E-Mail 'VirTec stops selling vending system, still supports old customers' To A Friend

52 Comments

1. 

   Ah, the old “project was taking up too much time – lets pull the plug” game. It never gets old does it?

2. 

   This article would be a lot more readable if all the quotes had quotation marks around them. :/

   1. 

      The quotes are showing up okay in my browser — what browser are you using?

      1. 

         Safari, Chrome on Mac, Chrome on OSX, Firefox, and Edge. This isn’t a browser issue. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5ad12e63644cd16e30deb8956d67ee037ad17fc495c9d33a1285136ad37d26a5.png

         1. 

            That’s because those are paraphrases, not direct quotes. We put things in quotation marks if that’s exactly what the people said, and we print things without quotation marks if we had to change the the quotes so that they make sense in context, or if we had to take a lot of asides out from the middle, etc…

            Our house style is that inside quotation marks we make minor changes — fix tenses, take out “ahums”, fix pronouns, that kind of thing. Sometimes, if the person isn’t a native English speaker, we will do more grammar fixes. After all, we (the writers) get copyediting to fix our mistakes, it’s only fair to fix typos by our sources.

            If we have to rearrange sentences or put pieces of different sentences together, we don’t want to make it sound like those are the person’s exact words. But we still try to make sure to get the meaning right. (If not, we’ll immediately run a correction.)

            (This is the standard AP Stylebook recommendation, which our stylebook is based on.)

            1. 

               Right, however the clauses being used when paraphrasing and the way it skips back and forth between quote and paraphrase is somewhat jarring.

            2. 

               Unfortunately, that’s one of the problems with the inverted pyramid, AP News kind of writing style. It’s a little disconnected and weird — it has its own form of rhythm. It was originally developed so that copydesks could cut out any particular section of the story and the rest of it would still be more-or-less okay. That was back in the days of physical type or manual paste-up. And it kind of stuck, like the old typewriter layouts. The hip young generation of writers is moving away from that, but I’m a tired old grumpy person who just can’t understand why everyone is wearing their pants so low and get off my lawn, you pesky kids!

               You know, when I was starting out in journalism — this was back in the day before we had all this new-fangled electricity and push-button phones and what not — we were glad if we got to see any quotation marks at all! Yup, back then, quotation marks were rationed. We were saving them for the war effort. You young people don’t know how good you’ve got it these days.

               And were weren’t allowed to use any long words. Nope, those were only for senior columnists. And we could only use “said.” We couldn’t use any synonyms or nothing. No “commented” or “replied.” Nothing like that. If you did, an editor would come over and hit you on the head with a typewriter. And we were glad for it, too! Those $5 a week wages meant we could buy some gruel to eat that week.

            3. 

               I’m not sure what it says about my intellect, but I had no trouble at all reading and understanding the article. I will say that I’m grateful to have these articles to keep me informed, as I’m not always as connected with ‘those in the know’ as I might sometimes like to be =)

            4. 

               I will admit, I don’t have the discipline for AP’s style guide. I like my superfluous sprinkling of commas far too much, and dammit, I need the Oxford comma even more.

            5. 

               This is where the rumpled old editor comes in, standing behind you with a typewriter and a hangover, ready to whack you on the head.

            6. 

               Thankfully, a dangling modifier softens the blow.

            7. 

               LOL

3. 

   I’ve known Virtouse quite awhile, close to 3 years, I guess, and although I only know him from our online/in-world dealings, I know him well enough to say that he isn’t the type to ‘pull the plug’ unless there is a good reason. I won’t share my knowledge of his personal/1st life any more than to say that I know he has a great deal going on.

   1. 

      I also think he must have a good reason to leave, however I also think that it is appreciated to notify the grid owners/technicians and costumers when you plan on doing so. We do not need to know the reason why. That is not important at all, he can have his privacy. But it would have been nice to know and not be surprised. Sorry but this is the way I am raised 🙂

      1. 

         I definitely agree that giving notice is the best way to handle leaving, but I also understand that sometimes circumstances simply do not allow for advance notice.

4. 

   Very sad news I guess this type of thing happens when a certain grid owner gets people paranoid about content theft.
   But Best of luck to Virtouse and hopefully when rl pressures ease he will be back

   1. 

      Virtouse stated that this wasn’t connected to the content theft recently.

      1. 

         probably.

         1. 

            Probably? It’s right there in the article.

            1. 

               yes it is bit i still think it had some bearing in his decision and who can blame him.

            2. 

               In other words, you think Virtouse isn’t being honest. Interesting perspective. Hmm..

5. 

   This is horrible news 🙁

6. 

   That would affect creators without vendor boards and it impossible for them to find one that can work! I bought scrolling board from virtec and itt now harder to find one that similar two. Scrolling board and also event board. Virtec really let them down.

7. 

   What a shame. Virtec has some very nice products that I like using on my grid.

