⚠️ Opensim: Free as in Freedom ⚠️ NOT Free-For-ALL ⚠️
TIME FOR A FRESH SERVING OF OPENSIM TRUTH!
FEEL FREE to share this TRUTH with others when necessary =D
There could be a potential trigger warning here but I expect most people will will agree with the sentiment illustrated in this article.
FACT: Opensimulator is free and Open Sourced Software, licensed under the BSD. This gives you a multitude of freedoms! You can change the software, you can share your changes, sell your changes or even use the software in any means you feel is morally or socially responsible. It even includes security features some of your visitors might not like if you use them.
FACT: That means if Opensim gives you, the grid operator freedom, that means you get to decide how end users will experience your work. You can deny entry to troublemakers or entire grids. There is nothing in the Opensim documentation which tells you NOT to do this AND if the developers did not want people using these features, they would not have been included in the first place.
FACT: I saw someone leave some negativity on a region because they were not allowed to run scripts or do their petty deeds upon landing on a foreign grid. Their reasoning: 'Everything must be free and open in Opensim'.
To this special brand of simpleton I say: Opensim is free, just not in the way you think. Opensimulator is NOT a free-for-all. Grid operators are NOT under any obligation to PLEASE YOU. If you do not like the way someone runs their grid, DO NOT GO! Spreading vitriol over a situation you have absolutely no control over is an excellent way to lose friends fast. Don't be angry over a MMO game.
FACT: When traveling hypergrid destinations you need to remember one thing: YOU ARE A GUEST, someone is providing you with a visual experience at their expense. When you go to someone's grid you are expected to obey their rules, much the same way if you were to visit someone in real life. If you crash the party, started a fight or broke something you are asked to leave.
SOLUTION: Know what you are getting into: Read the description before visiting these worlds, an honest person will let you know what to expect up front. Some grids do not have public shopping malls, each world tailored to a theme; there is no ONE SET OF RULES every grid must follow, that is NOT FREEDOM.
OPERATORS: Enjoy the freedom OPENSIMULATOR software gives you and make all or your dreams a reality.
GRIFTERS: Some ART is meant to be SEEN not TAKEN, so wipe your feet and put on a smile before entering the transit beam. You will probably enjoy your visit a whole lot more.
TL,DR: Opensim may be free as in freedom but that does not mean operators are required to run the software in a free-for-all fashion. Those who do not like it can always opt for another socialization platform OR pound digital sand.
OPENSIM IS FREE - SERVERS AND RESOURCES ARE NOT, GRID
OPERATORS AND CONTENT CREATORS NEED YOUR SUPPORT
| Gentle Dragonheart: Well written article, and of course 100% agreed. What also seems to be a widespread misunderstanding is the idea that sharing things from SL here is "stealing" and thus, it's perfectly okay to God mod... 39 minutes ago |