For Linden Lab, Santa Giveth and Santa Taketh Away

Joe Linden cc image courtesy flickr.com/photos/danielvoyager/4521023498

On the heels of the announcement that EA exec Rod Humble is joining Linden Lab as CEO, some rather somber yet unconfirmed news from Tateru Nino is afoot. Joe Miller aka Joe Linden is leaving, or has left, Linden Lab. He's no longer listed in the Second Life database, and he's no longer listed on the Linden Lab management page - we can only desperately hope it's in error.

Joe was what a few of us called the "adult supervision" at the Lab - formally he was the Vice President of Technology and Platform Development. Labels and titles notwithstanding, Joe is the kind of red shirt that any CEO might dream about - authentic, capable and seemingly patient without end.

I don't know how many times I've said that despite the swirling organizational mess and the rotating front door at the Lab, as long as Joe is there, we should be okay. If Joe's departure is true, then what that means is that you can erase every member from the Mark Kingdon era family tree .. except Frank Ambrose (FJ Linden).

Squirrel!

I was surprised at the Lab's media blitz surrounding Rod Humble who starts mid-January.  Perhaps it was to blur this stinging "say it ain't so, Joe" story. While I welcome Rod Humble as the new CEO of Linden Lab, what the World itself needs now is more Joe, not less.

From the post "Philip Needs A Number One if He Wants a Second Life" I wrote in June 2010:

Maybe what we need now is a Joe Linden 2.0. Joe Miller aka Joe Linden is a remarkable individual, capable, communicative and thoughtful. I watched him handle the Third Party Viewer explosion with grace and competence. He took what was seemingly an unraveling situation and righted it admirably.

But for the sake of stability and all things technical, let's hope Joe stays in his current role but I'd double down for a Number One that is zen-like mix of: a sprinkle of Philip, a heaping tablespoon of Robin Harper, a handful of Tom Kelley and a meaningful dash Joe Linden.

I hate a jinx.

Godspeed Joe, you will be sorely missed.

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Game On | Santa Brings Linden Lab a New Chief Elf

Rod Humble joins Linden Lab cc image courtesy flickr.com/photos/joits/2669985045

Linden Lab announced today that Rod Humble has become the company's third CEO (not counting the interim reign of Philip Rosedale).  Humble joins Linden Lab from Electronic Arts, where he was Executive Vice President for its EA Play label.

My three point play - in contrast to Fast, Easy ad Fun:

1) Let's face it. Rod Humble is a great name. I'm wondering if he'll choose to be R, Rob Resident or Humble Resident in world?

2) Rod has a solid 20 year lineage in game development and meaningful near term cred. This was a good talent grab from EA for Linden. Sims residents think so too:

Oh would I love to say this is some sort of early April Fools gag, but sadly, its not.  Rod Humble has stepped down from his position working as the Executive Vice President for EA Play to work as the CEO for Linden Lab, the company behind Second Life.  Source

3) Rod starts us off with his first quotable, possibly career haunting, quote (which I can almost hear him saying):

Joining Linden Lab is a very exciting opportunity,” said Humble. “I have a long standing interest in the how the boundaries of society and economics change as communications evolve in new ways. Second Life is unique: it sits at the intersection of virtual worlds, avatars, and human contact. The Residents and developers of Second Life have built something very special, I am honored to join the talented team at Linden Lab to help expand this new frontier. Source

Welcome aboard Lord Humble (please start paddling)!
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Happy Holidays from a Virtual World Musician

Happy Holidays and the very best for 2011 - Grace McDunnough

Many people have asked for a copy of the song Two AM so for a limited time during the holidays, you can grab a copy of the recording I did for Chantal's amazing machinima simply by swapping it for a Social Whisper.

Peace, art, and music ~ Grace  {g }==:::

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