8. 

   where did i say Virtouse is lying? I stated an opinion take it or leave it!

   1. 

      Take a look at what you’re saying, hun. You’re spinning the narrative into what you want it to be rather than what is reported.

      1. 

         no actually i do acknowledge, what Virtous said about real life job taken the majority of his attention now and I sincerely wish him well, my dealings with him have always been pleasant and I believe he is a real good chap. All I was saying was there could be other factors that impacted on his decision as well. I am hoping when things settle into place in rl he will find the time to come back to open sim, I have no issue in saying he is always welcome on our regions. I am not implying he is lying or that the article is incorrect.

         1. 

            Other factors that impacted that he has said didn’t impact his decision. Uh huh, yep. lol Pretty sure he closed shop because his goose laid a golden egg and now he’s super rich.

            1. 

               ooohhh. lucky bugger. I’ll have to find that goose. LOL

9. 

   There is sonething I don’t understand and please fogive me for being so naive – When we buy a working product, why do we need the creator to stay up running business ??? Does Vir Tec run special servers for the vendors to keep working ? When someone in Opensim buys a scripted vendor it is needed to think about a long life business creator before ? I have many fine scripted working gadgets that do not have active business creators for years

   1. 

      Some items needs updates at times, for example when grids change their money module or OS version they run on. Like rental systems and vendors.

      1. 

         And some report back to home base for stats, web-based monitoring tools, updates, and other functionality and if the home base server is gone, all the related items break.

         1. 

            Indeed:)

            1. 

               I was about to start this off with an apology to anyone it seems I may have offended, but honestly, I don’t feel like I said anything that deserves an apology. I’m not entirely sure why my statement stirred up the response I got, so I’m going to offer one last post and I’m done lol. First and foremost, I was trying to add a little humor…epic fail, obviously. I was referring to a small group of people of which I am one — housewives with little to no business experience/training, who are looking to make a little spending money, to help support excessive VW shopping. I never said we were the only ones, nor did I say ALL housewives.

               I would like to add, before I close, I honestly don’t understand the bitter feelings toward VirTec, or toward anyone who decides to walk away from virtual worlds, regardless of the reason, but especially if it’s to devote more attention to their real life. According to David’s article, Virtouse is offering far more than the majority of business owners who have left virtual worlds, and in fact, even mentioned that he is in talks with someone who may continue with the sales, development, and service of VirTec products.

            2. 

               Just for the record I thought your comments were great Dykoda

            3. 

               I do not have bitter feelings against Virtec at all. I know Virtouse as some one who always helped and gave good costumer support. I just fear, taken the fact that he might not receive the ‘Help questions’ due to technical reasons in OpenSim he will not be aware of people having issues and asking help. And to help people in those cases he would need to log on to the grids and check his IM in world. And maybe due to his new activities he might not be able to do so. We sure will miss him and lets hope maybe one day he will return !
               And really Dykoda no apologies needed at all 🙂

         2. 

            Ok, I see, so what is the future solution ? Purchase only from creators that promise a lifetime customer support ? Achieve a unified OS code with no major changes ? Keep buying new tools and let creators operate on that base ?

            1. 

               The merchant who makes the ‘lifetime customer support’ promise, or the customer who believes it…who’s the bigger fool? (just being facetious lol, but I couldn’t resist lol)

               Kidding aside though, that’s a very good question–what -is- the solution?

            2. 

               First, look for vendors who consider their business a real business and not a virtual business. Check to see if they have a real, physical address listed, a real contact phone number, and show the names of the actual, real people working there. You are, after all, giving them real money. It’s a major step for some providers to move up from virtual, anonymous, operating-as-their-avatar status. If they do, it shows a serious commitment to their company. If they do harm, it will have actual repercussion on their real-world identity.

               Second, look for vendors that have teams of more than one person, so that the company won’t instantly fold if something happens to that one guy.

               Third, ask about their processes. Do they have a sustainable business model? Do they keep good backups? Do they have a professional support process in place?

               Finally, ask for customer references and contact them.

               If a vendor satisfies all these criteria, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll stay in business for ever, but it does increase the odds.

               Obviously, most people won’t go through all the steps. But the more significant the commitment you’re about to make, the more due diligence you should be doing.

            3. 

               Very good advice, Maria! Many merchants in virtual worlds don’t think about things like this (yes, I’m one of those =D). To many, this may seem so obvious, but many are just housewives with little to no business experience/training, who are looking to make a little spending money, to help support excessive VW shopping….er, I mean, so I’ve heard.

            4. 

               I write about enterprise risk, compliance and security issues at my day job — I’ve been covering this area for about twenty years. When companies are deciding which vendors to do business with, these are the kinds of things they look for. But the part about real/avatar — that’s pretty much unique to SL and OpenSim. I can’t think of many other contexts in which one business is buying a necessary, long-term service from another business, and doesn’t know the other’s real identity.

