Linden's Full Coffers

Linden Lab announced an $11million capital raise led by Globespan Capital with participation from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and current investors. Really exciting to see Second Life get this vote of confidence - I didn't know about it in advance but expect my "update to shareholders" letter to arrive shortly.

Linden has now raised enough money ($8m in Fall 2004, earlier single digit millions from angels) that a small buyout would be disappointing. Consistent with Philip Rosedale's vision, he isn't in this to build some cool stuff and flip to a game co or community portal. This always gave me a bit of concern given that I was just getting started in my career and would have been happy with a smaller but successful liquidity event.

Congrats to Philip, Cory and the rest of the team!

Alert? Yeah, right.

"I've received some alerts on your account," was the message from the service rep at the financial institution where i keep some of my investments. "Call me back."

I did not know this man but I followed his instructions, leaving a very nice message that it this was a marketing pitch, he needn't get back in touch with me. But he did.

"Not marketing. I'm not trying to sell you something. I'm here to help. We've got ways for you to earn a greater return on your investments."

"Well, don't you think 'alert' is the wrong way to offer help? You're intentionally trying to cause me to worry about the security of my account."

"I can take you off our watch list. You won't receive any help from us. I won't be watching your account any more."

With that I was freed from their manipulative outreach. But they lost some of my trust. And for this reason it's likely they're going to see more money of mine flowing out in coming years than flowing in.

Eric Rice really likes SL

I don't know who Eric Rice is but he really likes Second Life and that's good enough for me.

My first Google Video press

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

It's not just the under-20 set that is taking advantage of online video. Consumers and businesses are also producing commercials, educational and how-to videos, said Hunter Walk, product manager for Google Video, which, besides selling episodes of popular television shows, lets users search for and upload clips. An RV salesman made a video tour of the motor homes he was selling; a handyman demonstrated how to grout a tub; locals offered a walking tour of their hometown.

I've done lots of other Google Press but this is my first interview for Video stuff.

Two Buck Chuck meets NYC

Fun article in Saturday's NYTimes re: the debut of Trader Joe's in Manhattan (Union Square). In b-school, we had a visit from the Trader Joe's CEO who talked with great love about their mission, vision and values. He commented that working for a private company (TJ's is owned by German billionaires) afforded them some luxury to focus on building a great company with long-term relationships.

So did moving into NYC cause them to sell out on this promise? Absolutely not. From the article:

"We were able to work out a deal with N.Y.U. that made sense for them and made sense for us," Mr. Rauch said. "It's a deal that allows us to have the same prices here that we have everywhere else on the East Coast. We haven't raised our prices a nickel for Manhattan." Trader Joe's plans other stores soon in the city, if it can find equally agreeable landlords.

Bravo for NYU and Trader Joe's.

No queries were hurt in the process of making this demand

Resolution with the DoJ. Russell summarizes quite nicely .

GYM love

Let's see - this month Philip Rosedale (Founder Linden Lab) has spoken at google, gotten love from Yahoo, and wowed Microsoft. I'm waiting for the Barry Diller and Meg Whitman stories next.

Hue and 50 Cent

So with apologies that the following link is very stripper-centric, my friend Hue just produced a video for Mobb Deep and 50 Cent. As you'll see, its appeal is, um, targeted at a specific demographic but when you're a rising star filmmaker, you don't pass up opportunities like this.

Bow to your ant lord

"Scientists discover swimming ants." I envision a future where the ants and apes battle tirelessly with the winner asserting mastery over the human race. Or at least that's what the Absinthe tells me.

Bells & Spurs debuts at SXSW

Philip Rosedale told me about Silver Bells & Golden Spurs when he visited Google last week. Teased that I'd need to wait a week to see it. Well, now it's out and premiering at SXSW.

Bells & Spurs is an example of machinima, which is broadly defined as making movies using video game environments or game engines.

Civic Duty, update

So i got a three month jury duty hardship deferment from the SF Courts. Was assigned to a courtroom - looked like a short case and I wasn't likely going to be picked. But have big meetings over the next two weeks and couldn't take the risk. Explained this to the judge and *poof* I'm coming back in June. Will that be a better time? Unlikely but roll them dice baby!

Gaydar

Google knows you're gay? I thought only TiVo had that superpower?

Civic Duty

Group 602 reports today to the courthouse. Groan.

The influentials are coming

Uh oh, Second Life is seeing its second wave of influential evangelism - this time from Redmond.

Scoble: "It's brilliant"

Not what apple had in mind

http://www.ibuzzusa.com

web 2.ohhhh

Oscar Blushing

Between this and those gay cowboys.... will America survive?

"The word "bitches" will be heard during the first-ever rap performance at the Academy Awards on Sunday. But other words in best song nominee "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp" will be substituted for less offensive terms. Show broadcaster ABC is expected to use a five-second delay."

"Photo Shoot"

Uh, something tells me we're going to eventually find out that this site was offering much more than just "photo shoots."