Second Life Recognizes its Open Source Contributors

by Sam Dean - Sep. 10, 2008Comments (1)

Each year, Linden Labs, the folks behind online virtual world Second Life hold the Linden Lab Innovation Awards, dubbed the Hippos. This year Linden recognized the achievements and contributions of seven members of its open source community. The awards ceremony was held live in Florida, but also took place simultaneously within Second Life.

Rob Lanphier is head of open source development at Second Life, and he chaired the awards ceremony. (Second Life's code became open source only a little over a year ago.) Six judges picked winners in several categories. The winners were:

  • Best Documentation: Asuka Neely and Gally Young (a tie)
  • Best Issue Tracker Organizer: Harleen Gretzky
  • Best Working Group Organization: Teo Takashi
  • Best Code Contribution: Mm Alder
  • Jesse Malthus Award for Best Community Influence: Lex Neva
  • Contributor of the Year: Michelle2 Zenovka

A peek at what the winners won for reveals how Second Life moves along as an open source effort. Mm Alder won his Best Code Contribution award for contributing voice lipsync features to Second Life. Michelle2 Zenovka won Contributor of the Year for many patches she delivered, including significant patches for Second Life's Linux viewer.

The winners this year receive:

  •      Cash gifts to their Second Life accounts (Contributor of the Year receives US$500, other category winners get $300)
  •      2008 Hippo Winner badge
  •      Complimentary land grant on Linden Lab's open source island Hippotropolis for one year
  •      Complimentary concierge-level service for one year
  •      Custom last name for a new avatar
  •      Hippopotamus figurine ... with a sterling silver Second Life Eye-in-Hand logo necklace.

Congratulations to the winners.

 


Browse Blog

Julio Dominguez uses OStatic to support Open Source, ask and answer questions and stay informed. What about you?



1 Comments
 

It is interesting to see that 2nd life is embracing Open Source on the one hand, and yet facing competition from other 'compatible' Open worlds on the other hand. The position that they are in, of course, if enviable. They have users in their worlds (second life does), and so they can dictate a lot of the user experience. Embracing Open Source is actually a smart move.

0 Votes
Share Your Comments

If you are a member, to have your comment attributed to you. If you are not yet a member, Join OStatic and help the Open Source community by sharing your thoughts, answering user questions and providing reviews and alternatives for projects.