off to you Phillip and I, for one, a nobody in the game, am glad that you’ve created this world for us!
March 14th, 2008 at 12:28 PM
[...] the blog Philip explains the change of job and attracts the masses to a blog in a way that no other Linden [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Thank god, i read the Reuters article and thought you were quitting. Make Blue Linden CEO :D!
March 14th, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Good luck Philip.
It’s a good sign that you feel secure enough to let go of part of your current job. And hopefully before too long you will be founding a Philip Linden Foundation
March 14th, 2008 at 12:33 PM
WOW Philip CONGRATS! i mean that in the best best way! following your Passion is the hearts goal in life…fulfills the soul on all levels…..You have given a great gift with SL…and for those of us who have been able to pursue our passions as well, it’s been a total blessing…and for that I thank you…..I havn’t met you in person, yet…..haaaa But i’m sure I will one day soon….YOu are an incredible spririt and what a fantastic man!
ALL of the best…..to you
-JueL Resistance
-Suzen JueL
March 14th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Mr Rosedale the visionary, thxs for the metaverse its your creation its your your vision the future of internet good look!!
new moments new events its ..second life
Thxs for all Philip
Nature’s first green is gold
her hardest hue to hold
her early leaf s a flower
but only so an hour
then leaf subsides to leaf
so eden sank to grief
so dawn goes down to day
nothing gold can stay
(Robert Frost)
Big Hugs
March 14th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
So… How do I apply for the CEO position?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Good to hear that there will be more lindens=D
March 14th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
A “Choice of Heracles”? I hope so:) Good that you follow you’re dream. All the best for the future.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Everything has a season. It is wonderful to see you recognize Phillip your gifts and the season SL by your original vision has esculated to become. I am often called a Visionary as well and the truth of the matter is, SL is heading in a direction when soon we not only will be buying stocks in SL but people will be clamouring for the talented ones here that are innovative in their own rights. There is a huge trend of Media, MotionPicture Industry. Game Makers around the world are watching Second Life. Those that know me as true friend know in real life what I used to do. Trust me when I say SL is about to explode in positive ways over the next four years in ways not even Phillip thought was feasible. If we each stay in our lane and do what we are excellent at doing we will all be sitting on the cutting edge of something absolutely historical.
“Excellence can be obtained if you:
…care more than others think is wise;
…risk more than others think is safe;
…dream more than others think is practical;
…expect more than others think is possible.”
Everyone get excellent at your passion. SL is about to make an explosion that will be felt around the globe and if we position ourselves behind Our Leadership
(* smiles over at Phillip we never truly leave the baby we birth we just evolve*)
Thanks for being wise enough to evolve to the place you realize wherer your truer Passion lies. Keep your innovative spirit free to dream. For in your dreaming we all have a place to soar to higher excellent. And.. it doeth not yet appear what we shall be…
******
Charltina Christensen
Queen of Gentle Breeze
Marketing Consultant to Many Numerous Successful Sim Owners
Let’ts get ready, Well done Phillip Linden Well done.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Exciting times.. exciting times, indeed! Congratulations on taking this step and I hope you find the perfect person to take the CEO baton. I look forward to 2008 and beyond as Second Life and the Grid continue to grow and evolve. It’s quite satisfying to see the depth that this world is achieving as it rezzes and gets more complex. Farther up and farther in!
March 14th, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Philip, I can’t say this is a bad decision. Might be a great decision. As #3 Nina said, “Hoping this turns out good rather than bad.”
I especially hope this because there are 2 reasons for bringin in a new CEO: 1 (the good reason): So he can run the business professionally and improve customer satisfaction, or… 2 (the bad reason): to provide a scapegoat when things go wrong.
Hopefully, reason #1 is THE reason. It has come to the point that the vision of Second Life has gone about as far as it can go under its own steam and now needs a rock-solid performance foundation. The bugs need debugged, attention focused on essential needs rather than additional eye candy. Customer support and customer relations need to be completely revamped (especially that nasty, techno-nightmare JIRA system) and major problems (such as dysfunctional Group Chat) need responded to on a 24-48 hour basis rather than a 24-48 WEEK basis.
So bringing in a new CEO so that you can concentrate on vision and let someone else improve the company and overall performance– good idea. Hopefully it’s not a move simply to take the pressure off and transfer it to someone else. Second Life could rock and rule, but only if someone tech-saavy enough and dedicated enough to the customers makes it so.
Best wishes in your new role. My guess is this decision (and others like it that are going to become necessity over the next year) will either make or break SL.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Max Headroom for CEO
March 14th, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Just wanted to pop in and say a few things:
1) Happy Rez-Day, Philip!!
2) This sounds like a great catalyst for further growth. Letting a business-person take over the business stuff, thus letting you get back to your dreams and the realization of them.. including on a personal level for you.
Have fun! I know i’ll continue to enjoy and love this world you set in motion years ago.
Until after now,
Cybin
March 14th, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Can I have your stuff ?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:42 PM
I can’t help but seeing a lot of parallels between Linden Labs in 2007-2008 and Apple in the worst period of its existence, 1997-1998.
Please try to learn from Apple’s past experience, Philip, and find a way to regain control of your company if needed. Outsourced CEOs who really understand the companies they work with are rare and my personal experience tells me that only people from within a corporation with acknowledged abilities, a strong sense of customer care and intuition can succeed as CEOs.
Good luck! I don’t envy you at all.
Sandor
March 14th, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Does this mean you will be the CTO now, when you hire the new CEO?
March 14th, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Congratulations Chairman Linden!
As has been said many times here, I’m sure this wasn’t an easy decision for you. I look forward to the positive effects as you target your input on the day-to-day workings of this amazing world you have created… and to the direction the business layer take under new stewardship.
The very best of luck to you and the entire LL