The Microsoft rumour has been around for a while now. I've followed a couple of trails that have discredited it so I'll believe it if/when it happens.
On another note, I believe that it's Rod Humble's first day as CEO today 
I'm very optimistic about the future of SL, especially since the announcement of the new CEO. I think that it's a very good thing to have someone steering the ship that knows about managing IT shops as well as gaming and virtual worlds. It's a much better fit than having someone with a marketing background in that position.
From what I can gather, SL isn't in decline but has plateaued which is just fine with me. It's gone through the "bright, shiny & new" phase and now is progressing to "stable & established". I have to laugh when I read about the "good old days" which supposedly ended in 2007 especially since I didn't join SL until 2008.
We've been able to create and maintain our own little historical community for quite a while now and I think it just keeps getting better thanks to everyone that contributes on a continual basis.
All and all life in SL is good
If you would like to read a thought provoking article see Second Life Next: 2011 by Dusan Writer. It's looong but really worth the effort.
It's beautiful!! Thank you for sharing it with us.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of this project as it progresses. Good call on keeping the general feel of the facade but "creating it on a far smaller scale than the original". It's tricky adapting RL to SL and I think you've found the perfect balance
Merry Christmas, Summer )
I'm guessing that you're getting more rain than snow over in your part of the RL world. At least you don't have to shovel it!
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