               Companies do buy one-off items from anonymous or pseudonymous sellers, though, like stuff on eBay or other marketplaces. In these cases, they look at the seller ratings, and, for high-ticket items, pay through an escrow service. In OpenSim, the closest equivalent to that is the Kitely Market. But that’s for one-off items. An established, well-rated virtual shop may stay in business longer than a new or badly-rated one, but not to a significant degree. It’s hard to tell if a virtual shop is a one-man operation, for example, and if it’s a part-time hobby for just one person it’s just as likely to close down at any moment, or close to it.

            5. 

               Sorry but have to say: ‘Just Housewives’….. What do you mean with ‘Just Housewives’ Not only housewives have no experience or training. Many people also do not check if the grid they join is registered and running legal. In fact I know housewives who do check on things. Lots of housewives are great managers:) Raising the new generation which is a hell of a job to do. Merchants in general should be careful who they trust their assets to. And costumers also should be careful from who they buy from. Buying illegal copied items or take free offered illegal copied items is illegal as well. Do you buy a stolen car in rl ? Don’t you check first if the company you buy from is trustworthy or not? People should do the same in virtual worlds. And believe me not only housewives do not check.

            6. 

               What about househusbands? Is everybody forgetting about them?? Also, house-grandparents. Turns out, my 90-year-old grandma is pretty tech savvy. 🙂

            7. 

               LOL, yes right Maria 🙂 Lets not forget the pappa’s 🙂

            8. 

               I never forget househusbands…and cabana boys, I don’t forget them either……..

            9. 

               Maybe just look for a more simple product and make sure, although having less functionalities, it will last longer, or else doing like with iPhones, pay a huge ammount every year, 5, 6, 7, for something folks only use for 12 months

10. 

    Shame really like Vir Tec products.. But wish him well.

11. 

    I understand what you guys are saying, and as a user of several VirTec products myself, as well as a friend of Virtouse, I hate as much as anyone to see him go. However, it seems like many are upset at him for choosing his ‘real life’ over virtual worlds and that doesn’t seem fair, and is very sad to me. Yes, it does put some people out a bit when someone with a product like his decides to close shop, however, he did state that he would continue to support his customers, and that the website will continue for quite awhile, years in fact. If people are unhappy about his decision, he’s given more than enough time to find alternate sales tools/vendors. While his vendors do offer things that very few offer, there are a number of other vendors available, and people have used those successfully for many years prior to VirTec’s vendors. We should also consider the fact that very few, if any, know all the details that led to his decision. Virtual worlds may be top priority for some, but for many, it isn’t, and sometimes people have to move on.

    1. 

       well said. Wishing Virtouse all the best.

12. 

    I don’t think the problem is real live vs. virtual life, since companies close down for many reasons, and it does happen that they close without warning. A promise of lifetime support is an empty promise if the company making it disappears.

    It’s a problem for anyone choosing a vendor that they must rely on, and enterprises have to make this decision all the time when a particular vendor’s products are important to the operation.

    They have a long list of things to watch out for, like funding, and whether the product is a core product for the vendor, but one is particularly relevant to OpenSim, and that is the number of team members.

    If the vendor is a one-person operation, and something happens to that person, then the company disappears. If there’s a team behind a product or service, then if one person becomes unavailable for whatever reason, the company can still continue operations. We’ve recently seen this happen at AviWorlds, for example — everything hinges on just one guy, and things keep happening to that guy, and each time they do, everything collapses.

13. 

    this is why you should always secure your scripts if they communicate with a server.

14. 

    I think anyone who has participated in an inworld project or group can understand how difficult it can be balancing RL and VR responsibilities. Having met Virtouse numerous time I am sure he will meet his pledge of maintaining support.

    It does raise some interesting issues around running any sort of business in VR. Many customers expect business level support, whereas many creators view their store as a hobby.

    It came out recently that I was the top grossing merchant on the Kitely Market. Let me assure you, this was entirely accidental! But even when added to my SL store, it amounts to not even a quarter of a living wage. 10k sounds like a lot, but spread over 3 years, it isnt really. I would love for it to be otherwise, but that basically means I need a full-time gig to get by.

    People who do shop at my store will have noticed that recently my new releases have been few and far between. This is because my RL job keeps me more and more predisposed these days. Luckily, most of my current products are straightforward enough that very few people ask for support. But I would really think twice these days before releasing a product I thought would require ongoing support or me being in-world to help people.

    What am I trying to say?

    Merchants – Think long and hard about releasing complex products that may require support. You never know where life will take you. And something that seems cool on paper might actually not be much fun to support.

    Customers – Be a bit more realistic in your support expectations. You do of course have a right to support, but most Merchants are just doing this in their spare time. if your going into business yourself, try not to base it on someone else’s tech which may or may not exist in the future.